TRACTO Australia hosted a delegation leading Australian and New Zealand trenchless contractors at bauma 2025, which took place in Munich in April.
The now traditional pilgrimage is an opportunity for TRACTO’s Australian team, led by Sales Manager Dan Toms, to facilitate the opportunity for the contractors to not only see first-hand the company’s latest technology, but also experience what the event has to offer.
Taking place every three years, this year’s event featured more than 3600 exhibitors, with more than 600,000 people visiting the show over the seven days of the event.
After hosting a delegation from Australia and New Zealand a number of times, Sales Manager Dan Toms said the trip has now become tradition.
“Hosting a group of contractors from Australia and New Zealand every three years is an opportunity for them to connect with directly with our engineering, research and development, and technical teams,” he said.
“It’s rare that the end user gets this sort of access to the individuals who are responsible for maintaining our current and core range of products. It’s important for us, too, to be able to engage with people who are using our trenchless solutions and get feedback on challenges that they are facing, or changes they would like to see implemented in future iterations of our machines.
“This information is valuable as we continually refine and innovate, and plan the next generation of products and what the future of trenchless construction and rehabilitation looks like.”
NEXT GENERATION MACHINES
The Australasian delegation were present to see TRACTO launch a series of new and upgraded products, which have been designed to make pipeline work faster, safer and more sustainable. This was highlighted by the unveiling of a new range of horizontal directional drilling (HDD) rigs, including the GRUNDODRILL JCS300 which stands out as the most powerful jetting rig in its class.
With 300kN of thrust and pullback, the unit is built for long bores and demanding projects. Its capable of holding 70, 4.5m drill rods, helping crews work faster with fewer interruptions, and includes smart automation features to support safer and more efficient drilling.
Nicknamed the “Rockstar”, TRACTO also introduced the GRUNDODRILL 20ACS, an optimised version of the popular 18ACS. The machine is built for challenging ground conditions, using a dual-tube drill rod system and support tools to handle rock drilling and complex projects with ease.
Also on display was the company’s fully electric HDD rig, the GRUNDODRILL JCS130E. After being successfully tested on real construction sites, this 130kN rig is now available as a production model.
The machine offers the same performance as diesel-powered units but with much lower emissions, making it a smart choice for contractors focused on sustainability.
In addition to power and performance, TRACTO is also focused on safety and data. One example is the ORFEUS radar drill head. The new tool helps detect unknown obstacles during drilling, improving safety and reducing the risk of damaging other utilities.
Supporting this innovation, TRACTO also developed special drill rods with built-in data cables which can send large amounts of information back to the operator, enabling real-time monitoring and smarter control.
ESTABLISHED PRODUCTS
The full range of the company’s trenchless solutions were also on display at bauma for the local delegation. The GRUNDOMAT soil displacement hammers continue to be a popular choice for fast, trenchless installation of house connections. With no need for no digging and reduced surface damage, these units are designed to be easy to use.
For more complex routes, TRACTO’s GRUNDOSTEER guided rod pushers and GRUNDOPIT mini rigs provide better control and precision. These tools are ideal for urban areas or sites with existing infrastructure.
Another area of growing interest is trenchless pipe renewal, and TRACTO’s GRUNDOBURST systems are designed to replace damaged pipes without the need to dig.
Although pipe bursting technology has been around for decades, the trenchless method is now considered one of the most sustainable pipeline renewal techniques. As more utilities are tasked with replacing or rehabilitating ageing infrastructure, demand for long-term, low-impact solutions facilitated by GRUNDOBURST is increasing.
TRACTO also prioritised conversations with the delegation about the ongoing support the company can offer end users throughout the project lifecycle. This includes training, expert help, flexible finance options and long-term service agreements.
Toms said the company has worked hard to establish TRACTO as trusted equipment partner in Australia and New Zealand.
“We have always been very clear with our clients and partners that the sale of a machine starts when the customer takes delivery,” he said.
“This is a shared ideology across the extended TRACTO group, from the factory in Germany, across Europe to North America, through Asia and – of course – into Australia and New Zealand.”
“We’ve already pencilled the next bauma into the calendar and can’t wait to make the pilgrimage over to Munich again with a group of trenchless contractors.”
For more information, visit tracto.com/au
This article was featured in the June edition of Trenchless Australasia.
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