Aging utility infrastructures around the globe are facing a growing challenge. Millions of water and gas lines require replacement to mitigate serious risks to the public they serve. The most pressing need is the 7 to 10 million, or more, lead water lines that could result in lead contamination in drinking water. 

However, the utilities and municipalities responsible for them must also decide how to approach the overwhelming project costs, prolonged timelines, and community disruptions. Fortunately, the advanced engineering of the Kobus Pipe Puller KPP400 steps up as an innovative solution that can address the dilemma. Its capabilities prioritize safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness to transform traditional pipeline replacement efforts.

Precision Engineering from Kobus Reimagines Replacement

Traditional replacement methods, such as open-cut trenching, are typically labor-intensive undertakings. They are notorious for creating increased traffic delays, environmental degradation, and unnecessary spending. However, modernizing the process with the KPP400 avoids the inefficiency and disorder that the industry has come to expect.  

The KPP400 Kobus Pipe Puller is a game-changer due to its impressive engineering and ability to streamline the pipe replacement process. Thanks to cutting-edge hydraulics that deliver a continuous and efficient pulling process, the KPP400 can be mounted on a compact excavator to fully remove decommissioned pipes while simultaneously installing the new ones, minimizing disruptions and downtime.  

Industry-Leading Pulling Power  

At the heart of the KPP400’s design is its remarkable pulling power. Its two hydraulic motors generate an impressive 45,000 pounds of force, enabling it to extract aging or damaged pipes with remarkable ease, even in harsh conditions like clay-heavy soil. The system can pull up to 80 feet of pipe in one go, dramatically reducing project timelines.  

Additionally, a rotational foot design enhances operational efficiency by allowing precise positioning of the excavator. The technology reduces excavation zones, minimizing community disruption and environmental impact—key considerations for urban areas where traffic flow and reduced disruption are critical.  

Innovative Design for Safety and Operational Efficiency  

Among its other standout elements is the patented spool system, designed with a helix thread to simplify pipe extraction. Operators can easily wind extracted pipes onto the spool using the reversible hydraulic motors. The male and female spool halves enable an effortless separation to remove old coiled pipe after extraction quickly.

Most of the pipe replacement work occurs at the excavator’s controls, enhancing both flexibility and on-site safety for the operator and the rest of the crew. The process eliminates the uncertainty of other methods and minimizes the utility strikes and heavy machinery that can put workers and bystanders at risk. 

One Pull Removes and Replaces

The Kobus KPP400 also boasts dual functionality that is unmatched by other pipe replacement methods and tools. 

When using the Kobus machine, a specially designed steel pulling cable is inserted through the old, disconnected pipe, and a pulling ferrule with an expander is attached. As the Kobus Pipe Puller winches the cable, the ferrule extracts the old pipe while the expander enlarges the borehole left behind, preparing it for the new replacement pipe. The new pipe can be attached to the pulling ferrule and towed into place in a single, continuous operation.

The KPP400 removes existing lead, copper, steel, or polyethylene pipe with an inner diameter of 1/2″ to 1″. It simultaneously replaces it with new copper or polyethylene pipe up to 1.5″ in inner diameter.

Real-World Success Across Applications  

The KPP400 has demonstrated consistent performance in diverse environments, from densely populated urban centers to rural areas. It represents a meaningful shift away from the inefficiencies and disruptions of conventional trenching methods.

Thousands of successful replacements have established the Kobus Pipe Puller as a reliable standard in pipe replacement. Utilizing the KPP400 drastically reduces project durations and workforce requirements, delivering significant cost savings. 

The advantages also extend to sustainability initiatives. Completely removing decommissioned materials allows for the recycling of materials and eliminates the possibility that dangerous materials remain in the ground where they can cause future problems.

Contact us to discuss how to use the KPP400 to transform your operations today.