WIMAG Pipe Puller RZE: the perfect pipe puller for reinforced concrete pipes

Even though the pipe puller is not a pulling device as defined in DGUV Vorschrift 54 "Winches, Lifting and Pulling Devices", essential provisions of the regulation must also be observed here:

 Marking

The following must be indicated on devices and rope blocks:

• manufacturer or supplier,
• year of manufacture,
• type, if a type designation exists,
• factory number or serial number,
• permissible load.

Inspections

The operator must ensure that devices, including the supporting structure and rope blocks, are inspected by a competent person before initial commissioning and after significant modifications before being put back into service.

The operator must ensure that devices, including the supporting structure and rope blocks, are inspected at least once a year by a competent person. In addition, the operator must have them inspected by a competent person in between as required, depending on the conditions of use and the operating circumstances.

A competent person (qualified person) is someone who, on the basis of their professional training and experience, has sufficient knowledge in the field of winches, lifting and pulling devices and is sufficiently familiar with the relevant national occupational safety regulations, DGUV regulations and generally recognised rules of technology (e.g. DGUV rules, DIN standards, VDE regulations, technical rules of other member states of the European Union or other contracting states of the Agreement on the European Economic Area) to be able to assess the safe working condition of winches, lifting and pulling devices.

Inspection records

The operator must ensure that records are kept of the results of device inspections.

The results of inspections of power-driven rope and chain hoists for lifting loads and of power-driven crane hoisting units must be entered in an inspection log.

Operating manual, operating instructions

The operator must ensure that the operating manual supplied by the manufacturer is available and accessible to the employees entrusted with installing, maintaining or independently operating the devices.

Where operating conditions require it, the operator must, taking into account the operating manual supplied by the manufacturer, draw upoperating instructions in an understandable form and in the language of the employees, setting out measures for safe operation in line with the conditions on site.

Employees must observe the operating manual and the operating instructions.

Installation, fastening

The operator must ensure that, when the devices are installed, their control station is arranged or protected in such a way that the operator of the device is not endangered by the device itself, the load-bearing equipment or the load.

The operator must ensure that devices, deflection pulleys and rope blocks are only fastened to structures and suspensions capable of safely absorbing the expected forces.

Detecting and eliminating defects

If the device operator detects obvious defects on devices, including the load-bearing equipment, pulleys, equipment and supporting structure, they must eliminate them immediately. If this is not part of their job or they do not have the necessary expertise, they must, if necessary, take the device out of service and report the defect to the operator.

Initiating load movement

The device operator may only initiate a load movement after making sure that the load is securely attached and that no persons are in the danger zone, or after receiving a signal from the slinger.

The device operator must observe all movements of the load and the load handling attachment.

If the device operator cannot observe all movements of the load or the load handling attachment from the control station, the operator must take suitable measures to ensure that persons are not endangered by the load or the load handling attachment.

Why should concrete pipes not be pushed together with an excavator bucket?

Pushing with an excavator bucket creates unnecessary risks of accidents and damage.

According to EN 1610, suitable pipe jointing equipment must be used. The pipes should be joined free of constraint by applying steady axial force, without overloading the components.

German Association for Concrete and Reinforced Concrete Pipes (Fachvereinigung Betonrohre und Stahlbetonrohre e.V., FBS): "Pushing pipes together with an excavator bucket, or pulling them together with asymmetric chain slings attached to the laying anchors and raised by the lifting device, is not permitted due to the uncontrolled application of force and possible damage to the pipe ends. When pulling pipes together with chain slings, there is also a risk that the pipes will be lifted and angled, so that the planned position is not achieved. Pipe pullers that grip the pipe either on the outside or on the inside are recommended."

Güteschutz Kanalbau (German quality assurance association for sewer construction): "Pipes may only be joined using suitable equipment and with an even distribution of load."

What is a pipe puller and what is it used for?

A pipe puller is a special tool for pulling reinforced concrete pipes together in sewer construction. The WIMAG pipe puller RZE pulls the pipes into each other safely and quickly, without the need for additional supply lines or manual force.

What does the model name RZE stand for?

RZE is the series name of the WIMAG device for reinforced concrete pipes with an inside diameter of 800/1,000–2,500 mm (up to 3,000 mm with an adapter). RZE stands for the German "Rohrzug elektrisch" – electric pipe puller.

Can the WIMAG pipe puller RZE be rented?

Yes, the RZE-16 is available for both purchase and rental.

Which pipes and nominal sizes can be pulled together with the RZE?

The WIMAG pipe puller RZE can lay circular reinforced concrete pipes with an inside diameter of 800 to 2,500 mm, and up to 3,000 mm with an adapter. With additional accessories, reinforced concrete pipes with a dry-weather channel, kite-shaped profiles or rectangular culverts can also be pulled together. For laying smaller pipes, WIMAG offers the pipe pulling device RZA (outside pipe diameter 350–1,250 mm) and the WIMAG mini pipe layer (outside pipe diameter 118–325 mm).

How does the pulling process work?

Using a rope sling, the pipe puller is lifted centrally in front of the first pipe. On its four wheels, the device can easily be moved to the desired position inside the pipe, where it is clamped hydraulically at the push of a button. A hydraulic cylinder then pulls the pipes together via a polyester belt and a crossbar; after the pulling process, the device is released again at the push of a button. The pipe puller is then moved forward by one pipe length and clamped again.

How are reinforced concrete pipes laid and what role does the pipe puller play?

When laying reinforced concrete pipes, the pipe puller carries out the actual pulling process: once the excavator has positioned the next pipe, the device pulls the pipe ends together with controlled, defined pressure – instead of doing this in an uncontrolled way by hand or with the excavator bucket. Preparatory work such as trench excavation, bedding and pipe alignment is not part of the pipe puller's function, but belongs to the regular civil engineering work.

Do I have to reposition the pipe puller after each pulling operation?

No, the pipe puller is normally supplied with a 4 m and an 8 m pulling belt. After the first pipe has been pulled with the shorter belt, it is replaced by the longer one. For all subsequent pipes, the RZE is pulled forward by one pipe length using the crossbar and the polyester belt after each pulling operation.

What pulling medium does the pipe puller use?

A polyester belt is used as the pulling medium instead of wire rope or chain. This eliminates the risk of injury.

The maximum pulling force of the pipe puller is 16 t. Can I also pull heavier pipes together?

Yes. The pipe to be laid is aligned as close as possible in front of the last pipe, but remains suspended from the lifting gear until the end of the pulling process. This makes it easy to correct the pipe position with the lifting gear. The required pulling force is considerably reduced, as only the frictional resistance of the seal has to be overcome.

How is the pipe puller powered?

The device operates electro-hydraulically and is powered by a 12 V battery. This eliminates obstructive supply lines or cables while working inside the pipe.

How is damage to the pipes prevented during pulling?

Large clamping surfaces distribute the forces evenly and prevent damage to the pipe. The clamping pressure can be adjusted according to the pipe size. Pressure and battery voltage are monitored via control instruments.

Can the pipe puller be adapted to other pipe sizes?

Yes. It is set to a new pipe size using a spindle or by exchanging the supports.

Is there a remote control for the pipe puller?

Yes, a radio remote control is available as an option.

Which safety regulations apply to operating the pipe puller?

The pipe puller is subject to the German accident prevention regulation DGUV Vorschrift 54. Before commissioning and at least once a year, it must be inspected by a competent person. The operator must ensure that the inspection results are documented. The results must be entered in an inspection log. The device may only be used in accordance with the operating instructions.

Are operating instructions available?

Every device is supplied with operating instructions. If required, they can be requested at any time via www.wimag.de.

What is the difference between the RZE and the RZA?

The pipe puller RZE is used inside the reinforced concrete pipe; the pipe pulling device RZA is clamped from the outside behind the bell socket of the pipe.