PipeLine Machinery International (PLM), Caterpillar’s global pipeline equipment dealer, worked with AJ Lucas to have a total of nine Caterpillar 572R Series 2 pipelayers on the Bonaparte Gas Pipeline.

PLM imported 572R pipelayers on rental to add to the units previously purchased by AJ Lucas for a combined sold and rented package that suited the contractor’s production schedule and crew configurations.

PLM worked closely with the local Caterpillar dealer, Hastings Deering NT, to plan the support aspects well in advance of the construction start.

PLM Project Manager John Masterton worked with Hastings Deering’s Northern Territory Area Manager Mark Neal and Product Support Representative Matthew Possingham. Together, the companies co-ordinated technical expertise, and parts and service requirements for the project. They also handled initial machine preparation at the mobilisation yard and warranty work at the end of the project. AJ Lucas ensured any scheduled maintenance was completed.

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The 572R Series 2 power and versatility combined with rugged components, are designed for tough and varied working conditions. The Bonaparte project, with a production goal of 4 km of pipe laid per day and working temperatures of up to 50°C, needed reliability from these machines.

When working in remote locations, as is the case with most mainline pipeline projects, PLM said that many issues have to be considered.

Mr Masterton said “When you are 500 km from the nearest road, you just don’t send a broken down tractor in for repairs. With the major modular components on the 572R Series 2, the serviceability is such that components can be exchanged fast in the field.”

Due to a reliable product base, good preparation, good maintenance and professional operation, no component failures occurred on the Bonaparte project.

The pipelayers were also equipped with the Caterpillar Product Link system, a wireless machine-tracking system that allows two-way communication between machine systems and a manager’s desktop computer, providing information such as location, hour-meter reading, fuel consumption and system alerts.

“Product Link makes it easier for us to arrive on the project site with all the necessary tools and products to address issues, minimising downtime,” said Mr Masterton.

As has long been the case, pipeline construction focuses strict attention on environmental concerns. On the Bonaparte project, environmental, archaeological and anthropological concerns were foremost as the pipeline crossed traditional Aboriginal lands. The Caterpillar pipelayers are equipped with Ecology Drains, which provide an environmental method to drain fluids. In addition, the Advanced Modular Cooling System includes brass tubes welded to a large, thick header that improves the strength of the tube-to-header joint, reducing the potential for coolant leaks.

Comfort of the operator is essential for high-production work. The ergonomically designed operator stations on the 572R Series 2 with intuitive, low-effort controls were an operator favourite. Hydraulic winches that have only two levers to operate the boom and load lines, plus one additional lever for the counterweight control, eased the work load for skilled operators and reduced the training time needed for new operators.

The project was completed ahead of schedule and PLM rental machines were returned in good condition due to the diligence of AJ Lucas’ equipment maintenance staff and the support from Hastings Deering.

The PLM 572R machines coming off the Bonaparte project will be staying in Australia for future sales or rentals. It is expected that the AJ Lucas 572Rs will likely be heading south on one of the many pipeline projects getting underway in that region.