The company said that the decision to enter this market was driven by the requirement of many clients for longer bores and larger diameter pipelines to cope with the growing demand of the Australian population and the need to upgrade ageing infrastructure.

Within one month of arriving in the country, the D300 x 500 was already set up and boring for Leighton Contractors on a project in northern New South Wales to install a 900 mm PE pipe approximately 320 m in length.

Prior to the arrival of the D300, UEA had operated a rock capable 25 tonne Vermeer D50 x 100 rig. One of the most recent projects completed with this machine included a project in Canberra for the installation of a 355 mm PE rising main. The run length was approx 1,200 metres with a grade between 0.9 – 1.2 per cent with a 10 mm plus/minus tolerance. UEA delivered the project on time and met the required tolerances. The experience gained from bores such as this has provided an excellent skills base for the transition into the Maxi Rig market.

To support the D300 x 500, UEA also owns and operates its own wire line tracking system therefore negating the requirement to employ outside companies to install the pilot bore.

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For shorter distances and diameters up to 900 mm, UEA utilises its thrust boring equipment, capable of installing up to 50 metres of steel casing in one shot. This method is suitable for on grade bores or multiple conduits in varying ground conditions.

UEA is a privately owned Australian company established in 1995. For the past 12 years UEA has grown and diversified in the utility market with its main focus in the early years on trenchless technology.

The group now operates three separate utility businesses including the design and construction of electrical infrastructure, communication and trenchless construction. The UEA Trenchless business currently operates a fleet of machines ranging from 12 tonne through to 136 tonne.