Mako Trenchless Auger Boring

Horizontal auger thrust boring is an economic way of installing larger bore pipes and casings beneath existing infrastructure where line and grade is not critical. The process requires a launch pit with the rails installed to the line and grade desired. The auger borer is then lowered onto the rails along with the pipe and auger head. Essentially the machine works as a large scale "drill" where the borer provides rotation and thrust pressure on drilling augers. The cutting head at the face of the drill string cuts material and the auger flights transfer the spoil back to the bore pit. This process is continued until the pipe string reaches the receival pit after which the drill head is disconnected and the auger string retracted. The product pipe can then be inserted as required and the annulus grouted.

The horizontal auger thrust boring type of trenchless construction is best suited to dry conditions and can be undertaken in any type of ground by utilizing different types of cutting heads. Mako has two machines of this type providing a range of up to 50m depending on ground conditions in pipe sizes DN100 to DN600. This method provides less accurate results. However, if required and conditions are suitable, Mako has developed a system to greatly improve accuracy using a pilot rod string leading the cutting head and augers. Alternately, a traditional steering head can also be utilized.