Micro Tunneling Equipment Winterization Best Practices

As the climate in many of the northern states turns to colder temperatures, it’s a good time to review the benefits of proper micro tunneling machine storage, which can aid in protecting and prolonging the lifespan of your investment.

In my 25-year career at Akkerman, I have seen how even a minor amount of frozen water can cause damage due to improper storage practices. If the drive motor freezes solid, and the motor housing cracks, then you’ve had a bad day.

The following recommendations provide a summary. Contractors should refer to the storage section of their equipment’s operators manual for specific, step-by-step instructions on maintenance intervals, storage guidelines and cold weather operation. If contractors are micro tunneling in cold climates, some or all of these procedures may need to be performed as frequently as each day, before long weekends or in-between drives.”

In advance of storage procedures, general maintenance must first be carried out. This includes but is not limited to: washing the pipe jacking machine, the repair of worn and damaged parts, lubrication of moving components, retraction of hydraulic cylinders and coating exposed rods with a corrosion preventative.

Next, pumps, lines and hoses should be blown out with compressed air at a pressure that does not exceed the operating pressure suggested on the name plate. While this practice is effective, water can still become trapped. I recommend that the operator then saturate the lines from entry to exit points with propylene glycol, rated for down to -50 F.

The most prudent storage measures for the micro tunneling control container (MCC) and remote hydraulic power pack are rodent protection and ventilation control. I have seen quite a few damaged variable frequency drives and motor control centers in the factory and field caused by rodent nests and chewed electrical wiring.

Placing industrial grade mouse traps by the container’s main doors and bulkhead panel and maintaining good housekeeping practices will help to deter rodent from taking up residence in the containers. Contractors should also be cognizant of significant temperature shifts that could cause humidity while the units are in storage. The use of desiccant and if necessary, running a dehumidifier will keep the MCC and power pack electronics and electrical components moisture free.