XCMG HDD machines are simple, easy to maintain and also easy to move within working area or even easy to transport from one site to other.

In 2016, XCMG introduced its Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) machines in Indian market. Within a very short span of time, it has become a popular machine. “HDD is the most convenient and environmental friendly way to install any underground utility. Almost every municipal corporation has discontinued open trenching for underground utility installations. All smart city projects compulsorily putting all utilities for the city only in underground format for which trenchless method is very useful and faster compared to open trenching methods for laying the public utility systems,” informs Hrishikesh Kulkarni, Director Marketing, XCMG India.

He further claims, “Our machines have proved that they are strong compared to others and can work in difficult ground conditions too. They are fuel efficient and environment friendly.”

Features
HDD is a trenchless method to install a utility without making any open trench i.e. less disturbance to normal routine public life. Work is done faster; people will not even know when the utilities were laid down without any hardships to pedestrians or without any traffic jams on that road. “XCMG HDD machines are simple, easy to maintain and also easy to move within working area or even easy to transport from one site to other,” Kulkarni said.

Application areas
HDD machines are very popular for OFC or broadband cable laying work. All 4G network cables were laid by using these machines for trenchless applications especially in cities, claims Kulkarni. Indian Army is planning to develop its own network all over India. Tender for 60,000 kms of cable laying work is in bidding and shall be awarded in next 2-3 months. This project will be executed by BSNL.

In almost every state of India there is work of about 20,000 kms of Internet cables. In some states like Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu work has already started and in other states it will take next 1-2 years.

HDD machines are also used for ongoing and new oil and gas pipeline projects. GAIL has used such machines for trenchless trenching for joint venture companies Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) and Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL).

Based on the success of IGL and MGL, GAIL has further set up six more JVCs viz Bhagyanagar Gas Ltd in Andhra Pradesh, Avantika Gas Ltd in Madhya Pradesh, Central U P Gas Ltd and Green Gas Ltd in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra Natural Gas Ltd in Pune, and Tripura Natural Gas Company Ltd in Tripura for CGD projects in various cities for piped gas distribution systems. All these cities will have to go in for trenchless trenching. Gujarat state government plans to 20,000 kms of pipeline for city gas distribution.

Sewerage pipelines work is going on or planned in almost every city towns by using HDD machines. In sewerage water pipelines, mid-size HDD machines are used.

Availability
In India, most of the HDD machines are imported. Right now, XCMG is making these machines in its China factory and importing it for the Indian market. In future if demand continues to grow, XCMG may manufacture these machines in India under “Make in India” program, informs Kulkarni.

For more detail, visit www.xcmg.com