Getting Skids Under Control
Fast-moving pipeline construction operations can be tracked by hundreds of skids flung helter-skelter as the lowering-in crews moves along. A follow-up crew, walking the pipeline, will gather the skids manually and load them onto trucks to be carried to the yard. This is labor-intensive, inefficient and expensive.
Now there is a new mobile machine that follows the lowering-in crew and collects the skids. It stacks and bands them in packages for transport to the yard. This is the All-Terrain Skid-Pro; designed, engineered and fabricated by Pisony International Pipeline Equipment Company, based in Lundbreck, Alberta, Canada.
Murray Pisony, President of the company, has been working on the line since 1999 with the skid machine. During these years, the skid machine has operated successfully over 957 miles of pipeline construction on all types of terrain: across the northern plains, through wetlands and forests, negotiating hilly terrain- wherever the pipelines led.
The All-Terrain SkidPro picks up completes piles of skids in a single scoop and puts them on a conveyor to the “unscrambling bin,” where the skids are assemble into packages of either 7 or 11 skids and secured by two steel bands. Skids can be scooped up from the mud, even when half buried with ditch spoil. The SkidPro works fast to pick up scattered piles of skids, from either side of the ROW. It collects virtually 100% of the skids.
SkidPro hauls up to eleven packages of skids. It can unload these skids onto trucks for transport to the yard, or stack the packages on the ground in an out-of-the-way location. In a typical four-mile day, SkidPro can handle as many as 8000 skids picked up, bound into packages and off-loaded into tucks. Two operators make up the crew of the SkidPro. No laborers are required. Extra huge tires carry SkidPro through mud and wetlands, and provide stability and traction. SkidPro can go up or down slopes to 27 degrees. The versatile SkidPro can be used in the yard to organize piles of skids and assemble packages for easy handling without the use of laborers.
In 1999 and 2000, Pisony and the skid machine worked for Marine Pipeline Inc. 220 miles across the Canadian plains with the Alliance Pipeline Project. Then the skid machine was used by Murphy Bros. on three projects totaling 225 miles in Wyoming and Minnesota in 2001 and 2002. H.C Price employed the machine on a 125 mile section of the Guardian Pipeline Project in Illinois for several months in 2002. Pisony and the skid machine went to Utah for Gregory & Cook doing 45 miles on the Kern River Project. ARB, Inc put the machine to work in early 2003 on 125 miles of the Kern River Project in California.
Son of the SkidPro
In mid-2003, Pisony took the skid machine back to the shop for major renovations. While every contractor for whom it had worked for was enthusiastic in their praise, Pisony wanted to incorporate some new technology into the machine. This involved increasing the hydraulics and electronics. State of the art computer logic with embedded sensors was utilized to make more functions of the machine self-activating. This enabled the new skid machine to work faster with reduced fatigue for the operators.
In August 2004, the new SkidPro went to Kansas to work 110 miles for U.S Pipeline Co. on the Cheyenne Plains Project. Then the SkidPro was employed by ARB, Inc. to work 107 miles on the Enbridge East Texas Expansion project. In May 2005, the All-Terrain SkidPro joined H.C. Price Co. for 120 miles on the Regency Gas Project across Louisiana.
From his experience on these projects, Pisony is pleased with the enhanced performance of the new All-Terrain SkidPro. Since the phrase “seeing is believing” has special meaning for the unique SkidPro, he produced an informative DVD showing the All-Terrain SkidPro in action. If you would like a DVD, call Murray Pisony at (403)-382-0007.
Some Pipeliners’ Opinions of SkidPro
Mike Cole, Area Director for ARB, Inc. commented, “The All-Terrain SkidPro is reliable, cost effective and it eliminates workers compensation costs. We are very pleased with the performance of the SkidPro.”
Jim Rogers, Foreman, ARB, Inc. explained, “With skids buried in deep mud and ditch spoil, the SkidPro picked 100%.”
Mike Hamilton, Assistant Superintendent, ARB, Inc. added, “The All-Terrain SkidPro is worth its weight in gold!”
Jim Jennings, Superintendent, U.S Pipeline, stated, “The All-Terrain SkidPro did a terrific job for the U.S Pipeline. We hauled tie-in skids from both spreads and made a large pile in the yard. The SkidPro bundled the skids with no assistance or delay.” Jennings went on to say, “Using the All-Terrain SkidPro with automated welders greatly enhances daily production.”
Bill Mechnig, Foreman with U.S Pipeline on the Cheyenne Plains Project, summed it all up, “The All-Terrain SkidPro and Pisony International really demonstrated their abilities to do a great job!”
For additional references, click "Testimonials" or "Jobs Completed"