The service and operation of the HammerHead Mole piercing tool line was one of the topics at this dealer wide training event. One of the main features of the HammerHead Mole piercing tool line was its ease of maintenance. Peter Archibald, a 15 year veteran of the Vermeer Campbellfield store who sold the first HammerHead Mole piercing tool in Australia, showed some of the younger employees how easy it was to rebuild a piercing tool. The Vermeer Australia staff of 25 watched in awe as Archibald was able to un-torque the tail-bolts, disassemble, remove and replace wear seals on the striker and reassemble the 3 inch HammerHead Mole piercing tool in just 1 minute, 34 seconds.

“I’ve been doing factory training for more than 15 years and I believe that was a record,” said Jeff Wage, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at HammerHead. “Our piercing tools are designed to be maintained in the field in just a few minutes with common hand tools, but that was amazing.”

Water and sewer pipe bursting applications were also discussed during the training event. “The world’s underground infrastructure is not getting any younger,” said Mr Wage.

“The pipe bursting market is growing exponentially and is near the tipping point. HammerHead feels that the Australian market is one of the key trenchless markets in the world and we are actively partnering with contractors and cities for the long term, assisting them in developing the marketplace together.

“We will develop close relationships with leading contractors and best practices for trenchless applications learned in the global marketplace. ‘At cost’ factory demonstrations, improved project specifications, and a comprehensive on site training program for equipment installations help to improve and expand acceptance of the technology,” he said.

Pipe bursting equipment training included the HydroBurst series of static pipe bursting machines available in 38, 50, 80 and 125 tonne models as well as the 30 tonne PortaBurst series bursting machine that is specifically designed for sewer lateral connections between house and main. In addition, pipe ramming and HDD assist methods and equipment were also discussed.

“We’re committed to a close partnership with the Vermeer dealer network and have allocated additional budgets for equipment, factory staffing and training support to assist Australian communities in evaluating the trenchless technologies,” Mr Wage said.

For nearly 20 years, HammerHead has provided trenchless innovations and solutions backed by a global Vermeer distribution and service network. Whether installing 2 inch conduit, replacing 30 inch pipe or installing 72 inch steel casing, HammerHead provides complete boring, ramming and pipe bursting solutions.

HammerHead (Earth Tool Company LLC) of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, U.S.A., manufactures a full line of pipe bursting, pipe ramming and pneumatic boring systems and offers worldwide sales, support, service and parts through an independent, authorised Vermeer dealer network and authorised HammerHead distributors worldwide.