52 / 100
PROLINE PIPE EQUIPMENT, INC.,
CANADA
T
he Proline BM04-20HD heavy-duty bending machine
is designed to be tough. One of the advantages of
this bender is an efficient hydraulic cooling system,
which keeps the hydraulic fluid from overheating
under extreme jobsite conditions. Other advantages include
safety shutdown, larger than average side plates, and specially
designed filters. The rims and tyres are oversized (compared to
other machines in the market) so that it is easier to move the
machine through sand, snow, and swamp. Proline produces six
sizes of bending machines.
This particular heavy-duty machine will bend pipe of
various wall thicknesses from 4 in. - 20 in., and incorporates
an extended bed with a Quincy compressor to power the
mandrels. The Proline open front design allows the operator to
see the pipe coming into the bender, and gives them a better
view of the bending procedure, unlike the box-shaped bending
machines that are currently being used.
Contractors who work on high production pipelines
currently use this machine in Canada. These contractors are
well-known for their speed and expertise in laying cross-
country pipelines, and they
require reliable equipment to
keep production at maximum
levels. In Canada, high production
can be achieved at 40˚C, as well
at -40˚C. These ‘benders’ have been
proven to work at 50˚C, while working
on projects in the Algerian Sahara.
In 2003, Trans Canada Pipelines used
a Proline pipe bending machine to see if
experimental 36 in. X100 grade pipe could be
bent, and if it could be bent in cold weather.
Proline’s BM3042 bent the pipe in -45˚C
conditions along with a self-powered mandrel;
in fact, it bent the pipe all day. This is the heritage
from which the BM04-20HD comes.
Proline servicemen have travelled overseas to train
customers’ employees on the use of the equipment at
their location and for start-up procedures. The company
does this for mandrels, air clamps, and other Proline-
manufactured equipment.
While Proline is a manufacturer of pipe bending
machines, the company also carries lowering-in belts,
rockshield, horizontal ground rollers up to 1219 mm (48 in.),
and stackable plastic pipe stands for normal or high heat
conditions – this frees up the time it takes to build skids,
and does not require fumigation certificates. The company is
focused on helping customers reach their goals in a timely
and cost-effective manner. Customers in 64 countries have
benefitted from Proline offering training sessions for
their employees. At the company’s facility in Canada,
they are trained to use the equipment safely. Once
the course is completed successfully, an employee
will receive a certificate of achievement.
Proline bending machines were designed
with pipeline workers in mind. In fact,
several ideas were incorporated into the
bending machines from the same workers
who are experienced in cross-country
pipe bending. That is why Proline
incorporated the bending machine’s
shape over 25 years ago. Special
features of a Proline bending
machine include working in -45˚C
to 50˚C with only a change of
fluid. There are no optional
‘cold weather packages’ or
‘hot weather packages’. The
machines simply work
in these environments
because that is what
they were designed to
do.
The Proline BM04-20HD bending machine has an extended bed and
a built-in air compressor to accommodate bending mandrels.
The Proline BM04-20HD bending pipe.
Heavy equipment review
50