Pipe Ramming

Ed Garrow and Sons, Inc.

982 Military Turnpike • Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Office: 518-561-0740 • Fax 518-563-7014 • Ron Garrow 518-561-6790

By definition, pipe ramming is a non-steerable system of forming a bore. It is done by driving a steel casing using a percussive hammer from a drive pit. The soil can be removed from the open-ended casing by augering, jetting or compressed air.

How it works:

A drive pit is excavated. The pipe ramming tool is set up in the drive pit. A section of casing is lowered into place and attached to the ramming tool. Pneumatic power drives the casing through the ground, swallowing the soil and rocks in it’s path. Additional sections of casing are welded into place and rammed. At the desired casing length, compressed air is used to blow out the soil and rocks in the casing. Larger diameter rams are cleaned with augers or mini machines.

Where is pipe ramming used:

Typically, pipe ramming is used to install casings under railroad beds, roads, rivers, etc.

Advantages:

The process creates no rise or voids in road or rail beds. Unlike auger boring the rammed casing accepts rocks up to the inside diameter of the casing or breaks obstructions with the aid of a cutting shoe.

Right tool for the job:

We have 3 sizes of pipe ramming tools.

• Gigant - Able to install pipes from 8-inch through 24-inch diameter.
• Koloss - Able to install pipes from 12-inch through 30-inch diameter.
• Taurus - Largest Rammer Made - able to install pipes from 36-inch through 132-inch diameter.