Breaking out cast iron mains has been a long standing health and safety concern across the utilities industry. This is largely due to the labour intensive tooling available, such as a sledge hammer or ‘podger’ bar, both of which have been associated with causing injury to operatives.

Steve Vick International offers the solution with the ‘MACAW’ Pipe Cracker range, so called because its pipe cracking arms resemble the powerful beak of the South American bird! The MACAW attaches to the quick-hitch or bucket pins of a mini excavator. Controlled from the cab, and using the excavator’s hydraulic power, the operative manoeuvres the arms around the pipe and then applies sufficient pressure to crack the pipe.

The MACAW may be used on sliplined cast iron pipes if required.