Automatic tube pullers designed for the fast and effective refurbishment of heat exchangers, air-conditioning and refrigeration plant systems can be supplied by Wicksteed Engineering.
The equipment is suitable for the withdrawal of tubes up to 45mm (1.75in) diameter, with a pulling force of up to 30 tonf being available.
Designed for one man operation, the pullers provide significantly faster tube removal rates than competitive products.
In addition, models are also available to enable safe operation in hostile environments if required.
A powerful electro-hydraulic unit can be supplied for general-purpose applications in non-hazardous atmospheres including power generation, sugar and aluminium refineries together with de-salination plants.
With the highest rate of tube extraction, these products are ideal for general engineering requirements and guarantee minimum equipment downtime for all tube renewal and replacement projects.
However, where hostile environments may be encountered, as in oil refineries and petrochemical plants, then a pneumatic-hydraulic tube puller has been developed.
This obviates the need for 'hot work' permits.
These tube pullers are fully automatic and easy to use, with no special skills required for operation.
They feature a unique patented locking device to eliminate operator involvement during the pulling process.
There is a simple two button 'ON' - 'OFF' operation, with sensing devices incorporated to determine the appropriate extraction force required.
The pulling heads have strokes of 150mm (6in) and tube extraction rates in excess of 3 metres (10ft) per minute can be achieved, using an automatic step-and-repeat action.
Both power packs feature 5.5kW/7.5HP motors.
They are fully mobile and at 305kg (including hydraulic oil) can be easily transported.
The electro-hydraulic unit requires a 415V 3-phase 50Hz supply, while the pneumatic-hydraulic unit needs a 100psi (7bar) input air pressure with a minimum volume of 130 ft3/min (3680 litre/min).
A 220V 60Hz model is also available for the American market.
Tube expanders are also available as the most effective way of securing tubes into the end plates, complementing the product range from what is probably the UK's largest manufacturer of tube expanding equipment.
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