Analytics

Pipe layers have a quite narrow range of application – building and repairing of the pipelines, that’s why their volume of sales comparing to the sales of other building and road equipment (for example excavator or front loaders) is more modest. Nevertheless, for the past 5 years the volume of the segment of pipelayers has significantly increased. In 2004 the market capacity of pipe layers (production plus import, not counting second-hand) made 335 units, in 2008 the capacity increased by 2,3 times more and made 785 units. Though, lately in all the “hot positions” SDM yearly increase came up to 2-3-fold size. But, how it was said above, pipe layers are not in this very “position”. Tendencies, which are being observed in other segments of Russian market of building and road equipment in the epoch of building boom, commonly also typical for the market of pipe layers. Import of new machines as well as the production of home equipment was increasing, however the import growth rates noticeably exceeded the rates of production on Russian enterprises, because of which the latter lost its share of the market. So, in 2004 Russians had 73 % of the market (not counting second-hand), but in 2008 – only 52 %. Import of the second-hand pipe layers lowered, apparently taken by the Chinese enterprises.

 

HOME PRODUCTION

In home production of pipe layers everything is stable: main producers are the same – no new added, no old ones lost – TCHTZ – Uraltrak, Promtraktor and Berezovsky repair and engineering works (BRMZ). Formally here we can add Zemetchinsky engineering factory, but its pipe laying crane TB-2, with hoisting capacity 4 t. on the base of the tractor DT-75 was intended to be mostly used in communal services for pipe installation with diameter 350 mm. Nowadays this machine is solitarily produced (for the absence of demand) and is not the main product for the company.

 

*All the models of pipelaying cranes mentioned in this article, the max hoisting capacity shown at the start of 1.22 mm (according to standard SAE J743B), except for the items of BRMZ, the hoisting capacity of which is brought by A.N.S.I.830.14.

Shares of the market of above mentioned companies in 2007-2008 y. remained almost unchanged: the crises affected everyone equally. Although if we compare market shares in 2008 with data of 2004, we see that Promtraktor made a swift jump up – then it had 23% of the whole Russian pipe laying crane production, now – 52%. Correspondingly, the previous leader TCHTZ-URALTRAK had to move, the share of which had decreased from 55 to 37%. The transfer of leadership to Promtraktor looked quite natural: today this company has most dimension types of pipe laying cranes among home business rivals – 8 models with the hoisting capacity 26,5; 44,2; 65,7; 104, 9 and 107 t. Considering that all the pipe laying equipment, produced by Cheboksarsky factory “Promtraktor” under the brand “Chetra” lies in a high price bracket, is in a high demand. Pipe laying cranes Chetra have a good technical level (not at last place, due to imported utilities), possess quite a reliability, is well provided for dealing and service net and of course the range of modeling plays an important role in attracting purchasing demand. By the way, in Russia only at Promtraktor the serial production of pipe laying cranes of high hoisting capacity (over 63 t) is mastered, mostly called-for in building of trunk pipelines. In this segment Cheboksarsky factory till latest competed only with foreign companies. TCHTZ-Uraltrak has 2 models of pipe laying cranes – with hoisting capacity of 27 and 41 t. Now, with goal of widening of consumer’s quality of its products, the factory offers pipe layers with hydrostatic drive hoists (GTS) of hoisting machines and hydromechanical transmission: ÒÐ12.27.06 and ÒÐ20.27.06. Modifications with GTS allow to provide a continuous change of speed of the hoisting hook and boom reach in wide range of speed (from 0 to 17 m/min). Smooth change of load speed and boom, lower dynamic workload, increase smoothness of installation of pipe layers, simplifying the directing of the hoisting equipment. Comparing to Cheboksarsy machines the Chelyabinsky machines are more accessible in price. Until recent times Berezovskiy repair and engineering works produced only three dimension types of pipe laying cranes – hoisting capacity 16, 20 and 40 t, all on base of the tractor T10MB, production of TCHTZ. And on the 40-tonne model the maximum hoisting capacity was reached by using bracing jack, without bearing the crane could lift only 16 t. Today BRMZ has completed the development of a new pipelaying crane TBG-90 with maximal hoisting capacity 90 t. In the capacity of base for TBG-90 the factory used Chinese tractor PD-320Y-0 with engine Cummins with engine power in 257 kilowatt. For the convenience of driver work and for increasing the certainty of operations in movements of loads, laying of pipes and synchronization movement speed while at work in column, in new product hydromechanical transmission is used alongside with electrical joystick, proportional hydraulic control valve of Italian production. Thus hydro-system TBG-90 provides the independent work of boom hoists and the hook, and also hoisting, descending and braking at the stoppage of the diesel engine. Beside the mastering of the new pipelaying crane TBG-90 BRMZ plans to widen its assortment of produced booms and boom-bearings for the pipelayers Komatsu, Caterpillar, DGY and TCHTZ-Uraltrak.

Assessing the structure of pipelaying cranes production on the home factories in 2008, it should be mentioned that the main demand is focused on the hoisting capacity in 26-27 t. (38% of the whole amount of pipelaying cranes production in RF), which is mastered by 2 players – TCHTZ-Uraltrak and Promtrak. CHelyabinsky factory has approximately in this segment two third, Cheboksarsky – one third. Segment of 40-44 t. machines in particular timing was also divided between TCHTZ-URALTRAK and Promtrak in correlation 2:1. As it was said above, the input in segments of more high hoisting capacity was made by entirely by Cheboksarsky factory. Segment of 20-tonnes was wholly belonging to BRMZ, but obviously 16-tonnes hadn’t had the call.

 

IMPORT

 

Segment of new imported pipelaying cranes in comparison with home segment has during the past 5 years been dynamically developing. In 2004 in Russia the most imported pipelayrs were imported only by Komatsu and Dressta, out of 90 imported machines Japanese producers had 82%, and Polish – 18%. In 2008 the amount of import has grown up to 300 units, and to the active players Caterpillar and Liebherr were added altogether with the Chinese – Shantui and Peng Pu. In spite of almost doubled amount of import of Komatsu pipelayers, share of this company has lowered down to 44%, and more serious rival turned out to be Caterpillar, which had 35% of new imported pipelaying cranes. Summed-up share of Chinese producers made 16% (with obvious advantage of Peng Pu) – quantity that needs attention considering the way of the import dynamics of Chinese equipment in Russia for the past years. In its turn, one of the previous leaders – Dressta company – has lost considerable share on the market in percentage as well as in natural: in 2004 the firm has brought 16 pipelaying cranes, and in 2007 – only 11. In 2008 import has increased by 25%, consisting of 377 units. Some firms’ import amount grew, and others’ fell, eventually considerable amount of equipment was left at stocks not sold. Simply some firms were on time to change the import amount due to crisis situation and other firms were honestly following the contracts, this way filling in the commercial areas. Therefore this situation doesn’t reflect any real demand on varying companies’ products. Analysis of import structure by hoisting capacity shows that most demanded equipment with hoisting capacity (90-92 t.), 87% of import consists exactly of this segment. Most input in this segment in 2008 was made by Komatsu – 71%, going down – Caterpillar and Peng Pu – 19 and 10 % consequently. In all other segments with hoisting capacity – from 18 to 80 t. – imports were single, yet home producers prevail.

Among not Chinese companies, at Russian market Caterpillar has a most wide line of pipelayrs – 5 models with hoisting capacity 18,1; 40,8; 63,5 and 91,6 t. Liebherr has – 4 models of 4 dimension types: 21,2; 45,9; 80 and 90,8 t. Komatsu company has made main focus on medium and heavy segments – 3 models with hoisting capacity 41, 72 and 92 t. Dressta works only within the heavy segment: 2 models with hoisting capacity 72 and 10 t.

Chinese producers in segment of pipelaying cranes are not yet fully active as in for example segment of frontlifts, motor graders or road rollers, where the number of companies from PRC reaches up to 10 or more. The segment of pipelayers was mastered only by Shantui and Peng Pu. Shantui’s family consists of 6 models with hoisting capacity 15, 25, 45 and 70t. Pipelayers are developed on the base of Shantui bulldozers, made using technologies of Komatsu. The machines furnished with licensed engines Communis and Styer which provide enough power and resource. The new product of 2009 – pipelaying crane SP100Y on the base of bulldozer Shantui SD 42 with hoisting capacity 100 t. The machine is furnished with Clummins engine with the engine power 310 kilowatt.

The family of pipelayers on the base of Peng Pu tractors, offered at Russian market, consists of 12 models and modifications with hoisting capacity 20, 25, 40, 70 and 90 t. In 2008 to Russia only 90-tonne pipelayers were imported.

Dimension type row of pipelaying cranes offered at Russian market.

 

 

The author shows gratitude for the help of preparing the article to OOO “Academy-Service” (www.ftinform.com).

Inter Alia

While making the first own pipelayer Volvo Company went its own original way. Peculiarity of this machine is in that it was developed on the base of a crawler-mounted excavator. Unlike the traditional pipelayers on the base of a bulldozer, the new product due to its full revolving platform can lift pipes at the turn of 360 O. Volvo pipelayers are supplied with the load monitoring system LMS, which allows the operator detect the safe position at lifting a pipe against the corner of the boom, position of the cabin against the crawler and pitch at which the machine works. One more advantage of the pipelayer that it can by transformed into excavator of general application. The producer patented 2 models – hoisting capacity 80 and 113 t.