Pipe Fusion Machine offers economy engine throttle setting.

Press Release Summary:



Equipped with hydraulic clamping and indexer-mounted heater and facer, TracStar® 500 Series 3 is capable of fusing thermoplastic pipes from 6 in. IPS to 20 in. OD in size. Fusion carriage can be removed and lowered into ditch for fusions in tight spaces. In addition to Standard model, self-contained, self-propelled, all-terrain machine is available in Automatic version, which offers control and monitoring over heat, soak, fuse, and cool cycles.



Original Press Release:



McElroy Unveils Third Generation of TracStar® 500



New TracStar® 500 Series 3 Offers New Technologies, Advancements



TULSA, Okla. – Fifteen years ago, McElroy introduced the world’s first self-contained, self-propelled, all-terrain fusion machine in the TracStar 500. Now, McElroy is releasing the third generation of the machine.



The new McElroy TracStar 500 Series 3 features major additions over previous models, including an indexer-mounted heater and facer, economy engine throttle setting and hydraulic clamping. With the heater now included as an attached part of the machine, users no longer have to manually place the heater in the carriage during the fusion process. The economy engine setting saves fuel by throttling down when idle. The addition of hydraulic clamping helps reduce operator fatigue and saves time by clamping pipe into jaws of the carriage with the push of a lever.



“TracStars revolutionized how people thought of the fusion process,” said Chip McElroy, president of McElroy. “TracStars continues to evolve with customer-provided suggestions having a key role in how designs are evolving. Many of the advancements on the new machine are customer-driven.”



The TracStar 500 Series 3 is capable of fusing thermoplastic pipes from 6-inch IPS to 20-inch outer diameter in size (180mm to 500mm). The fusion carriage can be removed and lowered into a ditch for fusions in tight spaces. Power for the heater is supplied by an on-board generator, while a hydraulic-pump system driven by the engine provides the power for the facer, dual-speed track system and more. Dual hydraulic pipe lifts help to load and unload the pipe into the carriage.



Two versions of the TracStar 500 series 3 will be available – a standard model and an Automatic TracStar 500 Series 3. The Automatic version offers control and monitoring over the heat, soak, fuse and cool cycles. The system guides the operator through a step-by-step procedure for fusing pipe. Both the Automated and standard versions have the ability to record fusion parameters with McElroy’s DataLogger®.



McElroy’s complete line of TracStar fusion machines can traverse mud, loose soil, snow and grades up to 30 percent. One of the most compelling reasons to use a TracStar is the ability to maneuver into position under the pipe. You can move the machine instead of moving the pipe, making the fusion process easier and faster. All TracStar machines allow for butt fusion of most fittings without special holders and have mitered inserts for fabricating ells in the shop or field.



For more information, visit the McElroy website at www.mcelroy.com/fusion.



About Pipe Fusion:

Butt fusion (also known as pipe fusion or plastic pipe joining) is a widely accepted process that joins two pieces of thermoplastic pipe together with heat and pressure. Commonly associated with high-density polyethylene pipe (HDPE) and polypropylene pipe (PP-R), the butt fusion process starts by “facing” or shaving the pipe ends simultaneously so that they can be joined together with heat to create a continuous, sealed pipeline. The welding of the pipes is accomplished by using a hot plate in contact with the pipe ends, which heats the plastic to a molten state. Then, after its removal, the ends are pressed together under a controlled force to form a weld that is as strong as or stronger than the pipe itself. Third-party industry research indi¬cates that HDPE pipe and joints can have a lifespan of more than 100 years.



About McElroy Manufacturing, Inc.:

Founded in 1954, McElroy Manufacturing has grown from a two-person start-up in an Oklahoma garage to the industry leader in the science of joining thermoplas-tic pipe. The name McElroy is recognized worldwide as the most reliable, efficient, rugged and technically advanced polyethylene and polypropylene pipe fusion equipment in the world. McElroy holds dozens of U.S. and foreign patents on fusion-related equipment. McElroy’s fusion equipment can be used in gas, water, mining, geothermal, HVAC, dredging, methane gas recovery, sewer, and many other industries. For additional information, please visit the McElroy website at www.mcelroy.com.



Important Links:

McElroy on YouTube: www.mcelroy.com/youtube

McElroy on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/McElroyFusion

McElroy on Facebook: www.mcelroy.com/facebook

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