GRUNDOSTEER - the guided mole

Start with us into a new mole era!

TRACTO-TECHNIK has developed the first compressed air operated guided mole called GRUNDOSTEER, which can be constantly controlled and steered. This machine also works without drill stems and fluid assistance. Bore lengths of up to 60m can be achieved, depending on soil types. The depth and inclination of the GRUNDOSTEER position can be continually monitored. When deviaton from the required bore path occurs, the operator can correct the direction of the GRUNDOSTEER by rotating the air hose attached to the machine. Therefore you have directional control from start to finish. GRUNDOSTEER is quickly prepared for operation and easy to use. Before operating, as is the case with all trenchless jobsite equipment, the surrounding area must be examined for adjacent buried pipes and cables

Application field:
GRUNDOSTEER is mainly used to install house connections. To do so, a core hole bore from the building's supply room through the wall is established. Then GRUNDOSTEER is pushed trough the core hole and started towards the main connection.

That's all you need:
Grundosteer guided mole, special compressed air hose in accordance with the required bore length, standard air hose for connection from compressor to control unit and lubricator, control unit with remote control, location system, hydraulic torquer ('steering wheel'), compressor, accessories for pipe installation.

Ready to go!

Up to 70 m length depending on soil

Right on track

The GRUNDOSTEER on-board transmitter sonde provides pitch, roll and depth information, whilst above the ground a hand-held receiver/ locating device tracks the exact lateral and depth position and forward progress of the machine. This information can be passed on from the person tracking the machine back to the steering operator, therefore both operators always have a clear picture about the location of the machine. The next step would be to make bore course alterations. The sonde output data is usually recorded manually, but can also be stored in a computer and printed out later as a bore report or bore path diagram.

The position of GRUNDOSTEER is altered by turning the compressed air hose,, so that the steering head is pointing in the required direction. This is carried out by an hydraulic tensioning unit ("torquer"), which can be compared to a car’s steering wheel, which in turn brings the torquer clamp tension onto the special compressed air hose. A friction sleeve located behind the slanted head reduces the friction and thereby eases the rotation of the machine’s main casing.

The compressed air hose, made of synthetic resin, is torsionally more rigid than a rubber hydraulic hose. A support sleeve inside the hose gives added strength, so that sufficient rotational torque can be applied, even over longer bore distances. This support sleeve prevents the hose from buckling when turning it.

At a glance:

• applicable for house connections under gardens or pavements up to 70 m
• no drill rods required
• no drilling fluid required
• no costs for drilling fluid
• no drilling fluid disposal
• average bore speed of 10 m/h
• steering angle due to deflectable head
• current pipe diameter up to 63 mm
• easy to operate, almost like a normal mole
• ptional location system Slim Sonde from Radiodetection or Blue sonde from DCI
   simple to steer with torquer (steering wheel) by turning the compressed air hose
• transportation by car or mini van possible
• no lifting equipment required
• low basic investment costs

The guided mole GRUNDOSTEER was developed in association with the Gas Research Institute, GRI, Chicago, Ill, USA. GRUNDOSTEER is a registered trade mark by TRACTO-TECHNIK. .