Barbados Utility Project

Two methods of trenchless construction are being employed in a project to improve the water infrastructure on the island nation of Barbados. Using these trenchless methods on this segment of the project allows aging water mains to be replaced while greatly limiting the amount of excavation needed to bury pipes.

Barbados construction firm Infra Inc., an infrastructure specialist, used the technologies of horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and pipe bursting to limit surface damage and interruption of routine activities along the project route. Some of the pipe being replaced had been in the ground more than 100 years.

The project is the first in Barbados to use these trenchless methods.

To install pipe by HDD, the drill unit bores down to the necessary depth, and the operator levels the path to the exit point. The bore proceeds to the exit point where pipe is connected to the drill string and pulled back through the pilot hole.

With pipe bursting, a powerful winch pulls a bullet-shaped tool through existing pipe, breaking up the old pipe and pulling in new pipe behind it. Excavation is minimized because new pipe follows the path of the old pipe.

Infra Inc. is installing approximately 11 miles of pipe ranging in diameter from 6 to 16 inches using HDD and pipe bursting.

“Methods of construction were determined by project owner, Barbados Water Authority,” said Roger Gill, Infra Inc. general manager. “The directional drilling and pipe bursting segments are projected to be completed in December 2015.”

Gill said the project owner is very satisfied with the new technology being used.

“Directional drilling,” Gill said, “is used to install new mains primarily under existing services, including natural gas, electricity, telephone/data, and other water mains and where there is enough room for the expansion not to cause damage to these adjacent services.

“Pipe bursting is used where there is an existing main that can be shut off and water temporarily bypassed while the pipe is forced through the main.”

These two installation methods use high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe in sizes from 6 to 16 inches. Lengths of pipe are butt fused together prior to installation.

“HDPE pipe was used for the eastern part of the country and in the capital, Bridgetown,” Gill explained. “Soils in this area generally are clay, which is unstable making open cutting not appropriate. HDD is also used in the capital since open trenching would be too disruptive to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.”

PVC pipe in diameters from 6 to 12 inches subsequently was used in areas where open-cut construction was employed.

A Ditch Witch® JT100 All Terrain (AT) directional drill was used on the project. The 268-horsepower (200-kW) machine develops 100,000 pounds (445 kN) of pullback and rotary torque of 12,000 foot pounds. The AT designation represents the dual-pipe mechanical drilling drive that equips the machine to drill through hard rock formations without the use of a mud motor.

“The AT model was selected for the project because of the rocky soil conditions,” said Gill. “Thus far, it has met our expectations.”

The drill unit used Ditch Witch downhole bits and backreamers, and Subsite® Electronics tracking equipment to guide the pilot bore.

According to Gill, the project is projected to include 12 bores ranging in length from 400 feet to 1,500 feet with the average bore being 900 feet.

Pipe bursting segments were done with a HammerHead® HB100 static pipe-bursting system, which develops 100 tons (89 tonnes) pulling power. When completed, 55 bursts will be made averaging 400 feet in length, with the longest being 450 feet.

The Barbados Water Authority (BWA) potable water infrastructure includes more than 2,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines. Water sources are springs, wells, and desalination to complement the general water supply. BWA also is responsible for wastewater treatment and disposal.

The JADA Group, headquartered at Spring Hall in St. Lucy, is the primary organizer of the HDD/pipe bursting segments of the project. JADA Builders is the primary contractor and Infra Inc. has been utilized for the specialized trenchless segments. Other JADA companies involved include Infra Rentals, Bess Mining, and Cemix.

In addition to directional drilling equipment, including drill pipe and downhole tools; the Ditch Witch factory manufactures trenchers, vibratory plows, vacuum excavators, and compact utility equipment. Subsite Electronics manufactures HDD tracking systems and utility locators. HammerHead products include pipe bursting, piercing tools, pipe rammers, CIPP liners, HDD downhole tools, and rock hammers. All are members of the Charles Machine Works, Inc. family of companies.

Barbados is considered the easternmost of the Caribbean islands and is a leading tourist attraction. Says the Lonely Planet travel guide: “Barbados has it all: beach resorts from humble to grand; smashing nightlife, Bridgeport, a UNESCO World Heritage capital; a beautiful interior dotted with gardens; wild surf on the lonely east coast, and a proud and welcoming populace.”

Twenty-one miles (34 km) long and 14 miles (23 km) across at its widest point, Barbados actually is in the Atlantic Ocean, 250 miles (400 km) northeast of Trinidad and Tobago and outside the principal Atlantic hurricane belt.

Barbados is an independent country within the Commonwealth of Nations (previously the British Commonwealth).

HYDRAULIC BREAKER
Used for construction and demolition, our breakers can be used to break up asphalt, concrete or even clay. The hydraulic hammer is perfect for any small or medium job you might have. More up-time in the field is always the goal, and with only two moving parts and a few seals, there’s no reason for down-time.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

ROCK SAW

Best suited for irrigation and fiber installation, the Rock Saw attachment can effortlessly cut through rock, concrete, and other tough materials with unmatched precision. 

Compatible Models

SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

BACKHOE
Easily move materials for rebuilds, new construction, footings, utility repairs and more with this compact and versatile attachment.
Compatible Models

SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

STUMP GRINDERS
Featuring a heavy-duty boom design, powerful stump grinding attachments quickly shred stumps down to nothing. Easy maneuvering from stump to stump and increased visibility turns more ground stumps into more profit.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

MULTITASK TOOL
Your multipurpose tool for the ultimate multi-tasker is here. Engineered to grab tight to heavy materials and move them with ease and precision, the multi-task tool is your go-to for heavy applications. Easy to operate with convenient, functional levers.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

CORE DRILL
With the MC-450 coring attachment, utility maintenance is simple and less disruptive. Featuring intuitive controls and an integrated water tank, the MC-450 is the perfect choice for quick cuts and a more productive coring process. A fully adjustable 0 to 280 rpm speed allows for enhanced control and greater productivity.
Compatible Models

SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

SOIL CULTIVATOR
Prepare food plots, gardens, and landscaping projects with a soil cultivator. It gets land ready by stirring organic material back in the soil for a healthier, more stable lawn. Buries the biggest of rocks for a looser topsoil.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

BLADES
Whether you’re looking to increase dump height or digging depth, attaching a backfill blade is an easy way to save manpower on your jobsite while working with precision and timeliness. Available in various widths.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

AUGER DRIVER
Ideal for landscaping and tree care, an auger attachment will expedite hole creation and allow operators to quickly plant trees or install fence posts than if they were hand-digging or relying on a hand-held auger. Available in 6" to 30" diameters.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

TILLER
Tough and effective tillers prepare your garden by breaking up tough soil and removing unwanted weeds. Available in 4' width.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

GRAPPLES
Tree grapples come with 48" or 57" openings to efficiently remove logs and debris from the jobsite. It has an excavator style boom design with a powder coat finish and a cylinder lock for increased safety. Brush grapples available with a gap opening of 29" and widths of 42" or 54".
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

CARRY ALL LEVELER
One of our most simple yet versatile attachments, the Carry-All Leveler is perfect for carrying bulky material, leveling soil and adding a flat, smooth finish to your project. Available in 49" width.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

BUCKETS

From landscaping and hardscapes to tree care and construction-grade tasks, your stand-on skid steer can take on more than you think. We've got you covered with a variety of buckets from 4-in-1 to heavy and light material buckets. Widths range from 34" to 66".

Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

PALLET FORKS
Take on your heaviest loads with precision and dependability with Ditch Witch pallet forks. They easily attach to any of our skid steers and can easily accessorize with hay spikes, brick guards, and much more to add even more ROI. Available in widths ranging from 36-48.75" and lengths from 36-48".
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

MICROTRENCHER
Fiber installation and other street-located work is rapidly growing. A microtrenching attachment is key for operators looking to get into fiber installation at the street level. They cut both concrete and asphalt in controlled increments so contractors don't need to stop traffic. Maximum width options are 0.5-1.5” or 2” with maximum depths of 12” or 16”.
Compatible Models

SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

ROTO WITCH®
The Ditch Witch Roto Witch® attachment is used for short bores underneath sidewalks, driveways and other obstacles. It offers great digging performance while minimizing jobsite restoration. Compatible with numerous Ditch Witch stand-on skid steers, the Roto Witch attachment can bore and backream up to 12" (300 mm) in diameter.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

PLOW
Install fiber and other utilities quickly with a vibratory plow attachment for your skid steer. It creates less ground disruption and cleanup than traditional trenching to get the job done faster. Available in maximum depths of 14" and 24".
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

POWER RAKE
Clean, level and prep jobsites or smooth and loosen soil for sodding with a rake attachment. Most rake attachments require 10 to 14 gpm, but the higher horsepower creates even more drum torque to tear through the most demanding soil types. Width measures 4'.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

MICROTRENCHERS
Fiber installation and other street-located work is rapidly growing. A microtrenching attachment is key for operators looking to get into fiber installation at the street level. They cut both concrete and asphalt in controlled increments so contractors don't need to stop traffic. Maximum width options are 0.5-1.5” or 2” with maximum depths of 12” or 16”.
Compatible Models

SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

ROTO WITCH®
The Ditch Witch Roto Witch® attachment is used for short bores underneath sidewalks, driveways and other obstacles. It offers great digging performance while minimizing jobsite restoration. Compatible with numerous Ditch Witch stand-on skid steers, the Roto Witch attachment can bore and backream up to 12" (300 mm) in diameter.
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750

PLOWS
Install fiber and other utilities quickly with a vibratory plow attachment for your skid steer. It creates less ground disruption and cleanup than traditional trenching to get the job done faster. Available in maximum depths of 14" and 24".
Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000

TRENCHER

Stay efficient on large jobsites with a trencher attachment for your skid steer. It’s a smart alternative to large, specialized equipment for utility installation and landscaping jobs. Available in standard 6”, 8” and 12” maximum widths with maximum depths of 36", 38", 48” and 55.5”.

Compatible Models

SK600, SK800, SK900, SK1050, SK1550, SK1750, SK3000