Contractors continually seek better solutions for their customers. In an effort to help, Ditch Witch Australia (DWA) is constantly adapting and looking to be at the forefront of innovative equipment and jobsite solutions, such as keyhole coring technology.
Keyhole coring technology has been widely welcomed by Public Works managers in the USA as a less-costly, safer and less-disruptive approach to underground roadway and sidewalk utility repairs than traditional, large excavation techniques.
Hence, Ditch Witch Australia is pleased to announce its partnering with Utilicor Technologies, Inc. to bring the benefits of advanced keyhole technology and reinstatement to contractors, municipalities and utilities to Australia.
Utility contractors no longer need to bring heavy and physically demanding equipment like jackhammers and backhoes for every utility maintenance project that requires asphalt or concrete repairs. Instead, they can now operate a nimble, construction-grade Ditch Witch mini skid steer fitted with the new Utilicor MTC100 coring attachment to perform repairs, without rerouting traffic or exposing large areas of open excavation.
The new MTC100 coring attachment complements Ditch Witch Australia’s portfolio of mini skid steers and vacuum excavation equipment for work under paved surfaces, and it gives cities and utilities a quick, money-saving advantage.
Both Ditch Witch Australia and Utilicor have spent years developing customer confidence in their brands, and are fully committed to providing exceptional support and service to their customers.
The MTC100 was developed in partnership with Utilicor as the first product entry into the coring market for the Ditch Witch organization. Designed to work exclusively with the SK line of mini skid steer units (the SK800, SK1050 and SK1550), the MTC100 can quickly and accurately cut up to a 450mm diameter hole and 550mm depth, minimizing surface disruption. Vacuum systems are then used to excavate down to the utility for maintenance that can be performed from the road surface using special long-handled tools. Once the underground work has been completed, the original core is bonded back into the pavement as a permanent pavement repair for minimal surface disruption—no patching or repaving required.
Coring techniques offer significant cost and time savings. Today, keyhole coring technologies are approximately 50 percent less costly than traditional excavation repairs and disposal removal. Smaller, more precise tools and a more localized approach result in less disruption and faster repair. Roads can be reopened to traffic within 30 minutes of repair completion.
In addition to the MTC100 coring attachment, Utilicor provides the market-leading reinstatement material Utilibond™. Capable of supporting up to 22 500kgs in just 30 minutes, this specially engineered pavement-bonding compound results in a permanent pavement repair that reduces public inconvenience, requires no additional paving materials and is field-proven to be effective for more than 10 years.
The first Utilicor units arrive in the country early September and are available immediately through Ditch Witch Australia. The MTC100 coring attachment will be on display at No Dig Down Under 2017 at the Gold Coast Convention Centre.
The Ditch Witch and Utilicor brands of equipment are distributed exclusively in Australia and New Zealand by Ditch Witch Australia and its subsidiary Ditch Witch New Zealand. With seven full service locations around Australia and New Zealand, contractors can rely on a single, specialist provider of underground utility construction equipment wherever their work takes them.