Hydraulic Pipe Upender for Barrel Assembly

Handling oversized tunnel segments and welding them into structural pipe barrels introduces extreme tipping hazards and crane bottlenecks. This custom 20-ton 90-degree hydraulic pipe upender delivers a rigid, dual-platform cradle engineered to rotate Ø6.6m to Ø7.8m assembled pipe segments smoothly within 5 minutes.

  • Heavy-Duty Capacity: 20,000 kg rated payload engineered for continuous structural fabrication cycles.

  • Dual-Platform Architecture: 3000×4800 mm and 4800×7800 mm structural steel frames withstand asymmetric dynamic loads.

  • Integrated V-Cradle: Multi-radius bolt-locking interfaces accommodate Ø6.6m, Ø7.2m, and Ø7.7m pipe outer diameters.

Why Work With GRADIN

  • Rapid Response: Expert engineering consultation from day one.
  • Proven Process: Precision from initial concept to final client approval.
  • Quality Assurance: Documented manufacturing, inspection and pre-shipment testing.
  • Factory-Direct Engineering: Direct communication with the engineering and manufacturing team.
  • Lifetime Support: Technical assistance for the product’s entire operational lifespan.
Specification & Configuration
Technical Parameter Standard Specification Engineering Customization Range
Rated Load Capacity 20,000 kg (20 Metric Tons) Fully Customizable to Client Specifications (5T–100T+)
Tilting Angle 90° Single-Direction Rotation Fully Customizable to Client Specifications (90° / 180°)
Base Cradle Platform (Platform 1) 3,000 mm (L) × 4,800 mm (W) Fully Customizable to Client Specifications
Upright Frame Platform (Platform 2) 4,800 mm (W) × 7,800 mm (L) Fully Customizable to Client Specifications
Applicable Pipe Outer Diameter Ø6,600 mm / Ø7,200 mm / Ø7,700 mm (Max Ø7,800 mm) Fully Customizable to Client Specifications
Workpiece Clamping & Seating Multi-radius contoured V-cradle + dual edge bolt locks Fully Customizable to Client Specifications (Hydraulic/Manual)
Hydraulic Actuation Dual Heavy-Duty Cylinders (Bore Φ150 mm / Rod Φ105 mm) Sized per structural torque calculation
Electro-Hydraulic Power Pack 15 kW / Continuous Duty Rating Fully Customizable to Client Specifications
90° Cycle Execution Time < 5 Minutes (Cushioned acceleration/deceleration) Adjustable via proportional flow valves
Maximum Upright Overall Height ≤ 8,900 mm (Vertical position clearance) Custom-engineered to plant hook height limits
Primary Structural Frame J300 × 200 × 10 mm Heavy Rectangular Tubing Heavy-gauge high-tensile structural steel
Platform Deck Plate 4 mm Solid Carbon Steel Anti-Skid Plate Fully Customizable to Client Specifications (6mm–16mm / Wear Plate)
Electrical Power Rating 380V / 50Hz / 3-Phase Fully Customizable to Client Specifications (208V–480V, 60Hz)
Operator Control Interface Floor Control Console + Push-Button Handheld Pendant Optional PLC integration with plant SCADA / Profinet
Surface Finish & Corrosion Protection Sa 2.5 Shot Blasting + PB11 Peacock Blue Topcoat Fully Customizable to Client Specifications (Custom RAL / Epoxy)
Fully Customizable: Dimensions and configurations can be tailored to your specific site requirements.
Features

Durability and Quality

The machine frame is fabricated from heavy-gauge J300×200×10 mm structural rectangular tubing, reinforced with 4 mm anti-skid carbon steel deck plates to withstand localized impact during segment positioning. Dual high-pressure hydraulic cylinders (bore/rod diameter Φ150/105 mm) utilize hard-chrome plated piston rods and polyurethane dual-lip seals, preventing internal pressure leakage under static loads up to 20 metric tons. All structural weldments undergo thermal stress relief and sandblasting to Sa 2.5 standard, finished with a heavy-duty PB11 peacock blue polyurethane topcoat resistant to industrial shop abrasion and outdoor environmental exposure.

Maintenance and Warranty

Hydraulic circuit manifolds integrate pressure-compensated flow control valves and localized grease fittings on all high-load pivot bearings, enabling routine inspection without disassembling structural members. GRADIN provides a 12-month structural and hydraulic warranty, complete CAD/hydraulic schematics, and rapid dispatch of replacement seal kits and solenoid valves to minimize downtime during critical tunneling project timelines.

Simplicity

The 15kW electro-hydraulic power pack delivers synchronized lifting control through a centralized floor-mounted control console and a redundant handheld pendant station. Multi-position bolt-hole fixtures along the platform edge allow rapid changeover across Ø6.6m, Ø7.2m, and Ø7.7m pipe barrel diameters without external rigging tooling. The complete 90-degree tilting cycle is executed smoothly in under 5 minutes, maintaining a total vertical standing height within 8.9 meters to clear standard overhead crane limits.

Safety

Dual hydraulic pilot-operated check valves lock cylinder motion instantaneously in the event of power interruption or pressure decay. Mechanical hard stops, limit switch trip bars, and hydraulic counterbalance valves prevent over-rotation beyond 90 degrees. For adjacent component manufacturing solutions, facilities can deploy complementary heavy-duty mold upenders along their preparation line. The equipment strictly conforms to international industrial safety directives:

  • OSHA 1910 Standard for General Industry Machine Guarding and Hydraulic Power Safety

  • ASME B30 Safety Standards for Material Handling and Load Rotation Equipment

  • ISO 12100:2010 Machinery Safety – General Principles for Design and Risk Assessment

  • CE Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC compliance for heavy structural tilters

Application scenarios
  • Hydropower Penstock Barrel Fabrication: Assembling and welding two 3-meter semi-cylindrical segments into a complete Ø7.8m steel conduit barrel before upright transport.

  • Shield Tunnel Precast Segment Assembly: Rotating oversized precast concrete and steel composite segments 90 degrees for tunnel boring machine (TBM) pipeline staging.

  • Large Diameter Wind Tower Shell Upending: Transitioning cylindrical tower section cans from horizontal rolling/seam welding stations to vertical weld staging.

  • Heavy Pressure Vessel & Tank Assembly: Clamping and upending fabricated circular tank shells up to 20 tons for internal seam submerged arc welding.

  • Municipal Pipe Jacking Segment Integration: Securely rotating large-radius prefabricated pipe jacking segments to assemble structural subterranean casings.

  • Nuclear & Thermal Penstock Structural Staging: Controlled 90° handling of thick-wall cylindrical containment liners in heavy fabrication bays.

 

Video Demonstration
PRODUCT DETAILS & WORKSHOP PHOTOS
Global Standards Compliance
GRADIN OEM/ODM CUSTOMIZATION & DELIVERY POLICY

For this heavy-duty series, we can engineer load capacities up to [300] tons, with platform dimensions and lifting heights customized to your operational envelope. Requirements exceeding our standard engineering matrix will undergo a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) by our engineering team to ensure structural viability before proposing a solution.

To initiate the engineering proposal, please provide the following baseline data:

  • Rated Load Capacity

  • Maximum Lifting Height & Closed Height

  • Platform Dimensions (L x W)

  • Duty Cycle (e.g., operational cycles per hour/day)

  • Environmental Conditions (e.g., indoor/outdoor, washdown, explosion-proof)

  • Pit depth or overhead clearance constraints

Yes. The control systems can be equipped with standard communication protocols (e.g., Profinet, Modbus, Ethernet/IP) utilizing [Siemens / Allen-Bradley / Omron] PLCs. This ensures seamless I/O signal synchronization with upstream/downstream conveyors, AGV/AMR units, and your central control room.

Every custom unit undergoes a mandatory Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) prior to dispatch. This includes continuous operational testing at 100% rated load, static overload testing at [120% / 125%] capacity, and the physical triggering of all mechanical anti-fall and hydraulic safety interlocks. FAT documentation and video proof are included in your engineering package.

Upon final approval of the General Arrangement (GA) drawings, the manufacturing lead time is typically 4 to 8 weeks. Oversized structural components are engineered with a modular design to fit into standard shipping containers (20FT/40HQ). On-site assembly utilizes pre-engineered bolted flange connections and heavy-duty aviation plugs, strictly eliminating the need for field welding.

We provide a standard [12/24]-month warranty covering the structural frame and primary hydraulic/electrical components. To minimize operational downtime, a comprehensive set of standard consumables (e.g., cylinder seal kits, travel switches, relays) is shipped alongside your equipment. During the warranty period, replacement parts for non-human-induced failures are dispatched via priority air freight (DHL/FedEx) within 48 hours.

Beyond the warranty, we guarantee lifetime engineering support. Your custom equipment's CAD drawings, electrical schematics, and BOM (Bill of Materials) are permanently archived in our system. This ensures you receive uninterrupted remote troubleshooting, maintenance guidance, and exact spare parts matching for the entire lifecycle of the equipment.

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Get a Bespoke Engineering Proposal

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