Darby Equipment.

Darby Equipment Company now offers a 16-inch pneumatic, self-propelled wedge mandrel for 6- to 20-inch pipe bending machines. Requests from pipeline contractors prompted Darby to develop a smaller sized self-propelled mandrel. The new size adds to the Darby line of self-propelled mandrels that

currently range from 16 to 48 inches. Utilization of a right angle gearbox enables the air-powered motor to fit the smaller size pipe. Maximum traction is achieved by tapered, high-density Urethane wheels that grip the contours of the pipe forcing the mandrel to run true. The mandrel's flexible design adapts to various wall thickness without the need for re-shimming--a great time saving feature. Weighing in at a little more than 700 pounds, the new mandrel employs a conventional travel cable pull to activate the air motor. On its first outing the mandrel proved its design integrity and functional reliability on the 116-mile, 16-inch Centerline Pipeline Project in West Texas. Darby provided the contractor with a prototype and a back up. The original machine performed flawlessly and the back up was never needed. With this success Darby has since developed a longer version for use in 16 to 30-inch bending machines. Now both new pneumatic powered mandrels along with other field proven, self-propelled mandrels are available as off" the shelf items at Darby Equipment. Circle No. 304

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