TriTrax™ 200 Vertical Crawler
Document: UMDT017749.docm
Revision: A02
Created by: JS
Date: 13 Apr 2021
IPN: 3094329-A02
Source Location: C:\ePDM\ISLEng\Products\DT-VersaTrax100MkII\Manuals\UMDT017749.docm
Page 27 of 36
User Ma
nual
To ensure the vehicle is gripping the pipe, the operator must adjust the force beyond the minimum according
to the table below. As seen in the table, the maximum contact force decreases with the pipe size.
Pipe Diameter
Minimum Force
Maximum Force
mm
Inch
lbf
N
kg
lbf
N
kg
312
12.3
28
125
12.7
43
191
19.5
305
12.0
27
120
12.2
41
182
18.6
279
11.0
23
102
10.4
34
151
15.4
254
10.0
18
80
8.2
25
111
11.3
229
9.0
14
62
6.3
18
80
8.2
203
8.0
9
40
4.1
10
44
4.5
Do not to allow the contact force to decrease below the minimum or increase beyond the maximum. In
these conditions, the
TriTrax™ 200 may lose traction and fall, or may become jammed or damaged from
excessive force, respectively. In the smaller pipe sizes, it is permissible to go beyond the maximum read-
able force in order to achieve adequate traction.
Some care must be taken during certain transition maneuvers between pipe sizes, for example:
1.
Crawling upwards, transition from small to large pipe:
This is the safest transition with no
danger of falling or mechanism overload.
2.
Crawling upwards, transition from large to small pipe:
This is the most dangerous transi-
tion, with danger of falling and mechanism overload. We suggest this maneuver be attempted
only in smooth pipe transitions and never in offset transitions.
3.
Crawling downwards, transition from large to small pipe:
This is a relatively safe transition
but be sure to reduce the size of the mechanism to prevent overload.
4.
Crawling downwards, transition from small to large pipe:
The crawler will fall until it ex-
pands to the next pipe size. This maneuver can be dangerous if the next pipe size is too large
for the mechanism. If possible, hold the vehicle back by the tether until the mechanism con-
tacts the pipe again.
Dealing with Obstacles
The operator will invariably encounter a range of obstacles in a pipe. Each time the operator must decide
if the vehicle can safely pass or if there is risk of getting stuck. Common obstacles include but are not
limited to:
•
Crushed pipe
•
Sand
•
Rocks, construction debris, random rubbish
•
Roots
•
Intersecting service pipes
