EN D 031 Rev D
Page 3 of 17
Purpose
This manual contains operation and service instructions for 83 & 125 ton tubing spider. This
manual provides a guide for assembly, disassembly, inspection, and repair.
Description
The BVM Tubing Spider is a pneumatically or hydraulically operated tool capable of handling
tubing sizes up to 5-1/2” and comes in a capacity of either 83 or 125 tons. The purpose of the
Tubing Spider assembly is to support the tubing string when it is lowered into or raised from the
well bore of an oil or gas well. The bore of the tubing spider assembly is located and held in
position over the wellhead and blowout preventer system.
The tubing spider assembly operates from pressure that forces a cylinder to move a piston. The
piston is connected to the slip assembly via lift arms, crankshafts and link. When the piston
moves in one direction, the slip assembly moves “up”, which prevents the teeth on the slip
inserts from engaging or supporting the tubing string. If the piston moves in the other direction,
the slip assembly moves “down”, which causes the teeth of the slip inserts to contact, engage,
and support the tubing string, if the tubing string is lowered slightly. The location of the valve
for controlling the pressure to the cylinder is easily accessible by the rig crew operator. If the
tubing spider needs to support the tubing string for an extended period of time, the accidental
operation of the valve might cause the tubing spider to release the tubing string. The valve needs
protection from such a potential accident. Also, engage the safety latch to prevent the link from
moving to release the holding slip assembly.
The slip insert size needs to match the size of the tubing string, or the Tubing Spider will not
support the tubing string.
When the rig crew operates the tubing spider assembly, they need to watch of operational and
functional problems. This monitoring might reveal necessary maintenance or repair
requirements.
Keep fingers, hands, feet, etc. away from the moving lift arm and slip assembly and from the
moving link and Crank Shafts to prevent possible bodily injury to the rig crew. Also carefully
route the pressure hoses to the Tubing Spider, control valve, and pressure sources in order to
prevent a “trip hazard” or to interfere with personnel movement on the rig floor.
