September 2025 Vol. 80 No. 9
New Products
New tools boost underground infrastructure crews: HDD rigs, fusion clamps and AR rentals
TT Technologies
TT Technologies introduces its updated compact directional drill, Grundodrill 5X.
Representing the most-advanced directional drill rig in its class, it features a Tier 4F, 56hp Kohler engine, a single push-button stake-down system and independent front and rear lift.
An all-weather 7-inch touchscreen display delivers real-time bore data and operational performance. The unit offers 12,000 pounds of thrust and pullback, and 1,200 foot-pounds of torque.
IPEX
IPEX, a leading provider of thermoplastic piping systems in North America and part of the Aliaxis group, introduced a new range of Hy-Ram Electrofusion Alignment Clamps.
Now available in the United States, the Hy-Ram product line includes six precision alignment clamp models. These tools are engineered to deliver unmatched accuracy, rugged durability, and ease of use. They streamline the installation process, allowing pipe installers to perform electrofusion more efficiently, while significantly reducing preparation time.
Designed and manufactured by Hy-Ram Engineering Co. Ltd., a UK-based leader in pipeline tooling, these clamps are purpose-built for aligning and restraining PE pipes during the electrofusion process in water, gas, wastewater, and industrial piping sectors.
Engineered to withstand extreme job-site conditions, the Hy-Ram clamps maintain alignment even under pipe movement or stress, ensuring high joint integrity and reducing the risk of installation failure.
The Hy-Ram Electrofusion Alignment Clamps are available in multiple models, covering pipe diameters from ½ to eight inches (IPS, CTS, DIPS, and metric ranges). Each clamp features:
- High-strength zinc- or chrome-plated steel, stainless steel, and aluminum construction
- Rigid, no-insert design that ensures consistent axial alignment
- Lightweight and easy-to-use form factor
IPEX also introduced three brand-new ½ to four-inch fittings – elbows, tees, and end caps – into its innovative Frialen Electrofusion product line. Engineered for high-performance gas and water distribution applications, these fittings mark a significant step forward in fusion system technology.
IPEX Frialen Safety Fittings outperform traditional fusion systems through a suite of intelligent engineering features. At the core of their innovation is an exposed heating coil design, a significant advancement over conventional embedded-coil alternatives. This direct-contact approach efficiently melts both the fitting and pipe surfaces simultaneously, forming a uniform leak-proof bond.
Engineered with extra-wide fusion zones, Frialen fittings provide a significantly greater contact area, strengthening the joint’s structural integrity. The increased wall thickness and insertion depth of Frialen Safety fittings ensure enhanced mechanical stability.
Now fully available in the U.S. through IPEX, Frialen tees, caps, and elbows meet stringent North American standards for gas & water, including:
- ASTM D2513 & F1055, NSF 61-G
- AWWA C906, PC200, and FM 160 (from 4 inches)
- Manufactured using PE4710/PE100
- Compatible with PE 2406/2708 and 3408/4710 pipes
- Rated for gas (up to 125 psi) and water (up to 200 psi) systems
United Rentals
United Rentals Inc., the world’s largest equipment rental company, launched two new features in its suite of digital tools: Smart Suggestions and Equipment Fit Augmented Reality (AR). These enhancements help customers make faster, more confident rental decisions by anticipating needs and providing greater job-site visibility before placing an order.
- Smart Suggestions uses advanced machine learning to recommend equipment based on factors such as customer order history, job-site data, seasonality and industry trends. The tool predicts what customers are most likely to need next, helping them bypass a full catalog search and move quickly to the right rental option. Early results show a 27-percent reduction in the time it takes users to identify and order the equipment they need.
- Equipment Fit AR gives customers the ability to virtually place 3D models of equipment on their job site using a mobile device. This feature makes it easier to evaluate equipment dimensions, confirm proper fit, and plan for placement in tight or restricted-access areas. Equipment Fit AR is currently available for select equipment categories, with additional offerings under development.
Both tools are designed to simplify the rental experience and improve productivity. United Rentals developed them using direct feedback from contractors and operations teams across North America.
“Smart Suggestions and Equipment Fit AR are about anticipating customer needs,” explained Paul Maddison, director of Product Management at United Rentals. “By leveraging machine learning and augmented reality, we’re giving customers tools that help them make confident, informed decisions at the moment of rental. It’s about delivering the right equipment at the right time, with less friction.”
United Rentals Inc. is the largest equipment rental company in the world. The company has an integrated network of 1,591 rental locations in North America, 39 in Europe, 37 in Australia and 19 in New Zealand. In North America, the company operates in 49 states and every Canadian province.
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