LAURINI OFFICINE MECCANICHE presents THE PL105 A NEW REVOLUTIONARY PIPELAYER

1. LAURINI OFFICINE MECCANICHE presents THE PL105 A NEW REVOLUTIONARY PIPELAYER

2. Background Pipelaying has always been a very special job, and Pipeline Contractors are very specialized and unique, with specific expertise and savoir-faire. Manufacturers of Pipeline equipment have followed the requirements set forth by Operators and Contractors, designing and developing products which are fully dedicated to the Pipeline application, as well as providing traditional earthmoving machines for all those operations that involve right-of-way preparation and maintenance, trenching and back-filling. On Pipeline jobsite, we normally see Pipelayers which are derived from the traditional track-type bulldozer modified and completed with a sideboom, winches and counterweight, which have been always mounted around the standard machine, where room was available.

3. Problem & Opportunity As oil and gas consumption increases, Pipeline construction and maintenance has become one of the driving industries in the world’s economy. Operators and Contractors today are more demanding and focused on improving their efficiency and increasing safety and respect for the environment in their operations. The search for efficiency in particular is calling for tremendous efforts to reduce operational costs, hence a better utilization of assets. My idea has always been to create something innovative that could bring progress and changes to improve the working conditions, safety and productivity of our sector. That is the background behind the idea to create a new type of machine, that could at the same time reduce the costs for the Contractors and increase their efficiency of their operations.

4. The Concept The concept is revolutionary different from what has been always done for more than 50 years. Instead of building the pipelayer around an existing tractor, I wanted to design a pipelayer starting from a sheet of white paper. With this approach, I did not have to worry about compromising pipelayer functionality to adapt to an existing tractor, but I just had to place the components in the best position thinking of the best way to operate.

5. The Ideal Pipelayer • In this endeavor, my design was supported by IPLOCA’s Novel Construction Initiative, and in particular by the Functional Specs of the Ideal Pipelayer, that contractors had expressed in a survey of IPLOCA Members. • The Functional Specs of the Ideal Pipelayer were identified as: • Ease of Transportation • Safety • Operator Comfort • Accessories • Respect for the Environment

6. 1. Ease of Transportation • Due to the transient nature of pipeline construction and the frequency of pipelayer transport, transportability of the machine is the prime end-user selection consideration. Transportation requirements for machines vary from country to country, but in general the ideal shipping dimensions for a machine of this size and working capacity are: • transportation width of 3.5 meters • transportation height of 3.4 meters • transportation weight of 42 tons • Within these dimensions, a machine can be transported with standard permissions. • In addition, the Ideal pipelayer should require minimum disassembly and assembly operations. • Based on the above requirements, we designed the PL105 with two unique and innovative features: • A retractable cab, with removable ROPS • A retractable counterweight, easy to remove.

7. Retractable Cab Cab in Working Position Cab in Shipping Position The fully enclosed cab can be lowered within the machine frame with a electro-hydraulic mechanism. The ROPS structure can be unbolted and transported separately.

8. Retractable Cab With cab retracted, and ROPS removed, machine shipping height is 3.4 meters, which can allow using a normal low-boy.

9. Retractable Counterweight Counteweight Retracted Counteweight Extended The counterweight is hydraulically extended and retracted. When retracted, it fits inside the undercarriage and remains within the normal width of the machine of 3.4m.

10. Retractable Counterweight The standard counterweight weights 15 tons and is easily removable. When removed, or retracted, it remains centered and leaves the machine perfectly balanced.

11. 2. Safety • Safety is a must on pipeline jobsites and pipelayers should be designed and used only with all the available safety features. • The key safety features of the PL105 are: • ROPS structure with 4 legs • Load Monitoring Indicator • Automatic Parking Brake • Safe access to platform, cab and major components

12. ROPS structure Load Monitoring Indicator The CE-certified ROPS structure is designed as an integral part of the machine and is not an after thought. The Load Monitoring Indicator limits the load which can be safely carried by the PL105.

13. Automatic Parking Brake Access to Platform Two ladders on each side of the PL105 provide access to the platform, which is surrounded by a hand-rail. Parking Brake is automatically activated when joystick is in neutral position.

14. 3. Comfort With the shortage of manpower on pipeline jobsites, operator comfort is a valuable plus and it provides a more ergonomic and safe working condition for the operator. The PL105 cab is equipped with heating and air conditioning, a comfortable, suspended seat and two joysticks for controlling the movement of the machine and the boom and load. All around visibility is best in the industry, because the operator cab in working position is very high over the ground, and there are no counterweights on the right side of the machine. Access to the engine is made comfortable by a hydraulically activated engine hood.

15. PL105 cab Seat & Controls The CE-certified ROPS structure is designed as an integral part of the machine and is not an after thought. The Load Monitoring Indicator limits the load which can be safely carried by the PL105.

16. Visibility Engine Hood Lack of counterweight on the right side of the machine allows excellent visibility all around the operator. The engine hood is lifted by two hydraulic cylinders, to give excellent accessibility to the engine compartment.

17. 4. Accessories • The PL105 is equipped with many features designed to improve operation. • For example: • Fully Hydrostatic transmission • Innovative track tensioning system • Hydraulic boom and hook winches • 8.5 meter boom • Heavy-duty blocks and hook • High capacity rear winch

18. Hydrostatic Transmission Track tensioning system Hydrostatic transmission provides very high torque capability for working on slopes. A four sprocket design ensures stresses are equally distributed on the chain. The chain tensioning system uses four hydraulic cylinders and nitrogen accumulators, which are operated with an electro-hydraulic pump.

19. Boom and Hook winches Choice of Boom Two independent winches operate boom and hook. Oil-disc brakes provide positive retention. High parts interchangeability between winch assemblies. The standard 8.5 meter or optional 10 meter boom can be installed at two different foot heights, and on both sides of the PL105.

20. Blocks and Hook Rear Winch Heavy-duty block and hook are equipped with bronze bushings and hardened iron sheaves. A 30 ton rear winch is operated by the same joystick as the boom, with a switch.

21. 5. Respect for the Environment Respect for the Environment is very important on pipeline jobsites. Contractors and Operators are very demanding on these features. The PL105 is equipped with an emission compliant Caterpillar C13 engine that meets emission requirements and european standards. Thanks to the design of its undercarriage, the PL105 also provides the lowest ground pressure on this size of machines.

22. Cat C13 Engine Ground Pressure The Caterpillar C13 ACERT turbocharged engine provides a gross power of 440Hp @ 2100Rpm and meets emissions requirements and European standards. With 5000 mm track length on the ground, and standard 750 mm shoes, the PL105 provides the lowest ground pressure in the industry.

23. The Ideal Pipelayer • The PL105 incorporates, by design, all the features which Contractors and Operators have expressed. • In summary, the PL105: • Is easy to Transport, and does not require any major disassembly. • Is Safe, thanks to a CE certified ROPS, and an unparalleled visibility and stability. • Is designed for Operator Comfort, with an ergonomic cab equipped with all human features available. • Is equipped with a wide range of Accessories to make operation safe, easy and productive. • Is respectful of the Environment thanks to an emission compliant engine and the lowest ground pressure in the industry.

24. Status The PL105 was developed in close cooperation with several international Contractors and has proven its value on various 48” jobsites, and in very tough operating conditions. The PL105 is an innovative machine. We would like to thank the contractors who have contributed to the development and validation of all the new concepts. The PL105 brings innovation in the pipeline industry and meets the expectations of our customers who are looking for ways to reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of their Pipeline operations. Note: The product we have developed and described in this paper is covered by international Patents. The content of this presentation is strictly confidential and reserved for the BP-IPLOCA 2009 Award.

25. PL105 TECHNICAL FEATURES

26. PL105 MAIN FEATURES • Engine: Caterpillar C13ACERT • Gross Power 440Hp@2100rpm • Operating weight: 60000 Kg • Shipping weight (counterweight, • boom and sheave blocks removed):42.500 Kg • Max Lifting Capacity: 106.000 Kg

27. PL105 Undercarriage • Shoe type Super Extreme Service single grouser type • Width of standard shoes 750mm • Number of shoes (each side) 67 • Pitch 228,6mm • Ground clearance 790mm • Length of track on ground 5000mm • Ground contact area 7,8m2 • Ground pressure 0,77 Kg/cm2 • Number of rollers (each side) 9 • Number of Carrier Rollers 4 per side

28. PL105 A Lift capacity at tipping point* Lifting Capacity B Rated load capacity* *Per ISO 8813:1992