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UNI-PF250 Pipe Feeder

High-Force Conveyor-Based Axial Pipe Pushing System for HDD & Trenchless Construction

UNI-PF250 Pipe Feeder

High-Force Conveyor-Based Axial Pipe Pushing System for HDD & Trenchless Construction
Continuous Axial Force

200 short tons

Hydraulic Pressure

5000 psi

Engine

300 hp

Modular System

3 Units

UNI-PF250 Designed for High-Force Continuous Operation

The UNI-PF250 bridges the gap between lightweight pipe feeders and heavy cylinder-based pipe pushers — delivering high-force, continuous axial thrust in a modular, crane-free package.

Unlike stroke-based hydraulic systems that stop and reverse every few meters, the UNI-PF250 uses a 4-track conveyor drive to maintain uninterrupted pipe movement. The result: no static friction spikes, consistent face pressure, and faster installation rates on large-diameter pipeline crossings.

Designed for steel pipelines from 16'' to 48'' with optional pad set replacement. The UNI-PF250 is used in HDD pullback operations, microtunneling drives, and pipe jacking — wherever continuous axial force is required to complete the crossing.

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Specification and Dimensions UNI-PF250

Parameters Imperial Metric
Continuous Axial Force 200 short tons 181 metric tons
Intermittent Force 250 short tons 227 metric tons
Hydraulic Pressure (Cylinders) 4000 PSI 276 bar
Intermittent Load Pressure 5000 PSI 345 bar
Power Pack Output 300 HP / option 400 HP 224 kW / option 298.3 kW
Conveyor Feed Speed (High Speed) 0.62 mph 1.0 km/h
Speed at Maximum Torque 0.31 mph 0.5 km/h
Average Tunneling Speed (with TBM) 2.5 in/min 63.5 mm/min
Length of hoses and cables 591 in 15 m
System/ Feature Description Option
Continuous axial pipe movement 4-Track Conveyor System Standard
High-force clamping system 6" Standard
Conveyor Orientation 45° Balanced radial force distribution Standard
Steel-Backed Rubber Pads High durability & friction control Standard
Friction Factor 0.6 coefficient Standard
Adjustable Clamping Force Adaptable to pipe wall thickness Standard
Independent Cylinder Control Balanced load distribution Standard
Rig-Powered Operation Ability to use a rig as a power pack Standard
System/ Feature Description Option
Reinforced Frame Structure Designed for 200+ ton loads Standard
Lightweight Modular Design Easier transport & setup Standard
Standard HDD Anchoring No massive foundation required Standard
Crane-Free Installation No heavy lift equipment required Standard
Parameters Imperial Metric
Transport Dimensions (LxWxH) 315''x98.5''x127'' 8.00 m × 2.50 m × 3.22 m
Weight of Pipe Feeder Unit with Pads 46 short tons 41.73 metric tons
Weight of Pipe Feeder Unit without Pads 40 short tons 36.29 metric tons
Power Pack Weight, 20 ft 15,000 lbs 6.8 metric tons
Control Container Weight, 10 ft 5,000 lbs 2.27 metric tons
Parameter Size & Thread type
Supported Pipe Diameter 16″–48″
System/ Feature Description Option
Panoramic Operator Cab Standalone panoramic control station with climate control and vibration-reducing air-suspension seating Standard
Autonomous Power Unit Independent onboard power system Standard
Video Monitoring System Real-time operation monitoring for safety and control Option
Climate Adaptation Designed for extreme cold and hot environments Standard
Integrated Diagnostic System Allow operators to identify issues in real time and significantly reduce troubleshooting time in the field job site Standard
Operator's education Not necessary. Remote control shows all functions on the picture of the machine. Standard
DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION CALL (847) 955-0050
Why Continuous Movement Matters

Why Continuous Movement Matters

Every cylinder-based pipe pusher has the same limitation: it works in strokes. Push, stop, retract, re-engage. Repeat every 3–15 feet for the entire length of the crossing.

Each restart breaks static friction — a spike of force transmitted into the pipe wall and bore face. On a 1,600-foot river crossing with 48-inch steel pipe, those spikes accumulate into measurable risk: bore face instability, pipe coating stress, and lost time.

The UNI-PF250 eliminates the cycle entirely. Its 4-track conveyor system grips the pipe and drives it forward without stopping. Dynamic friction only — lower, more predictable, and fully controllable from the operator cab.

The practical result on your project:

  • No bore face pressure fluctuations
  • No static friction events at restart
  • No shock loads transferred to the pipe wall
  • Consistent installation speed across the full crossing length

Key Features & Available Options

High-Force Pipe Feeding

Continuous thrust up to 200 tons for reliable pipe movement

4-Track Conveyor Drive

Balanced 4-track system for stable pipe feeding

Adjustable Clamping System

Hydraulic clamping adaptable to different pipe diameters

Modular Lightweight Design

Three modular blocks simplify transport and installation

Rig-Powered Operation

Can operate using a drilling rig as a power source

Manufactured in USA
Lead time 16-18 weeks
Full service Support
Worldwide Delivery
Where the UNI-PF250 Is Used

Where the UNI-PF250 Is Used

HDD Pullback Assistance
On large-diameter HDD crossings (36 inches and above), the UNI-PF250 is positioned at the exit side to push the pipe string while the drill rig pulls. This reduces tension load on the rig and prevents pullback failures on long crossings.

Microtunneling Drives
The UNI-PF250 feeds pipe continuously behind the TBM, maintaining steady face pressure and forward progress without interruption.

Pipe Jacking Operations
Used as primary or supplementary jacking force at the drive shaft, the UNI-PF250 sustains continuous pipe movement across the full drive length.

Direct Pipe Tunneling
In Direct Pipe method installations, the UNI-PF250 pushes a prefabricated steel pipeline simultaneously as a TBM excavates the bore face — completing bore and pipe installation in a single operation, with no separate pullback phase required.

Typical crossing types:

  • River and waterway crossings
  • Highway and road underbores
  • Railroad crossings
  • Urban infrastructure crossings where surface disruption is not permitted

Explore the UNI-PF250 from multiple angles

Machine Overview
DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION CALL (847) 955-0050

High-Force Pipe Feeder for HDD, Trenchless & Pipeline Tunneling

The UNI-PF250 is a heavy-duty conveyor-based pipe feeder engineered for continuous high-capacity axial thrust in horizontal directional drilling, microtunneling, pipe jacking, and Direct Pipe® tunneling operations.

Unlike stroke-based hydraulic systems that stop and reset every few feet, the UNI-PF250 maintains uninterrupted axial movement of large-diameter steel pipelines — eliminating static friction spikes and delivering consistent face pressure across the full length of the crossing.


Designed for steel pipelines from 16'' to 48'' outer diameter.

The 4-track conveyor drive with steel-backed rubber pads distributes clamping force evenly across the pipe surface, protecting pipeline integrity under 200 short tons of continuous thrust and 250 short tons of intermittent capacity.

Built in Lake Zurich, Illinois. Delivered worldwide. Suitable for oil & gas pipeline projects, water transmission crossings, and long-distance trenchless installations requiring sustained, high-force pipe movement.


Frequently Asked Questions

What pipe diameters does the UNI-PF250 support?
Standard configuration supports steel pipelines from 16'' to 48'' outer diameter. The 20'' to 56'' range is available as an option — requiring a full replacement of the clamping pad set, which is sized for a specific diameter range. Both pad sets are available from Universal HDD.
How much force does the UNI-PF250 generate?
200 short tons continuous axial force. 250 short tons intermittent (peak) force at 5,000 PSI.
Does installation require a crane?
No. The UNI-PF250 ships as 3 modular units on standard flatbeds and assembles on-site without heavy lift equipment.
What power source does the UNI-PF250 use?
It includes an autonomous 300 HP powerpack as standard. It can also run from a connected HDD rig's hydraulic system.
What is the lead time?
16–18 weeks from order confirmation. Delivered worldwide from Lake Zurich, Illinois.
What environments is the UNI-PF250 designed for?
The machine is climate-adapted for extreme cold and heat. The operator cab includes climate control and air-suspension seating for full-shift operation in harsh field conditions.
Can the UNI-PF250 work with any HDD rig or TBM?
Yes. The system is compatible with any standard hydraulic power source on site.