Pipe replacement devices, and systems are shown. Devices and systems may include jointed cutters and floating cutters to navigate difficult pipe replacement conditions. Devices and systems may also include replacement pipe with pre-installed supply hoses, such as lubricant supply and/or pneumatic supply hoses. Methods of pipe replacement are also described, including splitting old pipe and pulling in new pipe behind the equipment as splitting progresses.

A pipe pulling lubrication apparatus includes a pipe anchor having an anchor body. The anchor body includes a first coupling feature near an anchor body proximal portion and a distal pipe coupling feature near an anchor body distal portion. The distal pipe coupling feature is configured to couple and position a replacement pipe exterior surface near an anchor body exterior surface. The lubrication apparatus further includes a lubrication system including a lubricant conduit extending within the anchor body from the distal pipe coupling feature toward an anchor body intermediate portion between the first coupling feature and the distal pipe coupling feature. The lubrication system includes a lubricant distributor having one or more lubricant passages extending from the lubricant conduit toward the anchor body exterior surface, the lubricant distributor is configured to deliver a lubricant to the replacement pipe exterior surface.

A cable puller and associated methods are shown. Useful example methods include pipe bursting using cable pullers as shown. Cable pullers and methods shown provide a mechanical advantage that increases an amount of cable pulled in one cycle. Selected examples are shown that include a pulley located on a distal end of a moving portion of an extending and contracting beam. The pulley and the mechanical advantage it supplies helps to improve the efficiency of the cable puller and reduce manufacturing cost of the cable puller.

A cable puller and associated methods are shown. Useful example methods include pipe bursting using cable pullers as shown. Cable pullers and methods shown provide a mechanical advantage that increases an amount of cable pulled in one cycle. Selected examples are shown that include a pulley located on a distal end of a moving portion of an extending and contracting beam. The pulley and the mechanical advantage it supplies helps to improve the efficiency of the cable puller and reduce manufacturing cost of the cable puller.

A portable winch and method of use is shown. One advantage of winches shown includes an ability to lower a boom or boom sections into limited access exit pit for winching operations such as pipe bursting. Sectional boom designs shown provide the ability to easily raise and lower a boom large distances without the need for a single long boom. Selected winch designs shown include flexible inserts between the boom and the winch frame that help resist damage from unforeseen shifting of the device during operation. Designs and methods shown also include multiple pulleys on a boom end unit. Fasteners are shown that reduce build up of debris.

A cable retention and release mechanism includes a cable gripping device including a cable passage. A cable extends through the cable passage. A cable gripping device collar is movably coupled around the cable gripping device. An outer cable gripping device surface is seated against a cable gripping device receiving inner surface preventing movement of the cable gripping device relative to the cable gripping device collar. The cable gripping device receiving inner surface clamps the cable gripping device on the cable and prevents sliding movement of the cable. A jack is movably coupled with the cable gripping device collar. In a first engaged position the jack is engaged against the cable gripping device proximal end. In a second engaged position the jack unseats the outer cable gripping device surface from the cable gripping device receiving inner surface and releases the clamping of the cable.

A pipe puller system and methods of pipe extraction are shown. In one example a pipe to be replaced is pulled by attaching a pulling force to multiple locations along a length of the pipe. In one example pulling forces can be varied between different attachment locations to better control or eliminate tearing of the pipe. In one example, a pipe loosening device may be used prior to pulling the pipe from the ground.

An articulating, rotating pipe bursting head device is provided. More particularly, the improved pipe bursting head device disclosed herein comprises a coupling means at the back or posterior end of the bursting pipe head device which connects the bursting pipe head device to the replacement or product pipe, typically through a universal duct puller attached to the front or anterior end of the product pipe. In one preferred embodiment, the coupling means allows for articulation of the replacement pipe relative to the bursting pipe head device. In another preferred embodiment, the articulating coupling means allows for articulation from 0° through 90°. In another embodiment, the coupling means allows for rotation of the replacement pipe relative to the pipe bursting head device. In another embodiment this rotating coupling means allows for 360° rotation. Thus, the present disclosure describes an articulating, rotating bursting pipe head device and method of use.

A cable puller and associated methods are shown. Useful example methods include pipe bursting using cable pullers as shown. Cable pullers and methods shown provide a mechanical advantage that increases an amount of cable pulled in one cycle. Selected examples are shown that include a pulley located on a distal end of a moving portion of an extending and contracting beam. The pulley and the mechanical advantage it supplies helps to improve the efficiency of the cable puller and reduce manufacturing cost of the cable puller.

Pipe splitting apparatuses and systems including a replaceable blade, and methods therefor, are provided. In various examples, a cable retention and release mechanism is configured to releasably engage a cable and includes one or more segments of a pipe splitting apparatus including a cable passage. A segmented collet includes tapered segments and is disposed within a tapered portion of a cable passage of the one or more segments. Channel surfaces of the tapered segments together form a cable channel through the segmented collet. The cable channel is configured to widen in a disengaged position of the segmented collet and narrow in an engaged position of the segmented collet. A spring is disposed within the spring pocket of the one or more segments to bias the segmented collet distally in the engaged position.