An apparatus and related method are provided for loading a pig into a pipeline. The apparatus includes a tubular reducer, a rigid member including a pig-engaging surface, and a guide member slidingly engaged by the rigid member to permit axial movement, while limiting radial movement, of the rigid member in relation to the reducer. In use, when the reducer is aligned concentrically with the pipeline end with the front end of the reducer bearing axially, either directly or indirectly, against the pipeline end, and the pig-engaging surface is disposed axially rearward of the reducer, increased tension in the cable pulls the rigid member axially forward relative to the pipeline, whereupon the attached pig-engaging surface pushes the pig through the reducer and into the pipeline interior.

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.

Disclosed is a pipeline pulling tool having an elongate housing. First and second roller wheel sections have at least two freely rotating roller wheels extending out from a sidewall of the housing. An attachment for a tool string is fixed to one of the roller wheel sections. A main section with a retractable propulsion wheel and at least one actuator for actuating the propulsion wheel between an extended position, out from the sidewall of the housing, and a retracted position, inside the housing, is located between the first roller wheel section and the second roller wheel section. A method of actuating a pipeline pulling tool is also disclosed.

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 pipe repair apparatus to restore a damaged portion of a pipe includes an elongated rod having a first fastener coupled to a first end and a second fastener coupled to a second end, each fastener of the pair of fasteners coupled to a rope, a pair of end members coupled to the elongated rod, each end member of the pair of end members having a first disk coupled to either the first or second end of the rod and a second disk coupled to an intermediate portion of the rod, the first and second disks of each end member having a sheet coupled to edges of the first and second disks, and a generally cylindrical member slidably mounted to the rod and positioned between the pair of end members.

A method for use in connection with installing a cable into a conduit having a first conduit end and a second conduit end, comprising the steps of —providing the cable with a metallic attribute, —providing within or proximate to the conduit, sensing means for sensing the metallic attribute, —introducing the cable into the first conduit end and driving it towards the second conduit end and —detecting that the sensing means has sensed the metallic attribute by sensing a change in inductance levels of the sensing means.

A nozzle assembly comprises a hollow nozzle body having a central bore and a plurality of ports extending through the body from the central bore; and a switching valve assembly disposed in the central bore that directs fluid flow to ports upon application of fluid flow above a predetermined threshold to the inlet and directs fluid flow to different ports upon fluid flow having subsequently dropped below the predetermined threshold and then exceeding the predetermined threshold. The assembly comprises a cylindrical poppet slidably disposed within the central bore, a guide between the nozzle body and the poppet, and a biasing member within the cartridge case between the front portion of the nozzle body and the poppet urging the poppet away from the front portion of the cartridge case.

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.

An apparatus and related method are provided for loading a pig into a pipeline. The apparatus includes a tubular reducer, a rigid member including a pig-engaging surface, and a guide member slidingly engaged by the rigid member to permit axial movement, while limiting radial movement, of the rigid member in relation to the reducer. In use, when the reducer is aligned concentrically with the pipeline end with the front end of the reducer bearing axially, either directly or indirectly, against the pipeline end, and the pig-engaging surface is disposed axially rearward of the reducer, increased tension in the cable pulls the rigid member axially forward relative to the pipeline, whereupon the attached pig-engaging surface pushes the pig through the reducer and into the pipeline interior.

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.