Transforming the infrastructures is undoubtedly a key to achieving global sustainability goals. In pipeline construction, modern technologies and energy concepts require networks to be rebuilt and modernised. The challenge is to make these infrastructures fit for the future in the most environmentally friendly and efficient way possible.
Trenchless technology for pipe installation and renewal combines this apparent contradiction between resource conservation, cost-effectiveness, and security of supply into a sustainable overall solution. At Bauma 2025, manufacturer TRACTO will demonstrate how contractors in the construction industry can benefit from a complete range of flexible, innovative technology and hands on expert service for trenchless construction.
System solutions for trenchless construction
As a full-service provider for trenchless construction, TRACTO offers high-quality technical solutions for all future-relevant infrastructures, whether for energy transition, digitalisation, or water supply. The product portfolio covers all phases of pipeline construction, it includes No-Dig systems for the construction of power lines and main grids, the installation of house connections and the modernisation of existing networks. The German manufacturer laid the foundations for this complete product range more than 50 years ago with the invention of the first German soil displacement hammer, the “Mole”.
Building on this innovation, TRACTO has continued to pioneer cutting-edge developments, delivering efficient trenchless systems for all pipeline construction needs—backed by five decades of expertise.
To ensure TRACTO’s No-Dig equipment is both safe and profitable, the company provides a comprehensive range of tailored services and advanced digital tools. This overall concept results in a coherent and valuable total solution for the contractor, with individual personal support at every stage of the project also contributing to the long-term success of the customers.
Economic solutions for power main line construction
The energy transition relies on the construction of new transmission lines to deliver electricity from renewable sources to the grid. Consider the vast wind farms on land and at sea, connecting them requires “electricity highways” that stretch for hundreds of kilometres and are meticulously planned in advance. When these routes cross obstacles like rivers or roads, horizontal directional drilling (HDD) is the preferred method for cable installation. These long bores must be carefully prepared, precisely drilled, and consistently aligned to run parallel.
To ensure accuracy, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness for contractors, robust drilling rigs with precise control and high rod capacity are essential, capable of handling diverse geological conditions. This is where TRACTO’s HDD rigs excel, delivering reliable and productive solutions for the challenges of modern infrastructure development.
The GRUNDODRILL JCS300 has been developed for power main line installation and will be presented for the first time as a prototype at BAUMA 2025. The highly automated 300 kN HDD rig is part of the new JCS/ACS generation, the most advanced and productive HDD systems on the market.
Designed specifically for long bores, the 300 kN rig enables bores up to 1,000 mm upsizing diameter with 4.5 m long drill rods, of which the magazine holds 70. Also equipped with a fully automatic rod exchange change system for 288 m of standard rods on board and a 224-kW motor, the GRUNDODRILL 28Nplus is a proven rig for jet drilling, with a mud motor even in rocky ground.
Despite its power, the 28Nplus requires little space and is easy to transport. Both HDD rigs have high volume Bentonite pumps and an optional easy to use system for cable-guided drilling.
For particularly complex geology, TRACTO offers the perfect solution for bores up to 1,000 upsizing diameter, the powerful GRUNDODRILL ACS300 rock drilling rig with a total of 210m of twin-tube rods of 3m each. A GRUNDORAM horizontal rammer from TRACTO can provide dynamic power in the event of difficulties with these complex bores, e.g. to loosen stuck drill rods or to drive in casing pipes (HDD Assist & Rescue).
TRACTO also provides effective support to construction companies for planning, executing and documenting challenging power line construction projects.
The services range from tailor-made financing of drilling rigs and accessories, machine instruction and training of drilling crews, project-related rental of drilling tools and rods, digital tools for automatic drilling data capture and fleet management to on-site support.
Flexible solutions for reliable supply networks
Modern distribution networks must increasingly integrate decentralised energy sources, making them more complex. They must be highly reliable to ensure a continuous and secure supply to the population. At the same time, these networks for electricity, gas, water, district heating or wired internet must be flexible enough to adapt quickly to changing needs. For pipeline construction, this largely means working within the existing pipeline infrastructure, for which there is very little space available, especially in urban areas. However, it is not only for reasons of space that trenchless technology is predestined for the construction and expansion of distribution networks, but also low noise and dirt emissions with minimal impact on the environment, which is increasingly gaining acceptance among the public and clients.
TRACTO offers precise and fast No-Dig systems for all areas of distribution network construction. The GRUNDODRILL 15XP HDD drilling rig is ideal for uninterrupted work in urban areas, such as installing fibre optic cables along streets (Fibre to the Curb). The low-noise GRUNDODRILL JCS130E with electric drive paves the way for zero-emission construction sites and the new edition of the “King of Rock”. The GRUNDODRILL 20ACS effortlessly masters changing geology, for example in the construction of district heating networks. The compact GRUNDODRILL 5X is ideally suited for the construction of local distribution networks for electricity and, or gas right up to the house. Finally, GRUNDOMAT soil rockets can be used to quickly and safely lay short protective conduits, e.g. from the transformer to the distribution box. The low vibration ramming technology is the ideal solution for crossing heavily travelled roads or railway lines.
TRACTO’s services are also designed to give customers maximum flexibility. This can be through project related equipment for special applications, rental or hire-purchase models, or the trade in of machines that are no longer required. Customers can also benefit from geotechnical surveys for billing purposes and a digital remote service to analyse machine data. Demonstrations, consulting and training to build knowledge complete the range of services.
Productive solutions for accurate house connections
Service lines connect buildings to basic utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewerage or fibre optics.
Correct installation of the cables or pipes is essential to ensure security of supply and avoid hazards. There is usually limited space available for the work, and it must be carried out as quickly and carefully as possible to minimise disruption to enclosed areas and inconvenience to occupants. Particularly on private property, the teams are often under scrutiny and must explain their approach.
Trenchless installation is also a real economic alternative to open construction due to its minimal disruption and fast, cost-saving implementation. TRACTO offers contractors a range of productive and durable No-Dig systems for the installation of house connections in all conditions.
The non-steerable GRUNDOMAT is an entry-level machine for trenchless technology and an all-purpose tool for constructing house connections. High striking power and a wide range of accessories allow fast and precise direct pipe installation for connections up to OD 160 as well as subsequent pipe installation of fibre optic speed pipes.
The steerable GRUNDOPIT Mini-HDD systems are ideal for complex bore paths. The compact mini drilling rigs are easy to handle and quickly ready for use to quickly and efficiently produce all types of service connections up to OD 200, even in difficult terrain and complex soils. Another TRACTO solution for house connection is the GRUNDOSTEER, this guided bore rod pusher combines soil displacement and correctable drilling in one easy-to-use machine for installing pipes up to ND 75.
TRACTO offers full support in the use of No-Dig systems to construction companies already active in the house connection sector and to newcomers during fibre optic expansion which includes used equipment service, trade-in and rental models, which enable contractors to use the technology flexibly and at a favourable price. Demonstrations and training in the professional handling and maintenance of the equipment, combined with fast after-sales service and rapid spare parts supplied from local TRACTO centres allows customers to work without interruption. Sophisticated tools such as the VAIRA app for digital measurement and documentation of job sites in real time also contribute to productivity and maximum quality assurance.
Long term solutions for sound infrastructure
The rehabilitation of underground infrastructure is a pressing issue worldwide. Many supply and disposal networks are ageing, leading to leaks, blockages and other damage. This wastes valuable resources, jeopardises security of supply and requires high levels of investment from network operators. While open construction is usually out of the question and repair methods offer only a temporary solution, complete pipe renewal using the bursting method is the most sustainable solution in terms of cost effectiveness, maximum service life and optimum load-bearing capacity of the pipes. As the co-inventor of the bursting technology, TRACTO now offers a complete range of safe and reliable pipe bursting systems.
Users can choose from bursting systems for two methods of pipe replacement in the existing route: The dynamic GRUNDOCRACK method, in which the pulling force of a winch supports the bursting process and the guidance of the bursting machine, enables the effective and simple renewal of gas or sewage pipes made of brittle materials.
The static method with GRUNDOBURST renews defective pipes from ND 50 to 1,200 made of brittle or ductile materials with static pulling force. The powerful 400 to 2,500 kN pulling rigs are ideal for projects in densely built-up infrastructure as they work from a compact pit or manhole horizontally in both directions and from manhole to manhole.
The special QuickLock bursting rods, with a ratchet connection that does not require screwing, save considerable time and labour. By pulling in new pipes of the same or larger diameter, the hydraulic capacity of the pipeline can even be adjusted to current requirements as part of renewal process. With special accessories, rehabilitation can also be carried out applying calibre bursting, relining and the TIP method.
TRACTO actively supports specialist companies that are or want to become involved in pipe and sewer rehabilitation in the application of technology to carry out these usually very individual projects. To this end, the company has pooled its decades of expertise in a competence centre. The experts at the Pipe Bursting Centre impart technical and practical knowledge in the form of demonstrations, lectures and training courses, and advise contractors on the correct choice of machines and accessories.
Flexible financing solutions and machine rental options, as well as a wide range of accessories, provide additional security for contractors.
At Bauma 2025, TRACTO will bring the combination of efficiency and sustainability for the ‘construction site of the future’ to life with a practical presentation and hands-on demonstrations.
See TRACTO AT Bauma, stand FN 520/1 on 7 – 13 April
