TULSA, Okla. — McElroy, the pipe fusion experts, is celebrating 15 years of Pit Bull® fusion machines. The Pit Bull line of machines butt fuse thermoplastic pipes together for use in water, gas, mining, wastewater, geothermal, landfill methane recovery and other industries.
The most popular Pit Bull has long been the Pit Bull 14, which fuses the popular 1-inch IPS through 4-inch DIPS pipe size ranges. The 14 and other Pit Bulls are designed to butt fuse lengths or coils of pipe, as well as tees, ells and other fittings. The machine’s semi-automatic locking cam system maintains force during the cooling cycle. Contractors have often praised the Pit Bull’s ability to go in-ditch to fuse pipe joints.
To celebrate the 15th year of the Pit Bull line of machines and to answer customer demand, McElroy released the Pit Bull 26 in late 2010. The 26 is designed to fuse pipe sizes from 2-inch IPS to 6-inch DIPS, and comes with 2-inch IPS inserts. Customers’ requests for a Pit Bull-style fusion machine for the growing pipe installations in the 2- to 6-inch pipe size range required McElroy to design the new rugged and reliable fusion machine.
“The Pit Bull fusion machines have stood the test in their 15 years in existence. They represent everything that McElroy fusion machines are known for including quality fusion joints, productivity on jobsites, durability, performance and premier engineering,” said Chip McElroy, president of McElroy. “It’s no surprise that the Pit Bull 14 is our best-selling fusion machine and has been for the majority of these 15 years.”
While the Pit Bull 14 and 26 are two of McElroy’s best-selling models, the Pit Bull line extends to larger diameter machines that include the Pit Bull 28 (2-inch IPS to 8-inch DIPS), 412 (4-inch IPS to 12-inch DIPS) and 618 (6-inch IPS to 18-inch OD).
The most notable change to the Pit Bull line over 15 years has been the tools and training that has grown and developed around the products. McElroy has supplemented the fusion machine with a series of productivity tools that improve various aspects of the fusion experience, as well as developing industry-leading training courses devoted to small-diameter pipe fusion operations and troubleshooting, taught through McElroy’s training division, McElroy University.
One of the most popular ways of ordering a 14 or 26 fusion machine is to order a productivity package that pairs a Pit Bull fusion machine with two PolyPorters™ and a Manual Fusion Machine Stand. The PolyPorter productivity tool combines the mechanical advantage of a dolly with the functionality of a pipe stand. The Manual Fusion Machine Stand brings the fusion operations to a more comfortable height for the operator.
To find out more information on the Pit Bull 14 and 26, visit www.mcelroy.com/fusion.
