Portable mainline inspection system saves time and money

Problem: Two years ago, the city of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, was looking for an affordable solution to assess their sewer mainline and lateral infrastructure.

Solution: The city purchased an Insight Vision Cameras IRIS portable mainline crawler sewer inspection system. The compact system combines a motorized crawler, a motorized power-rewind/feed-assist cable drum, and an easy-to-use inspection application. The corrosion-resistant brass bodied crawler offers a 180-degree pan and 360-degree tilt camera to inspect pipes from 6 to 12 inches (up to 18 inches with optional pneumatic wheel set). The reel has 600 feet of Kevlar coax cable and numerous USB, HDMI, and SD external ports. The 10-inch, daylight-readable touch screen has the easy-to-use Insight Vision Cameras app running on a Windows 7 operating system with Intel i5 processor.

Result: “The app makes it so easy to set up” says Dennis Grulkowski, city of Cedarburg technician. He has the IRIS reel mounted on a cargo trailer with a propane generator for power and a small office with large screen, keyboard and mouse. “We take the video from the inspections and upload it to our GIS system for future development and alleviation of inflow and infiltration.” 800-488-8177; www.insightvisioncameras.com.

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Crawler camera a fit for drain cleaning business

Problem: Kevin Cameron, owner of Drain Services in Fargo, North Dakota, was looking for a pipeline inspection system that could also be a workhorse for pipeline point repairs, and he determined that a component-style system would be the best solution for his diverse needs. “I was looking at many manufacturers,” he says. “This was my first major equipment financing deal. I did a lot of investigating to gain the most work for my investment.”  

Solution: While getting Pipeline Assessment and Certification Program-certified, Cameron told his instructor about the system he sought: “I wanted a six-wheel-drive with enough grip to pull sectional point repairs into place,” he says. “He told me about Trio-Vision Cobra, whose crawler is big and heavy, with a robust 13-wire cable and a powerful reel that could act as a winch and could do exactly what I wanted.” Cameron requested to install the components himself in a unique, very mobile and agile, hybrid van. The company’s build-out team responded by having it all plugged in when he showed up to show him how it worked. Then they broke down the components and packed them into military-grade cases. “All I had to do was open them up, plug and play,” he says. 

Result: “Now I not only have a robust pipeline inspection system, but also a hardy workhorse to help me accomplish remote point repairs, without having to invest in another specialized piece,” Cameron says. “I think everybody is extremely happy with how it’s going. I know I am.” 800-443-3761; www.trio-vision.com.