With an electric motor and a host of features to minimize downtime, the Aries Industries Wolverine 2.0 is ready to tackle lateral reinstatement and prelining prep jobs efficiently, quietly and precisely.
Aries designed the reinstatement cutter in 2019 in response to contractor demand for a reliable, self-propelled alternative to units with air-powered motors and compressors.
“We chose to go with the electric version because it’s quieter and more versatile,” says John Kudis, Aries national accounts manager.
Kudis says the Wolverine is made to cut through a variety of pipeline sizes and materials, eliminating the need to use multiple cutters for different pipe sizes. By default, it operates in 6-inch to 18-inch lines, with a 24-inch-diameter pipe kit upgrade available. Operators can also manually adjust RPM and torque for precise operation from pipeline to pipeline.
“If you’re cutting PVC, you want to be careful so you don’t overcut,” Kudis says. “So you can actually program torque and RPM of the motor, which gives more control of the operator when they’re cutting for a more precision cut.”
For particularly challenging jobs, such as those involving pipe defects, obstructions or liner issues, Aries offers a fourth-axis kit, which adjusts the tool bit in front of the crawler. The cutter allows for multiple wheel configurations to accommodate any pipe condition, and is equipped with a stabilizing plate to hold the unit in place and reduce vibration while operating.
A compact design is achieved through a single integrated electric cabling system and not needing an onboard air compressor. Meanwhile, its engineering boasts an 850-foot cable length, reducing truck setup time and enabling more complex manhole-to-manhole routes without compromising on footprint.
“[We tried] to maintain a reasonable footprint in the truck and have as much cable on the reel as you can,” Kudis says.
The Wolverine’s inspection camera includes pan-and-tilt functionality and is placed securely in the cutter body. The lens is field-replaceable, and a built-in lens wiper and scraper allows for on-the-spot cleaning within a pipe.
“If you can’t get the lens cleaned, then you’ve got to stop, bring the transporter all the way back, pull it out of the pipe, clean the lens, and put it back in,” Kudis says. “So it’s just less time.”
Operators control the cutter manually via the CANbus-enabled desktop controller, which includes two graduated, ergonomic fingertip-control joysticks featuring control settings, including speed and axis movement, that can be adjusted on the fly.
The Wolverine 2.0 has a durable stainless steel and brass construction, is field-repairable and is made in the U.S.
800-234-7205; www.ariesindustries.com
