Puck Pigging System
Large diameter hose is essential to the success of many liquid transfer operations. Supply hose can move immense volumes of liquid with high flow across long distances. However, any liquid remaining in the hose after use and in storage can cause damage to the integrity of the hose. Depending on the type of liquid, hoses left wet may face mold, mildew, rot, and more. It can also be more strenuous to pick up or move hose that still has liquid inside. Cleaning the hose line after every use can help elongate the service life of the hose. Cleaning the line also saves you time and money in the long run.
How it works
To clean a hose line, a common practice is shooting a pig, or purge ball, through the hose. Pigging or purging the line is typically done with a foam kickball or bullet that is moved through the hose via air propulsion. Some lead pumps, like Puck’s pump trailers or Fire Force Feed trailers, have a built-in pig shooter. This makes hookup, shutdown, and pigging the line fast and easy. Operators insert the pigging ball into the pig shooter, then attach their air compressor. The force from the air moves the purge ball through the length of the hose, pushing out any liquids that remain. It’s important to find a pigging ball or bullet that fits your hose size in order to best clean the line.
For operators without a built-in pig shooter, a pig launcher manifold can easily be attached to the hose line. U.S. Coupling’s pig launcher has one side open to connect your supply hose with quick connections, while the other side provides a connection for your air hose. BullDog’s Air Raid hose is layflat and easy to store. The standard hi-vis yellow hose features a standard 2″ four claw Chicago air fitting connection. The wide base of the pig launcher manifold keeps the tools on the ground with high pressures forced through.
Manure dragline operations can often rely on built-in pig shooters on their lead and booster pumps. In the field, however, obstacles may impede on the pigging process. Air compressors may not be able to push liquid over big hills, so operators should use gravity to their advantage. A portable pig launcher may be helpful in getting better performance by starting at the top of a hill. Applicators in the industry should be aware that compressed air can be very dangerous. A respectable distance should be maintained when the line is under pressure. Communication with your crew is vital to everyone’s safety.
Purging Firefighting Lines
In the world of firefighting, operators may not have the space or safety precautions to launch the pig through the end of the line. More crowds and less space can increase safety risks when the purge ball reaches the end of the hose. To capture the pig and maintain safety around large hoses, U.S. Coupling offers a pig catching manifold. This manifold has quick connections for efficient coupling, but it also features a rotating fitting. The wide base of the pig catcher keeps the manifold securely on the ground. The slew bearing connection allows the hose to rotate as the pig pushes through any kinks, turns, or twists of the hose. The pig catcher prevents delays in cleanup by quickly retrieving any foam balls launched across the operational grounds, ensuring firefighters stay on schedule.
Regular upkeep and maintenance are vital to ensuring your supply hoses are long lasting and remain in peak condition. A clean hose rolls back onto the hose cart easier, and causes less wear and tear to extend your hose’s service life. Cleaning out the line is the best practice for proper hose care, and Puck’s pigging system and accessories make that process simple. For more information, check out our product overview videos or call a sales team member at (712) 655 - 9200.
