What's so Special about Deep Trekker Pipe Crawlers?

Municipalities and infrastructure professionals are extremely interested in the launch of our DT340 Portable Pipe Crawler systems which was launched earlier this year. The systems expanded on the proven abilities of the Deep Trekker ROV systems, which are known for their robust manufacturing, easy maneuverability, and complete portability. The one question we’ve been asked when introducing our pipe crawler to new customers is: “What makes your crawler stand out from the rest?”

Today, we will look at the three main ways our pipe crawlers differ from other products on the market.

1. Steerable

Our DT340 Pipe Crawlers are steerable. While there are other steerable pipe inspection tools on the market, the option to change direction with a pipe crawler often brings about additional costs for the purchaser. Steerable wheels come standard on all of our systems, at no extra cost. We aim to provide a tool that can be used to perform pipeline inspections without limiting the direction and scope of the tool.

2. Submersible

Deep Trekker’s DT340 Pipe Crawler Systems can operate both in dry and wet pipes. Submersible up to 50 meters (164 ft), operators never have to worry that water in a pipe or heavy rains will damage their equipment. Built with the same innovative thinking that brought about the DTG2 and DTX2 ROVs, the DT340 Pipe Crawler System is completely self-contained and able to perform even in tough situations.

3. Portable

Many Pipe Crawler systems on the market today claim to be portable, yet they still require topside power, dedicated service trucks, or additional components. The DT340 Pipe Crawler System is 100% portable, with everything you need to perform an inspection complete in two carrying cases. The units are battery powered, with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries contained within the system. This means the unit can be deployed them from anywhere. The batteries last between 6-8 hours on a single 1.5 hour charge.

Below you will find a video of a recent inspection done here in Canada that demonstrates all three of these capabilities of the DT340 Pipe Crawler. The inspection took place in a pipe filled with water, large enough to requiring steering, and was deployed from a remote access point. During this project, inspectors had to launch the crawler from a small room where the door was required to remain closed. The fact that the DT340 Pipe Crawler is battery-powered meant they did not need a line running to the service truck, and made this inspection possible.