Hot tapping machine Telescopic

The Gastech FORATUBI MAXI 6-12 Hot Tapping Machine is an under-pressure pipe drilling machine for making new service connections and network extensions on gas and water pipelines from DN 1″ to DN 2″, rated up to 12 bar operating pressure, and expandable to DN 6″ with additional accessories. The machine body is constructed from heavy-duty steel with double-dip galvanized surface protection. Total assembled length is 650 mm with a 220 mm effective drilling stroke. Pipe material compatibility covers steel, grey cast iron, ductile cast iron, stainless steel, asbestos cement, polyethylene (PE), PVC, and AC — covering the full range of materials found across gas and water distribution networks. Drive is via ratchet wrench with crank as standard, with optional pneumatic or hydraulic motor drive available for higher-volume operations. All interchangeable fittings carry vent valves, and a mechanical automatic safety limit stop is built into the stroke assembly.

The automatic spring-regulated drilling pressure system maintains constant feed force during the hole saw cut, regardless of operator technique — eliminating the inconsistent feed rate that manual-only drilling tools produce and reducing the risk of broken cutters or incomplete cuts in harder pipe materials. Modular extension cords allow the drilling distance to be varied beyond the standard stroke, enabling bore holes to be made through valves already installed on the pipeline without removing them. The hole saw coupon is recovered inside the machine body during retraction, preventing the cut disc from dropping into the live pipeline flow. A threaded plug can be introduced through a valve connection after drilling, sealing the new connection point without interrupting service.

The Gastech FORATUBI MAXI 6-12 Hot Tapping Machine is deployed by gas and water network operators, pipeline contractors, and utility installation teams whenever a new service connection or branch extension must be made on a live pressurized pipeline — without interrupting supply to downstream customers or draining the pipeline section. It is used across urban gas distribution networks for new residential and commercial connections, and on water distribution mains for new service branches and network loop completions.

Leader Infra supplies this double-galvanized, spring-regulated hot tapping machine for gas and water network operators — enabling live-line service connections from DN 1″ to DN 6″ at up to 12 bar operating pressure, with no service interruption and no fluid escape during the drilling operation.

FAQ — How does the coupon recovery mechanism prevent the drilled disc from entering the live pipeline? The hole saw is mechanically connected to the machine’s internal recovery device throughout the drilling cycle. When the cutter retracts after completing the bore, the cut coupon is retained inside the machine body by this device and travels back out of the pipeline with the cutter assembly — it cannot detach and fall into the live flow under any normal operating condition, eliminating the risk of coupon-induced downstream blockages or equipment damage.