Milford Becomes First U.S. Distributor to Receive McElroy Tritan™ 560
Midland, TX
May 16, 2024
Milford has become the first U.S. distributor to take delivery of McElroy’s new Tritan 560, purchasing two machines to help bring a fundamentally different approach to pipe fusion to the market.
Designed for 12-inch to 22-inch polyethylene pipe, the Tritan combines bottom-loading pipe handling, an articulating boom and wireless controls on a self-propelled tracked platform. For contractors accustomed to lifting pipe into the top of a fusion machine, it opens the door to a different way of working: bringing the machine to the pipe.
Rethinking how pipe enters the machine
Loading and positioning pipe can account for a substantial part of a fusion operation, requiring crews to coordinate equipment, personnel and space around each joint.
The Tritan addresses that challenge with a carriage that approaches pipe from above and loads it through the bottom. For standard fusions, this eliminates the need to lift pipe overhead into the machine and can reduce dependence on separate pipe-handling equipment.
A boom that raises, extends and curls the carriage gives the operator flexibility to align with the pipe. A full 360-degree swing allows fusion in front of the machine or parallel to its tracks on either side. The machine can travel along the pipeline, reducing the need to pull pipe through a stationary carriage.
More capability under one operator’s control
The Tritan brings machine movement, pipe loading and fusion controls together on McElroy’s handheld DataLogger® tablet. One operator can manage these functions remotely, choosing a position with a clear view of the machine and work area.
Its tracked undercarriage provides jobsite mobility, while onboard power allows fusion without an external power source. The carriage is also removable for applications where access requires a different setup, including confined spaces and in-ditch work.
Together, these features give contractors more flexibility in how they organize a fusion operation, with opportunities to simplify pipe handling, reduce supporting equipment needs and improve operator visibility.
Helping bring a new approach to the field
Milford’s initial investment in two Tritan 560 machines is intended to help move this technology from introduction to practical use on U.S. jobsites.
A machine that changes familiar working methods also calls for hands-on guidance. Milford will support customers in understanding the Tritan’s capabilities, identifying suitable applications and preparing operators to use it through equipment access, training and technical support.
