Pipeline Drilling Machines for Pressurized Pipeline Work

A horizontal pipe drilling machine, often called a horizontal tapping machine, mounts perpendicular to a pipeline run and feeds a boring bar and cutter horizontally into the pipe wall. This orientation is common for hot tapping mains and lines where the machine bolts directly onto a tapping fitting welded or mechanically joined to the pipeline.

In pressurized pipeline applications, the drilling machine is commonly referred to as a hot tapping machine or tapping machine. These machines drive a boring bar, cutter, and pilot drill through a tapping valve into a live pipeline, allowing connections or branch lines to be added without shutting down flow.

Hot tapping is the process of drilling into a pressurized pipeline to create a new connection or branch without interrupting service. A tapping machine mounts to a valve and fitting on the pipe, then advances a cutter and pilot drill through the pipe wall while the line remains under pressure, retaining the cut coupon for verification.

Schallert Enterprises offers tapping machines covering the full range from 3/4" up to 72" in diameter. Smaller electric units like the TM100 and TM200 handle taps up to 12", while hydraulic machines such as the TM300, TM400, and TM6120 scale up to large diameter mains and industrial pipelines.

Electric tapping machines, like the TM100 and TM200, run on 110V power and suit smaller taps up to 12" for convenience and portability. Hydraulic machines, such as the TM250 through TM6120, require a hydraulic power source rated in GPM and PSI, delivering the torque needed for larger diameter taps up to 72".

Yes, tapping machines require size-specific adapters, boring bars, and cutters matched to the tap diameter and pipe material. Schallert manufactures tapping adapters, hole saws, and pilot drills for each machine model, including lightweight aluminum adapters and diamond segment cutters for concrete-lined pipe.