Towing Heads for Mining: How to Prevent Pump Damage & Reduce Downtime

Versatile, simple, and reliable. Towing heads are a must-have device for any mining site managing High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) piping.

While traditionally used for directional drilling and trenchless pipelaying, towing heads have evolved into a critical asset for above-ground pipe management. Their ability to seal pipe ends during transportation is saving mining sites millions in avoided equipment damage.

Nathan Craig, Director of Advanced Piping Systems, explains how this simple tool can prevent catastrophic pump failure and how to select the right towing head for your project.

Key Takeaways

• The Risk: Dragging open-ended poly pipe allows rocks and debris to enter the line.

• The Cost: Debris can damage expensive ceramic-lined pumps (e.g., Warman pumps), resulting in over $1M in downtime.

• The Solution: Towing heads seal the pipe end while providing a secure pulling point.

• Selection: Towing heads must match the specific Outside Diameter (OD) and SDR of the pipe.

The Hidden Danger of Moving Poly Pipe

HDPE is an extremely durable product. It is built to take the beating of being chained behind a bulldozer or excavator and dragged across rough pit faces or gravel roads.

However, the pipe isn’t the problem—it’s what gets inside the pipe.

“As well as potentially blocking the pipeline, rocks and even large boulders can get into a pipeline and appear invisible, until the damage to plant and equipment is done,” explains Nathan Craig.

The $1 Million Rock: A Case Study

Maintenance crews know the catastrophic impact of invisible stray material on long-lead-time assets like screens, trommels, and pumps.

“On one mine site we visited, rocks that entered the pipeline during transport were sucked into a very large, expensive Warman ceramic-lined pump used for sandy media and mineral-rich water,” Nathan recalls.

“The pump’s ceramic liner was cracked and smashed due to the rocks. This triggered a very expensive, unplanned shutdown just when the plant had been restarted.”

The Result: The cost of downtime caused by this unclarified material exceeded $1 million.

According to Nathan, a root cause analysis found that for less than a tenth of the cost of a shutdown, the mine could have eliminated the issue entirely by using towing heads to seal the pipes during transport.

How Towing Heads Work

A towing head does two jobs simultaneously:

1. It provides a secure connection: It allows for safe winching or towing behind heavy machinery.

2. It seals the pipe: It caps the end, preventing dirt, rocks, and debris from entering the system.

“When time is tight and safety is the number one priority, it’s reassuring to know that towing heads are easy and safe to attach,” says Nathan.

The Mechanism: The pipe is inserted into the external cone of the towing head. An internal mandrel with gripping teeth is pressed into the pipe wall as the eye bolt is tightened and pulled. This creates a grip that actually tightens the harder you pull, making it an extremely safe way to manage pipe ends.

How to Choose the Right Towing Head

Selecting the correct towing head is critical for safety and performance. Unlike some universal tools, towing heads are specific to pipe dimensions.

“Towing heads come suited to one size and SDR (Standard Dimension Ratio),” Nathan advises. “The size of the towing head must be the same as the outside diameter of your pipe. For example, a 140mm towing head cannot be used on a 125mm pipe.”

Customisation Options

Generally, towing heads are made-to-order products, allowing for customisation based on the application:

• For Directional Drilling: A streamlined, low-profile design is preferable to reduce drag and prevent snagging.

• For Above-Ground Towing: Modified designs can include additional eyelets or lifting points on the body to facilitate easier coil management.

• Versatility: You can order a main body (e.g., 500mm) and swap out internal gripping teeth to suit different pressure ratings, such as PN10 SDR17 or PN16 SDR11.

The ROI of Pipe Protection

Whether you are winching a pipe through a freshly drilled horizontal hole or simply dragging a string across a site, the towing head is your insurance policy against contamination.

Advanced Piping Systems stocks a variety of towing heads machined from high-quality steel and aluminium billets.

Need to secure your pipeline transport? Contact our team today to find the right towing head for your next project.

Common Questions About Towing Heads

What is a towing head used for?

A towing head is attached to the end of a poly pipe to allow it to be pulled or winched safely. It is used in directional drilling, trenchless pipelaying, and moving pipe around mining sites.

Do towing heads prevent debris from entering pipes?

Yes. A towing head completely seals the end of the pipe. This prevents rocks and debris from entering the line during transport, protecting downstream equipment, such as pumps, from damage.

How do I size a towing head?

You must match the towing head to the exact Outside Diameter (OD) and SDR (wall thickness) of your pipe. They are not universally interchangeable.