Date: October 6, 2020

To: Chris Patrick, Supervisor, Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District

From: Cody Petero
RE: A Proposal to Purchase a New Lateral Saw System

Proposal:
I propose that we make the decision to upgrade our lateral saw system. The model that we are
currently using is obsolete and problematic. There are only two field crews here at the district
that have the capability to conduct lateral cutting operations. So with that being said, it is vital
that our equipment is effective and efficient.

Problem:
There are many issues that we face on a daily basis while using our current lateral cutting
system. For starters, it has proven that it is ineffective time and time again. We often run into
the issue of the saw stuck in the lines. This is because of how rigid and stiff our current saw
system is. Basic science tells us that the fastest way between two points is a straight line.
Unfortunately, our sewers do not always follow this trend. It has turns, inclines, and declines
that have shown to be troublesome. This problem is often very costly for the sewer district,
seeing as it typically results in a dig crew being called to retrieve the saw. The cost can be
upward of twenty thousand dollars depending on the location and landscape that must be
destroyed and replaced. For example, two weeks ago while on the job our saw was lodged in a
bend of a pipeline. We were able to trace and locate the saw, which was under a newly poured
residential driveway. So the next course of action was to break up the concrete, dig fourteen
feet to the pipe, and cut the pipe so that we could extract the camera. After that, they were
tasked with repairing or replacing the pipe, filling the hole that was created, and repair the
driveway. However, so that the property was left in the same condition as when they got there,
the whole driveway had to be replaced to ensure customer satisfaction. This was only one
example of an extremely costly job, and I have witnessed this happen on my crew on more than
one occasion.
Another issue that we face is the design flaw of the blades that our current system uses. They
get bound up easily and with the amount of pressure that it takes to run the system, the blades
usually end up getting sheared off. As you could imagine, this could have catastrophic results.
The saw obviously cannot operate properly with a broken blade. In fact, the motor on the saw
can continue to spin, which could lead to a couple different things. First, it could get turned
around and entangle itself in the air hose. If this happens and the air hose gets completely
severed, we have no way of getting the saw out and a dig crew would have to get called to
retrieve it. Another possible scenario is that the motor could spin wildly with a portion of the
blade still attached. This could seriously damage the pipe that we are trying to fix, which would
then completely negate the whole reason of us being out there. Neither of these outcomes are
desirable. Even the aspect of having a broken blade in the line is a hassle, seeing as we cannot
just leave it in there. We have to request a maintenance crew to come out to the job and flush
the line so that we can get the shrapnel out of the pipe.
The final complaint that I have with our current system is the quality of camera that is mounted
onto the saw. The picture that is presented is grainy and difficult to see. The lights are also
prone to malfunction, which is an issue for obvious reasons. I believe that this has a lot to do
with the type of connections that are used between the wiring and the camera itself. I think
everyone would agree with me when I say that if I am not confident in the equipment that I
use, I cannot do my job effectively. Each of the issues that I have provided above are not only
an inconvenience, but they affect how quickly we can complete a job, and they are all
extremely costly to Metropolitan Sewer District.

Recommendation:
I recommend that we move forward with purchasing the T150 Flex Cutter System, which is
manufactured by Try Tek. This system is state of the art with the newest technology in the
industry and it is compatible with a wide range of pipe sizes (5”-18” pipe). The body and head
of the carrier has an easy to maintain clamshell shape design with a centered head for easier
negotiation of obstacles. This head can also swivel one hundred and eighty degrees so that the
operator can see all aspects of the pipe. Its twin mounted LED lights allow for adequate
brightness to complete the job. The camera itself is a high definition color camera that has a
self-cleaning lens to ensure a crystal clear video.
The frame of the carrier is equipped with a high strength tow cable for easier, more reliable,
retrieval. This takes almost all of the tension off of the pressure hose that is used to power the
saw. This carrier can be transported by either tracks or wheels. These options are optimal for
the different types of materials that pipes are made out of. For example, wheels would be
better to use on concrete pipes, while tracks would make traversing through clay pipes an
easier task. The saw itself can operate at angles up to ninety degrees. This maneuverability will
make a world of difference in regards to ensuring that laterals are properly cut. It uses a high
powered, environmentally friendly, water hydraulic system. This offers more power than air
based saws and the water exhaust acts as a cooling system to prevent sparks and overheating.
The blades used by this system are slightly smaller and better designed. This will help prevent
blades from getting bound up and broken while conducting operations. The blades, along with
variable speed options, allow for better precision while cutting. The motor pod is outfitted with
a waterproof seal so that the internals do not become compromised from being submerged in
the sewer. This is a great upgrade that will prevent future system failures.
From an operator standpoint, this system is much easier to use that our current system. It is
controlled by a personal computer based panel-mount control box that can be operated with a
standard gaming controller. The ram and drive can also be swapped out and replaced in a
matter of minutes. This is a wonderful thing for our operators because of how often we have to
upload our camera feeds. Those are just a few of the many upgrades that this new system
would offer to the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District. While this system is a costly upgrade, it
would quickly pay for itself by saving not only time and money, but avoiding frustration for our
employees and also the residents that we are servicing.

Case Studies:
Due to the newness of the T150 lateral cutting system, case studies and reviews are relatively
hard to come by. However, all reviews that I have been able to find have been very positive.
Even some of the most reputable plumbers have had nothing but great things to say about this
system. This system has truly been tried and tested in our field and has blown away all of the
competition with ease. I have yet to see another system come close to the type of rating that
the T150 has accomplished in the amount of time that it has been on the market. Its four and a
half out of five star rating that it has received from Pipe Line Products is unprecedented. I truly
believe that this upgrade would be worth the money.

Timetable:
Tre Tek has a great turnaround for their products. Products are typically shipped within thirty
days, unless it is a bulk order. So with us only needing two cutting systems, we would have our
new systems within a month. I would recommend bringing out a representative to train the
crews on how to operate the new system, this would only take a week or so. It would be worth
the time spent to ensure that all crews know how to properly work and maintain this product.
So in a matter of five weeks at the most, we would be up and running with the new system.
There is no doubt in my mind that we would be able to do twice as many cutting jobs with this
system.

Costs:
Because of how new and effective the T150 system is, it is easily understandable that the price
is rather high. It can range anywhere from one to two hundred thousand dollars, depending on
the package that is purchased. I know that this is a very steep price tag. However, in the grand
scheme of things, it would pay for itself in a matter of a couple years. As it stands today, it costs
the district roughly twelve hundred dollars every time we have to cut out a lateral from our
main sewer system. This number comes after parts and labor without any complications.
However, things do not always go as planned. The example that I gave earlier is a prime
example of that. That was just one incident that cost the district well over twenty thousand
dollars after it was all said and done. Had we had the T150 system, this could have been
avoided entirely. Imagine if that pipeline ran under a commercial building or someone’s home
that would have made a twenty thousand dollar bill look miniscule. The price of this new saw
would only be a fraction of what that price tag would be.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, buying this new lateral cutting system would drastically improve the productivity
of the two lateral cutting crews here at the district. It is an overall better system for so many
reasons. The frame has the capability to be placed on tracks or wheels. It can be pulled back
with a tow rope, rather than the pressure hose that runs the saw. This state of the art frame is
also compatible with multiple sizes of pipe that range from five to eighteen inches in diameter,
making this system the perfect fit for a range of different jobs. The head and body of the carrier
also has advantageous characteristics. Some of these include a more modern design, a head
that swivels, LED lights, and a camera that would be a huge upgrade in comparison the ones
that we use today. This new T150 system also has a saw that is head and shoulders better than
the one that we use now. The saw can cut at angles up to ninety degrees, which is something
that we struggle with while using our current system. Saw blades are another improvement
that would come with this upgrade. Our blades now have a tendency to get stuck or break off,
another costly disadvantage that would be alleviated all together. With smaller blades and a
variable speed motor, the T150 ensures a more precise cut. Its motor also has upgraded
features that prevent future failures, such as a water proof motor housing. Our operators will
also prefer this new system. It is easy to use and is capable of quick changes of the memory
devices.
Though there may not be many case studies due to this being a newer model, the reviews that
are available for this product are excellent. I understand that this piece of equipment is very
expensive, but it will pay for itself rather quickly. Our daily costs of operation, combined with
the extra expenses of correcting issues that take place, such as our saw getting stuck or blades
breaking off, make this purchase a no brainer in my opinion.
 Works Cited
High-Quality Robotic Cutters: Primeline Products, Inc. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.primelineproducts.com/products/robotic-cutters/