The McElroy Acrobat — a hydraulic butt fusion machine originally designed for the plumbing and mechanical industry — is now available for the underground/construction market. 

This butt fuses 63mm to 180mm (2 inches IPS to 6inches DIPS) HDPE pipe and fittings with a variety of pressure ratings.

The product is for in-ditch work and tie-in fusions and provides a cost-effective alternative to electrofusion, which requires the purchase of additional fittings. It functions in tight workspaces by removing the base and converting the carriage from four to three jaws.

"The Acrobat 180 is a sophisticated machine that is easy to operate at the same time," said Jason Lawrence, Director of Product Development. "While the capabilities of the machine are impressive, it is not intimidating. It was engineered from the user's perspective and what they need to meet the demands of their job."

Two Hydraulic Power Unit (HPU) options are available to provide fusion pressures up to 800 PSI or 1,500 PSI. Both HPUs allow the operator to pre-set the carriage, facer and heater pressures — eliminating repetitive adjustments between operations. Both HPUs offer a smart design so that both the heater and facer plug into the HPU, allowing the entire machine to draw power from only one receptacle.

This product comes with a 5-year warranty.