Pipe Ramming

A powerful trenchless method for installing steel casing and pipes
through difficult soil conditions — no rotation, no spoil removal, no open
trench. Ideal for large-diameter installations and challenging ground.

Pipe ramming operation for a large diameter steel casing installation — Idaho

- Overview

What Is Pipe Ramming?

Pipe ramming is a trenchless installation technique that uses a pneumatic hammer to drive open-ended steel pipe through soil. The hammer attaches to the back of the pipe and delivers rapid, high-energy impacts that advance the pipe forward — soil inside the pipe is removed after installation is complete.

Unlike directional drilling or boring, pipe ramming requires no rotation and no continuous spoil removal during installation. This makes it exceptionally effective in cobble, gravel, and other difficult soil conditions where other trenchless methods struggle.

JAG Enterprises offers pipe ramming for diameters up to 30 inches across Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming — for road crossings, railroad crossings, utility casings, and infrastructure projects where ground conditions make other methods impractical.

Max Diameter

Up to 30 inches

Method

Pneumatic impact ramming

Best For

Cobble, gravel, difficult soils

Surface Disruption

Minimal — trenchless

- How It Works

Pit Excavation

A launch pit is excavated at the entry point and a receiving pit at the exit. These are the only areas of ground disturbance — the pipe travels between them entirely underground.

Pipe and Hammer Setup

The steel casing is staged in the launch pit and aligned precisely on line and grade. A pneumatic ramming hammer is attached to the back end of the pipe using a specially fitted collar.

Ramming Operation

The pneumatic hammer delivers rapid impact blows that drive the pipe forward through the soil. The open end of the pipe displaces and compacts soil as it advances — no augers, no rotation, and no continuous spoil removal needed during the ram.

Spoil Removal

Once the pipe reaches the receiving pit the soil plug inside the casing is removed using compressed air, water jetting, or auger cleaning depending on soil conditions.

Carrier Pipe Installation

With the casing in place the carrier pipe or utility is installed inside it. The launch and receiving pits are then backfilled and the surface is restored.