DIGGING DEEPER – MARCH 2026

Before You Launch: Set the Alarms That Protect Your Drive

by Robin Lorenzen

I’ve been on quite a few MTBM projects over the years, and one of the most intimidating moments for a new operator is sitting down in the MCC and seeing the operating screen for the first time. There’s a lot happening — numbers moving, meters updating, multiple systems interacting at once.

The first question is usually:

“How do I know when something is out of spec?”

The answer is simple: set your visual alarms before you launch.

The Akkerman Microtunneling System allows each meter on the Target Screen to be configured with colored visual alarms when specifications are met or exceeded. That means the system is already designed to flag issues — if you take the time to define your limits.

For example, if you’re running a 4-inch slurry system requiring approximately 400 GPM feed flow, set a low alarm below 375 GPM and a high alarm above 425 GPM. If slurry supply drops and flow decreases, the meter immediately turns red. Instead of slowly recognizing a trend, you instantly know where to look.

The same principle applies to steering control. A 1% uphill grade equals roughly 0.57 degrees of pitch. Setting alarm thresholds slightly above and below your target grade gives you early indication of deviation — before alignment drift compounds and bad things happen.

Multiple parameters can and should be preset prior to launch:

• Slurry feed and return flow
• Pressure differentials
• Torque limits
• Inclinometer values
• Articulation limits

When those thresholds are defined and preset based on the project, you’re not chasing numbers. You’re monitoring a controlled system designed to alert you when action is required. Microtunneling is precision work. Small changes can escalate quickly.

Taking the time to configure alarms before a drive isn’t extra effort — it’s disciplined preparation. And disciplined preparation is what keeps drives predictable, alignment controlled, and production ready.

ROBIN LORENZEN

Sales Manager

Robin Lorenzen has been with Akkerman since 1989. He began his career with D.H. Akkerman Construction Inc. as a pipeline and utility crew member, where he worked until 1992 when the construction division was dissolved. Robin then transitioned to Akkerman Manufacturing as a mechanic and field technician. For many years, he played a direct and hands‑on role in helping contractors install thousands of feet of pipeline throughout North America and Europe.

Robin’s extensive mechanical knowledge and field experience have made him a key contributor to the conceptualization and design of numerous Akkerman products. In 2007, he joined the sales department, where he has since served as a Sales Manager, continuing to support contractors and advance the company’s solutions through his deep technical expertise and industry experience.