Equipment & machines
Dimensions and weight of a butt fusion welding machine: footprint, lifting and portability
The dimensions of the carriage, the weight per size and what it means when the machine needs to fit into a van, up a staircase or be lifted on-site.
Physical dimensions: width, height and depth of the carriage
The table below gives the physical dimensions of butt fusion welding machines from Ø160 to Ø1600 mm, specified as the width, height and depth of the carriage. The figures are approximate, rounded to the nearest millimetre, and are based on standard machines. The same sizes are also available in lightweight and compact versions, so dimensions may vary depending on the type and manufacturer. The heating element, facing tool and insert sets are separate components, and total dimensions may therefore also vary slightly depending on the equipment.
The width is the dimension of the carriage in the longitudinal direction of the pipe, the height is measured to the upper edge with the facing tool mounted, and the depth is the dimension of the carriage across the pipe. If you want to know whether the machine will fit inside a container, a van or a trench, these are the three dimensions you need to check against the available space – e.g. an Ø1000 machine takes up approximately 2113 mm in width, 1841 mm in height and 1553 mm in depth.
The four smallest machines can be folded to fit into a standard van. The larger machines are transported with the basic machine and frame separated. The weight is listed in the weight section below – it depends on the control level and whether a standard or compact series has been selected.
| Machine | Carriage width | Carriage height | Carriage depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ø160 | approx. 595 mm | approx. 438 mm (with handles) | approx. 281 mm |
| Ø250 | approx. 806 mm | approx. 707 mm (with handles) | approx. 380 mm |
| Ø315 | approx. 940 mm | approx. 755 mm (with handles) | approx. 480 mm |
| Ø355 | approx. 1024 mm (1172 mm incl. end brackets) | approx. 825 mm (with handles) | approx. 486 mm |
| Ø500 | approx. 1146 mm | approx. 1021 mm | approx. 1015 mm |
| Ø630 | approx. 1146 mm | approx. 1129 mm | approx. 1133 mm |
| Ø800 | approx. 1743 mm | approx. 1548 mm | approx. 1312 mm |
| Ø1000 | approx. 2113 mm | approx. 1841 mm | approx. 1553 mm |
| Ø1200 | approx. 2133 mm | approx. 2064 mm | approx. 2112 mm |
| Ø1400 | approx. 2515 mm | approx. 2313 mm | approx. 1850 mm |
| Ø1600 | approx. 2943 mm | approx. 2593 mm | approx. 2487 mm |
Approximate dimensions in whole mm based on standard machines. Width = dimension of the carriage in the longitudinal direction of the pipe, height = measured to the upper edge with the facing tool, depth = dimension of the carriage across the pipe. The same size is also available in lightweight and compact versions, so dimensions may vary with type and manufacturer.
Weight: what does a butt fusion welding machine weigh?
The weight follows the diameter, not just the frame: an Ø160 machine can still be lifted manually, whereas an Ø1600 machine weighs around four tonnes and must be handled using a crane or forklift. The table below shows the total weight with all components – basic machine, frame, insert sets, hydraulics, heating element and facing tool – for standard machines and for CNC-controlled machines. The figures are approximate weights rounded to the nearest kg.
If the machine needs to be transported in a van or carried into a restricted space, lightweight and compact versions of the intermediate sizes are available: a compact Ø355 weighs approximately 142 kg compared to approximately 201 kg for the standard machine, and the basic machine alone can be as low as 50-95 kg depending on the equipment. Weight also varies depending on type, manufacturer and selected accessories, so the specific machine should always be weighed or checked in the data sheet before planning lifting and transport.
| Machine | Standard, all components | CNC-controlled, all components | Carriage weight, standard / lightweight series |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ø160 | approx. 66 kg | approx. 80 kg | not specified / not available |
| Ø200 | approx. 87 kg | approx. 91 kg | not specified / not available |
| Ø250 | approx. 109 kg | approx. 125 kg | not specified / approx. 19-41 kg |
| Ø315 | approx. 168 kg | approx. 179 kg | approx. 100 kg / approx. 40-66 kg |
| Ø355 | approx. 201 kg | approx. 216 kg | approx. 140 kg / approx. 50-95 kg |
| Ø500 | approx. 295 kg | approx. 372 kg | approx. 135 kg / not available |
| Ø630 | approx. 448 kg | approx. 581 kg | approx. 173 kg / not available |
| Ø800 | approx. 771 kg | approx. 1233 kg | not specified / not available |
| Ø1000 | approx. 1135 kg | approx. 1397 kg | approx. 710 kg / not available |
| Ø1200 | approx. 1998 kg | approx. 1775 kg | not specified / not available |
| Ø1400 | approx. 3066 kg | not available | not specified / not available |
| Ø1600 | approx. 3997 kg | not available | not specified / not available |
The first two columns show the total weight with all components (basic machine, frame, insert sets, hydraulics, heating element and facing tool). The carriage weight is the weight of the basic machine without heating element, facing tool and hydraulics – specified for the standard machine and for the lightweight series, which is only available in Ø250-Ø355. Manufacturers do not specify the carriage alone, so "not specified" means that the weight is not stated in the data sheets. All figures are approximate weights and vary with type, manufacturer and accessories; contact Holm & Holm for the weight of the specific machine.
What the carriage weight means for portability and handling
The carriage is the heavy part of the machine: it is what needs to be lifted, positioned and aligned with the pipe. The weight per lift – not the total weight including heating element, facing tool and hydraulics – is therefore the figure you should use when assessing how the carriage must be handled – whether it can be moved manually or whether a crane, forklift or lifting beam is required.
For small and medium diameters, the carriage can be moved between work sites manually. From the larger sizes upwards, the weight increases so much that the carriage must be lifted using lifting equipment, making access routes to the work site critical: ground conditions, door widths, staircases, scaffolding decks and space to position the machine around the pipe.
Weight also affects the workflow. A heavy carriage remains more stable with large pipes and heavy wall thicknesses, but is more difficult to align and move during setup. A lightweight carriage is quick to set up and easy to transport, but requires greater care regarding support to prevent movement during welding. Choose according to what takes priority in your daily operations: transport and changing work sites or heavy joints at a fixed location.
Never lift the carriage by its handles, hoses or heating element. Use the designated lifting points specified by the manufacturer, and always use the lifting gear specified by the manufacturer, or ensure multiple persons perform the lift when the weight exceeds what is safe to carry along the relevant access route.