F4 Holdings

Hot Tapping Machines

Hot Tapping Machine Overview

F4 is a leading hot tap machine manufacturer, designing and manufacturing machines that align with international standards and can meet the strictest project needs. As trusted hot tapping machine suppliers, we offer equipment with a wide selection of diameters and pressure ratings, making our hot tapping equipment flexible across industries. Operators can keep services running, minimize downtime, and make their systems more flexible — a core benefit of industrial hot tapping.

Hot Tapping Machine - F4 holdings
Hot Tapping Machine - F4 holdings

What Is a Hot Tapping Machine and How Does It Work?

A Hot Tapping Machine is a specialized device that enables the connection or modification of existing pipelines without requiring a shutdown. It is an under-pressure tapping method used to keep the system running while safely cutting into pressurized lines — making it a reliable hot tapping machine for pipeline operations. The machine provides a secure, effective, and airtight process for forming branch connections or installing line stops, even under demanding conditions, which is why our high pressure hot tapping machine range is built for tough industrial environments.

6 Series & 8 Series

ModelF4 6-18F4 6-24F4 6-28F4 6-30F4 8-40
Tapping Range½ Inch – 4 Inch½ Inch – 4 Inch½ Inch – 4 Inch½ Inch – 4 Inch2 Inch – 8 Inch
Boring Bar Travel Length18 Inch24 Inch28 Inch30 Inch40 Inch
Cutter Housing Mounting Size2 Inch BSP Male Nipple2 Inch BSP Male Nipple2 Inch BSP Male Nipple2 Inch BSP Male Nipple2 Inch BSP Male Nipple
Power Source for DriveManual/ Pneumatic/ ElectricalManual/ Pneumatic/ ElectricalManual/ Pneumatic/ ElectricalManual/ Pneumatic/ ElectricalManual/ Pneumatic/ Electrical
 

F4 12-42

The F4 Hydraulic Tapping System is designed for industrial applications, engineered to be precise and reliable, and capable of handling tapping sizes ranging from 3 to 12 inches, with a 42-inch boring bar travel. This hot tap machine for pipeline operates hydraulically and represents an ANSI 4-inch 600# RTJ cutter housing. 

The F4 hydraulic tapping unit is made in such a way that it can meet the tests and demands that are important for delivering consistent power across the industries.

SpecificationF4 Hydraulic
Tapping Range3 Inch - 12 Inch
Boring Bar Travel Length42 Inch
Cutter Housing Mounting SizeANSI 4 Inch 600# RTJ
Power Source for DriveHydraulic
Recommended Hydraulic Power UnitF4-HPU-2-21-200
 

F4 17-66

The F4 17-66 Hydraulic tapping system is designed to perform larger tapping operations on a 3 to 18-inch pipeline and a 66-inch boring bar travel capacity. It has an ANSI 4-inch 600# RTJ cutter housing and a hydraulic drive that provides powerful performance under high-demand industrial conditions.

SpecificationF4 Hydraulic (Extended)
Tapping Range3 Inch - 18 Inch
Boring Bar Travel Length66 Inch
Cutter Housing Mounting SizeASNI 4 Inch 600# RTJ
Power Source for DriveHydraulic
Recommended Hydraulic Power UnitF4-HPU-2-27-300
 

F4 24-72

The F4 24-72 Hydraulic tapping system is designed to operate with mid-to-large diameter pipelines, and is capable of tapping 6-inch to 24-inch pipelines with a 72-inch boring bar travel capacity. It is built with an ANSI 4-inch 600# RTJ cutter housing and is hydraulically powered, ensuring reliability even in the hardest working conditions.

SpecificationF4 Hydraulic (Extended)
Tapping Range6 Inch - 24 Inch
Boring Bar Travel Length72 Inch
Cutter Housing Mounting SizeASNI 4 Inch 600# RTJ
Power Source for DriveHydraulic
Recommended Hydraulic Power UnitF4-HPU-2-27-300
 

36 Series & 42 Series

The F4 36 Series & 42 Series hydraulic tapping systems for large-diameter pipeline projects with a tapping range of 12-42 inches. They are built for power and precision with up to 120 inches of boring bar travel capacity and an ANSI 6-inch 600# RTJ cutter housing suitable for high-pressure and heavy-duty operations.

ModelF4 36-80F4 36-108F4 42-120
Tapping Range12 Inch – 36 Inch12 Inch – 36 Inch12 Inch – 42 Inch
Boring Bar Travel Length80 Inch108 Inch120 Inch
Cutter Housing Mounting SizeANSI 6 Inch 600# RTJANSI 6 Inch 600# RTJANSI 6 Inch 600# RTJ
Power Source for DriveHydraulicHydraulicHydraulic
Recommended Hydraulic Power UnitF4-HPU-3-27-400F4-HPU-3-27-400F4-HPU-3-27-400
 

48 Series

The F4 48 Series hydraulic tapping systems are designed to operate on extra-large diameter pipelines, along with bringing in a tapping capacity of 20 to 48 inches.  They deliver power and precision with boring bar travel capacity up to 150 inches and an ANSI 8-inch 600# RTJ cutter housing.

ModelF4 48-100F4 48-130F4 48-150
Tapping Range20 Inch – 48 Inch20 Inch – 48 Inch20 Inch – 48 Inch
Boring Bar Travel Length100 Inch130 Inch150 Inch
Cutter Housing Mounting SizeANSI 8 Inch 600# RTJANSI 8 Inch 600# RTJANSI 8 Inch 600# RTJ
Power Source for DriveHydraulicHydraulicHydraulic
Recommended Hydraulic Power UnitF4-HPU-3-47-450F4-HPU-3-47-450F4-HPU-3-47-450
 

96 Series

The F4 96 Series hydraulic tapping systems are engineered for the largest and most complicated pipeline projects that require a 24-inch to 96-inch tapping capacity. They feature boring bar travel lengths up to 180 inches and include ANSI 8-inch 600# RTJ cutter housing, and provide maximum power and precision for extreme duty applications.

ModelF4 96-120F4 96-150F4 96-180
Tapping Range24 Inch – 96 Inch24 Inch – 96 Inch24 Inch – 96 Inch
Boring Bar Travel Length120 Inch150 Inch180 Inch
Cutter Housing Mounting SizeANSI 8 Inch 600# RTJANSI 8 Inch 600# RTJANSI 8 Inch 600# RTJ
Power Source for DriveHydraulicHydraulicHydraulic
Recommended Hydraulic Power UnitF4-HPU-4-70-450F4-HPU-4-70-450F4-HPU-4-70-450
 

Pressure Balancing Tapping Machines

The tapping systems, manufactured by F4, have a pressure-balancing design with compensation cylinders. This design balances the pipeline and seawater pressure, which decreases stress on internal parts and increases the life of the equipment. These high-pressure and subsea tapping machines can operate up to 2175 psi (150 bar).

 
Tapping RangePower Source for Drive
3 Inch - 36 InchHydraulic
 
Model No.Tapping RangeBoring Bar Travel LengthCutter Housing Mounting SizeRecommended HPU
F4-17-66 PB3 Inch – 18 Inch66 InchANSI 4 Inch 600 / 900# RTJF4-HPU-2-27-300
F4-24-72 PB6 Inch – 24 Inch72 InchANSI 4 Inch 600 / 900# RTJF4-HPU-2-27-300
F4-36-80 PB12 Inch – 36 Inch80 InchANSI 6 Inch 600 / 900# RTJF4-HPU-3-27-400
F4-36-108 PB12 Inch – 36 Inch108 InchANSI 6 Inch 600 / 900# RTJF4-HPU-3-27-400
F4-42-120 PB12 Inch – 42 Inch120 InchANSI 6 Inch 600 / 900# RTJF4-HPU-3-27-400
 

Tribar Hot Tapping Machines

Hot tapping machine manufacturers like F4 produce lightweight portable Tribar machines, which are suitable for low-pressure utility services, including chilled water pipelines in air conditioning systems or air/nitrogen pipelines in pharmaceutical and food processing. 

These units allow bypasses or branching of pipelines and are especially applicable in locations that have limited space, like malls, hotels, and data centers. The lightweight compact nature of the tribar machines enables the installation without lifting devices and easy transportation to any floor within the high-rise buildings using the lift.

F4’s compact tribar systems are engineered for pipeline repair or replacement, ensuring uninterrupted processes.

Model No.Tapping RangeBoring Bar Travel LengthCutter Housing Mounting SizeRecommended HPU
F4-312 TBM3 Inch – 12 Inch30 InchANSI 8 Inch 150#F4-PHPU-1-17-40 / F4-EHPU-3P-5-40
F4-616 TBM6 Inch – 16 Inch40 InchANSI 8 Inch 150#F4-PHPU-1-17-40 / F4-EHPU-3P-5-40
F4-312 TBMG3 Inch – 12 Inch30 InchANSI 8 Inch 150#F4-PHPU-1-17-40 / F4-EHPU-3P-5-40
F4-616 TBMG6 Inch – 16 Inch40 InchANSI 8 Inch 150#F4-PHPU-1-17-40 / F4-EHPU-3P-5-40
 

Worm Gear Driven Hot Tapping Machine

F4 manufactures worm gear-driven equipment and hydraulic hot tapping equipment. These hot tap machines are for sale, providing reliable performance

 
Air Driven Hot Tapping Machines are available in following ranges
Model No.Tapping RangeBoring Bar Travel LengthCutter Housing Mounting SizeAir Consumption
F4-208 A2 Inch – 8 Inch30 InchANSI 2 ½ Inch 600# RTJ6-7 Bar @ 90 CFM
F4-312 A3 Inch – 12 Inch42 InchANSI 4 Inch 600# RTJ6-7 Bar @ 90 CFM
F4-316 A3 Inch – 16 Inch66 InchANSI 4 Inch 600# RTJ6-7 Bar @ 90 CFM
 
Hydraulic Driven Hot hot-tapping machines with the same design are available below
Model No.Tapping RangeBoring Bar Travel LengthCutter Housing Mounting SizeRecommended HPU
F4-208 H2 Inch – 8 Inch30 InchANSI 2 ½ Inch 600# RTJF4-HPU-2-21-200
F4-312 H3 Inch – 12 Inch42 InchANSI 4 Inch 600# RTJF4-HPU-2-21-200
F4-316 H3 Inch – 16 Inch66 InchANSI 4 Inch 600# RTJF4-HPU-2-21-200
F4-624 H6 Inch – 24 Inch72 InchANSI 4 Inch 600# RTJF4-HPU-2-21-200
F4-1236 H12 Inch – 36 Inch80 InchANSI 6 Inch 600# RTJF4-HPU-3-27-400
F4-1236 HXL12 Inch – 36 Inch108 InchANSI 6 Inch 600# RTJF4-HPU-3-27-400
F4-1242 H12 Inch – 42 Inch120 InchANSI 6 Inch 600# RTJF4-HPU-3-27-400
F4-2048 H20 Inch – 48 Inch100 InchANSI 8 Inch 600# RTJF4-HPU-4-70-450
F4-2048 HXL20 Inch – 48 Inch130 InchANSI 8 Inch 600# RTJF4-HPU-4-70-450
F4-2048 HXXL20 Inch – 48 Inch150 InchANSI 8 Inch 600# RTJF4-HPU-4-70-450
F4-2460 H24 Inch – 60 Inch150 InchANSI 8 Inch 600# RTJF4-HPU-4-70-450
 

Key Features and Application of Our Hot Tapping

  • Repair or replacement of the pipeline sections using the hot tap rental and sale service.
  •  Pipelines, tie-in, re-routing, or bypass operation. 
  • Decommissioning or abandonment of the pipeline.
  • Replacement or repair of the valves.
  • Testing and leak verification of the repaired pipelines.
  •  Removal of the pipeline dead legs.

Why Choose F4

Expert Engineering

Innovative designs constructed to perform under phenomenal pressures, temperatures, and diverse types of pipeline materials.

End-to-End Support

Consistent project implementation, planning, and commissioning high standards of safety.

Tailored Solutions

Optimized for efficiency, safety, and long-term reliability, custom-built machinery.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I select the right hot tapping machine for any pipeline project?

Selection basically depends on operating pressure, pipe material, diameter, and site conditions. F4, as an experienced hot tap machine manufacturer, provides consultation to help you choose the right specifications for your pipeline requirements.

Here in F4, hot tapping machines meet international oil and gas industry standards, which include  ANSI, ASME, and API guidelines, ensuring reliability and safety.

Yes, F4 provides hot tap machine rental services along with sales. Still, it is only for selected tapping machines, making it easier to manage short-term or project-oriented requirements without a full capital investment.

 F4 provides training to operators along with technical support. Depending on the machine’s size, basically smaller hot tapping machines for pipeline can be handled by in-house teams, while larger systems may require trained F4 technicians.

F4 maintains a ready stock of high-demand spare parts and provides field service teams to ensure minimal downtime during critical operations for any hot tapping equipment.

Yes. These pressure-balancing hot tapping machines for pipelines are specifically built for subsea use, permitting safe operation even under seawater pressure conditions.

These machines are used for a variety of industrial purposes, such as pipeline repair or replacement, valve installation or repair, tie-ins and re-routing, bypass operations, pipeline decommissioning, dead leg removal, and leak verification tests.

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