Polyethylene pipe service system including quick connect means for polyethylene pipe tapping, plugging, and completion operations

A method for securing a polyethylene pipe service machine (30T, 30C, or 30P) to a valve (10) connected to a saddle branch fitting (F) of a polyethylene pipe run (P), the method comprising:

• securing the valve to the branch access fitting, the valve including:
• a disk (71) moveable in an axial direction between an open and a closed position;
• a cylindrical-shaped lower end (11) located below the disk and configured for connection to the saddle branch fitting of the polyethylene pipe;
• a cylindrical-shaped upper end (13) located above the disk and including a first portion (20 or 40) of a cam profile located on an inner wall (23) of the cylindrical-shaped upper end;
• positioning the polyethylene pipe service machine above and directly over the valve;
• the polyethylene pipe service machine including:
• a cylindrical-shaped lower end (33) containing a second portion (40 or 20) of the cam profile located on an outer wall (67) of the cylindrical-shaped lower end, and
• a collar (37) having a diameter greater than the cylindrical-shaped lower end of the polyethylene pipe service machine and configured for connection to the cylindrical-shaped upper end of the valve;
• aligning the first and second portions of the cam profile to one another;
• lowering the polyethylene pipe service machine into the valve until its downward travel is arrested by the first portion of the cam profile;
• rotating the polyethylene pipe service machine relative to the valve until the rotation is arrested by the first portion of the cam profile;
• and
• securing the collar to the cylindrical-shaped upper end of the valve.