Method and device for pulling a cable through a section of pipe

A method of pulling a cable through a section of pipe, comprising:

• placing a cable within a section of pipe;
• placing a portion of the cable outside the section of pipe along a friction engaging surface of a cable contacting portion;
• cycling the cable contacting portion through at least one cycle, including:
• actuating a first cable gripping device attached to the cable contacting portion, wherein a gripping force is applied to the cable in at least a portion of the friction engaging surface;
• moving the cable contacting portion from a first end of a non-linear range of motion to a second end of the non-linear range of motion to generate an axial pulling force in the cable and to generate an axial friction force separate from the gripping force;
• releasing the first cable gripping device at the second end of the non-linear range of motion to release the gripping force on the cable;
• and
• returning the cable contacting portion to the first end of the non-linear range of motion.

A cable pulling machine, comprising:

• a frame;
• a first cable gripping device to selectively engage and release a cable;
• a cyclic actuating device coupled between the frame and the first cable gripping device to drive the first cable gripping device back and forth in a range of motion;
• a second cable gripping device attached to the frame to selectively engage and release a cable;
• a first load spreading plate coupled to the frame to spread a portion of a pulling load against a side of a pit;
• and
• a second load spreading plate coupled to the frame substantially perpendicular to the first load spreading plate to spread a portion of the pulling load against a bottom of the pit.

A cable pulling machine, comprising:

• a frame;
• a first cable gripping device to selectively engage and release a cable;
• a cyclic actuating device coupled between the frame and the first cable gripping device to drive the first cable gripping device back and forth in a range of motion;
• a second cable gripping device attached to the frame to selectively engage and release a cable;
• a force distributing device coupled to the frame, wherein the force distributing device includes a first surface larger than a surface of the frame to spread a portion of a pulling load against a side of a pit;
• and
• a connection surface located on the force distributing device to attach to an implement arm.