For more than 70 years, Midwestern Manufacturing has designed and manufactured the equipment that keeps pipeline jobs moving — from sidebooms and pipelayers to winch attachments, hydrostatic test units, and pipeline supplies. This is the story of how we built that reputation, what we make, and why contractors continue to rely on us.

A Legacy Built on Pipeline Construction Equipment

We’ve been serving the pipeline industry for over seven decades. That kind of longevity isn’t accidental. It’s the result of a focused commitment to one industry — pipeline construction — and a manufacturing approach built around what contractors actually need in the field.

From the beginning, we understood that pipeline construction demands more than off-the-shelf equipment. The terrain is unpredictable, the loads are extreme, and downtime is expensive. Building equipment that could stand up to those conditions became the foundation of everything we do — and that hasn’t changed.

What We Make

Our product lineup covers the full scope of pipeline construction equipment needs. Here’s a look at what we manufacture and supply:

Sidebooms and Pipelayers

Sidebooms are our flagship product. We design and manufacture hydraulic sidebooms ranging from 10,000 to 230,000 lb lift capacity, available on CAT and John Deere crawler platforms, as well as rubber-tired configurations.

Our pipelayer lineup covers:

• Small crawlers (10,000–20,000 lb) for lighter pipe and access-constrained jobsites
• Medium crawlers (40,000–80,000 lb) for mid-range mainline pipe
• Large crawlers (90,000–230,000 lb) for heavy-wall, large-diameter pipe
• Rubber-tired pipelayers for applications requiring greater mobility

We also offer hydraulic conversion kits for mechanical pipelayers, giving contractors a path to upgrade existing equipment without replacing entire machines.

Winch Attachments

Beyond pipelayers, we manufacture three categories of winch attachments designed for excavator and dozer platforms:

Recovery Winch Attachments — Available in 30,000, 55,000, and 100,000 lb line pull configurations, including a counterweight-mounted option. Built for equipment recovery, pipe pulling, and heavy load repositioning on the jobsite.

Hoist Attachments — Ranging from 12,000 to 24,000 lb line pull, these precision lifting tools are designed for confined space work, trench lifts, and controlled vertical placement where a crane isn’t practical.

Line Sagging Winch Attachments — Purpose-built for utility and pipeline applications that require controlled line tensioning and sagging operations in the field.

Hydrostatic Fill & Test Units (HTUs)

Our Hydrostatic Fill & Test Units are purpose-built for pipeline pressure testing. Available in three models — the HTU-350, HTU-500, and HTU-850 — they cover a range from 350 to 1,000 ft of head pressure, designed to meet DOT and PHMSA requirements for pipeline commissioning and integrity testing.

Wetdeck Configurations

For operations requiring enhanced controlsand performance, we offer Wetdeck configurations across multiple pipelayer models. The Hydraulic “Wetdeck” Conversion replaces the old original mechanical draw-works with updated controls & and winches for improved performance and safe operation.

Railroad Recovery Equipment

We also serve the railroad industry with railroad recovery equipment, including sideboom-based recovery machines purpose-built for derailment response and track maintenance operations.

Pipeline Supplies and Distribution

Beyond manufactured equipment, we maintain Pipeline Products Distribution Centers across the United States, ensuring contractors have access to the supplies they need wherever the project takes them. 

Operational Aids and Custom Equipment

We round out our lineup with operational aids and accessories including load monitoring systems, anti-two-block devices, proximity sensors, ROPS, and boom and block components. We also offer custom equipment for contractors with unique application requirements that standard configurations can’t address.

Why Pipeline Contractors Trust Us

A few things set us apart from other equipment manufacturers in this space:

• Industry expertise. Our roots are in pipeline construction, and that experience shapes everything we build. Today, our winch attachments — including recovery, hoist, and line sagging configurations — serve contractors across pipeline, utility, railroad, and other heavy equipment applications. The same jobsite-proven standards we apply to pipeline equipment carry over to every industry we serve. 
• Lift capacity range. With sidebooms ranging from 10,000 to 230,000 lb, we can configure equipment for virtually any pipe diameter and project class — from small-diameter gathering lines to large-diameter interstate transmission pipelines. 
• Platform flexibility. We build on CAT, John Deere, and other platforms, and offer both crawler and rubber-tired configurations. Contractors aren’t locked into a single base machine.

   

• Supply chain depth. The combination of our manufactured equipment and a nationwide distribution network for pipeline supplies means we can support a spread from the first sideboom to the last coating product applied before backfill.

   

• Custom capability. When standard equipment doesn’t fit the application, our engineering team can design a solution. That flexibility matters on unusual crossings, confined terrain, or specialized recovery applications.

Midwestern Manufacturing by the Numbers

• 70+ years in the pipeline equipment industry
• Lift capacities from 10,000 to 230,000 lb
• Pipelayer platforms: CAT, John Deere, and other platforms
• Winch attachments: recovery, hoist, and line sagging categories
• HTUs from 350 to 1,000 ft of head pressure
• Nationwide pipeline supply distribution centers
• Headquarters: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Ready to Talk Equipment?

Whether you’re configuring a new pipeline spread, adding winch capacity to your excavator fleet, or sourcing pipeline supplies for an upcoming project, we have the equipment and expertise to support it. Contact us to discuss your project requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Midwestern Manufacturing specialize in?
We specialize in pipeline construction equipment, including hydraulic sidebooms and pipelayers, excavator winch attachments, hydrostatic fill and test units, and pipeline supply products. Learn more on our products page.

What platforms do Midwestern sidebooms mount on?
We design sidebooms for CAT and John Deere crawler and rubber-tired platforms, as well as other base machines. We also offer hydraulic conversion kits for mechanical pipelayers. View our full pipelayer lineup here.

What is the maximum lift capacity of a Midwestern sideboom?
Our sidebooms range from 10,000 lb on the low end up to 230,000 lb for large-diameter, heavy-wall pipeline applications.

Does Midwestern Manufacturing make hydrostatic test equipment?
Yes. We manufacture Hydrostatic Fill & Test Units (HTUs) in three models covering 350 to 1,000 ft of head pressure, designed for pipeline commissioning and pressure testing per DOT and PHMSA requirements. See our HTU product page for specifications.

Where is Midwestern Manufacturing located?
We’re headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with additional locations and pipeline supply distribution centers across the United States. Visit our locations page for details.

Does Midwestern offer custom pipeline equipment?
Yes. For applications that standard configurations can’t address, our engineering team offers custom equipment solutions tailored to specific jobsite requirements.

Author: Joe B.