The Most Common Question on Site: “How do you push this cable through 500 meters of pipe?”

Anyone working in the field knows the challenge. Laying the fiber on the ground is easy, but pushing it through the duct? That’s where the real job begins. When the distance stretches out or you’ve got a few bends, slopes, or narrow pipes, things get tricky. You try pushing the cable by hand — good luck making it past 100 meters. You try pulling with a rope — the cable bends or breaks.

And that’s where the fiber floating machine steps in. Not just as a machine — but as a game-changing solution that shifts the pace of your entire project.

What does floating mean?

Yes — that’s the idea. A fiber floating machine uses high-pressure air to push fiber optic cable inside the duct. The air flow keeps the cable suspended, reducing friction. As a result, the cable moves through the duct smoothly without touching the pipe walls.

Sounds simple, right? But this technique is way faster, safer, and cleaner than pushing or pulling manually. Especially for distances between 300 to 800 meters, floating changes the game entirely.

A True Story from a Job Site in Germany

A contractor in Germany recently started a city fiber project. They needed to lay a 5 mm micro cable inside a 280-meter duct. On their first try, they barely managed 90 meters by hand. Then they tried pulling with a rope — the cable got damaged. Just in time, one of our machines arrived: MiniSKY with Protokoll.

At first, the team wasn’t sure. But once they set it up and connected the air, the same cable reached the end of the duct in 2 minutes and 20 seconds. Clean run. No damage. The operator simply said: “Working without this machine was a waste of time.”

That’s just one of many stories. Fiber floating machines keep proving their value every day, in real-world situations.

5 Clear Benefits of Using a Fiber Floating Machine

1. Speed – You can lay 500 meters of cable in under 5 minutes. Manual methods take hours.

2. No Damage – No pulling means no tension, no breaks, and no costly mistakes.

3. Less Crew Needed – Just 1 operator and 1 assistant can do the whole job.

4. Documentation – Protokoll models generate reports to share with your clients.

5. Versatile Use – Whether it’s microducts, large conduits, or indoor systems — the machine adapts.

Why Manual Methods No Longer Cut It

Manual cable installations were okay 10–15 years ago. Cables were thicker. Runs were shorter. Today, fiber is thinner, more delicate, and installations go deeper — even inside buildings or across dense urban areas.

Manual methods not only risk damaging the cable — they also slow the whole job down. A modern fiber floating machine helps you work faster, safer, and with lower costs overall.

Choosing the Right Machine — What to Look For

• Pipe Compatibility – Is it for 7–14 mm microducts or 40–50 mm standard pipes?

• Cable Range – Make sure the machine supports the cable sizes you install.

• Pressure Control – Adjustable and stable air pressure is a must.

• Protokoll Feature – Need reports and documentation? Go for Protokoll models.

• Portability – Can you move it easily around the job site?