Hmmm, I've never pulled on the pipe itself.
I fed a 3/8" cable down the old line, attached it to the new pipe in the ditch and then pulled the cable back. this way you don't stretch the pipe.

 

I suspect your problem to begin with is that your line is not buried deep enough and got frozen and burst 3 times in the last 5 years, pls let me know if I'm wrong. Please complete your profile with your location name for everybody to see.

 

It is 18 + inches deep. Never had it burst in winter thank goodness. I think its just because its 30 year old pipe.

 

Old Poly lines fail quite frequently here, and we never hit freezing temp for more than a day or two each year at the most, if at all. When they get old they fail.

 

That's a fairly common practice but there is a couple of things that may work against you. 1) the bolts are going to create a lot of unwanted resistance and 2) will the old pipe stand the stress if it has been failing from normal use.

You might consider researching - pipe pulling - and or - pipe pulling sleeves - that are made for that type of work.

I've linked just one example but possibly one of your local plumbing suppliers has more contacts you could consider.

http://www.hammerheadtrenchless.com...3-4c5a-8557-e031bc31ae22&ProductRootMenuId=404991f4-dedf-4ad6-83a6-3f61d138fcba

 

Those pipe pullers seems to be very helpful and appropriate for this use. I'd be concerned about the volume of the 3 patchs (or who know how many more where done before you) that you will try to squeeze through the nominal diameter of the original pipe. If you just pull from the old pipe, I'm afraid it can actually break at one of the weak spots or at one of the patches, and then you finish with a partial pipe buried into the ground and then yes you'll have to dig big time.

 

Rest easy-- that is not a concern when pulling pipe.
Last one I did was a new 3/4" soft K copper. We were replacing a 3/4" galvanized pipe. Pulled 60 ft in, hooked up and operating, including digging pits 5' deep in less then 1/2 day.

 

yep it can be done and has been done...we pulled 75' of 3/4 galvanized out with 3/4 copper in behind it....worked like a charm....no digging..:yes:

 

yep it can be done and has been done...we pulled 75' of 3/4 galvanized out with 3/4 copper in behind it....worked like a charm....no digging..:yes:

This in not galvanized but poly old and new.
Do not know specs of old pipe.

TypeSIDR 9
Max PSI Rating (PSI)160.0
Code ApprovalsNSF 14/61, ASTM D2239

 

This was a total fail. The old line snapped as did the cable. Cable was probably too small but the line did not move an inch. Dug it out the old fashion way. Thanks for the encouragement and all.

 

I think my able is 3/8" and connects to the new pipe only. My pulling method does not pull on the old pipe at all.
Glad to hear you're done though