Board Thread:Questions and Answers/@comment-80.101.167.139-20140131205644/@comment-13413401-20140201014932

Just to add to that, if you connect an engine to an obsidian pipe, the range at which it collects blocks becomes larger. However, in most cases, it is cheaper to use water currents to move items until they touch the obsidian pipe. Obsidian pipes also take items from minecart chests.