My Office Today

[hotwiretamer]

Just thought I would share with you guys my job today. Yep, we still hand dig out here in Arizona if we have to!

We are hand setting the pole tomorrow.

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[Highplains Drifter]

hotwiretamer, I hope your new thread takes off. I like seeing photos of what folks are working on!!!!

[blik]

Just how I imagined Arizona hot n dusty.

[electric squirrel]

Looks just the same here in 1245 when your in the mountains,,,,all rock!

[surfinlineman]

Wish I could share a pic of my guys working here in Jordan. Yep, teaching live-line work on 33 kv distribution here in the Middle East. BUT the freakin system tells me my photos are too many kbs to upload. Any tricks to uploading photos ???

[yager024]

Wish I could share a pic of my guys working here in Jordan. Yep, teaching live-line work on 33 kv distribution here in the Middle East. BUT the freakin system tells me my photos are too many kbs to upload. Any tricks to uploading photos ???

You have to put them into a program such as paint and shrink the size.

[lewy]

Wish I could share a pic of my guys working here in Jordan. Yep, teaching live-line work on 33 kv distribution here in the Middle East. BUT the freakin system tells me my photos are too many kbs to upload. Any tricks to uploading photos ???

I hear you, I have posted a few pics but not enough that I remember how I did it last time & I also find it very difficult. So unless it is something I really want to post I just skip it.

[Pootnaigle]

ummmmmmm so try that surfin........ i know i would like to see em and prolly lottsa others also. i mean it aint like you have enything important to do like ummmmm gettin hammered after a hard days werk, or headin off to see the brass poles.

[T-Man]

ummmmmmm so try that surfin........ i know i would like to see em and prolly lottsa others also. i mean it aint like you have enything important to do like ummmmm gettin hammered after a hard days werk, or headin off to see the brass poles.

Brass poles? How the heck can ya see them when some chick is blocking the view? Same with the Harley calendar I got once, Great bikes but these babes was blocking most of the paint and chrome!. . .It was aweful!:eek:

[LostArt]

Hehehe...........Everywhere I go here.. :D

Surferman, give me a PM buddy and I'll shrink and post it for you.

[Pootnaigle]

ummmmmmmm I feel yer pain brudder

[hotwiretamer]

Still on the same job, thought our little Excavator might make short work of that next pole hole. Nope! still had to breakout the jackhammer, but at least we could use it to scoop out the powder from that rock we spent all day hitting!!
Piked one pole, hand dug the next and lucky for us the linetruck reached to set it!
I'll be off work until Tuesday so I won't be able to see the end of this job, what a bummer.:D

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[230kv_barehand]

Ouch the dreaded jackhammer! We used to set inaccessible poles in Birmingham Alabama and we hired kids just to jackhammer for $8 an hour. Was in all the "rich neighborhoods" that didnt want trucks in their yards or driveways. Dragging in 45's with a pole cart through the thick brush sucks!

[hotwiretamer]

Ouch the dreaded jackhammer! We used to set inaccessible poles in Birmingham Alabama and we hired kids just to jackhammer for $8 an hour. Was in all the "rich neighborhoods" that didnt want trucks in their yards or driveways. Dragging in 45's with a pole cart through the thick brush sucks!

Thank God these were only 30' carry-over poles!
About a year ago the company was asking for our suggestions on how to save money with the recession and all. At the time all we had for work was maintenance, and they were wanting to cut our O&M. We didn't have any Capitol work to speak of. We didn't want anybody getting laid off so we told them to get rid of the contractors that were doing most of our digging. (Trenching, hand digs, etc.) Be carefull what you wish for I guess!

[230kv_barehand]

You learn alot digging through straight rock, thats for sure! Will make ya go home knowing you earned your pay. Good to hear you guys stuck together to save jobs, not many will do that these days!

[hotwiretamer]

You learn alot digging through straight rock, thats for sure! Will make ya go home knowing you earned your pay. Good to hear you guys stuck together to save jobs, not many will do that these days!

We have a great group of guys in our district. Non of the JL are afraid or not willing to pick up a shovel, or, whatever it takes.

[electriklady]

Just thought I would share with you guys my job today. Yep, we still hand dig out here in Arizona if we have to!

We are hand setting the pole tomorrow.

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Damn, and I thought we grew a lot of rocks here in PA.........:rolleyes:;)

[hotwiretamer]

This isn't from today, but thought I would share.
It's from Kauai, Hurricane Iniki 1992. I took this from the top of the pole, as I was waiting for the chopper to deliver the wire. Just below the chopper you can see where the wire was being paid off. I was able to see a lot of the landscape that you wouldn't see as a tourist!

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[surfinlineman]

Yeah, Poot,
There are no brass poles here, but at least Amman has bars and even happy hour, keeps me sane, or at least level

[hotwiretamer]

Framing and setting poles all week!
I guess a bad day of OH beats a good day of URD!

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[electriklady]

This is my office everyday.........averaging about 170 miles a day this week....you will notice how my seat has a "permanent sag"........:rolleyes:

[hotwiretamer]

This is my office everyday.........averaging about 170 miles a day this week....you will notice how my seat has a "permanent sag"........:rolleyes:

Where's your tie-downs for that stuff in the back seat young lady?:D

[electriklady]

when I am not in the "portable office" I am in this one......

[electriklady]

Where's your tie-downs for that stuff in the back seat young lady?:D


I superglue everything to the floor;)

[hotwiretamer]

I superglue everything to the floor;)

Good girl! I'll have to post a pic of my back seat, I use superglue too!;)
Those extended cabs sure make a great extra bin, don't they?

[electriklady]

I need to organize my truck......I got stuff(lots...as you can see) behind my seat.......I have a side till.......stuff in there........in the back......we have 4 built in long drawers in the back, I have stuff on my front seat floor, my paperwork under the arm rest(that some scab broke when we were on strike)....I wont say I have too much stuff.....I just need better organization.:eek:

[hotwiretamer]

I need to organize my truck......I got stuff(lots...as you can see) behind my seat.......I have a side till.......stuff in there........in the back......we have 4 built in long drawers in the back, I have stuff on my front seat floor, my paperwork under the arm rest(that some scab broke when we were on strike)....I wont say I have too much stuff.....I just need better organization.:eek:

I hate it when I go on vacation and somebody uses my truck. There is always something missing, broke, or thrown away because they "didn't think I would need it". :mad:

[electriklady]

We have 5 bays upstairs......the lineguys use the ones up there and I am the only one downstairs.........3 bays......two used for material, forklift, four-wheelers, hot stick trailer, etc and my double bay is my parking spot and my meter shop.......so my truck is not used when I am on vac....(the linemen have 3 line dept F350s) so they dont need to use mine.....in the times that they have they have always been very respectful of my stuff....but I do hear them chewin each other out if someone else drives their trucks when they are vacation........one of em gets downright snarly about it.....I laugh my a$$ off at the linemen.....I wouldnt trade my guys for the world......they are the bestest......

[Highplains Drifter]

We have 5 bays upstairs......the lineguys use the ones up there and I am the only one downstairs.........3 bays......two used for material, forklift, four-wheelers, hot stick trailer, etc and my double bay is my parking spot and my meter shop.......so my truck is not used when I am on vac....(the linemen have 3 line dept F350s) so they dont need to use mine.....in the times that they have they have always been very respectful of my stuff....but I do hear them chewin each other out if someone else drives their trucks when they are vacation........one of em gets downright snarly about it.....I laugh my a$$ off at the linemen.....I wouldnt trade my guys for the world......they are the bestest......


When they use your truck do they push the seat back forward?:p

[electriklady]

they dont touch a thing.......;).......not even the cardinal sin of adjusting my mirrors.....that is almost a "fighting offense"

they do not want to suffer the wrath of EL:rolleyes:;)

[HIPotter]

Simple and easy to use. Doesnt take up a whole lot of space either.

http://www.picturetray.com/

Use it all the time.

HP

[electriklady]

this was my office today....doing bucket and self rescue with "the men".....and yes, that is me(the dot) in the bucket truck.....first time:D


Notice where my hardhat ended up after lifted up by the bucket.....It was not a pretty landing....I am not sure I wanna share that with you all just yet......I was already informed that it would not leave our group(yeah right, I will be gettin some serious a$$ bustin tomorrow).......instructor was furious with the harness and laniard I had to use.......got some more of the guys but I am damn slow at resizing pics!!!!

[electriklady]

and my wrongly sized harness......damn that was fun:rolleyes:

[hotwiretamer]

Today we installed a 90' steel pole, to replace an 80' steel pole. Don't ask me why, all we are doing is changing the 3/8 static to OPGW.

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[johnbellamy]

Great pictures.

EL, did you take it over center, then did they pull you out of the bucket?

Was it a smooth or bumpy ride?

So what do you think? Did you like the view?

How about the rescue dummy, alot of dead weight to move?

[johnbellamy]

I see the transmission is grounded, was the distribution still energized, just curious I see some guts on some phases.

Do you use dish soap, or anything to help slide it together?

Is that the only structure you had to change?

[electriklady]

Great pictures.

EL, did you take it over center, then did they pull you out of the bucket?

Was it a smooth or bumpy ride?

So what do you think? Did you like the view?

How about the rescue dummy, alot of dead weight to move?


One of the guys worked the controls from the truck as today was the first time I have ever touched anything except the outrigger controls....I learned it is better to have a "light" touch when moving the bucket....my first attempt moving the dummy in the bucket was very "jerky"...I soon adopted the lighter touch and it was very smooth. I LOVED the view and I felt very comfortable up there......it was sooooo cool. How many feet do those trucks go up, I didnt even asked. The guy that took me up was very good at it, it was very smooth, I have to admit the landing was pretty abrupt.

The biggest problem I had with lifting the "dummy" to the bucket and out again was that the rope slid through my gloves.....I am assuming I did not have a tight enough grip or not the right angle of grip on the rope......

I decided this guy was the "bucksqeeze" king.....He seemed to climb with it so easily. Probably learned to climb with it in school........not like the "older guys"(not meant as an insult to the older guys, I just think if you learn to climb with it, it probably is second nature).....the thing looked like a pain in the butt to me......He did a great job with it though.......

[johnbellamy]

A bucket like that, probably 60' of stick, you would have to ask the guys there, they can tell you.

I have never used a "bucksqueeze", but by your picture there he looks like he is cheatin a bit, you will have to ask him.

Controls can be pretty jerky, especially when you are maxed with your hydraulics, and some buckets buck more than others, sounds like he gave you a smooth ride, he must not have wanted to spook you.;)

I am glad you got a chance to experience the rescue training, and you can say now, ya, when I was in the bucket story's, been there done that.

Maybe sometime if you already haven't, they can let you strap on a set of hooks, and mess around low on a pole.

[hotwiretamer]

I see the transmission is grounded, was the distribution still energized, just curious I see some guts on some phases.

Do you use dish soap, or anything to help slide it together?

Is that the only structure you had to change?

One phase on the distribution was still hot.
No soap, just slipped it in dry.
Just the one structure for now.

[johnbellamy]

Great pictures.

[Highplains Drifter]

Great photos HWT & EL I enjoyed both of your adventures today!

[loodvig]

All great pictures! I do miss it.

[MI-Lineman]

One of the guys worked the controls from the truck as today was the first time I have ever touched anything except the outrigger controls....I learned it is better to have a "light" touch when moving the bucket....my first attempt moving the dummy in the bucket was very "jerky"...I soon adopted the lighter touch and it was very smooth. I LOVED the view and I felt very comfortable up there......it was sooooo cool. How many feet do those trucks go up, I didnt even asked. The guy that took me up was very good at it, it was very smooth, I have to admit the landing was pretty abrupt.

The biggest problem I had with lifting the "dummy" to the bucket and out again was that the rope slid through my gloves.....I am assuming I did not have a tight enough grip or not the right angle of grip on the rope......

I decided this guy was the "bucksqeeze" king.....He seemed to climb with it so easily. Probably learned to climb with it in school........not like the "older guys"(not meant as an insult to the older guys, I just think if you learn to climb with it, it probably is second nature).....the thing looked like a pain in the butt to me......He did a great job with it though.......

Hate to change the subject but that picture shows us a great example of why that thing sucks......look how far out from the pole his right foot is?????:rolleyes: Funny, I was always taught to keep'em close to the pole so with his f$cksqueeze opened up, him pullin himself into the pole (all which is what he's supposed to do!), how far before he stops if his left foot cuts out??:rolleyes:

Not the answer!!!!:mad:

BTW! His foot's probably out that far cause you can't bend your knees and drop far enough with that contraption NOT cause of his personal skills!!!

[johnbellamy]

He was cheatin, it looks like he is trying to keep slack in the choker part, he is way out of position, way to vertical, he is also 8 feet off the ground.

He is holding his weight with his arms, but i figure the kid thinks if I cut out, so what, the squeeze will catch me.

I see a clean pole not being an issue to climb with it, but any type of work noway, ridiculas.

But they say it will save lives, cannot argue with that.

[MI-Lineman]

He was cheatin, it looks like he is trying to keep slack in the choker part, he is way out of position, way to vertical, he is also 8 feet off the ground.

He is holding his weight with his arms, but i figure the kid thinks if I cut out, so what, the squeeze will catch me.

I see a clean pole not being an issue to climb with it, but any type of work noway, ridiculas.

But they say it will save lives, cannot argue with that.

Actually J.B. that's not cheatin accordin to the manufacturer! Cheatin the f$cksqueeze would be havin the cinch around the pole to slacked so as to not have the web portion contactin the pole at all! That way you're basically just hitch hikin? You're supposed to have the dam thing so tight that you have to pull yourself in AND pull the sides of the cinch out as you move it! Because of this you get what you see in the pic!:( Plus it squeezes in on your hips so much you can't role your knees out or even bend them enough to keep you feet close while descendin! Shorter steps is what it causes!

Our co. hasn't implemented it for all us yet (Thank God!) but it's comin. The only thing holdin it up is the co. is now realizin this isn't the best and their toyin with other chicken straps. They may give us more than one piece of sh!t to chose from?:rolleyes: They still haven't figured (or admitted!) it's the trainin?:confused:

[johnbellamy]

That is what I have heard, manditory everywhere in 2012. If the Myans are right, at least it will be short lived.:D

Come to think of it, maybe that is what they were perdicting.

[MI-Lineman]

That is what I have heard, manditory everywhere in 2012. If the Myans are right, at least it will be short lived.:D

Come to think of it, maybe that is what they were perdicting.

LOL!:D:D:D

[rcdallas]

Actually J.B. that's not cheatin accordin to the manufacturer! Cheatin the f$cksqueeze would be havin the cinch around the pole to slacked so as to not have the web portion contactin the pole at all! That way you're basically just hitch hikin? You're supposed to have the dam thing so tight that you have to pull yourself in AND pull the sides of the cinch out as you move it! Because of this you get what you see in the pic!:( Plus it squeezes in on your hips so much you can't role your knees out or even bend them enough to keep you feet close while descendin! Shorter steps is what it causes!

Our co. hasn't implemented it for all us yet (Thank God!) but it's comin. The only thing holdin it up is the co. is now realizin this isn't the best and their toyin with other chicken straps. They may give us more than one piece of sh!t to chose from?:rolleyes: They still haven't figured (or admitted!) it's the trainin?:confused:

Yeah your right. When I first started with Oncor I had to put one of those on; a rep from Buckingham came and worked one on one with me using the thing and that was exactly how your supposed to use it.

Worked ok on a bare pole; first real pole with all the fixings I went above the neutral and watched that thing fall as fast as gravity would allow. :eek:

Bucksqueeze has to be one of the most impractical designs on the market with a hefty price tag attached to it.

Only decent one I got used to was the miller...then finally later on went back to free climbing. Simply put that shit is for lack of proper climbing techniques.

[rcdallas]

Ain't that the truth Brother. Most of these kids will be millionaires by 55, and take their money and run.
That is why I am selling my digger derrick (with pin on bucket:rolleyes:). After 44 years I be damned if I break the retirement rules and go to work.
Let me describe my morning yesterday. I woke up about 6 am had coffee and saw Ruby off to her dialysis and the screwed around watching Good Morning Joe. I looked outside and saw a 800 lb black heifer in labor and going nuts. I call Ruby's nephew in law (real cowboy) and hit the door at what most people would call a slow limping gait. Curtis shows up and we tackle the bitch, I have the neck and Curtis knocks her back legs out from under her. (I wish someone had a video camera.) Long story short I lay on the heifer Curtis pulls the calf and I release her and she charges me knocking my ass through the bottom rail of a wood fence breaking the 1"x4". Mother and daughter doing fine I am black and blue.

And I am tired of you women telling me how hard childbirth is, because you didn't have two men tackle you in tennis shoes and cowboy boots and you didn't lick your baby and eat the afterbirth.

You just had to mention pin on bucket didn't you? :rolleyes:

Your freakin hillarious...

[hotwiretamer]

Ain't that the truth Brother. Most of these kids will be millionaires by 55, and take their money and run.
That is why I am selling my digger derrick (with pin on bucket:rolleyes:). After 44 years I be damned if I break the retirement rules and go to work.
Let me describe my morning yesterday. I woke up about 6 am had coffee and saw Ruby off to her dialysis and the screwed around watching Good Morning Joe. I looked outside and saw a 800 lb black heifer in labor and going nuts. I call Ruby's nephew in law (real cowboy) and hit the door at what most people would call a slow limping gait. Curtis shows up and we tackle the bitch, I have the neck and Curtis knocks her back legs out from under her. (I wish someone had a video camera.) Long story short I lay on the heifer Curtis pulls the calf and I release her and she charges me knocking my ass through the bottom rail of a wood fence breaking the 1"x4". Mother and daughter doing fine I am black and blue.

And I am tired of you women telling me how hard childbirth is, because you didn't have two men tackle you in tennis shoes and cowboy boots and you didn't lick your baby and eat the afterbirth.

Shit Batts, I think it would have been easier to drive that digger dereck to a job sight and do some linework! Retired my ass!
Cows and stuff? Sounds relaxin'!!

[topgroove]

Damn ... Not sure I blame the cow... If you held me down while some cowboy pulled something out my ass I'm pretty sure I'ld make a popcicle out of ya with that 1 by 4 :D

[hotwiretamer]

I had trouble posting some pics today, and made a boneheaded move and erased all of my pics! Oh well, today we got the wire transfered. We had
I-40 on one side and BNSF on the other!

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[Highplains Drifter]

Since I don't do line work out of it I wanted something for everything. The certification on the dielectric expired 2 years ago, and it sits outside so I would imagine it is safe to work 24 volts:eek:

Those old Telelect will out pick anything but an old Pitman.


But Pin On Buckets was never meant to replace a bucket truck. It is jsut another tool.


Well you didn’t say if it was a heifer or a bull!!! And why is Ruby calving in the middle of summer instead of after fly season?

[Highplains Drifter]

I had trouble posting some pics today, and made a boneheaded move and erased all of my pics! Oh well, today we got the wire transfered. We had
I-40 on one side and BNSF on the other!



No guard structure or equipment to protect I-40? How come none of them cacti with an erection in those photos?

[hotwiretamer]

No guard structure or equipment to protect I-40? How come none of them cacti with an erection in those photos?

Seeing that we were transfering to a taller pole, there was no chance the wire could come to the ground, unless the conductor broke which a gaurd structure wouldn't help with anyway. It's funny the GF had the Highway Patrol there "just in case" but they were just sitting in the median. I'm not sure what they would have prevented.
Oh, and I'm going to find you the "oddest" looking Saguaro in the county!:D

[hotwiretamer]

and my wrongly sized harness......damn that was fun:rolleyes:
Glad to see the crews involving you in the pole top/ bucket rescue practice.
Cool pictures!! I never worry about my hard hat coming off, my skull is shaped like an egg!:D
That reminds me of a time we were at a school sharing with the kids what we do. We were given permission to let one of the teachers go for a bucket ride. I grabbed a harness out of the truck, placed it over her shoulders, grabbed the leg straps and went to wrap it around her legs. Needless to say her legs were rather large, and there I was between her legs trying to adjust that damn thing in a panic in front of her school kids!:eek: It took damn near everything I had to get that harness latched, but I gotter done!!
Remember, be prepared with different size harnesses when your giving a demo ride, and plan on adjusting it all the way out before you put it on someone, especially a female, so they will feel good about you having to "tighten it up"!!;)

[Highplains Drifter]

Seeing that we were transfering to a taller pole, there was no chance the wire could come to the ground, unless the conductor broke which a gaurd structure wouldn't help with anyway. It's funny the GF had the Highway Patrol there "just in case" but they were just sitting in the median. I'm not sure what they would have prevented.
Oh, and I'm going to find you the "oddest" looking Saguaro in the county!:D


I hear they have to be one hundred years old before they get their first erection! :eek:........http://bestsmileys.com/undersun/3.gif

[hotwiretamer]

I hear they have to be one hundred years old before they get their first erection! :eek:........http://bestsmileys.com/undersun/3.gif

I'll get a picture of one Drifter, and you can guess it's age!!:D:D

[Highplains Drifter]

I'll get a picture of one Drifter, and you can guess it's age!!:D:D


Cool!!!! Set it up as poll so we can see others guesses........http://bestsmileys.com/oneofakind/8.gif

[Highplains Drifter]

Somewhere in one of the old albums (Remember Picture Albums?) I have a photo of a lineman naked in cowboy boots and gloves hooks, and belt climbing a Saguaro cactus. Man these are protected by law, and if he had been caught, would still be in the Cactus Jail. I need to find that picture.


Ok find it and post it!!!!:D

[hotwiretamer]

I crossed I-40 twice 7 miles west of Gallup, New Mexico once in 1974 and again in 1981, One of the busiest railroad tracks in the United States. Just where are you crossing I-40?

Just south of Kingman, Arizona

[surfinlineman]

Here's my Shabab doing some 33kv work in the Middle East

[johnbellamy]

Good picture, I am suprised you have the equipment and cover workin over there. Thanks.

[hotwiretamer]

Here's my Shabab doing some 33kv work in the Middle East

Nice pic, SL!!

[electriklady]

No pics today.......but ran into a lady I haven't seen in a several years(since I quit reading meters)......she is 87 years old.....she saw me over to her rental property turning the electric off and came over to chat.......(just like old times)....She was tellin me all about her fruit trees(Cortland and McIntosh apples, and her pear trees....)....her grapevines and her garden. She told me to be sure to stop when I go by the end of August and she would load me up with PA peaches.....yum....love fresh peaches.........she says she has too many to can...so she wants to give me some........then she asked me if I liked cukes....I said, "sure, I love most all veggies.".....so she took me in the house and handed me a whole bag of cukes.....and she had made some homemade pickles.....they were delicious.....so she gave me her recipe....so I am gonna make some homemade pickles the end of the week. I am sure it will be fun.....Next stop I mean a Queens NY transplant, and he talked and talked and talked, I thought he was gonna talk my ear off.....he was a bit different but nice enough(actually I think he was hitting on me)......oh well.....nice enough guy.......next stop was a "foreign load" order so I had to interact with the property manager and the renter.....adorable little girl who wanted to show me all of her toys......one of those days with a lot of customer interaction......and I have to say.....I like those days on occasion.....the day seemed to fly by.......a good Monday in my office.

[surfinlineman]

Good picture, I am suprised you have the equipment and cover workin over there.

I teach them to cover like their lives depended on it, oh wait, THEY DO!!! Yeah, everything is grounded over there and it's all 33KV.

The tools are all AB Chance, the rubber is all Salisbury.

Very basic stuff, mostly insulator changeouts and energizing/sectionalizing tap lines and new apparatus. But it really is very cost effective for their companies.

I've been training there since 2007, zero incidents (knock on wood), so far!!!

Some of the Palestinian crews I trained are now doing hot work for the Israelis, PEACE THROUGH PRACTICALITY!!

[hotwiretamer]

Clipping line today................

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Lunch time in the desert................

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[topgroove]

what was for lunch? It smelled great , what ever it was!

[hotwiretamer]

what was for lunch? It smelled great , what ever it was!

Just good ole' hamburgers and hotdogs! The wind was blowing like crazy that day, so we put the grill in back of the truck. God forbid the crew goes hungry!!

[hotwiretamer]

Started working on our 69kv insets today...................

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[lewy]

I have to ask, Is that line live? How tall are the poles?

[Pootnaigle]

Ummmmmm the cover tells me itz hot n I bleve in the " foaming Poles" thread he said they wuz 70's.

[wtdoor67]

Don't think I ever saw cover good for that voltage. Best I can remember is about 46 KV. That guy in the bucket gonna bare hand it?

Dang long insulators for 69. Gonna upgrade it?

[Pootnaigle]

Ummmmmmmmm I thunk I seed a stick in the bucket wif the guy?

[wtdoor67]

Yeah, but that hand is right up against those covers.

[Pootnaigle]

Ummmmmmmm I'm gonna guess that tween the insulation value of the boom on that Bucket and the value of the cover and the position of that Jib he was jus helping the jib winch place it in a saddle where he wud use a wrench stick to cinch it down. Ummmmmmm but Maybe not.

[lewy]

Yea I am going by that other posting that it is alive. He looks to be hands on, on that cover up that is only meant for brush contact & if it is rated similar to the chance stuff we use it is rated 46 kv covered phase to covered phase. An insulated boom at most should be 6" from covered conductor. That boom winch runs all the way down to the turret & it is not considered insulated & I do not see a link stick on the end of the winch. We would be moving that conductor with the jib on our bucket trucks.

[wtdoor67]

You can get away with a lot in that dry climate. Likewise I would have been used to using a link stick in the end of the winch line and would have been required to stay back the MAD for that voltage and moving the fibers with a stick to land the phase. I'm sure we'll get an explanation eventually.

[Pootnaigle]

Ummmmmmmm Look at that Jib winch again. It looks like itz mounted bout a foot or so from the tip. The boom tip winch is clearly hooked to nuffin.

[Highplains Drifter]

It looks to me like the phase is being moved in the wire tongs on that little extra jib and the winch is 15 ft. away from that phase. You can see the winch hook just hanging in front of the pole.

[wtdoor67]

However that hand in the bucket is right against the fibers looks to me like. Wouldn't be allowed where I been.

[Highplains Drifter]

However that hand in the bucket is right against the fibers looks to me like. Wouldn't be allowed where I been.



I was referring to your statement of needing a link on the winch. So did you like a short or long hot ratchet? I prefer short.

[Lineman North Florida]

It looks like to me that all 3 phases are already clipped in, I'm not real sure that the line truck is hooked to anything in that second photo, all speculation, Hotwire tamer will probably fill us in.

[wtdoor67]

It's hard to tell distances from a photo. That guy could be well below the fibers.

Didn't use a ratchet much, always used that Chance stick. You know the one with the fitting on the end for a socket. Jeez can't think of the name now.

[Highplains Drifter]

It's hard to tell distances from a photo. That guy could be well below the fibers.

Didn't use a ratchet much, always used that Chance stick. You know the one with the fitting on the end for a socket. Jeez can't think of the name now.



With that springy thingy too!:D

[hotwiretamer]

Damn!

Lots of posts since last night.
I took the picture to close to the pole, so trust me the truck or the men are not touching the conductor or the pole. 69kv requires roughly 3' clearance. The winch is at the boom head, the jib is 10' long, and the boys are 4' above the line that was just landed in the saddle. There using a 6' wobble stick to tighten down the shoe. Thank goodness for rubber padded shoes! No rod!! That would suck rodding 927 hot!!
Yes, the insulators are WAY over kill, but our sister company has 115kv and 138kv. They just buy one insulator. Better price in volume, I guess. Also we kill a lot of Red tail hawks and other birds, so it helps with that problem too. Trust me, I would rather use the lighter 69kv insulators if I had a choice!
Yes, the cover is rated 46kv. That's as good as it gets, unless someone can tell me they make cover bigger. To my knowledge it don't exist, although I've been corrected many times before on this site!!
And yes the poles are 70' H-4, Red cedars (good for 100 yrs.), and like I mentioned in the foaming post we are inseting between 70' steel structures that are 600 ft. apart. Trying to make room for some distribution. (Ground clearance).

[lewy]

It's hard to tell distances from a photo. That guy could be well below the fibers.

Didn't use a ratchet much, always used that Chance stick. You know the one with the fitting on the end for a socket. Jeez can't think of the name now.

All angle cog.
Thanks for the explanation hot wire, I can see how a picture would not show how close things are. Would you guys ever use the jib on the buckets for this type of job?

[hotwiretamer]

All angle cog.
Thanks for the explanation hot wire, I can see how a picture would not show how close things are. Would you guys ever use the jib on the buckets for this type of job?

The jibs on our buckets aren't long enough to give us our 3' minimum approach distance.
So, an "All Angle Cog" is proper terminology for a "Wobble Stick"?

[wtdoor67]

All angle cog.
Thanks for the explanation hot wire, I can see how a picture would not show how close things are. Would you guys ever use the jib on the buckets for this type of job?

Yeah, a cog stick, that's the ticket. Mercy!

[hotwiretamer]

I stepped back some today and took this picture of our work, maybe showing a little better the clearances we have.

3618

[hotwiretamer]

Pulled wire on Friday, back to more insets on Monday!

3625

[electriklady]

finally getting my primary rack in the air and getting the metering to the REC back online.

[Highplains Drifter]

Great photos E.L.

[hotwiretamer]

finally getting my primary rack in the air and getting the metering to the REC back online.

Did you join the Bucket club today, EL?:D

[hotwiretamer]

We changed out a steel pole today that was hit by a car. I think if they would have originally planted the wood H-4, we wouldn't have been screwing with it today!!

3651

3652

3653

[electriklady]

Did you join the Bucket club today, EL?:D


:pNo bucket club hwt...........I think I am too old.......may have missed my chance:eek:...sides someone had to take the photos

The linemen are getting desensitized to me photographing them.........The one smarta$$ told me he better not hear of his photo in some "porno magazine" for women. What a crew I work with!!!! Never a dull moment......We work hard.....but we sure do laugh a lot.:)

[hotwiretamer]

:pNo bucket club hwt...........I think I am too old.......may have missed my chance:eek:...sides someone had to take the photos

The linemen are getting desensitized to me photographing them.........The one smarta$$ told me he better not hear of his photo in some "porno magazine" for women. What a crew I work with!!!! Never a dull moment......We work hard.....but we sure do laugh a lot.:)

I dig the pictures EL, it's nice to go on the forum and read about linework, and things pertaining? to our trade!!

[BillyMac]

Changing out some 66kv Glass, doing dead though:(

[Highplains Drifter]

Changing out some 66kv Glass, doing dead though:(



Billy, that lower boom looks like it telescopes in two places. Is there a fiberglass insert in the lower boom?

[hotwiretamer]

Changing out some 66kv Glass, doing dead though:(

What's up with the white matt behind the truck? Is that just a landing for that bucket, or is it some type of ground grid for getting off and on the truck?

[BillyMac]

Yeah Drift it teles in two places and then you have your fly which is good for 132kv. It's a REDMOND GARY breed. The white 'matt' thing you can see is the after market fiberglass cover we have got made to put on the basket so the liner don't fill up with water if caught in a shower of rain, plus keeps the tools stored in the aprons in good nick.

[Pootnaigle]

Thanks for both the photo and the explanation BillyMac. I cant say I ever saw a rig like that. It appears to me that there are some very good ideas that have escaped American manufacturers, and all these years I thought we were light years ahead.

[Highplains Drifter]

Yeah Drift it teles in two places and then you have your fly which is good for 132kv. It's a REDMOND GARY breed. The white 'matt' thing you can see is the after market fiberglass cover we have got made to put on the basket so the liner don't fill up with water if caught in a shower of rain, plus keeps the tools stored in the aprons in good nick.


Billy, I Google searched Redman Gray (http://www.rg.com.au/ewps-mewps.php)and they have some nice equipment. Almost a squirt boom Arial lift, which I have always felt has an advantage over an elbow lift in tight situations.

[linehand814]

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d155/hunterjes/IMAG0126.jpg

not today, but a smelly evening for sure. They're starting down lines safety for livestock now, these animals need to know what they're dealing with

[LostArt]

Whoa. That's a different kind of work day. I'd be gaggin' off and on. I know that dead smell well. Ulgh.

[hotwiretamer]

Intalled a 69kv switch today, pulling wire off the back side of the H-structure tomorrow.

3673

3674

3675

[hotwiretamer]

I stumbled across this, this morning headed under the line truck. Notice it is now missing its head!

3676

[BillyMac]

Hey Tamer are your earths/grounds because it;s de-energised or a new line and simply for induction?

[BillyMac]

Oh and here was my Friday afternoon........always happens on a Friday!

Sugar Cane haul-out vehical tipped over catching the outside phase on the 11kv conductor, all went back after pulling it away surprisingly no broken x-arms. No one hurt. Except maybe someones pride.:o

[hotwiretamer]

Hey Tamer are your earths/grounds because it;s de-energised or a new line and simply for induction?

It's new line, but it runs along an existing 230kv line and under our existing 69kv, so it's for induction. A lot of induction I might add!:eek:

We energized last night, and now they are testing customers sub. It was built to a wind farm.

[spark and bark]

:Dgot called out last night, and rolled up on 21 snapped double circuit poles, 795 on both circuits. had to jimmy rig up a feeder tie, but of course had to tramp some 4/0 macs so it wouldnt change 3 phase rotation. 22 hours and only a cliff bar. i am enjoying my cold beer right now though!:D

[hotwiretamer]

Here's a few shots from last weekend's work to finish a line for a wind mill project.

3690

3691

3692

3693

[LostArt]

Great shots Hottie!

[BigClive]

My office for the last six weeks has been the new arena/stadium for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland, where I've been dealing with power and lighting. This is a temporary structure despite it's size, and will be gone completely within a matter of weeks.

There are a lot of features that we designed into it to make our own work easier. A rack and pinion elevator to avoid having to rope and carry stuff up to the top, built in cabling containment for temporary cabling, a workshop and a dedicated substation tied to the grid.

Here's a short video I took along one of the lighting gantries.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq5F0US1Aqg

[LostArt]

Whoa. That's pretty cool Clive. Interesting.

Btw, you have a nice accent buddy. :D

[hotwiretamer]

My office for the last six weeks has been the new arena/stadium for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland, where I've been dealing with power and lighting. This is a temporary structure despite it's size, and will be gone completely within a matter of weeks.

There are a lot of features that we designed into it to make our own work easier. A rack and pinion elevator to avoid having to rope and carry stuff up to the top, built in cabling containment for temporary cabling, a workshop and a dedicated substation tied to the grid.

Here's a short video I took along one of the lighting gantries.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq5F0US1Aqg

That's a crazy amount of work for temporary!
Cool stuff Clive.
Who's the nararator of the video with that goofy accent??:D

[LostArt]

Goofy accent??? Here I thought it was kinda sexy. :D

[hotwiretamer]

Goofy accent??? Here I thought it was kinda sexy. :D

I was gonna say that, but I didn't want to embarrass the guy!!:p

[LostArt]

I was gonna say that, but I didn't want to embarrass the guy!!:p

Clive? Embarrrassed? Pahleeze! :D

[hotwiretamer]

Two more insets left, after today!

3700

Intalling the dampners:

3701

[BigClive]

I was gonna say that, but I didn't want to embarrass the guy!!:p

You guys just love EVERYTHING that's Scottish. (Except maybe Scottish Power.)

[electriklady]

My office for the last two days actually.....the sideways one is a boat hanging from a tree:eek:

[hotwiretamer]

Good pics EL, what a sad situation!:(

[hotwiretamer]

Just clippin' distribution today, but I was wondering if any of you have used these Lindsey rollers. They are pretty sweet, especially if you are clipping off the pole. The roller just dumps the conductor right into the saddle. The rollers themselves pin right on to a Lapp insulator.

[Highplains Drifter]

I have used that style dolly and your right they are sweet!

[hotwiretamer]

This is not a great picture, but thought I would share the view.
I was getting ready to through on some cover-up for an inset. I've been in my own district for the last week or so, but got word today I'm heading back out of district in the a.m.:mad:
Oh well, the money is good working out of town!!:D

3812

[bren guzzi]

That's a real mans way. (Its a kilt not a dress)

[bren guzzi]

SURE GREAT! He's good on a pole butt, but how is he after ten ours on a Banjo, spoon and rock bar in a blind alley on a hot day?:D

I don't know how he would be but I aint asking him.. He's 7 foot 2 inches and not really into small talk... I'm 6,2" an couldn't even lift the pole (caber) off the ground. BEWARE THE MEN IN KILTS. Strong as Bulls. :)

[bren guzzi]

I don't know who picked this route over the mountan. ? ITS A MOUNTAIN (surprised we hit rock) what did ya think the mountain was made of ??????? "Cookie dough" idiots woundering what's taking so long....... Can take two days per hole. We've machinery were a GOAT would struggle to get its footing.... :)

[Highplains Drifter]

Ladder anyone?

[hotwiretamer]

Ladder anyone?



Cool pic! They flyin' the lineman from structure to structure also?

[Highplains Drifter]

Cool pic! They flyin' the lineman from structure to structure also?


Yep....long lining em.

[hotwiretamer]

Yep....long lining em.

That's Badass!

[Highplains Drifter]

WTF That is unacceptable. Why not put a skid on the tower and let them step out without danger of static and swinging accidents? Load lining them in on a an electrical dabber is total bullshit.

Agreed and there are skid jobs out there.

[hotwiretamer]

A little off topic, but it's in my neck of the woods.
Drifter, I'm still looking for that perfectly "endowed" Saguaro!

http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_central_southern_az/other/video:-cat-trapped-on-top-of-cactus


http://media2.abc15.com//photo/2011/11/11/Cat_stuck_on_cactus_20111111093501_320_240.JPG

[Highplains Drifter]

A little off topic, but it's in my neck of the woods.
Drifter, I'm still looking for that perfectly "endowed" Saguaro!

http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_central_southern_az/other/video:-cat-trapped-on-top-of-cactus


http://media2.abc15.com//photo/2011/11/11/Cat_stuck_on_cactus_20111111093501_320_240.JPG







Hey thanks for not forgetting, I think the farthest south I will get soon is Vegas for Christmas….and they do not have them there!

[hotwiretamer]

Hey thanks for not forgetting, I think the farthest south I will get soon is Vegas for Christmas….and they do not have them there!


I've actually rolled up on a few, but thought: "no that's not good enough!":D

[Highplains Drifter]

I've actually rolled up on a few, but thought: "no that's not good enough!":D


Correct, only the pointed one. :D

[bren guzzi]

Really liked the pic of the guys on the ladder/ helicopter. Not for the reasons ya think. Great pic. BUT....... "Just to see a blue sky". Bliss. Aint seen one in months. :(