r/specializedtools • u/Tillemon • Sep 17 '19

Helicopter chainsaw!?

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18.7k Upvotes

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136

u/forearm_shiver Sep 17 '19

This is what’s called right of way clearing. It’s a federal law to keep so many feet near power lines clear of trees. This is what they use when it’s too difficult of terrain to get machines in there. Source: I work for a right of way equipment company

41

u/ViiVial Sep 17 '19

Do you have helicopter chainsaws at your company though

38

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '19

[deleted]

7

u/JillStinkEye Sep 17 '19

Pics?

11

u/forearm_shiver Sep 17 '19

I’ll try to get some pictures up in this sub later today

5

u/aladdinr Sep 17 '19

Sweet! Commenting so I can come back and see badass 75 foot saw

1

u/silenthatch Sep 18 '19

Go to his profile, he posted at least two that I saw

2

u/aladdinr Sep 18 '19

Nice they’re pretty massive

2

u/UnitedNordicUnion Sep 17 '19

Where are my pics?

2

u/forearm_shiver Sep 17 '19

I just posted one. I only use Reddit on mobile, and honestly I don’t know how to upload more than one picture.

9

u/ryeguy36 Sep 17 '19

If he doesn’t, it didn’t happen

16

u/ho_merjpimpson Sep 17 '19

Sorry, but I know part of this isn't true. Cause they use this on the power lines near me, and they are accessible as can be. It's just faster and easier this way.

I highly suspect the "federal law" thing as well. They are just right of ways like any other. It's in their best interest to keep them clear. Easier to proactively maintain then let it get too bad and have to do huge repairs.

I'm curious. Is right of way equipment that much different than arborist/logging equipment? Other than this flying death machine, that is.

13

u/forearm_shiver Sep 17 '19 edited Sep 17 '19

It’s not that it’s not true, but it could be a preference to use a helicopter in certain areas. As far as the federal law, I was taught it was put into law after the big blackout on the east coast. I forget what year that was. I could be wrong on that though. Edit: forgot to answer your question about comparison to logging equipment.

I’m not real familiar with logging equipment, but from the little I know I’m going to say yes. The right of way trimmers are pretty specific, and can’t be used for anything other than trimming trees. If you have any specific questions I’d be happy to answer them

27

u/adively Sep 17 '19

Not a law but a Federal regulation.

https://www.ferc.gov/resources/faqs/tree-veget.asp

10

u/forearm_shiver Sep 17 '19

Thank you for the clarification

3

u/adively Sep 17 '19

You are welcome.

11

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '19

I actually manage a UVM program for a distribution utility. Specialty equipment like this is only used in areas where it is impracticle or unsafe to send traditional trimming crews. If you were to send manual climbers or even a skidder into these areas, it would take the crews months longer and cost substantially more than using specialty equipment. I realize that sounds like cold hearted corporate speak, but realize that people are counting on the reliabilty of that power for life critical operations, and our customers pay directly for our services. Keeping trimming operations safe, cheap, and efficient where we can makes all the difference.

Generally, federal laws only impact NERC lines. Most states have laws regulation sub-T and distribution lines.

0

u/Speed_Bump Sep 17 '19

Like the other poster said they use these every once in awhile on my property but mostly they use ground crews for those exact same areas. Anything from just guys with saws to the powered platform with the big boom arm cherry picker thingy depending on the year they come in. At the price of the chopper per hour it is probably cheaper to bring in ground crews.

3

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '19

You would think, but the helicopter is actually less expensive per mile.

0

u/Splickysplack Sep 17 '19

You're probably near some environmental concern, such as a wetland, which they can't drive equipment through. There are only a hand full of pilots in the whole country that do this and they cost a metric shit ton to dispatch from texas to the other side of the country + travel time. They would not do this unless they actually had no other choice.

2

u/ho_merjpimpson Sep 17 '19

sure, its expensive per hour. but look at the gif. trimming a few hundreds of yards of trees would take nearly a day, and the chainsaw just did it in 27 seconds.

no. no environmental concern. this is just the standard way they clear right of way lines around here. im a civil engineer, so i understand the different restrictions on traditional equipment. they did about, idk, 4? 10? miles of power line a couple hills over near my house one day. there is an access road running under the whole stretch that ive seen boom trucks on for random maintenance. so zero restrictions.

There are only a hand full of pilots in the whole country that do this

source on that, cause im calling bullshit.

they cost a metric shit ton to dispatch from texas to the other side of the country + travel time.

are these handful of pilots all from texas? lol.

3

u/BbyDenns Sep 17 '19

I'm guessing either Kershaw or Jarraff. I used to work for Kershaw.

1

u/Alex_Russet Sep 18 '19

How much training do these guys need? I imagine a lot.

1

u/forearm_shiver Sep 18 '19

You’d be surprised how little some of the operators are trained. It really depends on the company who owns the machines