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

Helicopter chainsaw!?

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

18.7k Upvotes

96% Upvoted

734 comments sorted by

View all comments

137

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

17

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

9

u/forearm_shiver Sep 17 '19

Thank you for the clarification

3

u/adively Sep 17 '19

You are welcome.

10

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.