Compared to how life was centuries ago, it’s safe to say that things are much better now. Electricity is readily available to power various home appliances; long-distance communication is much faster thanks to telephone lines; hundreds of channels are delivered over a cable connection; and the internet has opened up a world of possibilities. The utilities that provide such a valuable service are carried via overhead lines supported by utility poles. The excavator crane purchased at an excavator sale is one type of equipment that has made such services widely available and less expensive.

Aerial cables are the fastest and cheapest means of establishing connections. Unlike underground installations, there is no need for expensive drilling operations and the lines are conveniently accessible for maintenance. Before bulldozer cranes were developed, workers had to manually dig holes to plant posts. Now considering the number of posts required for a single mile and the time and labor required to dig a single hole, the above method is clearly a slow and inefficient process. With the help of excavator cranes, installing utility poles has never been easier.

Developing

The need for this vehicle has continually increased as more positions are needed to expand utility services. Manual labor is inefficient, so in order to quickly bring needed services to remote areas, a type of equipment had to be developed that would make the practice of drilling holes for utility companies a quick and easy process. This is how the use of the excavator crane came into play.

Following the principle behind portable drills and augers, designers developed a large auger to match the diameter size of standard posts. The auger had to be mobile so that it could move from one place to another quickly. Another requirement was that the base must be able to provide power to turn the huge drill bit. The truck’s standard frame proved strong enough for this role.

In order to move the bit into position and retract it during driving, it was attached to a pen. A hydraulic system has served as muscle power to move the boom and rotate the huge auger bit. To stabilize the truck while maneuvering the boom and keep it stable while drilling, a set of stabilizers has been fitted; they are a set of hydraulically actuated legs that stabilize the truck when the auger is in use.

Security rules

The excavator crane has effectively reduced the time required to dig holes to plant utility poles. It cannot be overlooked that having a fully exposed massive drill bit spinning around comes with some serious risks. It exposes workers to flying debris from the rotating bit, as well as the potentially lethal act of being caught in the rotating bit. So before proceeding with the work, it is important to adhere to the following safety guidelines.

• Air Obstructions – Check for overhead obstructions. When lowering the drill boom, you should have plenty of room to maneuver. Find a location free of overhead objects such as tree limbs, low power lines, or signs that could get caught in the truck’s boom.
• solid surface – Choose a surface that is solid enough to support the stabilizers. The location of the outriggers will upset the balance of the truck, so the surface must be solid enough to support the weight of the truck. Check the ground for hollow structures that could give way, such as culverts and buried nets that could become entangled in the auger. Ground the truck in case the bit catches a buried live wire.
• safe distance – Keep workers a safe distance from the auger, at least 30 feet away. When operating equipment, always wear safety glasses to protect eyes from flying debris. Do not wear clothing that could get caught in the rotating auger.

The development of the excavator crane has not only made life easier for utility workers, it has made life much easier for everyone who uses overhead utility services. It is also important for operators of this heavy equipment to be aware that these machines can be potentially dangerous to operate and all safety guidelines set forth above must be strictly followed. So keep all of this in mind when looking for one at an excavator sale and be thankful for the benefits of owning an excavator.