Ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of infrastructure, such as power lines, pipelines, and transportation corridors can be a never-ending job. A big part of that job can be vegetation management. Utilities and governments are seeking cost-effective solutions to maintain vegetation.

Manufacturers are designing better solutions to these problems by launching new equipment with customer-centric and smarter features designed to improve productivity and reduce costs.

Host Taylor White welcomes Lynn Miller, the President of Miller Earthworks, to the podcast this week to explore his remarkable journey from a rather modest start to leading a successful family-owned business. Highlighting his unique approach to excavating which involves focusing on niche projects that larger companies often overlook, Lynn discusses with Taylor the importance of fostering strong relationships with customers and employees, the challenges of steady growth, and the benefits of keeping business local.

Most of us understand at this point that the construction industry has traditionally been slower to adapt technology to its operations, having a relatively large number of tasks which remain manual or semi-manual in operation. But the ever-broadening worker shortage continues to disrupt many of these operations – across all sectors of the larger industry. Enter artificial intelligence.

At just 32 years old, Matt Edwards is already a 13-year veteran of the electric utility industry. Quickly establishing an exciting and rewarding career is exactly what inspired him to become a lineman in the first place.

“Like a lot of my high school classmates, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” said Edwards, a lineman for Paducah Power System in Paducah, Kentucky. “I had some interest in a lot of different things, but I was never a student who liked to study or wanted to go to a four-year college. I mainly wanted something where I could find a job right away, and enjoy the work I would be doing. I just wasn’t sure what that might be.”

Alex Beltrao, Director of Compliance at The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA), explains what lifting equipment related documentation needs to be provided by product manufacturers and suppliers to assure customers of legal compliance. 

‘Operators across the globe place their trust in lifting equipment, so need assurance that the equipment supplied meets the standards and legislation. All lifting equipment should be of adequate strength, sound material, of good construction and suitable for the duty it must perform. It should be verified in accordance with the requirements of the standard being worked to. New equipment should comply with the essential health and safety requirements stipulated in the applicable legislation, and product standard where available, and issued with the required conformity documentation.

Compact machines play an increasingly important role in utility construction, particularly as urbanization grows. According to the U.S. 2020 Census 80% of the U.S. population currently lives in urban areas, up from 64% in 1950. Utility workers in urban environments not only face limited space on jobsites, but high-traffic areas can limit accessibility to projects. Contractors may also face noise and emissions restrictions.

As attendees walk through the entrance of TCI EXPO ’24 at the Baltimore Convention Center this November 7-9, they’ll get the opportunity to meet with 260-plus exhibitors – but that’s just the beginning! They’ll also get to examine every aspect of tree care and explore real-life scenarios that mirror their everyday work.

In addition to vegetables and shrubs, trees play a role in edible gardens as well. Usually a sign of mature soil and ecology, fruit trees are able to give us fruiting bounties, provide shade and also contribute to the local ecology and microbiomes of soils.

But often, trees are overlooked in the urban setting, and tree care is relatively uncommon.

The Energy and Natural Resources Ministry has set an ambitious goal to plant 100 million trees nationwide by 2025, with one million targeted for the Federal Territories alone.

While these targets are promising, ensuring the long-term care of these trees is crucial for their success and the safety of urban spaces.

As the weather starts cooling down you might not be thinking about your lawn and landscaping. But now is the perfect time to take care of the old trees in your yard.

“Fall is the perfect time for removals just because everything is in it’s dormant status. So it gives people time to prepare so that way, in the Spring, if they’re looking to do some type of, you know, new planting or re-landscaping, that kind of stuff, it gives them the whole aspect,” Phil Nystrom, lead arborist with Weller Brothers Landscape Professionals, said.

The 730 tonne reactor cavity precast pool for the Hinkley Point C project was installed with Modulift underslung beams and Big Carl, the world’s largest crane designed and owned by Sarens.

Specialist lifting equipment manufacturer Modulift is facilitating civil engineering installation works at Hinkley Point C, a nuclear power plant under construction in Somerset, UK. The 730 tonne reactor cavity precast pool was installed using Modulift underslung beams and Big Carl, Sarens’ largest land-based crane, with a capacity of 5,000 tonnes.

Potain has launched a new 1,800kg capacity self-erecting tower crane - the Igo M 24-19 - at Batimat this week which will replace Potain’s bestselling Igo M 14. The Igo M 24-19 has three jib configuration options with jib lengths of 12.3, 21 and 24 metres, with under hook heights of up to 25.4 metres with the jib luffed to 20 degrees above horizontal. At the maximum 24 metre radius it has a hook height of 19 metres at which point it can handle up to 570kg, while it has a jib tip capacity of 730kg at a radius of 21 metres and hook height of 18.8 metres.

Oz Lifting has unveiled the improved Tele-Pro — an evolution of its best-selling davit crane, designed based on customer feedback and the latest advancements in technology.

“The upgraded Tele-Pro features enhanced boom operation, better maneuverability, and a high-visibility powder coat finish. It’s all about making your lifting tasks smoother, safer, and more efficient. Stay tuned as we roll out these improvements,” the company said.

Dutch Elm Disease (DED) is a devastating fungal infection that has wiped out millions of elm trees worldwide. It is a beetle-fungus disease complex caused by the Ophiostoma fungus and spread primarily by elm bark beetles. Unlike most tree diseases, DED can swiftly kill even healthy trees, making early detection especially crucial. Let us guide you through identifying and managing Dutch Elm Disease to help safeguard your majestic elm trees!

Lineworkers face different challenges in the field when it comes to operating digger derricks or bucket trucks. That is why it is imperative to conduct a job site survey that identifies the risks so certain precautions and steps can be made. 

One item that lineworkers consider is the slope of the ground and how the slope will impact the truck. Ideally, the truck should be parked on a slope of five degrees or less; then leveled according to the units requirements. However, there are times when it is necessary to set-up the truck with a larger slope present. If only equipped with one set of outriggers or no outriggers then the tires and axles are critical components in the stability and not fully addressed here. Digger derrick capacities are determined on level ground so they will have reduced capacity if not set up level.

The IC100 Index is a KHL top list produced annually for almost the last 30 years by International Cranes and Specialized Transport (ICST). It allows us to track the development of individual crane-owning companies as well as wider trends in the sector.

Here we focus on the ten fastest growing companies, as measured by the year-on-year increases in their IC Index published in June 2024. The IC Index figure is derived from the total combined maximum load moment rating in tonne-metres of all the cranes in a company’s fleet, giving a numerical measure of a company’s growth in terms of the lifting capability (not the nominal capacity) of its fleet.

When faced with real-world conditions, using transition layers and stacking material on top of other materials can be an effective way to increase the bearing area of supporting materials under outriggers. However, like most anything, these practices are best when they are planned events and not gametime decisions.

Dutch heavy lifting and transport company Mammoet has officially launched the world’s strongest land-based crane: the SK6000. The crane was launched at an event in the Netherlands attended by Cranes Today. 

From lifting wires to electrical poles to craning to material handling, the utility industry requires numerous material lifting solutions.

Manufacturers who understand the needs and challenges of their customers are investing in research and development to create products designed to address those needs and challenges. Below are the latest developments in material lifts designed for the utilities industry.

Digger derricks are built to dig holes and set poles without requiring the operator to reposition the truck. Just like when operating cranes, understanding how to read load charts and applying that information to the operation of the digger derrick is critical. 

Did you know that a single mature oak tree can support up to 2,300 species of wildlife? That’s incredible! Welcome to your ultimate guide to planting trees for urban biodiversity. In 2024, as our cities grow, it’s more crucial than ever to create green spaces that support a wide range of plant and animal life. We’ll explore how you can make a real difference in your urban environment, one tree at a time. Ready to get your hands dirty and boost your city’s biodiversity? Let’s dig in!