Utility Pole Setting Trailer with Hydraulic Boom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wheeled trailers for utility pole transportation and setting are labor-intensive, difficult to maneuver, and require a line truck for pole elevation and placement, which complicates operations, especially in soft ground and across ditches.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained utility pole setting trailer with a horizontal frame, hydraulic boom, and motorized grapple for loading and unloading poles, along with a hose system for hole excavation, allowing for independent pole setting and transportation without a line truck.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional line truck with crane is used for pole setting operations, then pole elevation and placement can be performed, but the equipment becomes awkward to maneuver and difficult to operate on soft ground
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the pole setting operation into two independent components: a lightweight trailer for transportation and a portable hydraulic boom with grapple for pole handling. This segmentation eliminates the need for a heavy line truck with crane, improving maneuverability on soft ground while maintaining full pole setting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The trailer is equipped with its own hydraulic boom, grapple, and power system, making it self-sufficient for pole loading, transportation, and setting operations. This self-service capability eliminates dependency on a separate line truck, reducing overall equipment weight and improving ease of operation.
2Productivity
If a conventional trailer is used for pole transportation, then poles can be transported to remote locations, but substantial time and labor are required for loading and unloading operations
Solution Approach 1:
The loading and unloading operations are merged into a single automated process using the hydraulic boom and grapple system. The grapple can both load poles onto the trailer and unload them at the destination without requiring separate manual operations, substantially reducing time and labor while the integrated hydraulic system manages the complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical loading and unloading operations are replaced with a hydraulic-powered grapple system. The hydraulic boom positions the grapple to automatically grasp and move poles, eliminating the need for substantial manual labor while the centralized hydraulic power unit manages system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the trailer frame is made rigid for structural stability, then the trailer can support pole setting operations, but it cannot accommodate utility poles of differing lengths and settings
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer frame transitions from a rigid static structure to a dynamic configurable structure. The front and rear portions can extend apart to increase length for longer poles or remain closer for shorter poles, allowing the frame to adapt its composition while maintaining stability through controlled extension mechanisms.
4Ease of operation
If a heavy line truck is used for pole setting, then pole placement capability is achieved, but the truck cannot easily cross ditches or operate on soft ground
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the transportation function (lightweight trailer) from the pole handling function (portable hydraulic boom with grapple). This segmentation creates a lightweight platform that can easily navigate soft ground and cross ditches, eliminating the weight-related mobility limitations of conventional line trucks.
Solution Approach 2:
The trailer becomes self-sufficient with an integrated hydraulic boom and grapple system, eliminating the need for a heavy line truck. This self-contained design achieves full pole setting capability while maintaining lightweight construction for superior terrain accessibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and rapid loading, transportation, and placement of utility poles of varying lengths, with the ability to excavate holes, reducing labor and improving maneuverability on soft ground and across ditches.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic boom coupled to the horizontal frame and configured to load and unload the utility poles on to the horizontal frame
Implementation Method 2
a motor coupled to the hydraulic boom and configured to power the hydraulic boom
Implementation Method 3
The grapple is configured to grasp a respective utility pole
Data Source
AI summary
A utility pole setting trailer includes a horizontal frame configured to carry utility poles to remote locations, a set of wheels supporting the horizontal frame, a hydraulic boom coupled to the horizontal frame and configured to load and unload the utility poles on to the horizontal frame, and a motor coupled to the hydraulic boom and configured to power the hydraulic boom. The hydraulic boom includes a first arm and a second arm, and a grapple is coupled to a distal end of the second arm. The grapple is configured to grasp a respective utility pole. In addition, the horizontal frame includes a front portion and a rear portion that are configured to extend apart from each other to increase a length of the horizontal frame.