Utility Line Workers Gathered for International Lineman’s Rodeo & Expo

The International Lineman’s Rodeo & Expo was held October 12-15 in Bonner Springs and Overland Park, Kansas.

Utility line workers from around the world arrived to compete in apprentice and journeyman contests.

“It is in this atmosphere of community that Terex Utilities recognizes and supports October Breast Cancer Awareness month,” said Clint Maners, Territory Sales Manager for Arkansas, Missouri, and Southern Illinois.

Visitors were invited to sign a banner to help raise funds for breast cancer research. “The personal stories people shared as they stopped to sign the banner were truly amazing, and in my opinion, was the best part of the show,” he said.

The company will donate $2,500 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation Midwest Region. The Susan G. Komen Foundation invests in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.

International Lineman’s Rodeo Competition

More than 3,000 line workers competed in various tasks during the International Lineman’s Rodeo. Custom Truck One Source and Terex provided four Terex Optima TC55 aerial devices for the Hurtman Rescue, where workers demonstrate how to quickly and safely lower an unconscious worker from the top of a pole. 

“We congratulate the winners of Hurtman Rescue for their speed and accuracy,” said Maners. The first place Journeyman team hails from Pedernales Electric Cooperative, serving the Texas Hill Country.

Team members included Journeymen Caleb Brodock and Garrit Afman and Groundman Thomas Logan. In the Apprentice category, Carter Kelling from Jackson Electric Membership Corporation was the top performer. Jackson EMC is one of the largest electric co-ops serving Georgia.

First All-Electric Bucket Truck

As backdrop to the Rodeo activities, Terex Utilities displayed the industry’s first all-electric bucket truck.

The Optima 55 ft aerial device is powered by the HyPower SmartPTO by Viatec and mounted on an International eMV Series battery electric 33,000 GVW chassis, from Navistar.

With a 135-mile driving range and the ability to operate the bucket for a full workday on a single charge, the electric Terex Optima 55 with the International eMV Series truck is ideal for electric distribution line work, while making zero emissions at job site a reality.

Other Products for Utility Fleets

In addition, four auger tools, including the Hollow Kelly Bar, were on display at the Expo. The Hollow Kelly Bar allows operators to drive screw anchors without having to use heavier, traditional locking dog and square bar setups.

Terex Utilities’ design combines the auger extension shaft and screw anchor drive. This makes the anchor rod insertion a one-person operation, eliminates manual handling and lifting of heavy components, and increases productivity.

The other auger tools that were featured provided different benefits depending on the type of ground or rock to be drilled.

The BTA Spiral provides efficient drilling into hard rock or concrete. The BTR Bullet Tooth Rock Auger provides precisely controlled tooth penetration for superior productivity. It features flighting pitch that is engineered to enhance material flow.

The Stand-Alone Core Barrel is for boring fractural and non-fractural rock, non-reinforced and reinforced concrete. It is ideal to use when material cannot be effectively drilled with conventional tooling.

An optional extendable pilot allows for easy start and provides additional stability in extremely hard rock or out of level surfaces.

Just recently before The International Lineman’s Rodeo & Expo, Terex Utilities announced its all-electric bucket truck at the Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference in Williamsburg, Virginia, during the drive-thru demonstrations.

In celebration, its first nine customers will also receive new Terex Optima 55-ft aerial devices, powered by the HyPower SmartPTO by Viatec and mounted on an International Class 6/7 Medium Duty electric chassis. You can read more about it here.