The year 2015 marks 70 years of utility professionals using Terex digger derricks on power grid construction and maintenance projects to quickly and efficiently bore holes and set poles in the ground.

Terex digger derricks are designed for use in electric, utility infrastructure (power line and transmission) and telecommunication applications, including digging holes, hoisting and setting utility poles and lifting other jobsite materials.

“We are truly honored to be celebrating Tel-E-lect’s 70th anniversary this year,” said Jim Lohan, Terex Utilities vice president of sales and marketing. “Since 1945, the utility industry has seen its share of good and bad times, and through it all, Terex has been right there with its customers, providing the right equipment solutions for their utility jobsite challenges.”

Established in 1945 with the advent of the Tel-E-lect digger derrick, the company’s product line now includes the Terex Commander 4000, 5000 and 6000 digger derricks, as well as the Terex General 65, 80 and 95 models.

Tel-E-lect digger derricks were first engineered and built by Leroy C. Lindquist, owner of the Minnetonka Manufacturing Company which manufactured parts for the Telephone and Electric (Tel-E-lect) utility markets in Hopkins, Minn. At the time, Lindquist worked with Northwestern Bell Telephone Company to develop a machine run by power take-off (PTO) on a truck’s transmission to dig holes for telephone poles. The first Tel-E-lect trucks utilized the truck’s differential to mechanically turn an auger, which was suspended from the end of an A-frame boom and was raised and lowered by the truck winch line to drill a hole.

Click here to learn more about the history of Terex digger derricks.

From Aug.11-14, Terex Utilities is offering NCCCO Digger Derrick Operator Certification in Watertown, S.D. Training includes a one-day review session and written and practical exams. Click here for additional details.