The Longhorn Folding Guard Arm from LineWise is a versatile attachment for boom trucks, digger derricks, and various cranes, designed to protect highways, railroads, and other crossings during conductor installation, repair, and maintenance. When a conductor or pulling rope droops too low, the guard arm helps keep the travel route below the work clear, protecting people and traffic.

Line crews have long relied on makeshift guard structures at crossings, such as goal post-style structures built on site, wooden poles strapped across telehandler forks, or bucket trucks fitted with lumber or pipe.

LineWise said these methods take time to build and remove, are not load rated, can damage equipment, and have caused accidents in the industry. The Longhorn Folding Guard Arm is designed and engineered with load ratings, prevents damage to bucket trucks, and protects people and traffic below the conductors.

Setting up the guard arm takes less than 15 minutes, which is much faster than traditional methods. With the significant time savings, LineWise said the unit can pay for itself within its first eight uses when compared to building a goal post-style guard structure.

How the Guard Arm Works

The guard arm includes three lifting rings to assist in mounting. The roller assembly may be manually adjusted radially at ground level to allow the crane to set at different positions, while rotary and boom angle adjustments make precise positioning possible from almost any approach.

Vertical and horizontal rollers prevent scarring the conductor should it come into contact with the guard arm.

The guard arm weighs 370 pounds (168 kg) and has a 1,000-pound (454 kg) load capacity. LineWise said its foldable design makes it easy to transport and store.

Rental Options Available

As an alternative to purchasing, LineWise now offers rental options for most of its utility products, allowing companies to avoid tying up significant capital in equipment purchases.

Also, renting provides flexibility, enabling end-users to access the equipment only when needed. This is especially beneficial for seasonal or project-based requirements.