LineWise Introduces Folding Guard Arm for Conductor Maintenance

LineWise has introduced the Longhorn Folding Guard Arm, an attachment for boom trucks, digger derricks, and various cranes designed to protect roadways, railroads, and other crossings during conductor installation, repair, and maintenance.

The guard arm helps keep travel routes below overhead work clear when a conductor or pulling rope droops, reducing the risk to people and traffic beneath the work area.

Utility line crews have traditionally used temporary structures at crossings, including goal post-style structures built on-site, wooden poles secured across telehandler forks, and bucket trucks fitted with lumber or pipe. According to LineWise, these methods take time to assemble and remove, are not load rated, can damage equipment, and have been associated with industry accidents.

The Longhorn Folding Guard Arm has engineered load ratings and is designed to prevent damage to bucket trucks while protecting people and traffic below conductors. LineWise says setup takes less than 15 minutes, compared with traditional methods. The company estimates that, compared with building a goal post-style guard structure, the unit can pay for itself within its first eight uses.

Three lifting rings assist with mounting the guard arm. Its roller assembly can be manually adjusted radially at ground level, allowing the crane to be positioned at different locations. Rotary and boom-angle adjustments allow for precise positioning from different approaches. Vertical and horizontal rollers are designed to prevent scarring the conductor if it contacts the guard arm.

The unit weighs 370 pounds (168 kilograms) and has a load capacity of 1,000 pounds (454 kilograms). Its folding design allows for transport and storage.

LineWise also offers rental options for most of its utility products. The rental program gives companies an alternative to purchasing equipment and allows them to access equipment when needed for seasonal or project-based work.

LineWise is a division of Diversified Product Development, which designs, engineers, and manufactures utility products including line lifters, insulated work platforms, spacer carts, phase lifters, transmission temporary conductor supports, and the Buddy Bushing transmission hardware reinforcement system.