Terex Utilities sponsored the Hurtman Rescue competition at the International Lineman’s Rodeo, held Oct. 16, 2021, in Bonner Springs, Kansas.
The event, which highlights safe work practices, draws the most skilled journeyman and apprentice line workers from around the world.
During the Hurtman Rescue, workers demonstrate how to lower an unconscious worker quickly and safely from the top of a pole. For the contest, Terex Utilities provided two Optima HRX55 bucket trucks, one Optima HR55, and one TL48.
“We congratulate Georgia’s Jackson Electric Membership Corporation and Omaha Public Power District of Nebraska for achieving first place,” said Joe Caywood, director of marketing.
The journeymen who made up the Jackson EMC team were Jeff Sutton, Kaleb Chapman, and Jeremy Adams. They beat more than 120 other teams with a time of 1 minute and 41.81 seconds.
In a different configuration of the Hurtman Rescue, apprentice Ted Gyhra of Omaha Public Power finished in 48.69 seconds, ahead of more than 180 other apprentices.
The Optima Series of distribution trucks delivers responsive boom speeds, maximum side reach, and low ground access. Both units have working heights of 60’ and 42.8’ non-overcenter side reach at a 116° lower boom angle. The Optima HRX55 features X-Frame outriggers. The HR55 has A-Frame outriggers.
The TL48 telescopic aerial device, introduced earlier this year, features industry-leading side reach and material handling capacity. It achieves 53’ working height on a Super-Duty class chassis while maintaining vehicle payload and jib capacity.
Drilling for a Cure
During the conference and trade show that preceded the Lineman’s Rodeo competition, Terex Utilities displayed a BTA Spiral auger and a Commander C4047 digger derrick in custom pink colors. The equipment, which traveled from the Utility Expo in Louisville to Kansas, was used to raise breast cancer awareness during October. Visitors were invited to sign a banner to help raise funds for breast cancer research. For every signature collected, the company will donate $2 — up to $5,000 — to the Susan G. Komen Great Plains chapter in South Dakota.
“The International Lineman’s Rodeo is very much a family affair. Spouses and children often travel with contestants, and their support of the Drilling for a Cure campaign was overwhelming,” said Greg Adler, regional account manager, Auger Tooling.
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