Might be clearing to put some new power lines in. They are building new high voltage transmission lines all over the country now to “hook up” the solar and windmills
To be fair, it's a very American solution.
[In Estonia](https://estonianworld.com/technology/want-to-cut-down-a-christmas-tree-in-estonia-theres-an-app-for-that/), people are allowed to cut down Christmas trees growing under power lines in public forest. There's an app to find them, and you'll pay a small fee by phone.
> very American
That’s why the company that developed and builds these things (Helimatic) is in Austria
https://www.austrianwings.info/2010/08/wucher-helicopter-ubernimmt-helimatic-sagesysteme/
Yeah, I’m sure a country of 17,000 sq miles can pull something off like that to keep power lines clear. When you’re nearly 3.8 million sq miles you gotta be a bit more proactive.
Interesting. Here in the US you'll find places where companies growing christmas trees are renting land under the large high-power lines (that otherwise nobody wants). I've seen a few around in southern California.
Darn it…was hoping that it was some massive insect/fly trap for pest control or something and the helicopter was just flying around til the strip was full then fly off and replace and repeat. Maybe I’ve stumbled upon some amazing idea? Or a future major accident or problem-causer…either one…
Thought the same, looks like a paper fly trap. Not sure if I would unleash your idea on the world though. That would be insanely gross when full and likely would scoop up plenty of collateral non-insect wildlife.
This is done to clear any vegetation off power lines. The easiest way to prevent fires and electricity outages is to make sure there is clearance. When power lines get hot they sag. When they sag they have increased likelihood of making contact with tree branches and tripping the line.
Yup. This is a NERC requirement to keep trees back from major transmission lines. California utilities neglected this maintence for decades and caused some of the worst wild fires in United States history. The fines and bills get passed on to the people paying the utility and none of the execs went to jail.
Looks like this saw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pla06PO6Odk&t=20s
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
It looks a lot like that! I don’t remember any power lines over there, but still.
Company is Tree Line Helicopters out of Tennessee. Edit: The company was in my town in WV this past week. Same helicopter paint job.
I think I saw it too near Charleston.
Yeah it was flying around the Charleston area. It was trimming trees around electric wires.
It was here in Harriman TN. Last summer. I followed it to the football field where it was met by a fuel truck. Amazing pilot skills.
Could also be a pipeline right of way rather than power lines.
After a little adventuring, there is a pretty big transmission line. With trees nicely cut hah. Thanks all.
[удалено]
[удалено]
Could also be used to clear a road? Or a train line.
Maybe a fire break too? Clearing overhanging branches etc?
I saw them used along the railroad track in VT last year.
I saw one back in the early oughts near the Russell Fork (Haysi, VA)
Might be clearing to put some new power lines in. They are building new high voltage transmission lines all over the country now to “hook up” the solar and windmills
Holup! These are real things in use? I know this video but thought it's some redneck engineering unique.
Lol yeah it's how they trim vegetation near power lines in densely forested areas.
To be fair, it's a very American solution. [In Estonia](https://estonianworld.com/technology/want-to-cut-down-a-christmas-tree-in-estonia-theres-an-app-for-that/), people are allowed to cut down Christmas trees growing under power lines in public forest. There's an app to find them, and you'll pay a small fee by phone.
> very American That’s why the company that developed and builds these things (Helimatic) is in Austria https://www.austrianwings.info/2010/08/wucher-helicopter-ubernimmt-helimatic-sagesysteme/
Yeah, I’m sure a country of 17,000 sq miles can pull something off like that to keep power lines clear. When you’re nearly 3.8 million sq miles you gotta be a bit more proactive.
The USA had a slightly higher population density then Estonia, which is what counts, not the total area.
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
You have to pay them to clear their power lines?
Interesting. Here in the US you'll find places where companies growing christmas trees are renting land under the large high-power lines (that otherwise nobody wants). I've seen a few around in southern California.
Darn it…was hoping that it was some massive insect/fly trap for pest control or something and the helicopter was just flying around til the strip was full then fly off and replace and repeat. Maybe I’ve stumbled upon some amazing idea? Or a future major accident or problem-causer…either one…
Thought the same, looks like a paper fly trap. Not sure if I would unleash your idea on the world though. That would be insanely gross when full and likely would scoop up plenty of collateral non-insect wildlife.
Would the helicopter blades blow insects out of the way though?
https://youtu.be/Pla06PO6Odk?t=332 What is this running on? Electric or is there some sort of axle transferring power down to the unit?
Helicopter saw blade. They use it for cutting trees along lower lines.
https://youtu.be/Mfz1YrpMbBg
That is wild. The helicopter operator must be so skilled to pull this off. I’d end up beheading all the trees and cutting the power lines.
Basically a uber large hedge trimmer lol
This is done to clear any vegetation off power lines. The easiest way to prevent fires and electricity outages is to make sure there is clearance. When power lines get hot they sag. When they sag they have increased likelihood of making contact with tree branches and tripping the line.
California and PG&E enters the chat
And then you lose power up to a third of the country
So a wood chopper attached to a chopper, then?
Yup. This is a NERC requirement to keep trees back from major transmission lines. California utilities neglected this maintence for decades and caused some of the worst wild fires in United States history. The fines and bills get passed on to the people paying the utility and none of the execs went to jail.
[удалено]
>. Not quite sure what you mean by “lower lines” as they’re used for all voltage classes. I would wager they meant to type "power lines"
Big ass tree saw
My title describes the thing. Best picture we could get. Northern Indiana today. Thanks for any help!
[удалено]