Big Wind
Mar 30, 2021 07:48:09 #
We had some kind of big wind come through here two nights ago. This is what happened to my leaf vac, but nothing else in the yard was disturbed. However, on the highway there were trees and branches down, and sections were closed.
Mar 30, 2021 08:11:18 #
A tree branch fell and ripped the power line from my house and laid on the ground. Power stayed on and did not have a clue until my neighbor called us. Looked up Central Hudson(our power delivery outfit) webpage to report and they explicitly said to call 911. Was surprised but that is the proper procedure. Within 10m minutes the Local fire company came, taped off the area, and Called CH with the pole number. In another 10 minutes a CH truck came to look it over - trying to ascertain the degree of danger as there were many outages. In another maybe half hour the boom truck and put the wire back on house and checked things out. That's maybe 2 hours from reporting the problem to getting it fixed. Color me happy. My cable line is drooping from the same branch. Service not affected but only about 6 feet above the ground. Let's see how they compare to CH. Only telling you this as we share the same resources living close by and maybe handy to know.
Mar 30, 2021 08:21:07 #
You sure it was not a couple of passing kids? With all the leaves on the ground around it, you need it back up right! Nice looking machine!
Mar 30, 2021 08:39:20 #
We need to call you the Gadgetguy, Jerry!!! That is SOME leaf vac!!! Be glad it wasn't a tree that toppled. A few years ago we had 70mph winds come through. I looked out the window and saw one of my trees vibrating like a juice harp. It cracked and fell across the lawn, fortunately. The other direction it would have hit our cars.
Mar 30, 2021 08:56:04 #
You should have seen the pile of branches and debris after Sally in my yard... We had to use a tractor to remove most of it and then by hand we (or more exactly my wife) picked up just as much where the tractor could not access.
Mar 30, 2021 11:05:57 #
Rongnongno wrote:
You should have seen the pile of branches and debris after Sally in my yard... We had to use a tractor to remove most of it and then by hand we (or more exactly my wife) picked up just as much where the tractor could not access.
That's quite a boom and truck setup. Only problem is, from what I can see, when the truck is full the boom has to go with it to the landfill. In Dallas they have the boom on a separate truck and as the separate trucks are filled with debris, new ones come to take their place. The boom stays on site.
Mar 30, 2021 11:39:55 #
pithydoug wrote:
A tree branch fell and ripped the power line from ... (show quote)
Right. The cops have to come and secure the area first.
I'm always worried that a branch or tree will knock down the wires leading from the pole to my house. I would have to pay for that.
I have to say that I'm very much impressed with Central Hudson since it was bought my that Canadian company. You can get their app to show you where there are outages. We've had most of the utility poles along Route 28 replaced - lots and lots of trucks working there. I don't know who's responsible for that, but it's good those old poles are being replaced.
Mar 30, 2021 11:40:18 #
Rongnongno wrote:
You should have seen the pile of branches and debris after Sally in my yard... We had to use a tractor to remove most of it and then by hand we (or more exactly my wife) picked up just as much where the tractor could not access.
Wow!
Mar 30, 2021 11:41:31 #
SteveR wrote:
We need to call you the Gadgetguy, Jerry!!! That is SOME leaf vac!!! Be glad it wasn't a tree that toppled. A few years ago we had 70mph winds come through. I looked out the window and saw one of my trees vibrating like a juice harp. It cracked and fell across the lawn, fortunately. The other direction it would have hit our cars.
If I didn't have that leaf vac, the leaves would sit there forever. Too many leaves to rake by hand. That machine does wonders. The mower pulling it chops them, and then the vac itself chops them again.
Mar 30, 2021 11:47:50 #
SteveR wrote:
That's quite a boom and truck setup. Only problem is, from what I can see, when the truck is full the boom has to go with it to the landfill. In Dallas they have the boom on a separate truck and as the separate trucks are filled with debris, new ones come to take their place. The boom stays on site.
When the pickup is done across miles of road (every house has had piles like this) it is more efficient for each truck to be equipped.
As to what is done in Texas *ahem*. Prolly works only when the weather is good. (j/k)
Mar 30, 2021 16:33:59 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Right. The cops have to come and secure the area ... (show quote)
For me when I called 911 they called the fire department and they secured the area with tape. No police involved. Putting wire back up cost nothing. After a hurricane or some such event, do you think they charge each customer with a downed line?
No idea if it's the new owner that is replacing the poles and clearing many of the lines of dead tree branches but I think they can figure out how much money it saves them doing preventive work
For new building sites like developments the lines much go underground unless you get a waver.
Mar 30, 2021 17:08:31 #
pithydoug wrote:
.../... For new building sites like developments the lines much go underground unless you get a waver.
Well, in FL, where we have at least one disaster a year NOTHING in underground!!! Seems like you need a special permit to NOT be aerial... This is nuts.
They are currently working on lines damaged by Sally and... Well, they are just replacing poles with the same old thing...
I just don't get it but then again, I'm old so... I am not supposed to.
Mar 30, 2021 18:18:13 #
Rongnongno wrote:
You should have seen the pile of branches and debris after Sally in my yard... We had to use a tractor to remove most of it and then by hand we (or more exactly my wife) picked up just as much where the tractor could not access.
Always nice to have the right equipment on hand when you need it.
OTOH, it doesn't always have to be the "right" equipment. When I got my first backhoe I was amazed at what I could do with it, even though it was never designed for most of what I came up with.
Mar 31, 2021 08:03:25 #
jerryc41 wrote:
If I didn't have that leaf vac, the leaves would sit there forever. Too many leaves to rake by hand. That machine does wonders. The mower pulling it chops them, and then the vac itself chops them again.
Jerry, what is the mulch ratio of that vac - such as 8:1, 10:1, etc? Also, what is the brand? I purchased a walk behind self-propelled yard vacuum 3 or 4 years ago only to find out it did not mulch. Plus, it was from the gitgo a hard starter even with electric start. Had a Briggs and Stratton engine. The brand is BillyGoat and is all U.S made. I will be donating that thing to Habitat for Humanity.
Mar 31, 2021 09:15:24 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Right. The cops have to come and secure the area ... (show quote)
Jerry, not sure in your locality, but here in NC, the utility is responsible for the wiring all the way to the house, including the drop. I actually had the drop short one phase to neutral (apparently due to a failed splice), putting 230V on the other phase (to neutral), and the utility’s insurance company paid for the 4K$ damage to my appliances and electronics.
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