Feeder Removal

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Alwayslearningelec

Senior Member
Location
NJ
Occupation
Estimator
Have 4 #750 XHHW conductors that need to be removed from an underground 5". Not sure if it's RGS or PVC( would that matter?).

The run spans from a distribution center through two manholes then into another distribution center.

It's about 300' between manholes and about 800' total.

Seems pretty straightforward although you never know how long it'll take to remove the wire. Could be easy or very tough, correct?

Was told need reel truck to pull it out at the manholes.

When chopping this cable up for removal from the site( we can keep :) ) how big of pieces do they usually cut it up into?

When the pulling the cable out would you tie a rope the end so essentially your also pulling a rope through to leave for later pulling of conductors?

Any other consideration for doing this?
Thank you.
 
If it's underground it might not be RMC or PVC it could very well be concrete duct.

As with any job of this type a lot depends on the condition of the raceway.

Yes pull a rope in when removing the old conductors.

As far as cutting it up how big is the truck that you're putting it in? If it's going into gang boxes you might need to cut it in 5' or shorter lengths.
 
The last big removal I had like that, was eight sets of 750 cu, 250' each. I had the recycle company bring out a dumpster, cut it in 40-50' lengths, and put it in the dumpster with a Lull. Pulled it out with a Lull too, I use a five foot long steel cable with eyes on both ends. Loop the cable around the full set a couple of times, it acts like a kellum grip on the wire, clevis it to a chain, pull it right out with the Lull, no trouble.
 
hillbilly1 said:
The last big removal I had like that, was eight sets of 750 cu, 250' each. I had the recycle company bring out a dumpster, cut it in 40-50' lengths, and put it in the dumpster with a Lull. Pulled it out with a Lull too, I use a five foot long steel cable with eyes on both ends. Loop the cable around the full set a couple of times, it acts like a kellum grip on the wire, clevis it to a chain, pull it right out with the Lull, no trouble.
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A lull to pull out?? Wow. Thanks.
 
horsegoer said:
How would you guys approach estimating the removal? Like I said can't that go either really quick or be a PIA?
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You are just removing and not replacing with anything, right?
If so, I'm sure they detailed what condition they want it left in like...swabbing clean, mandrel, true tape, etc.
 
cdslotz said:
You are just removing and not replacing with anything, right?
If so, I'm sure they detailed what condition they want it left in like...swabbing clean, mandrel, true tape, etc.
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Yes we will ball and brush. The next phase( price) will be to install new #750's.
 
We have the guys in the warehouse strip the wire so we'll be picking it up at the site with our box truck.
Not sure of the most efficient way to load it into the box truck?
Cut it up and throw it in or fork lift it in
 
horsegoer said:
We have the guys in the warehouse strip the wire so we'll be picking it up at the site with our box truck.
Not sure of the most efficient way to load it into the box truck?
Cut it up and throw it in or fork lift it in
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Just cut it in lengths that will fit in the truck and have a few apprentices toss it in the truck, the longer the better if you're planning on stripping it. What's the game plan if the raceway is damaged and you can't get it out?
 
infinity said:
Just cut it in lengths that will fit in the truck and have a few apprentices toss it in the truck, the longer the better if you're planning on stripping it. What's the game plan if the raceway is damaged and you can't get it out?
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Thanks. Qualifying that if damaged additional costs will be incurred? If it's damages they would have to excavate to get to it, correct?
 
horsegoer said:
Thanks. Qualifying that if damaged additional costs will be incurred? If it's damages they would have to excavate to get to it, correct?
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Yes, since it's underground you probably have two options, excavate or direct boring. Not sure if the latter is feasible.
Do you know what type of raceway you're dealing with? Old RMC could be disintegrated in the earth. Concrete duct can be collapsed if not installed properly.
 
infinity said:
Yes, since it's underground you probably have two options, excavate or direct boring. Not sure if the latter is feasible.
Do you know what type of raceway you're dealing with? Old RMC could be disintegrated in the earth. Concrete duct can be collapsed if not installed properly.
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We don't. Guess it could be RMC, PVC or concrete duct. RMC could disintegrate?
 
infinity said:
Yes, since it's underground you probably have two options, excavate or direct boring. Not sure if the latter is feasible.
Do you know what type of raceway you're dealing with? Old RMC could be disintegrated in the earth. Concrete duct can be collapsed if not installed properly.
Click to expand...

How would you find out where the damage is and once you do what takes place at that excavation location. Just cut out the conduit and cut the wire? Would you have to pull out at that location if you planned on pulling from somewhere else?
 
horsegoer said:
How would you find out where the damage is and once you do what takes place at that excavation location. Just cut out the conduit and cut the wire? Would you have to pull out at that location if you planned on pulling from somewhere else?
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It's hard to say, your runs are long so if may be difficult to locate a problem with the raceway if there is one.
 
Just curious: how do you guys price something like this where there is significant scrap value? Do you take into consideration the scrap value and essentially take that off what you would otherwise quote? Or is the scrap just casino money?
 
electrofelon said:
Just curious: how do you guys price something like this where there is significant scrap value? Do you take into consideration the scrap value and essentially take that off what you would otherwise quote? Or is the scrap just casino money?
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First you do an estimate as if you get no scrap...materials/labor/equipment/rentals...then the cost to pay a scrap contractor to physically haul off, strip, etc. Some shops are equipped to do that in house, but it still has a lot of labor associated with it.
At this point, once you know your costs, you have to decide what profit you can get based on what your competition may do.
I've seen jobs like this where some shops may do it for free basically if the scrap value is this much.
But you still have to know your costs before making that call.
Not a normal job at all
 
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