method of pulling conductors and lube question

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elecold

elecold

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What issues are created by pulling conductors in a raceway with a forklift or truck?

Is there a formula for the amount of lube that should be used?
 
I don't see an issue if the run is not damaged. The fork lift could put extra stress on the wires if there is a problem in the run but people use electric tuggers all the time. I lube as much as I can and try and keep the wire moist.
 
formula for amount of lube - no. the basic practice seems to be to fill the conduit with lube. :)

formula for maximum tension - yes. pull it with the tension gauge on so you know you are not going to damage the wire.

i have seen pulls with everything from hand power to pickup trucks.
 
Don't forget to use a megger once it is pulled

Not all lubes are approved for all conductor insulations. Fire rated conductors for essential systems and life safety
 
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IMHO pulling wire/cable without the proper equipment is a poor choice and not very safe for the conductors or the people involved.You lose the fine control that a real, properly rigged puller provides. One big thing about a puller is that it puts an equal opposing force on the conduit it is attached to which in most situations is a big deal or you risk pulling conduit and boxes out of place. It also keeps the pulling rope in the center of the exit of the pipe, which cuts way down on the force applied and prevents conductor damage when it exits the pipe. In this day and age, on many jobs hack pulling equipment can get you thrown off a job. Over the years I've seen some pretty expensive things happen with hack pulling equipment and poor training.
 
I'm not saying I have never pulled wire with a truck, or a backhoe, or a fork lift, or a manlift, or any other machine that is available. I'm not saying I won't ever pull wire with any of them.

I will say texie is correct, a tugger is the best way to do it for the reasons he gave, and the reasons that he gave not to use other kinds of machinery are valid. You have much better control with a tugger than you do with a truck gas peddle or hand signals to a backhoe operator.
 
elecold said:
What issues are created by pulling conductors in a raceway with a forklift or truck?

Is there a formula for the amount of lube that should be used?
Click to expand...

well, you need to have a strategy that transfers the pulling force into the conduit, instead of the supports, panel, etc.
otherwise, you will likely pull it off the wall, etc.

forklifts work well. i used them before i bought a tugger.
smart money is to put a straight leg to the floor, use a sheave
mounted to the floor, and pull using the forks to lift,
with a cats paw around the fork.
take a bite, pull till you run out of up, lower and repeat.

driving anything, you run the risk of hurting someone, or having
the wire lurch, and skin it.....

let's look at the economics of this.
you are pulling three 500 mcm's and a ground 100'.

you skin one of the wires jerking with a truck.

you have to pull everything back out, and eat one wire.
500's in copper right now, are $9.75 a foot.

so, that cost you a grand. you can buy a decent tugger used
for less than that. you can buy one new from maxxis for a
couple thousand. their stuff works well.

you can rent one for $125 a day around here, including all
the accessories for barbie. ropes, sheaves, pulling wheels, etc.

as for lube? order simpull wire. don't lube it at all.

like the man up there said, megger when done.
 
People can get hurt pulling cables.

Foot switches are great while working a tugger. In the event that the operators hands get wrapped in the rope.
 
not only is a chugger worth every penny but having an automatic wire feeder is also and wakie talkies. now does anyone make a stand that is motorizered to raise and lower 1 spool of 4 conductor 600 kcmill. lets say around 330 feet. :ashamed1:
 
copper chopper said:
not only is a chugger worth every penny but having an automatic wire feeder is also and wakie talkies. now does anyone make a stand that is motorizered to raise and lower 1 spool of 4 conductor 600 kcmill. lets say around 330 feet. :ashamed1:
Click to expand...

The one I have used to raise big reels of conductors that high is called a tower crane.
 
shputnik said:
What do you think about them?
Click to expand...

they are good... the one i had bought went DOA
after the second wire pull.... i hadn't used it in
three months... they just had me pick up a new
one at walters wholesale, as i was pulling the
next morning.....

you don't even need walkie talkies... both ends
can control the pull.... range is a mile or more....

i won't pull without them. end of story.

interesting that the 10 ton maxis tugger comes
with a set of them included in the price...

separately, they are $1,600 bucks.... doesn't
matter..... the day before i bought them, i was
pulling 300' of 500's, and my end was in the compressor room,
and the other end was a hot 480 volt 3R gear, that they were
feeding from the end panel... all opened up....
and i couldn't hear chit over the walkie talkies or
cellphone with the noise.

tugger, 300' of 9/16" 12,000# rope, and the triggers
was $4k including tax. they were running a sale....
never any regrets with that choice to purchase.
 
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