Many
equipment innovations, such as this self-propelled tracked
backyard lift, have been field tested in the Gober Region.
Last fall, Asplundh crews put the prototype through
its paces in real work situations and evaluated it so
that any recommendations could be given to the manufacturer
before ordering more.
Twelve
years ago, PECO Energy and Asplundh teamed up to create
the first professional line clearance training crews
to improve safety, productivity and employee retention.
One
of the latest equipment trials in the Gober Region involves
this Bobcat tracked carrier with a mower attachment,
shown here working on a PECO distribution line. Ideal
for getting into tight areas, the Bobcat mower can handle
brush with stems up to four inches thick and the deck
can be raised up above the cab to chip up taller brush
and small trees.
Although
'super' crews (typically three or more lifts with a
20- or 30-yard chip truck) started on PECO Energy property,
the labor-saving concept has spread to other utilities.
Shown here is a 'super' crew led by General Foreman
Jan Adamiak and Super Crew Foreman William Constable,
working on Orange & Rockland property in New York
where there was a long stretch of solid trimming. However,
if the trimming is spotty, the 'super' crew concept
may not be as productive. So to reach the greatest productivity,
crew make-up and methodology must match the work scope.
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'Under
the Microscope' in the Doug Gober Region
Did
you know that Asplundh has its own 'research and development
laboratory' surrounding the Home Office in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania?
It's called the Doug Gober Region and this is where many new
pieces of equipment get tested and some updated methodologies
originate!
Being 'under the microscope' has been a normal experience for
the crews and management of this region for many years. Doug
became the manager in 1987, and with the help of experienced
crews, general foremen and supervisors, the region has become
a leader in trying new things. This 'laboratory' exists for
two main reasons:
• our sponsors in Willow Grove need to be able to show
any visitors to the company all the latest and greatest equipment
and techniques in use.
• the local utility, PECO Energy, has been served by Asplundh
since 1928 when the company began and our relationship is very
supportive of innovation.
A History
of Innovations
Each year,
Asplundh works with PECO Energy to experiment with a variety
of new ideas in equipment and service. Many of these ideas have
been tracked, compared with benchmark data, and most have been
established as a 'best practice'. These practices can improve
a variety of functions-productivity, system reliability, employee
retention, safety or customer satisfaction.
Outlined below is a recent history of Asplundh innovation and
testing on the PECO Energy system:
-1989-
• PECO / ATE Training Crews (3)
• 65' Lifts (2)
• Disc Chippers (2)
-1990-
• Backyard Chippers (5)
• Radial Arm Tractor on Transmission
-1991-
• Portable Traffic Lights (6)
• Foreman Pagers
-1992-
• 55' Lifts
• Customizer Injection System (Herbicides) (1)
• Cell Phones on Crews
-1993-
• Tree Growth Regulator Soil Injection
• Philly Foamer System (Herbicide)
-1994-
• LRIV Lifts
-1995-
• Super Crew 10-Person Manual Trucks (3)
• Super Crews (at least 3 lifts followed by a split dump
and chipping crew)
• Initiated ATE Project Tracking System
• Multiple Crew Configurations
-1996-
• Scheduled Outages (2 hour blocks)
• ATE Lineman utilized to conduct scheduled outages
• Coordinated crews and designated work scope plan
-1997-
• Directed PECO into Monthly System Invoice vs. weekly
• PECO Master Purchase Agreement began (a performance-based
agreement with established targets and shared rewards)
-1998-
• Integrated Vegetation Management Program initiated specific
project-oriented responsibilities for each general foreman
• ATE assumed External Customer Request Program (trouble
ticket) management responsibilities
• Extendable Power Pruner/Saw
• ATE assumed Capital management responsibilities
• ATE assumed Transmission program responsibilities
• 30-yard Chip Trucks (2)
•? ATV utilized for Transmission Survey
-1999-
• Kershaw (Bull Hog Head)
• Thinvert Ultra-Low-Volume Herbicide
Application System
• Utilized Outsource Crews
• Transitioned to Arbor Master
Climbing System
-2000-
• Safety/Compliance Coordinator
• Project Management
• 75' and 100' Lifts
• ATV utilized for Low-Volume Herbicide Application
• Re-design of Backyard Chipper
-2001-
• Quality Control/Assurance Program
• Self-propelled Backyard Lift (2 different models tested)
• Employee Retention Program
-2002-
• 55'-65' Scissor Lift
• Bobcat Mowers
• Production Coordinator
Technology
Transfer
Although
a 'best practice' or a new piece of equipment in one region
may not always work well in every region, many of these concepts
have successfully transferred to other Asplundh operations throughout
the country. In fact, several of the ideas that were tried out
on PECO Energy property are now in use on the Orange & Rockland
Utilities system, which the Gober Region also serves.
In addition, when PECO Energy recently merged with ComEd in
the
Chicago area under the Exelon umbrella, the Gober Region began
to exchange ideas and share 'best practices' with the Rod Cornett
Region in Illinois. With so many utilities merging, Asplundh's
expertise in innovation and its ability to adapt technology
and work practices should continue to be in demand. Looks like
the 'laboratory' in the Gober Region will stay in business!
