Aerial Fiber - lasher, pulleys, etc.

[daronwilson]

Hey someone must have some ideas on this. I'm looking at over lashing some aerial fiber for a customer. I've worked with crews helping them layout this type of job, but don't own a lasher.

Any recommendations if I am going to buy one? I suspect almost all of my jobs will be overlashing, not the initial lash to a messenger cable.

Also looking for a source and suggestions on the cool pulley hook deals you put on the existing strand and then feed the fiber through. The last job I watched it looked like they just left the pulleys hanging as they drug the lasher back and moved the pulleys with it to the pole.

Thanks in advance.

It is only my opinion, based on my experience and education...I am always willing to learn, educate me!
Daron J. Wilson, RCDD
daron.wilson@lhmorris.com

 

[TouchToneTommy]

http://www.gmptools.com/index.html

 

[AvayaNovice]

There are two different ways of doing it. You can either set up blocks (ie. corner blocks and span blocks) and pull cable to your destination/splice, and then lash back from there, removing the blocks as you go...

Or, the more typical method is to set up a truck with a reel dolly and use a leader (stands in front of the lasher by about 5-10 feet) that acts as the load bearing member to pull the cable up to the strand, and then the lasher follows behind it.

A lasher that is capable of overlashing i usually more expensive (they're designed much differently). The size you purchase depends on the existing diameter of the cable you have in place.

If I were you... rather than overlashing... and if you have the clerance to do it, I would buy fiber with a strength member, and use specially designed blocks which support the cable from pole to pole (you can also use preform over the cable for end of line). Then again, you'd need to place guy rods and guy appropriately according to code.

Give me some more info, what's your distance? What are you lashing over? What diameter strand is it?

 

[daronwilson]

I'm looking at it tomorrow, but want to tool up for future jobs. I would guess that I would never be lashing anything much bigger than 3/4" or so, but it could be lashed to an existing strand and multiple other cables. Most of these types of jobs for me are just a few blocks on a campus or a couple blocks between offices.

I would most likely be setting the reel up and pulling the cable in blocks to the end, then following it up with a lasher.

Just curious which blocks are the easy ones to set from the ground with a pole, any particular lasher to avoid or one particular one to choose, etc.

thanks,

It is only my opinion, based on my experience and education...I am always willing to learn, educate me!
Daron J. Wilson, RCDD
daron.wilson@lhmorris.com

 

[AvayaNovice]

Hmmm.

Well, let me start of in saying that I've done a lot of overlashing, as I work mostly for CATV companies, and that's pretty much all we ever do... is overlash fiber to our existing coax plant.

The biggest problem is obviously midspan drops, but I doubt you'll be running into those.

That being said.

Lemco is probably my favorite brand. They make great stuff, and it's easy to work with. Lemco's set of over lashing blocks are easy to work using the pull and lash method.

They make midspan blocks, corner blocks, etc.

Tommy was right in pointing to GMP. They make fairly nice lashers, I've only used one of their models, the real big one for up to four or five inches, but it worked nicely. If you're using the pull and lash method, then you don't really need to worry about pushers and what not (although I prefer to do it the other way as it involves a lot less materials and tools).

As far as using a layup stick to put a block up... I wouldn't reccomend that. I just take a span ladder and throw it up there if I don't have a bucket handy, or if we're in a backyard easement. Layup sticks are nice, but tough to position things exactly.

Not to mention that a lot of blocks use span clamps.

It's highly important that you check what size strand you're dealing with. 3/8 or smaller should be closely examined for oxidization, and check span clamps and preform to make sure they're in good shape. I think for a 150 foot span @ 3/8" strand... the capacity is somewhere in the neighborhood of 6000 pounds, of course there are a lot of factors... but it's real important. Also, make sure you check where your preform is that's landing to a guy hook. IF that guy is not super tight, or the pole is a bit hollowed out at the top (very common for poles not lopped at an angle, water sits on top) then the pole will more than likely split once you're all said and done. I've done that at least twice because I didn't have good knowledge of the plant I was working with.

in those cases, it's sometimes better to double guy the pole, or land at the one beforehand to relieve the pressure.

So... just make sure you've got a good standing knowledge of the existing plant.

But yeah, check out lemco -- they make nice stuff. And if you don't have one already, invest in a nice span ladder -- I like louisville better than werner.

You may want to invest in some klein strand clamps, a good chain winch, and a few pole slings, in case you need to tighten any strand as you come across it.

Type B clamps work great, they also make one that's intended for messenger cable, although I don't know the model number. You can also use these for tightening guys.

Last but not least, make sure to get some orange sleeves and put them over once you're done so everyone knows it's fiber

 

[3rc]

Darron, There is a guy in Marble Falls Texas ,that use to sell used equipment ,I can't recall the name of his company ,But if you wish ,I will get it for you.