Power utility workers face significant risks on the job, particularly when handling high-capacity cables. Tasks like cutting and crimping often require multiple crew members to work in close proximity to lines that could potentially be live if something goes wrong.
Cuts can be time consuming to set up, and access can be challenging, especially when dealing with underground cables in confined trenches. Cutting and crimping is also frequently carried out under intense pressure, with crews racing to complete critical emergency repairs during outages.
This makes it essential to have cutting tools that can do the job right, the first time. Remote cable cutters from Milwaukee Tools offer a solution, taking safety and efficiency to the next level.
Milwaukee Tools offers two cutters that can be operated via a remote control that enables a worker to be up to 15 metres away from the point of cut. A worker can easily position the cutter, set it and walk away to a safe distance before they activate it, simplifying the whole process and keeping workers out of harm’s way.
Brian Atkinson, Product Manager Power Tools at Milwaukee Tools, says remote cutters are all about safety.
“If something untoward goes wrong, or someone hasn't turned something off properly, or there is voltage on that line, it's simply the tool that is damaged or destroyed, and not the person.”
The cutters are available in 75mm and 125mm sizes, and are based on the cordless M18™ FORCE LOGIC™ platform, which replaces electric and hydraulic tools. The same battery can run both tools (or any of the others in the range). The cutters feature a rotating head that allows the jaw to be precisely positioned, rather than the worker putting themselves at greater risk by moving the cable.
The blades are interchangeable between the cutters and are easily replaced. They can cut copper, aluminium, steel wide armour, armoured lead sheath and SWA.
“They have the power to complete the job, and a good quality cut.” Brian says.
The cutters can also be switched to manual mode if voltage isn’t an issue, for example when cutting cable off a reel.
Milwaukee Tools offers a 120kn utility crimper and a 137kn in-line utility crimper. Both crimpers feature a 350-degree rotating head with a quick release/push to close jaw design. They offer a one-handed grip for easier alignment with the cable.
The utility crimper is lightweight for optimum balance, and features predictive force monitoring to ensure full pressure is applied. As the name suggests, the inline utility crimper has an inline design rather than a pistol grip, and is particularly suited to large, underground cables. It has a quick latch design to wrap around the cable if required.
The cutters and crimpers also come with Milwaukee Tools’ ONE KEY system which allows for performance reporting and tool management, to help extend tool life. From cut to crimp, Milwaukee Tools’ solutions for power utility operations can deliver on safety and efficiency.
As Australia’s leading supplier of industrial solutions, Blackwoods has everything you need to keep your operations running smoothly. Find out more from your Blackwoods Technical Power Tool and Fasteners Specialist.