UTILITY SERVICE SHORTS: SHORTS LIBRARY
This page houses all episodes of Utility Service Shorts for hosting purposes; if you would like to know more about Utility Service Shorts, please visit the program’s landing page.
Meet the BuckCaddy
The BuckCaddy from Buckingham MFG has a working load limit of 750lbs. This handy hanging holder has holes for whatever you need and slips easily onto a conductor mount or straight into your gear bag.
Quit losing your gaff guards and do this
Gaff guards: green. Grass: green. If you keep losing your gaff guards, quit it! There's a solution for you: Buckingham's BuckGuard retractable gaff guards attach your gaff guards to your climber's pad strap with a (you guessed it) retractable cord. Easy to use, near impossible to lose.
Hurtman Rescue in under 1 minute at FMEA Rodeo
Dalton Gowdy of City of Tallahassee electric completed his Apprentice Hurtman Rescue attempt in 59.7 seconds at the Florida Lineman Competition (FMEA Rodeo) on March 14, 2026. Gowdy would go on to win first place in Overall Apprentice Competitions for the whole rodeo. This short captures both his run and a quick post-run interview about what gear he was using.
30-second look at the SuperSqueeze from Buckingham
A fall-restriction belt built for wood-pole climbing and an upgrade to the classic BuckSqueeze. Territory Manager Mike Pridmore runs through the key features and strap options for transmission or distribution work.
How These Linemen Set a Remote Composite Utility Pole
This crew had to set a composite utility pole in a remote location with no vehicle access and no right of way. The solution? Lightweight composite pole segments and a gin pole system from Resilient Structures (RS Poles). Each composite segment can be carried in by hand—along with the full gin pole setup.
Unitized Switch install timelapse
Quick timelapse of a Cleaveland/Price unitized switch being installed. Cleaveland/Price switches are factory assembled and adjusted, allowing for installations that take hours instead of days. This particular unitized transmission switch simply needed to be unloaded and secured, making for a quick job.
500kV Substation Switch operation
USA's president Jim Cooke talks about what makes the 500kV substation disconnect switch from Cleaveland/Price stand out. This unitized transmission switch features two sets of counterbalances in opposite directions, allowing for extremely smooth operation of the blade. They also extend to an angle of 270 degrees, allowing for it to be in toggle in both directions.
360 Bucket Lantern from Estex
The new 360 degree Bucket Lantern from Estex premiered this year at The Utility Expo—the smarter solution for bucket lift illumination, this light stays out of your eyes, allows for 360 degree visibility, and keeps the operator visible to traffic from every angle.
Utility Expo 2025: Hastings’ Next-Gen Insulated Saw Prototype
Get an early look at Hastings’ prototype insulated circular saw, designed for lineworkers and arborists who need to safely trim limbs near energized powerlines.
How to blow winch line with bird kit and air adapter
If you've never used a bird and air adapter to blow winch line through conduit, you're in luck- we've put together this quick tutorial to show you how to complete your setup and get started blowing.
Composite Poles as Ball Stoppers?
When a local utility had a foul ball problem, Resilient Structures (RS) delivered an innovative composite pole solution—suspending a custom net system to keep the roadway safe.
Cut Test: Youngstown FR Ground Glove vs Golf Glove
Chris Rogers from Utility Service Agency puts Youngstown Gloves’ FR Ground Glove with Kevlar to the test. With an A4 cut rating, these gloves are strong, arc-rated, and fire resistant—protecting linemen where it matters most. Watch the side-by-side demo as a standard golf glove gets sliced instantly, while the FR Ground Glove stands up to the blade. 👷♂️ Made for utility workers. 🔥 Flame resistant. 🔪 Cut resistant. That’s the difference between everyday gear and real linework protection.
How to secure conductors & insulators with the 1-3-2 method
Patrick Gailey demonstrates this lineman-approved method using Preformed Line Products tie wire to secure conductors and insulators.
BuckEssential: Buckingham's Affordable Harness for Linemen
Looking for reliable fall protection without breaking the bank? The Buckingham BuckEssential fall arrest harness gives linemen a safe, comfortable, and affordable alternative to premium models. Perfect for those who need trusted Buckingham quality on a budget.
POV: everyone stops to watch a guy extend a super long tel-o-pole
Hastings has a new tel-o-pole, and it's EXTRA long—50ft long, by popular request! This bad boy slides out as smooth as butter, and it's long enough to push the butter tray across a 50ft dining room table. This short was recorded at the 2025 Duke Energy Carolinas Lineman Rodeo.
Firing BuckLaunch Slingshot
No ladder? No problem. Watch how the BuckLaunch slingshot from Buckingham MFG makes quick work of getting your line where it needs to go — fast, clean, and safe.
BuckHorn Flipping and install
If you’ve ever flipped your BuckSqueeze for left- or right-hand comfort—make sure you flipped the BuckHorn, too. This 60-second demo shows how to remove, flip, and reinstall it the right way. Field tips that could make a real difference on the pole.
Bulldog Pipe EZ-Find Tracerwire
When it comes to underground fiber installations, traceability isn’t optional—it’s essential. One small design feature can make a big impact on time, efficiency, and long-term reliability in the field. That’s why Bulldog Pipe’s EZ-Find Tracewire Conduit is worth a closer look. This HDPE conduit comes with a tracer wire pre-installed along the crown, allowing for precise fault location and line detection without additional installation steps. It’s a simple idea that solves a real-world challenge—and it’s already making life easier for crews across the country.
Fuse Blade Changeout Race + Extendo Slick
Who can change out a fuse blade fastest?? Hint: it's the individual who used Extendo Slick on their tel-o-pole beforehand! Extendo Slick is a high quality product from Hastings Fiberglass that will make sure your tel-o-pole extends and retracts without issue. Watch the short to see who wins the changeout race, and who needs to slick their tel-o-pole!
Getting Hooked ASAP with the BuckPack Pro
Let Territory Manager Mike Pridmore show you just how quick and easy it is to get hooked with the BuckPack Pro!