Utility Service Shorts is a series focused on visually interesting clips, fun factoids, and refreshingly brief product demonstrations. Each short is under 60 seconds long, and focuses on something new and exciting in the electrical utility industry. Tune in, get your fix, and tune right back out in under a minute!
Featured episodes:
Territory manager Mike Pridmore of Utility Service Agency gives a super short breakdown of the key features that make up the 490K3 EZ Squeeze with ToughRope and LeverGrab.
Watch Polywater InstaGrout in action as Utility Service Agency's Wade Summerlin and Mike Pridmore install this expanding padmount cabinet sealant.
Utility Service Agency Territory Manager Mike Pridmore demonstrates the proper installation of a CGS and shares practical insights for line crews working in the field. Whether you're a lineman, apprentice, supervisor, or utility professional, this quick demonstration highlights a common hardware application you'll encounter on overhead distribution systems.
Hot sticks have to be cleaned and tested, but what if you prefer to test in the field? The old stick tester from Hastings was corded, had an analog screen, and required modest expertise to calibrate. The new and improved 7707 Battery Power Stick Tester is portable, has a backlit digital display, and is easier than ever to calibrate.
Polywater's RBG Rubber Goods Cleaner is the best there is at removing grime from rubber surfaces and allowing those natural, bright colors to shine through. Watch as USA territory manager Mike Pridmore demonstrates the power of RBG on his truck tires, turning the dingy black Michelin logo bright white again.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Get an early look at Hastings’ prototype insulated circular saw, designed for lineworkers and arborists who need to safely trim limbs near energized powerlines.
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.
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.
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.
Patrick Gailey demonstrates this lineman-approved method using Preformed Line Products tie wire to secure conductors and insulators.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Let Territory Manager Mike Pridmore show you just how quick and easy it is to get hooked with the BuckPack Pro!
Discover the future of effortless pad leveling with Padcrete, the revolutionary expanding foam from BMK Manufacturing! In this short video, we showcase how Padcrete simplifies the process, offering a quick, clean, and effective solution for leveling padmounts. Watch as the foam expands and stabilizes, demonstrating its incredible versatility and strength. Perfect for anyone looking to save time and effort on their next project!
A condensed overview of the use case for Polecrete Stabilizer as a back-fill agent when hydro-excavating.