Telephone poles

[Scrounger]

I need to get my hands on two maybe three telephone poles for a project I'm working on. Anyone have any ideas on where to get them? I can't find anyone that sells them and everyone says the power company will give you poles that aren't good enough for them to use or have been broke off at the base from auto accidents. When I make calls, no one from the power company knows what they do with broken poles.

 

[Bird]

I have "heard" that many power companies have contracts with someone who buys all their used poles, so they don't have any to sell, or give, to individuals. Several years ago, out in the country, my brother and I had an electric co-op for power and they would sell the used poles for $1 a foot, but only to members of the co-op. So my brother bought a couple of 30' poles for a little project at his place.

 

[EddieWalker]

I was told the same thing as Bird.

Why do they have to be telephone poles? Lots of lumber yards and most farm supply stores have PT poles that you can buy or order long enough for most jobs.

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[schmism]

when i moved on to my property there were a seires (3 poles) that ran from my property to the back of my neighbors property that had an old nightlight hooked up to it. They had cut the wire years ago so i asked that they remove the poles. They asked if i wanted them as they were to old for them to use. i said shure, they left them laying in a pile on the edge of my property.

My uncle got a dozzen from a crew that was replaceing them along the highway he lives on. He saw them replaceing the poles and stoped and asked the crew what they were doing with them. they said they took them home and trashed them.

For a couple of cases of beverage the crew delivered and dropped off the entire trailer load of used poles from the days work at his place. He is useing them to build a small bridge in the back of his property.

my suggestion is hunt down the utility yard (were they keep the equipment) and walk in and ask someone there what they do with them. The guys in the feild that actually do the work will know whats up....

its also relitivly cheep to have a new pole set by the power company. Im considering haveing a large 50' pole set as the "tower" of my ham antena, sat dish, etc. (ill use my spur climbing gear to go up and down it)

 

[BarryinMN]

I had my power put underground this year by the Co-op. They had a large tracked multi-function machine that carried poles, drilled, set & pulled, with a dozer blade on the other end on a Semi flatbed.

That horse was way too big to fit down my gator trails in the woods so the Foreman sent a man with a chain saw to drop the poles in the woods & I dragged them out with the gator.

Only requirement was I sign a disclosure containing the nasty chemicals in the poles to keep them.

Ask around for the power co Line Engineer or Line Maintenance Manager to get freebees.

Another source is scrap yards. I've seen them there along with used RR ties, might cost there.

 

[sandman2234]

I got 5 from the local powerline contractor just by asking the right person at the right time. They dropped them and left them for me to drag home, which was across the street. No charge, but they do sell them to a guy with a sawmill, so don't tell anyone I got 5 of his poles.
David from jax

 

[gordon21]

Go to the elect company yard where they keep the poles in your area and ask the supervisor. He will be able to tell you who to contact. If there is a railroad yard near you, contact them too. Years ago there were millions of poles along RR right of ways. Most of them were eventaully taken down. There's not much you can legally do with all these old poles. They can't be legally burned.

Broken, old and damaged poles are usually free or next to free. A new treated pole will cost you upwards of $200

 

[DANOCHEESE]

Just what the guys above are saying. Find the yard and talk to the superintendent. Typicaly they will not haul them for you. But will let you have them either at the yard or where thye pull them. They are a hazourdous waste, so a larger utility may not want to deal with you. Also don't say telephone pole when you go to the electirc yard. There's are power poles. They get sensitive sometimes. ( I work with a bunch of lineman)

 

[WhyNot]

(ill use my spur climbing gear to go up and down it)

Just so you know. Where I work it is against company policy to hook the green poles (forget what they are treated with but I'm sure you now the type). They say they are to hard and you will gaff out. If it is an old creosote pole then have a blast. If you are going to be up and down a lot you could use some tree stand steps. Just giving you a heads up. Happy holidays.

 

[tommu56]

up on RT 61 they use to have a yard out side of leesport

i think this is the site

Pohl Corporation - more info »
5662 Leesport Ave, Reading, PA
(610) 926-5400 - close call

POHL CORP Railroad Supplies

this company does pole and line work in our area and might put on to were they get them

Welcome to A. N. Lynch Co., Inc.

tommu56