Price Check Used pricing on PT's....

BenTh · Jun 8, 2005

Re: Used pricing on PT\'s....

Thanks, and thanks to all who participated in this discussion. I'm going to pick up the PT tommorow. Dave is most generously helping with the move before he goes off on vacation (many thanks, Dave).

I live just outside of Raleigh, about 30 miles from Dave, on about 5 acres and a pond (how are PT's at dredging /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif). I'm currently finishing a garage loft and will be starting on the outside projects at the end of the month... just in time for summer heat and humidity to really get going.

Initial projects are mostly fencing, using the auger wherever I can be sure that there aren't any power, water, telephone, septic, or cable lines. Then on to the drainage problems. I'm sure you all will be hearing about my nefarious deeds.

(So...say you hit a high voltage line with a backhoe. Since you're not enclosed in a cage with the PT, at least the one I have, do you get fried immediately? Or just when you try to get off the tractor?)

davesisk · Jun 8, 2005

Re: Used pricing on PT\'s....

Ben:

Call North Carolina One Call (formerly ULOCO)...1-800-632-4949. Call them at least 48 hours before you dig, and they'll come out and mark underground utilities for free. I finally started doing this after I cut the phone and cable TV lines at my house...twice... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

HTH,
Dave

MossRoad · Jun 9, 2005

Re: Used pricing on PT\'s....

YES! Always call before you dig. It covers your rear-end should you damage some underground utilities. Also, make sure your life insureance premiums are paid up should you hit underground high voltage lines... and change your will so that I get your PT if you meet an unfortunate demise> /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Spiffy · Jun 9, 2005

Re: Used pricing on PT\'s....

 and change your will so that I get your PT if you meet an unfortunate demise 

Now why am I suspecting that Dave already had that written into the Deal!

Definitely call the "one call". but unless it varies by location or has gotten better caution is still invaluable.

I had them out twice and both times they intentially avoided marking the line to my garage [which was right between a couple others and they had to have tracked it anyway]. The second time they found a phone line not marked the first time, but again didn't waste a drop of paint on the garage line. I asked them why, and they said they don't do private lines [they didn't elaborate....perhaps people abusing the service?].

Have fun; and if you're modifing your will.....toss my name in the hat for the PT! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

FOURTEEN · Jun 9, 2005

Re: Used pricing on PT\'s....

( (So...say you hit a high voltage line with a backhoe. Since you're not enclosed in a cage with the PT, at least the one I have, do you get fried immediately? Or just when you try to get off the tractor?) )

 You should be OK, but stay on the tractor and call 9-1-1!! You must avoid becoming part of the circuit. Notice how the birds on the wires are OK, except the big ones that somehow touch two wires or a wire and something that is grounded.
Most likely the auger would trip the wire's breaker, (that's their job), but don't count on it, call 9-1-1!

PS: Its not the voltage that kills you, its the current! On a ship, over 12 volts is considered 'high voltage', because, on a weather deck soaked with sea water, only 12 volts is needed to pass a lethal amount of current through your body!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

PPS: Be sure to call 9-1-1, not 9-11! The terrorists can't, and won't, help you!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

davesisk · Jun 9, 2005

Re: Used pricing on PT\'s....

Yeah, I would agree with 14...definitely call 911. In theory, all electrical lines are buried 6' deep, but folks will often do homeowner jobs with the lines only 6" deep...scary huh?

It takes less than 1 amp passing from one hand through the chest to the other hand to cause cardiac arrest. (That's not very much, considering quite a few of us often weld using 200 amps, eh?) Generally, the resistance of skin requires a really high voltage to pass anywhere near that much current, but certain conditions reduce our skin's resistance...like being drenched in salty, wet perspiration!

Dave

Carpenter · Jun 10, 2005

Re: Used pricing on PT\'s....

Actually, code here is only 18" deep for buried lines in conduit. Be careful.

BenTh · Jun 10, 2005

Re: Used pricing on PT\'s....

Actually, I'm not greatly worried about the split 120AC stuff running around...that's not too, too dangerous, though you don't want to mess with it lightly, or when it's wet etc., etc. BUT I really don't want to cut one of those cables 'cause it's a real pain fixing them.

What does bother me and what I don't plan on getting near without a lot of caution are the high voltage buried lines running from the street about 150' to a transformer box between the neighbor's property and my own. I don't know what they typically run for the local high voltage distribution, but isn't it typically around 60,000V before it gets the last step down?

Regards,

Ben

MossRoad · Jun 10, 2005

Re: Used pricing on PT\'s....

Not usually in a residential area. I thought it was a few thousand volts or something... yeah, ONLY A FEW THOUSAND... ZZZZTTTTT!!!!!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif