In the middle of winter in Manitoba, Swift Underground needed to complete pull tests on concrete rods as part of a monopole reinforcement project. With below-freezing temperatures, the team needed a built shelter equipped with heaters, along with jacking equipment capable of meeting the toughest requirements. LGH’s hydraulic rams were crucial in helping the team save time and complete the project successfully.
This was Swift Underground’s first time performing pull tests, which introduced both technical and operational challenges.
“We had to install rods into the concrete, and then we used the ram to do pull tests on these rods,” says Sal Signorino, Telecom Manager at Swift Underground. “We had never done pull tests before, so this was all kind of new to us.”
Key challenges included:
Signorino received guidance from a contractor handling the steelwork on the project to collaborate with LGH in order to rent the necessary equipment for completing the tests. When Swift Underground connected with LGH, they knew what they needed for the pull tests, but the remaining question concerned size and capacity.
LGH worked closely with Swift Underground to identify the correct equipment and make adjustments on the job. The team initially rented a 50T hydraulic ram, which was later determined to be undersized for the application.
Ram upgrades in capacity were needed to allow for the correct conversion of PSI and kips, which Signorino says was tough to figure out. Using a pressure dial, the hydraulic rams needed to be held at a precise measurement to ensure accuracy.
Bill Corne, LGH Regional Rental Manager, helped Signorino identify that the team was overloading the capacity of the 50T ram. The hydraulic ram was replaced within the week to prevent further delays.
Beyond the initial ram sizing challenge, equipment issues also came up in the field. “We had two hand pumps that failed,” Signorino adds. “Those were replaced, no questions asked.”
LGH provided responsive support, including immediate replacement of the two failed hand pumps. With the proper equipment finally in place, the team was ready to run the tests.
“It was interesting trying to fine-tune how much pressure you had to pump to get it to sit at that 45 percent and measure deflection,” Signorino shares. The process took about 15–20 minutes per rod, adding up to a full day of testing across the 18 rods on site.
With the correct equipment and support in place, Swift Underground completed the pull testing process and identified rods that did not meet performance standards.
“Having the ram was a time saver,” says Signorino. “Now that we know how it works and that it’s available, it will come in handy for future projects as well,” he adds. “Bill Corne and Lauren Barnes were great to work with, and I can guarantee we’ll be reaching out for similar projects.”
The process for the monopole reinforcement project was simple at its core. Swift Underground needed to:
By partnering with LGH, Swift Underground overcame the equipment sizing challenges and completed the monopole reinforcement project efficiently. Despite the extreme cold and the learning curve of a new testing process, the project went smoothly.
LGH’s responsive service and reliable equipment ensured the success of this monopole reinforcement project, laying the groundwork for continued collaboration between LGH and Swift Underground.
Swift Underground is an underground utility contractor based out of Steinbach, Manitoba. The company specializes in delivering turn-key fibre optic and wireless telecom networks in addition to water and sewer, electrical, and geothermal loop installations.
LGH is North America’s largest single organization devoted exclusively to the provision of lifting and moving equipment for rent. LGH holds the most comprehensive inventory for hoisting, rigging, jacking, pulling, material handling, and safety equipment. With over 90,000 pieces, discover your next project solution at RentLGH.com.
