Setting a 30ft utility pole where heavy equipment can’t go.
When we started building our new rigging lab, we knew we'd eventually need a utility pole.
Not just any pole—a full 30-foot utility pole that would become the centerpiece of our training area.
The obvious solution was to bring in heavy equipment.
But we kept coming back to the same thought...
If the Hold Fast XL is built for jobs where heavy equipment can't go, why not let it do the work?
So that's exactly what we did.
We mounted the Hold Fast XL to a nearby tree, built a simple 3:1 mechanical advantage using a block and pulley, and anchored two additional guy lines to create a triangulated lifting system. With everything rigged and ready, all that was left to do was grab a cordless drill and see what happened.
The pole eased off the ground.
A little tension on the drill.
A small adjustment on the guy lines.
Another squeeze of the trigger.
Slowly, almost effortlessly, the 30-foot pole began standing itself up.
As the angle increased, the three anchor points worked together to keep everything balanced and under control. Before long, the pole was vertical and ready to be guided directly into the hole.
Standing there watching a full-size utility pole rise with nothing more than the Hold Fast XL, a drill, and a simple rigging system was one of those moments that reminded us why we built this product in the first place.
This demonstration was completed by one experienced operator, proving what the system is capable of. For actual field use, however, we'd recommend a crew of three—one person operating the Hold Fast XL and two crew members managing the guy lines. That gives the crew better communication, better control, and a safer, more efficient lift.
This wasn't about replacing a digger derrick or crane.
It was about proving that when trucks can't reach the worksite—whether it's a remote easement, wooded right-of-way, backyard, or another difficult-to-access location—crews still have options.
The Hold Fast XL gives crews the ability to bring controlled lifting power to places where traditional equipment simply isn't practical.
And the best part?
The very first pole in our new rigging lab was set using the tool we designed to solve problems just like this.
Demonstration Disclaimer
This demonstration was performed in a controlled environment for product demonstration and training purposes only.
No energized electrical equipment or conductors were present. This was not a live electrical jobsite.
Always follow your company's procedures, OSHA regulations, utility work practices, and applicable safety standards. Every lift should be planned by qualified personnel using proper rigging techniques and a thorough job hazard assessment.
