Technology

See the Innovative Way These Chinese Workers Transport a Telephone Pole Without a Truck

If you didn’t have a flatbed trailer truck to transport a much-needed utility pole over a moderate distance, and you couldn’t just get a group together to carry it, how would you get it from one place to another? Especially considering the availability of such a truck is a luxury often taken for granted in more modern times.

Workers in Wenzhou in the Zhejiang province of China were able to figure out a solution when they didn’t have such a truck. According to Jalopnik, the crew repurposed the front wheels of a tractor to carry and propel one end of the pole while a wagon to held up the other.

Chinese Utility Crew Develops Imaginative Way to Move a Telephone Pole from One Place to Another

Front wheels of a tractor and a motor help move this utility pole from point A to point B without the availability of a truck. (Image: YouTube screenshot)

Chinese Utility Crew Develops Imaginative Way to Move a Telephone Pole from One Place to Another

A wagon not only held up the back end of the pole but also the rest of the utility crew. (Image: YouTube screenshot)

Watch the scene:

You may be wondering why this contraption is being reported on at all. Jason Torchinsky for Jalopnik thought this as well, making this observation:

It wasn’t long ago that these improvised transportation solutions were used with incredible degrees of resourcefulness and, to Western eyes, danger. The fact that this is making news in China shows how uncommon this sort of thing has now become.

As wealth and safety standards improve globally, more and more of these locally engineered transportation solutions will be discarded in favor of more modern, safe, and, frankly, boring solutions.

You might also be surprised that such a simple news report showing the odd contraption headed down the road has a decent number of hits — more than 11,000 — since being posted on YouTube at the beginning of the week.

Comments (84)

1 2
  • sabrinacle
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 4:11pm

    I think it is as others have said.“Necessity is the mother of invention” Besides, in a few short years we too will have to get more creative in how ALL things are done as the goal of this administration is to make everyone broke.

    Report Post » sabrinacle  
    • db321
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 6:52pm

      America needs to get rid of Capitalism in America so we can be as inactivated as Communist China.

      Report Post » db321  
    • mauijonny
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 7:41pm

      Exactly what I thought – archive this vid as it may come in useful…

      Report Post » mauijonny  
  • TJexcite
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 3:34pm

    Something about the wonderfulness of Communism or something like that.

    The truck they did have broke and there was no money or parts to fix a truck from the 1950′s that was rusted out and when it did start it ran for 2 minutes before it quit. The black smoke cloud that came when it did start could lingered for 3 hours it was so thick no matter what the weather and would follow the truck blacking out the sun of the whole neighborhood. So when it final died no replacement was issued so they are stuck with this.

    Report Post » TJexcite  
  • Maxim Crux
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 3:08pm

    Lineman in the US have used this way of transporting utility poles since they have been placing them.

    Report Post »  
    • go2mikerenzi
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 7:31pm

      all over Asia there are machines that look like that made by honda, they can plow, haul tractors and they even have a hook-up to pump water into rice paddies and of course you see whole families on them coming home from the market

      Report Post » go2mikerenzi  
    • Rob in Katy
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 10:33pm

      And here in the USA we make one trip for 30 poles…. instead of 30 trips.

      Report Post »  
  • Blazen420
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 2:33pm

    Yeah, I agree…..This would put you out of business in America. The police would ticket you, the newspaper or (media) would prosecute you, and various other organizations (re: OSHA, the unions, would convict you. It looks like China has at least, a freer enterprise system than we do.

    Report Post »  
  • HickoryStonewall
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 2:24pm

    So with no auger and the “crewcab” full, ma’bell(with your best chinese accent)has rickshaw repairmen and everyone bicycles to work on used chinese bicycles bought from Castro, since he has started drilling in the Gulf with Chinese partners, maobama foward

    Report Post »  
  • Alvin691
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:33pm

    Here is the question. What happens when they get to the job site and install the pole? How to they get back?

    Report Post »  
    • nelan72
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 2:06pm

      With the value the Chinese have toward life the workers might be the fill.

      Report Post »  
    • AzThunder
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 8:17pm

      VIAGRA – One of the working “stiffs” replaces the pole for the return trip

      Report Post » AzThunder  
    • What_Did_I_Miss
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 10:05pm

      Chinese transport??? Looked POLEish to me.

      Report Post »  
    • tiki886
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 7:48am

      They call the US postal service and mail it back to their office. It takes about two years to get another pole ready for installation.

      Report Post » tiki886  
  • blackyb
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 12:44pm

    Some people are deserving to be Americns, and some would fare better in the deep jungles of South Africa and some in dictatorships and/or Communist countries. We will take the smart and civilized ones, they belong where they have respect for themselves and others and will, of course, work.

    Report Post » blackyb  
  • paperpushermj
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 12:37pm

    Maximum Utilization Of Available Resources.

    Report Post » paperpushermj  
  • The_Cabrito_Goat
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 12:26pm

    Why cant more Chinese immigrate to America? Oh yeah, they are banished upon doing so…

    Workers like this, with clever ideas and resourcefulness, are just what the doctor ordered in this economy. Immigrants have always been the lifeblood of this country, they keep the “river” of America from becoming stagnant by increasing the flow of the river. It’s true we need them, afterall, we have simply given away things we take for granted, like this silly thing called Liberty. Something the Chinese would be happy to take back with our help.

    Report Post » The_Cabrito_Goat  
    • blackyb
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 12:42pm

      If we quit piling up debt to them, don’t worry, they will.

      Report Post » blackyb  
    • Dabldo
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 10:51pm

      OSHA whacks employers for letting crafty workers do this sorta thing.

      Report Post »  
  • TheFederalist
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 11:56am

    We already have these machines. And I own one. They are Troy-Bilt Roto tillers. The tillers have PTO`s on them that allow you to hook up many different tools such as log splitters, chippers, generators, etc. All you have to do is hook up the attachment for the telephone pole.
    http://www.troybilt.com

    Report Post »  
    • TheFederalist
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 12:11pm

      I don`t mean the ones the Chinese have are Troy-Bilts, just that we have machines of that design. They look exactly like Troys and BCR`s.

      Report Post »  
    • MAMMY_NUNN
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 5:03pm

      Had them back in the 50‘s and 60’s probably earier like the 40′s before there was a troybuilt

      Report Post »  
  • kaptainkaffir
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 11:45am

    Kinda hard to play “chinese fire drill” when they come to a red light.

    Report Post »  
    • Tipdog
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:24pm

      They do it at a green light and call it 像地獄運行.

      Report Post » Tipdog  
  • swenk
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 11:41am

    It wasnt’ too long ago they would have just got fourty guys and jogged with it for a few miles…

    Report Post »  
  • RodT82721
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 11:19am

    I find it amazing that anyone finds this amazing!
    This is just using common sense, something that even the Chinese apparently still are able to accomplish. It was common place here before the progressives took over, to protect us from our self.

    Just wait until their living standard and cost of living rise.
    Their leaders need to control every thought, follows right behind
    .
    They too will have an EPA to make sure that old gas engine is outlawed for some battery (under)powered devise that can only make it half way to the destination!
    Then their OSHA will need to ticket them for not having seat belts on that log! Where are their safety glasses? Do they have “Slow moving vehicle” sign on that back of that contraption?
    Tickets for all workers without a properly secured lanyard to make sure they aren’t left behind if they fall off!

    So many things for the Chinese to look forward to, that we here in the USA already enjoy.

    Report Post »  
    • Pyronaught
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:58pm

      You’re dead on. The DOT would be all over them for not being “street legal” and having placards on the log. Innovation has been regulated right out of America.

      Report Post »  
  • midwesthippie
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 11:15am

    …is that a utility pole for for one of the “ghost” cities?…

    Report Post » midwesthippie  
  • BigPaul
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 11:15am

    That’s a changchi single cylinder diesel engine designed to replace the water buffalo in Cambodia. That engine powers my 13kw generator and is a work horse. America used to be like that now we are all ***** wipped.

    Report Post »  
  • poster
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 11:14am

    Would be illegal here. There’s not enough room here to name all of the Federal agencies that would file suit. UNLESS, of course, the pole was being moved to allow a frog to cross a road. THEN, we’re good to go.

    Report Post »  
    • Tipdog
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 1:25pm

      It would only be illegal until they find a way to tax it.

      Report Post » Tipdog  
  • Salamander
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 11:07am

    Can you imagine coming up on one of these things on an Interstate? Flashers, going,traffic dodging right and left–and, wow, when it occludes an entry/exit ramp whilst transiting the area–nobody can get on or off! Hmmm, how about turning the corner in a city? Does the one in the back steer, too? Remember the old Keystone Cops with the fire ladder truck going down the street with the front end on one side and the back end on the other? Still, it’s kind of clever.

    Report Post »  
    • wdittgasn
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 11:15am

      That thing looks like a large garden tiller….. Used the tiller once to pull the lawn mower out of a ditch….. It does work.

      Report Post » wdittgasn  
  • Mojoron
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 11:04am

    OSHA would have a stroke if they did that here.

    Report Post » Mojoron  
    • bikerr
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 11:13am

      They all seem to be wearing ppe,what would be the problem?,7 guys to ride a following trailer?. looks like a union.

      Report Post »  
  • ginger100
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 10:58am

    Absolute geniuses, now if they could just turn that into a green vehicle that we can use for jobs us Americans won’t do maybe then this country will begin to move forward so that the planet can begin to heal.

    Report Post » ginger100  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 10:47am

    …
    China is not a poor country. They can afford trucks. The Government keeps their citizens “poor” so they can control every aspect of their lives.
    The Chinese Government does not want their citizens to move into the twenty first century. They do not want them to “wake up” and see through the deception.

    This is the same thing the Democrats in the U.S. are doing with minorities. Keep them deceived, oppressed, and dependent on the Government for all their needs. That’s the only way Liberals can get elected.

    If Barack Hussein Obama is re-elected, we will all be riding bicycles to work, to church, to shop, etc., just like the Chinese.

    Report Post »  
    • bhelmet
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 11:05am

      Wow – quite the assumption – we will have jobs?

      Report Post » bhelmet  
    • RamonPreston
      Posted on June 6, 2012 at 10:53am

      And that is different than America how? Low wages, high taxes and fines for everything. Can’t afford new tires for your car? The judge will fine you so you can.

      Report Post » RamonPreston  
  • RJJinGadsden
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 10:47am

    That shot where the driver is straddling the pole with his feet down. Are those the brakes?

    Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • PoliticalTs.com
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 10:47am

    Actually, thats exactly how we transport oversized items in the US, you put an axle on each end, and the item becomes a trailer that can be hauled by a truck.

    Report Post »  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 10:36am

    Chinese? Resourceful? They probably stole the plans for this from some other country. To think we actually wasted some sharked toothed P-40s on them.

    Report Post »  
  • copatriots
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 10:25am

    Love the creativity!

    That breaks at least 20 OSHA laws in the U.S. If we had OSHA regulations when the telephone was invented, we would still need the Pony Express.

    Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 10:30am

      As a play on an old saying: Necessity is the mother of invention, so long as the Fed’s are kept out of it.

      This proves the point completely.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 10:34am

      Nope, federal workers on horseback is way too dangerous. They would regulate against that as well.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • BenFrank1791
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 10:40am

      Remember in America its regulate don’t con·grat·u·late ! lol

      Report Post » BenFrank1791  
    • copatriots
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 10:46am

      Had that same thought, GONZ, after I typed it. :-)

      Excellent parody, BEN, libs always must have a rhyme to chant. Heehee

      Report Post »  
    • Homeschoolmama
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 11:11am

      Isn’t horseback riding animal cruelty? If so, don’t tell my horses. I don’t want them to sue me!

      Report Post »  
    • Link8on
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 11:50am

      Having more ropes could have allowed them to get 3 poles on the same motor and back cart.

      The balance would be to carry 3 in the back instead of the 7 shown.

      Report Post » Link8on  
  • cemerius
    Posted on June 5, 2012 at 10:24am

    NEVER would happen here in America……so many government agencies would be “fine happy” with much glee over a “fix” like this!! Not too mention the Unions would freak and OSHA would have a seizure!!!!

    Report Post » cemerius  
    • SageInWaiting
      Posted on June 5, 2012 at 10:53am

      With a 9-man crew and a relatively slow vehicle, I don’t think the unions would mind. It probably takes all 9 people dragging their feet to stop it… again, as long as the employer supplies work shoes as a bennie, the union probably wouldn‘t have an issue and as long as they’re working for the feds, the feds (being exempt from their own laws) probably wouldn’t have an issue. Now if you or _I_ did this, we’d find ourselves in the slammer so fast our heads would swim.

      Report Post » SageInWaiting  
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