Linesmen bolting onto utility poles ?

[lordvader88]

I've been watching videos of linesmen bolting various stuff like transformers, onto poles.

They used 2 bolts for typical transformers, and in NONE of the videos, training or real world, did they re-tighten the 1st bolt, after they did the 2nd 1 all the way.

I found that alarming, because they also weren't really both hand tight to start with, I mean they just tightened 1 all the way, then the 2nd, and that's it.

[Mr. Scram]

I've been watching videos of linesmen bolting various stuff like transformers, onto poles.

They used 2 bolts for typical transformers, and in NONE of the videos, training or real world, did they re-tighten the 1st bolt, after they did the 2nd 1 all the way.

I found that alarming, because they also weren't really both hand tight to start with, I mean they just tightened 1 all the way, then the 2nd, and that's it.

Are they screwing or bolting into wood? Because wood tightens around or against screws over time due to moisture and other effects. Depending on the construction that may help things. I can also imagine that the little bit of give wood has means that you can tighten a screw with a little bit of back pressure, a bit like a spring washer.

[lordvader88]

wooden poles yeah, but still I find it funny, since if I put anything back together, I always check screws/nuts/etc at the end again.

Also I can imagine the metal bending a bit if 1 side is super tight, then tightening the other end from start to all the way.

Actually looks like fun tho, I think I remember the rope rigging and hoisting/etc and stuff. Now I want an excuse to try climbing and rigging something. But on a very calm warm day.

[rstofer]

And yet, have you ever seen anything fall off?  It doesn't happen.
The reason they don't go back and re-tighten is that they got the bolts tight the first time.  More seriously, they aren't clamping rigid bodies.  The brackets will deform such that no further tightening is required.  And the wood will deform somewhat.

[Nusa]

Even if both bolts were not-quite-tight, one would still have to LIFT the 300+ lb transformer a couple inches to unhook it from the bolts.