I have just learned new things after my last 2 digging trips. I am going to attempt to explain those things even though, I don't yet fully grasp what I am saying.
A truck which has an A-frame boom mounted on it, is used for lifting heavy things, and is formally called a "Gin Pole Truck," and the boom is called a "gin pole." http://www.dodgepowerwagon.com/pictures/dodge'n/ginpole.jpg A Gin Pole Truck is a truck with a gin pole on it. The gin pole can be mounted on the front bumper, as shown in the link below, or the back of the truck. http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w191/tanglediver/rig21.jpg Below is a good educational video clip that explains some safety procedures. ( special note: see 2:31 into video "Use extreme caution when backing up ! ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JUO73GKqeE Here are some details about operating such a truck: http://www.iadc.org/committees/rigmoving/Documents/Gin%20Pole%20Truck%20Guidelines%20initial%20issue%20march%202010.pdf Gin Pole Trucks are commonly used in pipeline work and oil-field work. I have seen them before from a distance, but never had a clue what purpose they served, or the skill needed to operate one. When used in surface mining of a cave, the truck operator is intensely working the truck and the winch and watching and listening to every detail as to what is going on with the equipment and the action deep below in the cave entrance. Gin Poles have been around for over a 100 years: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te-tXkzPGUc The one being used by the Kiwi Sink Crew is much like the one below: http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/ODk5WDE2MDA=/z/AsgAAMXQgoBRhs~6/$(KGrHqJHJEkFE2,s+(4!BRhs+5,bOQ~~60_1.JPG?set_id=880000500F Feel free to correct me on any of this, as it is all new to me, and I am relying on the web for my information. And feel free to add anything interesting to the topic. Some may call this an oilfield pole truck. Surely, there are other names, but I don't know, maybe a Roustabout Truck ? Advertisements for such trucks seem to say "Winch Truck with Gin Poles." It appears that there are 3 different gin pole rig set ups on a truck. One for just lifting, another for lifting, and then moving the object onto the very same truckbed , and another for erecting a tall structure. It seems many cavers are certified in the use of gin poles. I was unaware of that. David Locklear caver in Fort Bend County, Texas NSS # 27639 Other references: Dictionary for Petroleum Equipment calls this a Gin-Pole Truck ( with a hyphen ) http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff465/Lang47/Truck%20Forum/red3.jpg
