Why Will Michigan Residents See A Chainsaw Dangling from A Helicopter?

At first glance, it looks like something from a horror movie, as a helicopter dangling an enormous chainsaw is poised to ascend over Michigan.

But there's no need to run for your life; the project is completely on the up-and-up, having been commissioned by Indiana Michigan Power in order to trim trees that have become overgrown near high-voltage transmission lines in Southwest Michigan.

Why Use a Chainsaw Dangling from a Helicopter?

The work is being performed by the Nebraska-based Kiewit Corporation. The company tells Mlive that using the large saw suspended from a helicopter is faster than traditional methods of trimming trees.

In the video below, Adam Brannon explains that the practice is more efficient than having a tree trimmer in a bucket truck because it takes a lot of time to raise and lower the bucket and move the bucket truck into position. This method also makes more sense when trees need to be trimmed in areas that are difficult to access with a bucket truck.

Leo Boucher is a rotor blade pilot. He explains that he has full control of the chainsaw from inside the helicopter. He notes that this method is also cheaper than traditional means of trimming trees and claims it's safer as well.

"On the safety side of it, you've only got one piece of equipment, and one soul, if you will, in harm's way," he says. the video was posted several years ago by the Columbus Dispatch.

 

When Can You Expect to see This Happening?

Residents of Van Buren County and Berrien County can expect to see the helicopter with the large chainsaw beginning February 13 through February 16. The company expects to perform the tree trimming between 8 am and 6 pm those days.