[Acoustics] cableway ROV'S

Mon Jul 26 12:40:09 CDT 2004

Jon, Just a quick question:  Do we have any feeling for the sag the ROV can
handle?  I am just guessing, but we may have to tighten some cables and
remove some sag for them to work well.  -Robert

                      "Jon E Hortness"                                                                                                        
                      <jehortne at usgs.gov>             To:       "Daniel G Wydra" <dgwydra at usgs.gov>                                           
                      Sent by:                        cc:       acoustics-bounces at simon.er.usgs.gov, acoustics at simon.er.usgs.gov              
                      acoustics-bounces at simon.        Subject:  Re: [Acoustics] cableway ROV'S                                                
                      er.usgs.gov                                                                                                             

                      07/26/2004 11:02 AM                                                                                                     

Dan,
Although, I haven't used either of the rovers that are currently on the
market (Rickly Hyd. -- Cableway ROV; Unbound Tech. -- Cableway Rover), I
have asked a lot of questions about both and have seen and heard some
comments from some who have used them.

Tom Suro in New York got one of the first versions from Rickly and based on
his emails, I don't think he was impressed!!!  He was supposed to be
getting a newer version to try, but I haven't heard how that worked.

I also got some info from Bill Baldwin in Arkansas, who had Rickly come and
get them started with the ROV.  He said it worked fine for the most part.
They had some problems with power.  The controller went through batteries
pretty quickly.

The major comment from both of them was that the rover is very heavy.  New
York could not even get their first version onto the cable.  Bill said it
took two guys to lift it up to the cable.

No one that I know of has one of the Canadian versions (Unbound Tech.
Rover) yet.  The HIF has two on order.  After they get them in and try them
out, I plan on renting one for a while to try out.  I talked with the
Unbound rep. at the Hydroacoustics Workshop and also several times on the
phone since.  I like their design, but I haven't seen one of the Rickly one
in person, so I don't have anything to compare it too.  I do know that the
Unbound Tech. Rover can "lift itself" up onto the cable using one of its
motors and cables.  That in itself seems to be important.   I can think of
several cableways where even if you can get two guys onto the platform,
they probably could not reach the top of the cable to lift the rover up
there.

There's my two cents.  I'll let you know how the Canadian Rover works after
I get a chance to try it out.  Also, I'm sure you could call Tom or Bill
and get more info on the Rickly version.

Hope that helps.
Jon

***********************************************
Jon E Hortness, P.E.
Hydraulic Engineer
WR Hydroacoustics/Cableways
USGS, WRD
230 Collins Road
Boise, ID  83702
(208) 387-1319
(208) 387-1372 (fax)
***********************************************

                      "Daniel G Wydra"

                      <dgwydra at usgs.gov>              To:
acoustics at simon.er.usgs.gov

                      Sent by:                        cc:

                      acoustics-bounces at simon.        Subject:  [Acoustics]
cableway ROV'S
                      er.usgs.gov

                      07/26/2004 06:13 AM

Does anyone have recommendations on what type/brand of cableway ROV to
purchase?  Please advise, Thanks!  Dan.

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