Systems, assemblies, components, and methods for removing inground utility poles

An assembly configured for facilitating removal of an inground electric power utility pole or a portion thereof, the assembly comprising:

• a wedge plate assembly including a plate portion with top and bottom opposing surfaces, with at least one wedge or blade structure extending downwardly from the bottom surface and configured to drive into a top surface of the utility pole or the portion thereof, at least one radial penetration member configured to penetrate a side surface of the utility pole or the portion thereof, and an axial drive coupler extending upwardly from the top surface of the plate portion, with the plate portion further including one or more notches in a peripheral surface thereof;
• a strap or a chain configured to encircle and cinch the utility pole or the portion thereof to the wedge plate assembly via engagement with the one or more notches;
• a digger derrick truck having a boom arm and a rotary drive, with the boom arm rigged to the strap or the chain and at least partially supporting the rotary drive over the utility pole or the portion thereof, and with the rotary drive coupled to the axial drive coupler, wherein the strap or the chain is configured to transfer rotational torque from the rotary drive to the utility pole or the portion thereof;
• wherein the boom arm is controllable to apply a lifting force to the utility pole or the portion thereof while the rotary drive is applying the rotational torque to the utility pole or the portion thereof.