Apparatus, system and method for lifting and manipulating conductors

A method of electrically isolating an overhead conductor or a sub-conductor bundle from a distal end of a crane or a truck boom during energized maintenance of the overhead conductor or the sub-conductor bundle, the method comprising:

• providing a support adapted for mounting to a distal end of the crane or the truck boom, the support comprising:
• an insulator stack comprising:
• a first tier of elongate insulators, wherein the first tier comprises a first set of elongate insulators, the first set having a boom end mounted to a single point lifter base and a tier end mounted to a second tier of elongate insulators;
• and
• the second tier of elongate insulators, wherein the second tier comprises a second set of elongate insulators, the second set having a tier end mounted to the first tier and a distal end adapted to be mounted to an accessory for supporting the overhead conductor or the sub-conductor bundle,
• wherein the insulator stack has a pyramidal configuration having an apex at the distal end of the second tier, wherein the first tier forms a base of the pyramidal configuration by including a greater number of insulators compared to the second tier to thereby provide a triangular bracing for bending loads applied to the apex of the pyramidal configuration,
• wherein the single point lifter base includes a pivotal coupling for selective tilting of the insulator stack from vertical so as to enable an angular range of motion of the insulator stack for picking and removal to a temporary location of the overhead conductor or sub-conductors in the sub-conductor bundle without disturbing adjacent other overhead conductors or other sub-conductors in the sub-conductor bundle, respectively, and
• wherein, in a use position of the support when the single point lifter base is mounted to the distal end of the crane or the truck boom:
• the insulator stack mounted to the single point lifter base extends upwardly from the single point lifter base, wherein the first tier is located below the second tier and tilts on the single point lifter base, and
• the accessory, when mounted to the distal end of the second tier of elongate insulators, is electrically isolated from the crane or the truck boom;
• mounting the accessory to the distal end of the second tier of elongate insulators;
• mounting the single point lifter base to the distal end of the crane or the truck boom;
• and
• manipulating the crane or the truck boom to locate the accessory adjacent the overhead conductor or sub-conductor bundle while isolating the accessory from the distal end of the crane or the truck boom via the insulator stack.