Paratech Waler System

[ProgressiveRescue]

Has anyone had a chance to use the new Paratech Waler System? including the thrust block system. I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences with them.
Mike Donahue

[cctrtlt2]

Is this the same whaler system they have had out, or something new? any pics?

[jdcalamia]

Used it in a few training scenarios. Simple and easy. No guess work, and fast to assemble and place in service. Have nothad the chance to play with the thrust blocks since the dept. did not purchase them. If they fall in line with the rest of the system I'd imagine they are just as easy and functional. the multiple base plate options allow for several adaptable configurations. We haven't had the cahnce to do it, but it seems like with enough manpower the entire whaler/strut configuration can be assembled next to the trench and lifted with ropes into the trench and shot. Granted it'll takes practice but could easily be done.

[ProgressiveRescue]

Sorry poor wording on my part cctrtlt2. I know they've been out for some time. We recently purchased the thrust block set-up and was curious of people's experiences using it in say an "L" trench. We have a lot of great ideas but i'm sure there are a lot more out there.
Mike Donahue

[ProgressiveRescue]

Thanks for the post John. We love the waler system. It really makes the overall instalation of the walers very verstal. I have a feeling the same will be said for the thrust blocks.
Stay Safe,
Mike Donahue

[FiremanLyman]

What makes these whalers diffrent from using timber?

[ProgressiveRescue]

The walers come in sections. I believe the measurements are 6' & 4'. That works out well with the install of the outside walers. We all know that setting the outside walers in place can be a bit challenging at times mainly because of the navagation through the struts.
I also believe (don't qoute me on this) the Paretech walers are actually stronger than 8x8 timber.Being that we mainly use 6x6 for our walers thats a big difference in strength.
Granted there's nothing earth shattering here, the little positive differences seem to make a big impact.
Mike Donahue

[jdcalamia]

2.7 times stronger that 8x8 oak. So basically no need the reference the tabulated data for most common day to day utility trenches.

[ProgressiveRescue]

2.7 times stronger that 8x8 oak. So basically no need the reference the tabulated data for most common day to day utility trenches.

Can you explain further what you mean in your response?
Thanks,
Mike Donahue

[jdcalamia]

Most utility trenches on a day to day basis are realistically no more than 10-12 feet in depth (just below the frost line, mid-atlantic states anyway), and 2-4 feet in width. There are exceptions as always. This system is lighter, thinner, and stronger than the required timbers according to the tabulated data. Therefore, no need to reference it if you utilize these components. Not advocating not using the data, just saying that we are well within the limits of the required sized timbers according to the data.

[ProgressiveRescue]

Have you used the Paratech system in a "L" trench and if so what instalation method for the corners worked best for you. We're playing around with it now and I'd love to hear some great ideas.
The corner thrust blocks with the walers attached to them seem a bit combersome to attempt to lower them in place via rope.In order to keep the struts level ensuring a plumb shot with the struts...I'm thinking rope may not be the way to go.We're thinking members in the safe zone will have to place these struts in order to achieve a "level" set.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Mike Donahue

[mvfdsquad2]

We used these recently for a Trench Rescue class and we assembled the entire waler system ahead of time and walked it in. It was heavy as h*ll but it worked well. The system is very simple to use, very efficient, and a lot faster than timbers in my opinion.

[ProgressiveRescue]

Used the Paratech thrust block/ waler set-up today in a trench. (training) The system workd great. We found it easiest to hand set the struts and corner thrust blocks from the bottem of the trench... in the safe zone. With two guys in the hole it went quickly and smoothly. The walers we're held in place by ropes untill they we're shot in place. All in all a nice operation.