Major
Areas This Search Applies To: Aerial Lift Inspection
A Field Note: To Go Along With Your Desire For Aerial Lift Inspection - Yet There Exists Instruction On Making Lift
Bucket Repairs And Upgrades A More Cost Effective But Safe
Item
It is
interesting that while often
checking into Aerial Lift Inspection, there are those who have asked about the following as well:
It is true that you may be able to go to
someone who works with fiberglass in many other
roles, they generally may
not provide the best protection for
the user or the company owning the aerial lift truck.
For instance, there are both structural needs and electrical insulating properties. Nor will that
company likely have proper liability insurance in case
something does go wrong that may result in legal
actions. And that is not a viable option for
virtually any company. (For
those doing an analysis of Aerial Lift Inspection, the comments contained
within this article may be more applicable to to whomever
carries the responsibility for field vehicle
operations.)
Because this
situation involves human life,
this is not something that can be put in the category of
basic mechanical repair or restoration. It is
incumbent upon any operator to approach this situation
with more than simple production goals. So, some of
the special considerations involved in fiberglass repairs
and rebuilds of aerial manlift components
include:
What are the
technical needs to safely insulate the two sections of
the boom from one another, and how these needs can be
interfered with in a variety of field-induced
situations.
How strength must be retained
in the fiberglass boom insulators
Sometimes
the final line of defense in preventing electrocution is
the bucket itself. And,
this ability must be checked
during any refurbishment.
Specifications must be
strictly followed for the reliable union of the bucket
and the telescoping or articulated arm.
If You Are Already
Thinking About Aerial Lift Inspection, It Is A Short Step Over To An Evaluation Of Vendor Capabilities
Given these important
considerations, here is a potentially life-saving
checklist to evaluate any group that undertakes
an aerial lift
repair:
Can they prove that they
have liability insurance that is specifically
underwritten for the after
repair problems that can occur with regard to bucket
truck lift repair area?
Are any of its people certified by the American
Composites Manufacturing Association as Certified
Composites Technicians?
There are other steps that
should be taken, if one was serious about this potential
problem.:
Is the company familiar
with the special needs of fiberglass components in aerial
man lift units?
In addition to maintaining
physical integrity, after a repair has been made, a final
electrical insulation test should be performed to ensure
that the refurbishment process has not also created a literal and figurative potential for dangerous
circuit completion that could effect the operator. (For
situations relating specifically to Aerial Lift Inspection, a consultation
with those who purchased your aerial lift products are a
good idea to gain their perspective on this important
checking phase.)
Beyond Aerial Lift Inspection:
Examples of Specific Component Repair/Rebuild Issues and
How the Repair Company Should Handle Them
Look here to see how this might play
out.
No Obvious
Damage
Here we find that a boom
section that connects to the bucket shows up to do a general check-over and servicing. A
lower end repair shop may do a basic
visual inspection . However,
when the real uses of the component are considered by
a specialist, its clear they have a mandate that would do
more, including the following items:
Communication with - and gaining permission - before commencing
repairs.
A thorough cleaning inside and outside, followed by a
visual inspection with instruments that can help to
view into the inner cavity of the boom itself.
Initial dielectric testing to determine unwanted
continuity.
Load or stress testing, often at multiples of the rated capacity (the manufacturer specifications should be consulted prior to the test).
Resurfacing.
Final electrical testing.
Documentations and certifications of all tests and
servicing done.
Highly protective packaging and attachment of
certifications prior to shipping.
An Obvious Cause For Concern
An upper boom with some apparent cracks is brought in.
1. The cracks should be reviewed using the repair manual guidelines of the manufacturer. The repairer
should provide a detailed work plan including time and materials so that the owner
can compare that to the cost of a new boom.
2. Once the go ahead to do the work is
received, the repair company
should complete the structural repairs using the proper reinforcement and resin, let the repairs cure, then do a structural test on the boom checking for any problems.
3. The boom should then be cosmetically
refinished and dielectrically tested.
When It Is Not Safe To
Even Consider Repair
When there is
quite an obvious or intrinsic structural defect, there may be pressure on the repair entity to attempt
servicing even when the results would be marginal. Tempting but potentially
dangerous. For instance, we have witnessed an operator boom bucket where the actual bucket mounting bolts have pulled away from the laminations in the containment bucket. This is put back in shape by recompressing the mounting into the fiberglass as perhaps someone might effect a repair on a boat . The problem with this is the
potentially high basic
deadweight. Further loading can
occur if the bucket itself is used to steady the work
area such as supporting, or holding temporarily . These connections are primary and must be an integrated
part of the platform integrity. Our professional
opinon would be to opt out of any type of attempts to return this item to the field.
Structural
Issues
The flip side of the above is when the
enclosed platform that holds the operator is formed into reinforced arches
into which studs or bolts are fitted that in turn
are used to connect the boom arm. When these mounts are cracked or badly worn, it
can compromise the actual boom mounting assembly. If
this is the case, it is more than a concern for the
safety conscious operator. While there are repair
techniques that can be used, none will likely restore
this critical supporting assembly to a viable state.
Because this design depends heavily on both the integral
bonding of the mounting fixture into the supporting
fiberglass, again the recommendation to the owner would be for replacement rather than remanufacture or some other type of restorative repair.
A fiberglass lift platform comes into this particular shop:
1. The
mount side is not damaged, but the front corners are
cracked through. With proper techniques and
materials, the bucket can be repaired.
2. The
repairer should determine whether the customer just wants
the bucket repaired structurally or wants the bucket to
also be refinished to a like-new condition. In most
cases, the latter option is chosen.
3. A quotation for the cost of the
repair should then be given to the customer, and then the appropriate repair action should
be taken.
Tags: Aerial Lift Inspection
