Seeking Aerial Lift Platforms? We Would
Like To Become Involved
As Your Advisor Concerning
Lift
Bucket Repairs, Upgrades And Options For The Long
Haul
It is
interesting that while often
checking into Aerial Lift Platforms, there are previously unaware
managers 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 over the long-haul.
For instance, there are both structural needs and (where
applicable) electrical insulating properties which can
be overlooked. Nor will that
company likely have proper liability insurance in case
something does go wrong that may result in legal
actions. Moreover, it can be a tremendous
problem for a larger operation that has more exposure
over time because of higher volume of activity. (For
those doing an analysis of Aerial Lift Platforms, the comments contained
within this article may be more applicable to to whomever
carries the responsibility for field vehicle
operations.)
Looking at the situation from the most
responsible viewpoint possible, these are some of the
issues:
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.
The structural strength requirements for
fiberglass upper booms and lower boom insulators in
view of the special stresses to which these items are
subjected.
The real insulating
capabilities provided by the fiberglass bucket
itself, although the bucket is not officially
recognized for insulating capability by ANSI
A92.2.
Correct boom-bucket mounting
procedure.
If You Are Already
Thinking About Aerial Lift Platforms, Now
How About An Effective Evaluation Of Vendor Capabilities
With all that is at stake with human lift applications, there is a lot to
consider, so the following questions should be asked
of any company being considered for aerial manlift
fiberglass work:
Is there any way of verifying that they currently
have the full level and type of liability insurance that is specifically
underwritten for the bucket
truck lift repair area?
Are the
personnel technically competent for this type of work,
with a bonified record of testing and/or
credentials
such as those proffered by the ACMA?
There are other steps that
should be taken, if one was serious about this potential
problem. A competent selection process for any
supplying repair/restoration vendor of this type should
also cover:
The components in aerial man lift units must perform
as life preserving conveyances with high levels of
criticality, often beyond other uses for fiberglass. Does
this supplier understand and is very familiar with
(and we mean have experience and a strong sense of
mission and ethics about) this unusual way of applying
fiberglass?
How does a customer know
if the insulating properties of bucket and boom have been
maintained during repair? By using an approved testing
device. In this situation it becomes the next
evaluation point to check. (Again, we realize your direct interest is in Aerial Lift Platforms .
Beyond Aerial Lift Platforms:
Examples of Specific Component Repair/Rebuild Issues and
How the Repair Company Should Handle Them
It is
often helpful to understand where and how these
challenges may come about. Please do not let the hypothetical
nature of these examples deter you. A competent process would
embody most of the illustrations we have
included.
Just Doing Your Job May Mean Taking A Bit Of Extra
Time
Here we find that a boom
section that connects to the bucket shows up with little or no instruction from the owner except - to do a general check-over and servicing. A
lower end repair shop may do no more than a basic
visual inspection and little else. However,
one that
is familiar with the gravity of the need 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 into the inner cavity of the boom itself.
Initial dielectric testing to determine unwanted
continuity for any potential grounding that may
otherwise occur because of damage.
Load or stress testing, often at multiples of the rated capacity.
Resurfacing.
Final electrical testing to ensure no part of the
process caused any issues/problems.
Documentations and certifications of all tests and
servicing done.
Highly protective packaging to endure shipment and attachment of
certifications prior to shipping.
Here Is A Time When More Care Is Needed From The
Very Beginning,
What happens when you know there
has been damage?
Remove anything that could form a block of any type of structural or other critical, underlying
concerns.
Internal and external visual and
sometimes touch inspection.
Check of
manufacturer mandates
concerning remanufacturing.
Determination of
repair suitability per guidelines.
Repair using approved means
to increase overall strength and appropriate
material adhering properties.
High capacity stress testing to required standards.
Similar electrical
testing.
Putting a protective and visually
appealing coating and perhaps identity
on.
Full package documentation and
shipment.
Potentially Unfortunate Outcomes
There are not a lot of backup
systems with a bucket style lift mechanism, especially when it concerns the
attachment of the boom to the bucket itself. In this case:
The main attachment
was accomplished through threaded rods that are in
effect integrated into the side of the bucket.
It was clear
that there were fissures in the fiberglass
layering that surrounded and supported
these mounting rods.
Without even checking
further it is apparent that no amount of
reinforcement would make for a safe operating condition for the
operator.
Structural
Issues
A glimpse into this particular
case:
1. A bucket is received for repair. The bucket mount consists of vertical
fiberglass ribs protruding from one side of the bucket.
2. An initial examination of the mounting holes in the ribs reveals that there are cracks in the ribs at the location of the holes.
3. The
bucket probably should not be repaired
Where It Looks Worse
Than It Is, But It Really May Not Be That
Bad
So, there are cases where competent skills can be applied on an aftermarket basis with good results:
Bucket comes in
with no problems on the actual physical connection side of the
bucket
However, there is deterioration
on non-supporting side like stresses, localized
pulling apart, etc.
Here it is more a matter of preference
from those who are paying the bills. Question: Does the department in authority want to have something that merely works and can be serviceable from the perspective of the operator, or do they wish to go further and have a cosmetically appealing effect as well?
So it is very appropriate for the repair
group to essentially ascertain it is safe to restore this component
Tags: Aerial Lift Platforms
