Terms: Aerial Platform Lift
Here Are The Essentials On Lift
Truck Bucket Reconditioning/Replacement And Accessory
Selection With
Aerial Platform Lift
It is
interesting that while often
checking into Aerial Platform Lift, 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, such as a body shop, general molder or other
product producer like boats, etc., they generally may
not provide the best protection over the long-haul.
For instance, there are both structural needs and electrical insulating properties which can
be overlooked. Plus
legal/monetary risks they can't support. 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 Platform Lift, the comments contained
within this article may be more applicable to to whomever
carries the responsibility for field vehicle
operations.)
So, in a competent and
pretty rigorous manner:
What the official
specifications are for making sure the upper boom is
dielectrically separated from the lower boom, and how
this separation can be compromised.
The level of tension and damage the insulators for the upper and lower boom can safely withstand.
Sometimes
the final line of defense in preventing electrocution is
the bucket itself. And while there are no formal
standards for this level of dielectric separation,
this ability must be checked
during any refurbishment.
A certain component for
preservation of human life is the safe physical
connection between the
bucket and the boom.
More Than Aerial Platform Lift: The Critical Assessment Of The
Abilities Of A Repair Facility For The Most Important Fixup
You'll Ever Do
So what capabilities are needed for the
entity that can safely complete a bucket truck lift
repair?
If they do
have some type of formal risk underwriting carrier or
company, have they adequately informed and regularly
update their carrier on their activities in connection
with their repair or
replacement work on aerial manlift components?
For those who
actually do the work, they should have the proper
training and carry the proper certifications. One that is helpful is the CCT certification of
the American Composites Manufacturing Association.
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:
Aerial man lifts are a very
specialized subset of the fiberglass products industry.
Experience and knowledge of this applicaiton are
critical.
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 Platform Lift ,so there may be varying levels of need for this.
Please consult manufacturer specs to determine
applicability.)
Moving
Away From Aerial Platform Lift: How Repairs Can And Should
Unfold
Look here to see how this might play
out.
Just Doing Your Job May Mean Taking A Bit Of Extra
Time
Scenario: The repair facility is shipped the
upper boom section for basic rehab . Most shops should include a cleaning, particularly if there is noticeable dirt buildup inside
the actual boom. This enables correct dielectric
testing, following recommended
procedures. If problems crop up, further
operations should be done with
such equipment as a conductivity meter and/or an
ultrasonic tester. Even though they have not
been specifically asked to do this, the boom
should be inspected to see if any type of cracks or dents. The specifications for that particular boom section
should be pulled from the manufacturer guidelines and the
damage evaluated against those guidelines. If there
are specific remedies suggested by those
guidelines that may require extra effort, the
customer should be consulted. Structural testing,
usually at twice the rated load is next. If it
withstands this test and no other issues are found, a
final waxing should occur.
It should then be sealed and protected for shipping.
A Package Arrives
With An Obvious Cause For Concern
The right diagnostic
approach:
Strip away
protective coatings that could form a block of any type of structural problems or
issues.
Internal and external visual and
sometimes touch inspection.
Check of
manufacturer dictates for proper repair.
Can it be repaired back
to factory spec?
Repair using approved means
to increase overall strength and appropriate
material adhering properties.
High capacity stress testing.
Electrical
testing.
Resurfacing/painting, and related tasks.
Full package documentation and
shipment.
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. There are many scenarios where this is very
clearly the wrong choice. For instance, we have witnessed an operator boom bucket where the actual bucket mounting bolts have pulled away from the supporting laminations in the containment bucket. This is put back in shape by recompressing and then
gluing or remolding the mounting into the fiberglass laminations as perhaps someone might effect a repair on a boat or other similar fiberglass-produced product. Repair in this
situation is not likely to produce a safe, dependable
platform. 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
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.
3. The prudent determination which
should be reported back from the repair group: The
bucket probably should not be repaired
A fiberglass lift platform comes into this particular shop:
1. The
mount side is not damaged, but the front corners are
cracked through.
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.
3. A quotation for the cost of the
repair should then be given to the customer, the
customer needs to express their wishes and wants back
first, and then the appropriate repair action should
be taken.
Tags: Aerial Platform Lift
