Seeking Altec Bucket? We Would
Like To Identify A Series Of
Lift Platform Repairs, Upgrades And Accessories For The Long
Haul
Even though you are investigating
Altec Bucket, this
campaign that we are supporting
(which may become a focus of attention for the
industry as a whole)
may come up as well:
While a
non-certified or
specifically-experienced
body shop or a custom molder
of fiberglass
parts
may have
capable and skilled craftsmen who can
make a
repair look
more than workmanlike,
often the group
can't guarantee the
aerial
lift components truly safe. Nor will they likely have the
economic and risk management resources that are
needed by most reputable operators like
product liability insurance (to protect the company).
[Added
note:
For those searching for
Altec Bucket,
the information below should
be passed on to your service-repair
organization.]
So, if you find yourself facing these types of
refurbishments, in a competent and
affirmatively 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 without compromising their insulation properties.
Sometimes
the final line of defense in preventing electrocution is
the bucket itself. And,
this critical, baseline ability must be checked
during any refurbishment.
Specifications must be
strictly followed for the reliable union of the bucket
to the lifting
boom.
You Have Considered Altec Bucket,
So Now How Do You Restore A Lift?
Given these important
considerations, here is a potentially life-saving
checklist to evaluate any group that undertakes
an aerial lift
troubleshooting:
Is there an adequate amount
of fiscal protection, against any unanticipated risk
exposure by the group, specifically for
doing aerial lift repair?
Like any
professional, 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.
In addition
to the above:
Aerial man lifts are a very
specialized subset of the fiberglass products industry.
Are those who are doing the repair specialists
or very familiar with this application?
How does a customer know
if the insulating properties of bucket and boom have been
maintained during repair? By using an approved testing
device. (Again, we realize your direct interest is in Altec Bucket .
Moving
Away From Altec Bucket: How Repairs Can And Should
Unfold
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 that follow.
No Obvious
Damage, Now What?
Your local fiberglass rehab
supplier is contacted. They have in their shop an
upper boom in fairly good condition for surface
refinishing and rehabilitation. Here are the
steps:
1. The first thing that should be done is
to visually examine the boom for any evidence
of damage. Any
problems require the action indicated in the manual.
2. If the boom is dirty inside, the shop should
ask permission to pressure wash
the inside. After cleaning, the boom should
then be dielectrically tested to make sure that it is
still dielectrically sound. If there is a dielectric
problem, the boom should be analyzed with a conductivity
meter to identify the problem. .
3. If there is nothing else on the repair
agenda, the boom
should be cosmetically repaired and refinished as needed.
4. Then, the boom should be dielectrically tested
again and structurally tested -at a load of more than
double its rating. If it passes, the boom should be waxed ,
and shipped back to the owner. The final phase is
creating some type of secure package in which it is
placed along with certificates showing the results of
the dielectric and structural strength tests.
A Package Arrives
With An Obvious Cause For Concern
What happens when you know there
has been damage?
Remove anything that could in effect form
a cover over any type of structural problems or
issues.
Internal and external visual and
sometimes touch inspection.
Check of
manufacturer mandates
concerning remanufacturing.
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 to required standards.
Similar electrical
testing.
Resurfacing/painting, and related tasks.
Make sure
the item is carefully protected for delivery, and include
all appropriate reports concerning the repairs and
testing.
When
It Is Not Safe To Even Consider Repair
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 into the side of the bucket.
It was clear
that there were fissures in the actual fiberglass
layering that surrounded and supported
these mounting rods.
It is apparent that no amount of
reinforcement would make for a safe operating position.
When The Basic Bonding Gives Way
Here is how this
encounter unfolded:
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
bucket probably should not be repaired
A Bucket Or
Similar Item For Repair That Has Cosmetic Damage
We don't want to make it sound like nothing
should ever be done. So, the bottom line is there are cases where competent skills can be applied with good results such as in this case:
Bucket displays no damage on the actual physical connection side of the
bucket
However, there is deterioration
on non-supporting side like stresses, localized
pulling apart, etc.
Yes, this can be
saved. 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 , ?
So it is very appropriate for the repair
group to essentially ascertain it is safe to restore this component
Tags: Altec Bucket
