Altec Equipment, Bucket Truck/Aerial Lift Parts, Reconstruct, Upgrades& Add-ons-OEM & Aftermarket

HOME

About PCC

Contact PCC

Dealers

Guards & Mounting Kits

PCC Parts Catalog

Your one-stop supply center for buckets

You Were Brought Here By Altec Equipment

Seeking Altec Equipment? We Would Like To Broadcast Some Tips On Aerial Bucket Repairs, Upgrades And Accessories To Best Serve You And Your Equipment For The Long Haul

It is interesting that many have found while often checking into Altec Equipment, 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, 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 (where applicable) electrical insulating properties that may not be addressed if the repair just takes into account the physical repair. 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 Altec Equipment, the comments contained within this article may be more applicable to to whomever carries the responsibility for field vehicle operations.)

It is apparent, 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:

The requirements for insulating capabilities of upper booms and lower boom insulators and what affects the performance through which the boom must operate .

The level of tension and damage the insulators for the upper and lower boom can safely withstand.

Also, the lift bucket itself does provide electrical insulation, so a check of these properties is an important part of the repair.

Specifications must be strictly followed for the reliable union of the bucket and the telescoping or articulated arm.

If You Are Already Thinking About Altec Equipment, It Is A Short Step Over To An 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:

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?

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.

Here are some other considerations as well:

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 this unusual way of applying fiberglass?

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 Altec Equipment, a consultation with those who actually purchased your aerial lift products are a good idea to gain their perspective on this important checking phase.)

Beyond Altec Equipment: Examples of Specific Component Repair/Rebuild Issues and How the Repair Company Should Handle Them

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 that connects to the worker basket for basic rehab . Most shops should include a cleaning. This enables correct dielectric testing, which should be done. If problems crop up, further operations should be done with such equipment as a conductivity meter. 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 or if it has suffered any type of noticeable harm. 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, they should again be noted for discussion with the owner. Structural testing is next. If it withstands this test and no other issues are found, a final waxing to protect the boom should occur. It should then be sealed and protected for shipping with tamper-proof certifications with the results from the testing phases.

Another Example

We will continue with boom repairs since a failure at that level can be catastrophic. Here we have again received the uppermost member of the support boom. It has fractures confirmed by an initial visual inspection. There is usually a cosmetic and visual coating on the boom itself. In order to ensure that all damage can be identified, this protective layer should be stripped off and inspection made both on the outside, and also on the hollow inner core of the boom itself. Next determine if it can be repaired and the boom restored to full and safe operation. This is done by consulting what the manufacturer has declared proper, and also comparing the damage to the capabilities of the repair materials. These typically include physical reinforcement, using similar OEM products and suitable bonding materials which are impregnated into the repair base. There will be a suitable timeframe for these materials to setup and reach their full operational resistance and use. At that point in time, a full mechanical stress/tension test needs to be performed at over the rated loading for the boom section. This must be done, as noted above, on calibrated equipment that can be shown to measure and record the amount of loading placed on the repaired member. Appropriate electrical testing would follow the same pattern, but this is done after surface finishing or layers are restored. Full documentation needs to accompany the device back to its owner/user.

Cutting Losses
There are not a lot of backup systems with a bucket style lift mechanism, and that goes double with the attachment of the boom to the bucket itself. There are various ways that this main support can be accomplished. In this case:
The main attachment was accomplished through threaded rods that are in effect integrated into the side of the bucket.

From a visual inspection, it was clear that there were fissures in the actual fiberglass that 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.

A Similar Problem, But This One Involves The Fiberglass Mounting Holes Themselves
While the owner ultimately makes the call as to repair, they need good advice. In effect the risk management falls on whoever at the customer is managing this function. So here is a piece of advice we gave. First we noted that the fiberglass lift platforms can sometimes be attached by creating an assembly out of the actual fiberglass. It is possible, as in this case, that where material has pulled apart can form weakness in critical areas. And finally, it is difficult to ensure that the further damage, which might end up being life-threatening, won't occur. Therefore, the competent consultant would recommend replacement.
Where It Looks Worse Than It Is, But It Really May Not Be That Bad

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.

3. An estimate is made first, and then the appropriate repair action should be taken.
Tags: Altec Equipment