Terms: Boom Platforms
Here Are The Essentials On Lift
Truck Bucket Reconditioning/Replacement And Accessory
Selection As A Companion To
Boom Platforms
If case this applies
to your
needs,
we'll show
you the best practice
for this type of
overhaul.
(This should
be of value even to those who were attracted to this page
by
trying to find information about
Boom Platforms.
If this does not apply to you specifically we would ask that you find someone to give this information to because of its critical safety importance.)
First, There is a need to establish the very basic
requirements the for evaluating capabilities of upper boom and lower boom insulators, and what can, in effect, distort the dielectric performance of the boom itself . And yes, there is a basic but
established specification that must be consulted.
Second, no
competent testing and repair approach can be complete,
without looking at the material integrity of the
insulating members of the lift which carry loads as
well. Loads that we need to
remember are special human cargo. Specifically, we are
looking at the insulators themselves and how much
stress and strain they can withstand over time without
breaking down. With respect to this enclosed platform
that the rider controls and works from, and how it can be important to maintain a high
level of electrical separation, is still a
large part of the safety equation against personal shock.
It then becomes even more critical that a three-stage [inspection-repair-inspection] process must also
be included. There are many cases where
there is no planned or anticipated potential of actually coming in contact with an
unprotected or exposed electrical
hazard, but this can unintentionally
happen .
Third, a point of common wear, are the
mountings that create
a secure Gibralter-like linkage from the bucket to the boom. There must be a rigorous method of checking
-including monitoring under load- of this important
functional aspect. (Again, if you were brought here by
researching Boom Platforms, we hope you feel it is important
enough for you to forward or deliver to the correct person in your maintenance or
management group.)
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:
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.
How strength must be retained
in the fiberglass boom insulators, no matter how much
working abuse and loads they are subjected
to.
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.
More Than Boom Platforms: The Critical Assessment Of The
Abilities Of A Repair Facility For The Most Important Fixup
You'll Ever Do
So, here is a potentially life-saving
checklist to evaluate any group that undertakes
an aerial lift
restoratio
n:
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.
There are other steps that
should be taken, if one was serious about this potential
problem.:
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?
Electrical insulation continuity
can be disturbed by the repair process itself. Therefore
a post-check must be performed, again by an approved
testing device that itself has been calibrated. This
of course presumes that Boom Platforms-related needs have
electrical insulation properties. If you are unsure,
the owners manual is a great place to start
checking.
Moving
Away From Boom Platforms: How Repairs Can And Should
Unfold
It is
often helpful to understand where and how these
challenges may come about. We have listed what you
might say are a bit sanitized versions of encounters from
our own experience. A competent process would
embody most of the illustrations we have
included.
Sometimes You Have
To Look A Bit Deeper Because On The Surface,
There Is Often Not Much That Is Apparent
XYZ group receives an initial request. They have in their shop an
upper boom for surface
refinishing and rehabilitation. Here are the
steps:
1. Start 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 to pressure wash
the inside. The boom should
then be dielectrically tested . If there is a dielectric
problem, the boom should be analyzed with a conductivity
meter to identify the problem. If the
analysis reveals a problem, the company should call the
owner.
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. If no flaws are
found, 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 .
An Obvious Cause For Concern
The top most section of a telescoping lift arm that has clearly sustained some damage is delivered.
1. The cracks should be reviewed using the repair manual guidelines of the manufacturer. If the
cracks are judged to be repairable, 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. If approved, 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 and returned to
the owner.
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 supported
these mounting rods.
Without even checking
further it is apparent that no amount of
reinforcement would likely return this
conveyance to a safe operating condition for the
operator.
When The Basic Bonding Gives Way
While the
owner ultimately makes the call as to repair, they
depend on expert repair depots to
provide the advice on how successful the operation may
be. So here is
a piece of advice we gave.
Buckets can be
attached by creating an assembly out of the actual
fiberglass, formed from thick, redundant layers of
resin and the glass strands.
Gaps, damage
or stress lines
can form in these attachment
points.
Under
this scenario, it is pretty difficult to ensure the operator of the the equipment will not be
compromised.
A competent facility would recommend replacement.
Where It Looks Worse
Than It Is
In fact there are many cases
where good refurbishment practices can save an operator a
lot of money So, there are cases where competent skills can be applied on an aftermarket basis with good results such as in this case:
Bucket displays no damage with the boom coupling
mechanism.
Yet you can see fissures, cracks or
other issues elsewhere.
Yes, this can be
saved.
So moving forward with any
refurbishment is a go or no go decision, and really
depends on the economics of both options, and making the first contact to whomever has sent them the component,
and to await further instruction.
Tags: Boom Platforms
