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Indexed Under: Truck Buckets

Here Are The Essentials On Lift Truck Bucket Reconditioning/Replacement With Truck Buckets

While we certainly respect the fact that you are spending your time on the internet (and possibly other places), with a clear focus of attention at this time on Truck Buckets, this subject of thought may come up as well:

While a body shop or a custom molder of fiberglass medium-to-large shell type structures like a boat hull or container could launch a restorative effort to make a repair look to make a favorable impression on the uninitiated, often the group can't guarantee the aerial lift components truly safe (enough to really protect the lineman). 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: Understandably, even though the priority is for Truck Buckets, please do tell the right people.]

Looking at the situation , these are some of the issues:

The requirements for insulating capabilities of upper booms and lower boom insulators .

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

The real insulating capabilities provided by the fiberglass bucket itself, although the bucket is not officially recognized for insulating capability by ANSI A92.2.

One of the most critical aspects of the repair is the 100% dependable linkage of the bucket and the boom.

You Have Considered Truck Buckets, So Now How Do You Restore A Lift?
So what capabilities are needed for the entity that can safely complete a bucket truck lift repair?

Does the product liability insurance carrier used by this group know that it is doing repair or replacement work on aerial manlift components?

Are the personnel technically competent for this type of work, carrying the appropriate certifications such as those offered by the ACMA?

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?

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 Truck Buckets, a consultation with those in your organization who actually purchased your aerial lift products are a good idea to gain their perspective.)

Further Than Truck Buckets: Repair Scenarios And The Right Way To Deal With 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.

No Obvious Damage

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, particularly if there is noticeable dirt buildup inside the actual boom. This enables correct dielectric testing, following recommended procedures. If problems crop up, further physical/electrical testing operations should be done with such equipment as a conductivity meter and/or an ultrasonic tester. Problems should be noted for later review with the owner. 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 consulted directly from the lift platform OEM and the damage evaluated against those guidelines. If there are specific remedies suggested by those guidelines, they should again be noted for discussion with the owner. 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 top most section of a telescoping lift arm that has clearly sustained some damage is brought in.
1. The cracks should be reviewed using the repair manual guidelines of the manufacturer and the judgment and experience of those doing the actual work. It will probably be necessary to sand the coating off the boom to evaluate the cracks. If the cracks are judged to be repairable, the repairer should quote the cost of the repair so that the owner can compare that to the cost of a new boom.

2. Once the go ahead to do the work is received, 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. If the repairs are acceptable, the boom should then be cosmetically refinished and dielectrically tested and returned to the owner.

A Case Where The Risk Is Too High
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 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 aerial platform mounts to the boom via reinforced fiberglass.
2. It is determined 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

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, the customer needs to express their wishes and wants back first, and then the appropriate repair action should be taken.

Tags: Truck Buckets