Safety is about having a firm grasp of the ins and outs of your unit and how it operates. Many of the keys to a safe work environment happen before any harnesses are fastened or safety glasses put on. To ensure you and your crew operate as safe and productive as possible, here are a few items to check before you head to the job site.
- Personal Protective Equipment
Make sure all equipment is appropriately rated for the voltage in which it will be used. Rubber gloves and sleeves should have no holes or damage.
- Pre-Flight Operation
Cycle each boom function through its complete range of motion from the lower and upper controls as indicated in the operator’s manual.
- Tires
Check for damage and proper inflation. Ensure all lug bolts are present and tight. Inflation pressure is found on placard on driver’s side door frame.
- Chassis and Hydraulic Fluid Levels
Check all fluid levels including unit, power steering, brake, oil, transmission and coolant. Refer to your chassis operator’s manual for details on appropriate fluid levels.
- Lights, Flashers, Turn signals
Check to make sure they turn on and operate properly.
- Equipment and Tools
Make sure all bin doors are fastened and secure, ladders tied down, and any tool or parts bags are stored securely inside tool boxes.
- Components
Ensure all fasteners, frame bolts, locking devices and boom hinge pins are not cracked, loose, deformed or missing.
- Welds
Check to ensure there are no cracks in welds or structural components in high stress areas such as the pedestal, turntable, gussets and mounting plates.
- Hoses and Tubes
Check for deformities such as blisters, damages, cracks, exposed lining, kinks, twists and incorrect routing in all hoses and tubes.
- Dielectric Components
These components include fiberglass upper boom and lower insert, liner and Iso-Grip® control. Make sure they are clean and in good condition. Also check that covers, guards and platform(s) are clean and intact with no damage.
Please note: This is only a partial list of pre-travel inspection items. For a complete list of safety guidelines, consult the operator’s manual for your unit. To set up an in-service of your unit, please contact an Altec representative online for more information.
At Altec, we are committed to helping your crew work safer and smarter. We believe this is possible through a thorough knowledge of how to operate our equipment. 
Altec Parts offers savings up to 25 percent when you add on a remote control system or a platform to your derrick. Maximizing your system’s functionality is critical to optimizing your time spent at the job site. Both of these systems require very little, if any, modification to your existing unit configuration.
Adding a platform to your unit greatly increases your jobsite performance by increasing the type of work functions your unit can perform. Platforms can be stowed parallel to your unit when not in use and will not interfere with any derrick functions. When installed with a liner, your derrick can instantly become an insulating aerial device to potentially eliminate the need for additional equipment at the job site.
Altec engineering has made several improvements to the derrick remote control system allowing more ease and comfort than ever before. These radio controls allow complete control of all derrick functions including pole guide, winch and digger from any location at the job site. When attached to a platform, the radio unit can be used as upper controls without running mechanical controls to the boom tip, allowing a greater boom capacity and smaller working envelope.