Month: May 2019

Operators should always be aware of any parts or components on their truck that need to be replaced or repaired. Whether it’s due to weather or constant wear-and-tear from traveling on roads or to various job sites, bucket trucks will require maintenance and replacement of parts during the vehicle’s lifespan.

To maintain optimal function and longevity, and to prevent extensive damage, the truck should be serviced periodically.

Eventually, parts will wear out and require a replacement. Some components such as tires and brake pads should be replaced more frequently than others. These parts should be checked regularly.

There are several ways operators decide when the appropriate time is to replace specific parts. Below are some of Altec’s guidelines when surveying the vehicle for potential repairs.

 Scheduled Replacement

In every Altec-manufactured vehicle, Altec includes a suggested part-replacement schedule designed to assist operators in correctly servicing their truck. These schedules are typically based on the total mileage or kilometers driven by the vehicle and include various repairs such as oil changes, tire rotations and filter replacements.

As maintenance intervals vary, it is important to consider be sure to use the vehicle-specific schedule.

In some circumstances, a bucket truck can continue to run and function after a component is past its expected life; however, Altec recommends replacing the part as close the recommended time as possible. Although parts may function properly for months past the schedule, fatigue from the cyclic loading could cause the part to suddenly fail without warning, causing extensive damage. Replacing parts on time is a safe rule to follow that will protect you from costly repairs.

Replacement Markers

Some parts on a truck have replacement markers which indicate when the part should be replaced. One common example can be found on tires which have markings etched into the rubber at specific points. Once the tire has worn down to the specific mark, it should be replaced.

Brake pads have a similar device called the wear indicator. A wear indicator is a small piece of metal that sits a few centimeters below the pad. After enough friction has worn down the pad, the wear indicator emits a high-pitched squeak when pressing the brakes indicating the part should be replaced.

Many other components have their own replacement indicators. Check your vehicle-specific manual to learn more about these parts.

Abnormal Performance

Some parts may wear out before the expected life is met. This can often be self-assessed by observing the vehicle’s functionality. Signs of a damaged component could include low power generation, black smoke, puffing of the muffler, or shaky steering.

Operators who are familiar with the truck and its components can search for parts that could be causing poor performance. If the operator is not knowledgeable in components, it is best to take the truck to an authorized service center to prevent any further damage.

Visible Damage

Before a truck is driven, it should be inspected for any damage to its equipment. Things such as dripping oil underneath the engine, leaks along the hydraulic fittings or cuts on the tires should never be ignored. These often mean damage has occurred that can lead to long-term failure or compromise the safety of the vehicle. Upon noticing these issues, operators should take the truck in for repair as soon as possible.

While bucket trucks are designed to be durable, wear and stress is inevitable and parts will have to be replaced eventually. Part replacement should be carried out per the manufacturer’s schedule or whenever a part has worn down. Be conscious of your truck as it may be time for a replacement!

For quality used parts for your Altec bucket truck, digger derrick, crane or other unit, call our Birmingham office at 866-413-6738 or contact an Altec representative online.

Despite a vast market, finding certified, used utility vehicles can be a challenge for many businesses. When it comes to finding first-tier, used bucket trucks, Altec NUECO is the best source for you and your company. With several years of assisting those in search of used bucket trucks, Altec NUECO knows how to best find a vehicle right for your business.

NUECO begins your search for used bucket trucks by asking a series of questions to help guide the process:

• At what height do you generally work?
• At that height, how much movement is required?
• Do you need a telescoping boom or a traditional hinge-style?
• What is your budget for a used bucket truck?

With first-class sales experience, NUECO is able to help you and your team find a used bucket truck that works for your business based only on what you need. As the only provider to offer Altec certified pre-owned equipment, NUECO can guarantee that an Altec bucket truck will perform well into the future.

To see how NUECO can assist in your search for used bucket trucks, call the expert sales team at 866-617-1569 ALTEC or contact an Altec representative online.

Altec Connect comes with a host of new and improved benefits that make managing your fleet much easier. Truck owners can now order parts online, view invoices, check service requests, equipment service history and much more. Altec Connect can also be used to view product manuals for any equipment you own or rent.

 

Find your vehicle-specific manual in Altec Connect in five easy steps:

 

1. Log into your Altec Connect account, click “Equipment” on the top-left side of the screen.
2. From the dropdown menu, select “My Fleet.”
3. Select the vehicle you want to see.
4. Click “Documentation” in the five options under the unit information.
5. Select “Operator’s Manual” or “Maintenance Manual.”

 

In conjunction with the Supply Store, Altec is dedicated to serving as a “one stop online shop” for ordering tools, supplies, accessories, replacement parts and for managing your fleet information.

To learn more about Altec Connect, call 1-877-GO-ALTEC or contact your local Altec Account Manager online.

Altec is traditionally known as a manufacturer of equipment that supports the electric utility industry, but over the past several years, we have expanded our offerings to support the tree care industry in various ways. From companies that maintain and manage our nation’s right of way to small lawn care businesses providing landscape maintenance, Altec is a one stop shop for a wide range of tree care and spray work applications.

In introducing the Heartland product line, Altec is poised once again to become the industry leader, offering a solution that allows tree takedowns to take place with increased safety and efficiency. This product line consists of an Effer knuckle boom (articulating) crane, a 360-degree continuous-rotation grapple saw (33-inch jaw opening, 14-inch cutting depth, 3,300-pound maximum lift capacity) and radio remote controls. These units were designed to allow operators to cut limbs and branches without ever having to leave the ground or touch a piece of the tree. The EC225-6S-FG model provides an additional seven feet of cutting height and has a rear-mounted configuration, allowing operators to set-up 10 to 12 feet closer to the tree.

If you aren’t familiar with this game-changing product, don’t just take our word for it — take a minute and watch this testimonial from Lance Wallace at Wallace Tree and Landscape and decide for yourself.

 

 

 

For more information on the Altec Heartland unit and other Altec equipment, call 800-958-2555 or contact an Altec representative online.

 

1980 marks Altec’s entry into the mobile crane market. Almost forty years later, Altec now leads the industry in quality, safety and performance.

Altec cranes offer a wide range of work applications such as power utility repair, tree care, cargo moving and sign, machine and billboard installation. These diverse applications are the result of the growing number of industries that now use Altec’s cranes in their standard operations.

As the need for cranes continues to increase, it is essential that these devices are operated safely and efficiently.

Safe, Efficient Crane Operations

Safe crane operation begins with thorough planning. Before work begins, an operator should determine lift capacity, assess the machine’s capability and identify proper equipment placement.

Before lifting, operators must ensure the object’s weight will not exceed the machine’s capacity. The crane should not be used to determine load weight; instead, weighing the load should be done before the lift occurs.

“A competent operator would determine the load capacity of the crane and its rigging to ensure the planned lift would not exceed capacity at any point,” states Altec Sentry Trainer Phil Doud.

Mark Kruger, Altec Lights and Signs Sales Manager, recommends using the machine’s load chart to determine the crane’s weight and load radius. The chart provides accurate and detailed estimates of the weight the machine can safely bear.

Identifying the best place to set up a crane is another important part of an operator’s initial planning. When setting up, operators should note any overhead obstructions such as powerlines, lights or signs that could hinder the vehicle. Creating a reliable plan can even help to prevent time-consuming unit relocations during a job.

Kruger states that operators should take time to, “know and understand the manufacturers intended uses and purposes for the machine they are using.”

He later adds, “Trying to work on a seventy-foot structure out of a sixty-three-foot aerial does not make for an efficient and safe job site.”

During the planning process, operators should carefully plan for both the movement and placement of the load. Doud points out that efficiency does not mean fast. Operators should always take time to be thorough in their work.

If done correctly, planning prevents costly equipment damage and ensures the safety of on-site workers.

Pylon Structures

When installing signs and equipment onto pylon structures, cranes are commonly used for their reach and capacity. Taking appropriate precautions and paying attention to details can help prevent malfunctions or injuries when working on pylon structures.

Kruger and Doud both say that surveying the work site should be the first step no matter the job. Workers and operators should be aware of overhead obstructions such as electrical wires, towers or additional signage. Electrical wires are a particular concern due to high voltage on or near the work area. OSHA requires cranes in construction to maintain a 20-foot clearance from energized conductors.

Open Spaces

Performing installations on building fronts in open spaces can present a number of unique challenges different from pylon structure installations.

After surveying the area and locating overhead obstructions, the crane should be set up where the operator decided upon during the planning period. Once the machine is in operation, Doud recommends to never lift the load over personnel or to allow anyone to enter the ‘fall zone’ where a falling load could injure or kill.

When working in an elevated location, be sure to inspect, wear and attach your personal fall protection equipment to an appropriate fall protection anchor point.

OSHA Regulations

Recent OSHA construction regulations require certification for operators of cranes capable of lifting more than 2,000 pounds.  Certification helps ensure operators have met a basic standard of general knowledge and skill in safe crane operation.  However, when operating a specific machine, nothing can replace experience and training. In fact, OSHA now requires employers to document an evaluation for their operators on a wide range of skills, knowledge and demonstrated abilities, and to make the documentation available at the worksite.

A second and often overlooked qualification requirement is for a qualified rigger whenever workers are within the fall zone or are involved in hooking, unhooking, guiding or connecting a load.

One final requirement from OSHA is for a properly trained signal person to be present when an operator does not have a full view of the point of operation or the direction of travel.  In addition, either the operator or the person handling the load may determine that a signal person is required because of site-specific safety concerns.

At Altec Sentry, we believe that trained operators are safer operators. For more information on Altec products, operator training and other services, call 800-958-2555 or contact an Altec representative online.

 

Jason Cox, a sign installer at Colortech, a sign and graphics company located in Green Bay, Wisconsin says Altec’s equipment and customer service have allowed his team to achieve a greater sense of job satisfaction and safety.

Cox says the new Altec LS Series Material Handling Attachment has changed Colortech’s approach to sign installation for the better. The material handling attachment has allowed for a more substantial lift and reduced the number of crew members needed on the job site.

“Before using this attachment, we would have to bring our forklift along or tear the entire sign apart and use a crane or some other method of lifting. This attachment has saved us a lot of time,” said Cox.

The LS Series Material Handling Attachment is a new product option for Altec’s LS models designed for the lights and signs industry. The attachment mounts on the existing boom-tip structures of any LS60, LS63, or LS87 unit to install electronic message boards as part of an existing sign.

For more information on the material handling attachment and other lights and signs installation Altec equipment, call 800-958-2555 or contact an Altec representative online.