Month: November 2019

Bucket trucks are an essential asset to any company operating in the electric utility or telecom industries. Also known as aerial devices, Altec bucket trucks are available in a variety of models, insulating, non-insulating, telescopic, telescopic articulating, and overcenter or non-overcenter. Wondering how a bucket truck could benefit you or your business?

Check out the advantages these units offer:

Improved Productivity

When it comes to features key to job site productivity (reach, capacity, and/or payload), many of our aerial devices are industry leaders. As an example, Altec’s AT37/41/48M offers class-leading working height and jib capacity, all while capable of being installed on a 19,500lb GVWR chassis. No matter what your needs are, Altec can customize and build an aerial device to fit your needs for maximum job site efficiency.

Lower Operating Costs

Altec bucket trucks come in several makes and models, but all are designed to help reduce overall operating costs. As an example, Altec’s Jobsite Energy Management System (JEMS) is an integrated plug-in system that uses stored electrical energy to power the aerial device, tools, and exportable power, and provide cab comfort. The energy storage system is recharged by plugging into shore power or by the truck’s internal combustion engine. JEMS reduces engine idling and fuel consumption at the job site, which saves unnecessary wear and tear on the engine, and lowers operating costs through fuel savings and less maintenance.

Safety and Reliability

Altec has pioneered many of the safety features seen on the modern aerial work truck. Safety is paramount, especially considering the bucket truck is designed to lift a person many feet in the air and sometimes under dangerous conditions. Altec aerial lifts are equipped with safety features designed to protect operators from potential hazards on the job site. In addition to integrated safety features, Altec’s Sentry program provides operator training for aerial devices. These training courses are OSHA/ANSI compliant and are available both online and in-person.

A company operating in the electric or telecommunication industry, which is heavily reliant upon the bucket truck, can appreciate the importance of the many benefits of this vehicle that allow an operator to perform necessary tasks both safely and efficiently. Overall, an Altec bucket truck can add considerable value to your business and work practice.

For more information on Altec products and services, call 800-958-2555 or contact an Altec representative online.

The new Altec Connect site provides for a more customer-focused experience that will allow our customers to view and search fleet information, order replacement parts and view Altec Product Notices as well as service requests.
Let’s take a look at the two most recent updates from the site – shopping lists and parts research:

Shopping Lists
• Each user account has the ability to create and store Shopping Lists. Shopping Lists allow you to save items you frequently purchase or multiple items you frequently purchase together to make the re-ordering process easier.
• Many parts associates find this helpful because they keep Altec supplied items in their local garages. They can add all these items to a “stock” shopping list, so when they do stock re-orders, it is as simple as checking the boxes of which items you want and adding it to the cart.
• This is also a great way to “create your own kit” if you frequently re-order the same sets of tools, parts or supplies for a crew or team.
• Users can easily add to their shopping list from any page that they can view a part with by clicking the “Add to List” link below the Add to Cart button

Parts Research with Photos
• Finding the part you need for you truck is now much easier with the new Altec Connect! You can view your as-built Bill of Materials that will list all the items for your unit.
• You can keyword search, verify you have the correct part by seeing a photo of it, seeing if it is in-stock, view your company’s price and place an order all on the same page.
• You can also search by Altec part number and quick get the same information, as well as any related items to that part.
• Once the item is in your cart, checkout is now only 3 easy steps, and the parts are on their way to you!

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

The AC30-53T is a tractor-mounted telescopic boom truck crane designed with versatility and jobsite flexibility in mind. Features such as a lowest in-class fifth wheel height combined with a low auxiliary outrigger profile and integrated trailer supply hoses make this unit ready to serve a wide range of work applications.

Review the instructions listed below to learn how to test the
AC30-53T’s safety functions:

PTO/Parking Brake Interlock

Activating the PTO requires the parking brake to be set.

How to test the Parking Brake interlock:

• Start the engine and place the transmission in neutral or park as required.
• Ensure the parking brake is not set and try to engage the PTO.
• If the PTO engages, the parking brake interlock is not functioning properly.

Outrigger Interlock System

The outrigger interlock system helps remind the operator to set the outriggers. The system requires the outriggers to be deployed before the boom will move from the stowed position. The outrigger interlock system does not assure unit stability.

How to test the outrigger interlock system:

• Configure the crane for operation, but leave the outrigger stowed
• Then, attempt to raise the boom.
• If the boom moves out of the stowed position, the system is not functioning properly.

Outrigger Motion Alarm

The outrigger motion alarm helps alert personnel in or near the work area that the outriggers are in motion.

How to test the outrigger motion alarm:

• Operate each outrigger control and verify the alarm sounds.
• If the alarm doesn’t sound while the outriggers are in motion, the system is not functioning properly.

Outrigger Selector Control

The crane’s outrigger selector control enables crane function and blocks outrigger function, or enables outrigger function and blocks crane function.

How to test the outrigger selector control:

• Properly set up the crane.
• Place the selector in crane mode and carefully check if the outriggers function.
• Next, place the selector in outrigger mode and carefully check boom functions.
• If either the outrigger or booms move, the control is not functioning properly.

Altec Sentry offers training designed to help employers train and qualify equipment operators on the safe and proper operation of aerial devices (insulating, non-insulating and tree care), digger derricks, chippers, and cranes.

Visit Sentry’s website to access operator safety and maintenance courses. For questions about Sentry training or to register for a class, email sentrypost@altec.com.

Some of the most popular items featured on Altec Connect are our die-cast model trucks. These model trucks make for great gifts or display items for your home or office.

 

The following models are available for purchase on Altec Connect:

• Altec 1:34 Scale Die-Cast Tree Trimmer Truck
• Altec 1:34 Scale Die-Cast Aerial Bucket Truck
• Altec 1:34 Scale Die-Cast Digger Derrick Truck
• Altec 1:34 Scale Die-Cast AT40G Truck

It’s easy to find the die-cast trucks and any equipment you may need on Altec Connect.

1. Go to https://connect.altec.com/store
2. In the Search bar, type “die cast truck”
3. Select the item you want and check-out
4. Log in to your existing account, or checkout as a guest, to complete your transaction

 

Altec Connect is your one-stop online shop for ordering tools, supplies, accessories, replacement parts and managing your fleet information. If you would like to create and Altec Connect account, register at https://connect.altec.com/pages/registration

 

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

 

United Electric Company is a full-service electrical contractor based in Louisville, KY and Cincinnati, OH.

Mark Hatcher, Vice President of United Electric Company, says that Altec products and services are essential to the success of his company.

“All of our fleet is Altec. We’ve had great service with the Altec guys, and the product is good,” said Hatcher.

United Electric’s work with the city of Louisville, including maintaining every streetlight in the city, requires a sizable fleet. According to Hatcher, this fleet consists of AT40Gs, AM55s and TDA58s. Altec’s expansive catalog of equipment allows Hatcher and his employees to find the right units needed to get the job done.

United Electric’s relationship with Altec is not limited to purchasing equipment. Hatcher and his team have worked with Altec NUECO to find new life for the used equipment that no longer meets their needs.

“We had a couple of trucks that we weren’t using sitting in the lot, so we decided to send them to the auction,” Hatcher said.

Within two weeks, Hatcher received notification that the trucks had sold, and credit from the sale was available to him. He was able to use this credit to purchase a new unit.

“It’s simple, it’s very easy to do, and it takes the headache out of us trying to take the money and put it back in. It’s already there,” said Hatcher.

Altec NUECO specializes in used equipment and is the only supplier of Certified Used Altec equipment and parts needed to maintain your unit.

For more information on what Altec NUECO has to offer, contact an Altec representative online or call 1-866-617-1569.

The hydraulic overload protection system or HOP for short helps prevent conditions that can structurally overload the booms. At approximately 105% of rated hydraulic capacity, the HOP system should engage – stopping the functions that cause the overload.

The HOP protects:

• Winch raise
• Jib raise
• Boom lower
• Boom extend

How to test the HOP on an LS60

If activated, the load indicator will register in the HOP Red Zone of the gage. The overload condition can be reduced by reversing the function that engaged the HOP system. When the overload condition is relieved HOP is reset and all functions are active again.

With the unit properly set up and the booms out of stow, press the HOP test switch to activate HOP. Perform winch raise, jib raise, boom lower and boom extend functions.

If any of these functions are operational the HOP system is not working properly.

Altec Sentry offers training designed to help employers train and qualify equipment operators on the safe and proper operation of aerial devices (insulating, non-insulating and tree care), digger derricks, chippers, and cranes.

Visit Sentry’s website to access operator safety and maintenance courses for many of our products. For questions about Sentry training or to register for a class, email sentrypost@altec.com.