Month: May 2021

When was the last time you jumped in the car, threw it into gear, and sped away, irritated that you’re running late—again? Then suddenly, your muttering is interrupted by a loud ding: that not-so-subtle reminder to buckle up.

How about our favorite weekend chore? Have you ever dragged out the mower, checked the oil and fuel, grabbed the starter and pulled and pulled and pulled—and nothing. The lawnmower would not allow you to proceed.

Seat belt alarm does not stop the vehicle from operating and turns off after several seconds.

Similar to those systems, fall protection safety systems help protect workers from falling from height. On truck-mounted aerial devices, proper personal protective equipment (PPE) means wearing a full-body harness and fall-arrest lanyard hooked to the designated anchor point.

While PPE can save your life when worn correctly, it can be dangerous when not properly inspected, maintained, fitted and secured—or if you override its function or even fail to attach it to the anchor point. It is a good choice to add a lanyard detection option since it provides another reminder for operators to connect their lanyards.

Increasing Safety with the Altec Lanyard Detection System

Altec was presented with an opportunity to remind operators about safety, so we engineered the Altec Lanyard Detection System for insulating aerials. Our optional fall-prevention solutions are factory installed and compatible with existing lanyards. Plus, the system’s maintenance-free power supply means you will not need to periodically check and replace batteries.

As in our examples with vehicle seatbelts and lawnmowers, these safety systems provide protection in one of two ways:

• A Lanyard Alert system blasts an alarm at the platform when the ISO-Grip interlock is engaged, but a lanyard is not attached. The unit will continue to function, but the alarm will sound until the operator is properly secured.
• Under the same conditions—when the lanyard is not attached and the ISO-Grip is engaged—the Lanyard Interlock system not only sounds an alarm but actually prevents operation of the aerial upper controller.

Either one of these factory-installed lanyard detection systems is available right now on most large aerial devices.

To keep operators from attempting to bypass the lanyard detect system, Altec has also engineered an Anti-tie down function with electronic sensors that help prevent the use of shortcuts that could bypass the safety system. This feature works with both the Lanyard Alert and Lanyard Interlock systems to reduce the risk of misuse and help improve jobsite safety. Now you can be confident your operators are reminded to clip in correctly before operating an aerial device.

OSHA Guidelines

Lack of fall protection consistently tops the OSHA’s list of most-cited violations each year and OSHA and ANSI have established guidelines to decrease the risk of injury from falls at height.

Put simply, OSHA urges operators to:

1. Plan ahead to get the job done safely.

Always take precautions to prevent falls. Begin by deciding how the job will be done, what tasks will be involved and what safety equipment is needed to complete each task.

2. Provide the right safety equipment.

Always use PPE and never override a safety feature. To prevent falling from truck-mounted aerial devices, keep your feet firmly on the floor of the platform. Wear a full-body harness with a fall-arrest lanyard firmly attached to the anchor point.

3. Train everyone to use it.

It’s critical that operators are trained in the proper use of safety equipment. Altec also delivers a variety of OSHA and ANSI compliant instructor-led and online training courses for aerials, derricks and cranes.

For more information, take a look at these essential safety resources, including fall protection measures, industry-standard updates, new crane regulations and other links to regulatory guidance.

Expanded Availability on Altec Units

Recently Altec has expanded our Lanyard Detection System offerings to various pieces of Altec equipment. The Lanyard Detection System is now available on select AA, AN, AN Elevators, AN-OC, AM, A Class and LR8 units.

For more information on the Altec Lanyard Detection System and other Altec product options, call 800-958-2555 or contact an Altec representative online.

Have you taken advantage of the recent Altec Connect updates? Our platform provides a more focused experience that allows our customers to view and search fleet information, order replacement parts, view Altec Product Notices and more.

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

Let’s take a look at the most recent update inside Altec Connect –receiving service job status notifications.

If you’re an Altec customer, you can now choose to receive notifications, by email or text, when there are changes to the status of your service job.

Customers will receive notifications for the following changes to your service job(s):

• Service Requested
• Assessing Equipment
• Generating Estimate
• Waiting – Customer Approval
• Service in Process
• Waiting – Parts
• Service Complete
• Closed

In addition to the status change and key service job information, a link to the respective Service Job Details page in Altec Connect will be included in each notification as an option to view further details.

If you would like to receive notifications, please contact your local service representative.

 

Altec Connect allows a user to look up a wide array of information about their customer account. Keep in mind – different user roles control what a user can and cannot see. A user can be assigned predefined roles for common use cases, or a custom role may be created to accommodate any use case a user may have.

Interested in learning more about what equipment information you can see?

Check out these site features:

Unit-specific information:

• Altec product notices
• Electrical and hydraulic schematics
• Operator and maintenance manuals
• Parts pages and schematics
• Pre-delivery photos

Replacement parts:

• Validate part usage per specific unit BOM
• Check parts inventory availability
• Order parts by part number
• Track orders online

Service information:

• Check service job status
• Service history
• View and print invoices

To learn more about these Altec Connect features– contact your representative or send an email to altec.connect@altec.com.

Altec is partnering with Arkansas State University-Beebe in Searcy, AR and the State Technical College of Missouri in Linn, MO, to launch the Altec Technician Education Program. These institutions are two of the most highly rated tech schools in the United States with state-of-the-art training equipment. The program will begin this fall and will provide students with the opportunity to achieve a certificate or associate’s degree. Students will learn how to troubleshoot, repair and service equipment that Altec customers use to build and maintain utility lines.

In addition to learning that will take place in the classroom, the Altec Technician Education Program may also involve a paid internship in which students will work side by side with seasoned technicians in Altec’s Mobile Service Group or Service Centers. These technicians are essential workers, helping to make sure Altec equipment is ready to continue maintaining our nation’s critical infrastructures. Our equipment is used to help keep America moving forward by ensuring the lights in homes, hospitals, grocery stores and businesses stay on.

Program Details

Recipients of our education program will receive funding to help pay for expenses at one of
our two partnered schools. These students will learn the skills needed to enjoy a rewarding and successful career as a member of Altec’s Service Team. Those who attend the State Technical College of Missouri will participate in the Medium Heavy Truck AAS program. Individuals joining ASU-Beebe at the Searcy campus will earn a Diesel Technology Certificate.

Hands-On Training

This program offers extensive training in a variety of skills. These skills are valuable to anyone looking to seek work as an Altec Technician.

Program attendees will receive instruction in:

• Proprietary Altec systems
• Electrical systems
• Hydraulic systems
• Computer diagnostics
• Following safety, environment and workplace guidelines
• Chassis: inspection, diagnostics and repair
• Training on specific product lines

How to Apply

Limited seats available. Apply now by scanning the QR code below, filling out this application. Reach out to our team via email at corprecruiter@altec.com for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please note, to be accepted into the program, applicants will need to provide an official high school transcript or certificate showing high school equivalency. Applicants will also need to complete a free application at either Arkansas State University-Beebe or the State Technical College of Missouri. To make sure all application requirements for the Altec Technician Program are completed, we have provided a checklist.

Good luck to all of our applicants! We look forward to receiving your application.

For tree trimming professionals, cutting down trees can be time-consuming and come with risks associated with working at heights and around power lines. This is especially true when it comes to right-of-way clearing work required by most public utilities.

According to Andy Price, Altec’s Tree Care Market Manager, “Through customer feedback, Altec developed a product with an industry-leading approach to safety while performing utility line clearance.”

The MT66-E76 is a remote-controlled insulated (46kv) tree trimming unit with a cutting head designed and built by Altec.

Price continued, “This unit was engineered with the worker in mind. With a combination of features new to the industry, operators can remain outside the danger zone, while safely cutting most problem limbs, even those with incidental line contact.”

This innovative technology from Altec signals a shift in protecting workers, something the rest of the tree care industry hopes to see more of in the coming years.

Chriso Lee is Vice President of ArborWorks Inc., a California-based tree care company specializing in hazard tree removal, utility line clearance and vegetation management. Lee said his company’s experience with the MT66-E76 has been revolutionary for tree trimming around power lines.

“The MT66-E76 has the ability to reduce and even eliminate human exposure to the hazards that are unique to our industry while expeditiously executing some of what used to be the most dangerous tasks.

“With this technology, we’re able to remove tree branches that are over, near and around energized conductors without endangering human life,” he said.

Lee continued, “The MT66-E76 will become the standard for accessible trim work in the utility setting.”

Altec’s MT66-E76 has the ability to:

• Eliminate the need to de-energize and ground to complete trimming
• Lessen the time it takes to trim limbs with incidental line contact
• Reduce the time to trim problem limbs overhanging power lines

Unique Design 

With three methods of articulation for ease of positioning, the MT66-E76’s cutting head design is exclusive to Altec. The unit’s insulating boom, permanently installed cutting head, radio remote control system and elevator providing 76 feet of maximum reach all combine for an inventive piece of equipment that can be used in both the electric utility and tree care industries.

The MT66-E76’s unique design gives operators the ability to cut and control an 8-inch limb with the grapple or cut and drop 14-inch limb, all while maintaining a safe distance away from the tree. For added operator and equipment safety, the unit also includes an insulating boom.

Safety

The MT66-E76’s insulating boom and remote-control feature enables reliable production in the safest manner possible. Because all work can be completed remotely with the MT66-E76, it allows workers to have the lowest exposure to risk than any other known trimming equipment.

In addition to this, because of the unit’s remote controls, the operator can complete any job with minimal physical output.

Sean Graziano, a Tree Care Product Specialist at Altec, has 16 years of experience in the tree care and utility safety industry. He is also an ISA Certified Arborist; a TCIA Certified Tree Care Safety Professional and a USOLN Certified Utility Safety Professional.

According to Graziano, the MT66-E76’s remote control feature not only makes tree care removal safer but allows industry veterans to continue work, even after years of strenuous work.

“If they’ve been doing tree care work for a long time, their body is going to wear out naturally because of the intense nature of the job,” he said.

”Their experience is still really valuable and with the MT66-E76, they can do something like this and it just puts no physical strain on them. It’s makes light work out of what is traditionally very difficult,” Graziano continued.

Even while maintaining a safe distance from the drop zone and work area, workers can cut and move a 150 lb. limb away from an energized line. In the past, this would be almost impossible with a man in a bucket with a traditional saw.

How Does this Impact Cost Savings for Your Business?

The unique design and improved safety features on the MT66-E76 can ultimately reduce costs for business owners.

In place of a larger-sized team, the MT66-E76 can potentially utilize a three-man super crew. The unit’s permanently installed cutting head allows for quick set up, further reducing time spent on the job site.

Overall, this unit allows for a smaller crew and more efficient work practices. By structuring a crew with aerial lift and chip truck to minimize crew size, many businesses will see a reduction of total operating costs typically associated with line-clearing equipment.

When considering the future of tree trimming, this unit leads the way for crews to shorten working times, reduce costs, and above all, increase safety, something that we can all agree is top of mind for all working in the tree care industry.

Are you interested in seeing what the MT66-E76 can do for your tree care business? Call 800-958-2555 or contact an Altec representative online.