Altec Inc

Category: News Articles

5 Truck Accessories That Might Need Replacing

Posted on by kphillips

If you need reliable, high-quality tools and accessories, Altec Supply has what you need to get the job done. Tools and accessories that take more wear and tear than others or items that are critical to safety should be evaluated often and replaced when necessary. Make sure you’re checking these five items.

Outrigger Pads

Our outrigger pads are lighter and stronger than most brands. Built specifically to add support and stability, outrigger pads play a critical role in the safe operation of equipment.

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Wheel Chocks

Designed to prevent accidental movement, Altec Supply’s sturdy chocks are made with heavy-duty rubber to provide superior grip and reliability.

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Platform Covers

Our vinyl-coated, water-shedding cover keeps rain, sleet, and snow out of the platform so your truck is ready to work when you are. Platform covers are available in a variety of configurations.

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Cones

These rugged, brightly colored safety cones are designed for many years of outside use. They’re constructed of fluorescent PVC with two reflective collars.

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First Aid Kit

Don’t underestimate the value of a first aid kit on the jobsite. This white metal first-aid kid is on a bracket that fits a two-man bucket and provides essential items you need for emergency jobsite injuries.

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About Altec Supply

Altec Supply offers a wide range of tools and accessories you need to get the job done. Most in-stock orders ship within one business day, getting you the items you need when you need them. To check out more tools and accessories, visit Altec Supply Store to shop our entire Tools and Accessories Catalog, or call 1-877-GO-ALTEC.

Are Backyard Aerials Right for Your Fleet?

Posted on by kphillips

If you’re looking for a versatile piece of equipment to take your work to new heights, Altec Teupen backyard aerials could be the product you’re looking for. Below, check out the six features that might make backyard aerials the right fit for your fleet.

Safety and Reliability

Backyard aerials significantly enhance safety by reducing the need for climbing, minimizing the risk of falls and injuries. Teupen was the first manufacturer of backyard tracked aerial devices and they’ve been in the industry for more than 40 years, so you can be confident you’re getting a product that’s tried and tested.

Jobsite Versatility

These machines are able to traverse steep grades and rough terrain, and they can access tighter and more challenging jobsites than other mobile aerial equipment.  Many Altec Teupen models can also fit through a standard backyard gate. Their design allows for operation in hard-to-reach areas and tight spaces, making backyard aerials a go-to option for challenging jobsites.

Easy Transportation

Many Altec Teupen models can be towed using a three-quarter-ton truck and with a combined weight under 26,000 lbs, don’t require a CDL. This makes them easily transportable to your job sites without the need for specialized vehicles or certified drivers.

Faster Operator Readiness

Climbing is a valuable skill, but it’s one that takes time to master and is becoming less common. Backyard aerials can be used in many situations that would otherwise require climbing. This speeds up timelines and also allows business owners to cast a wider net when hiring employees.

The machines also feature an easy-to-use control system that allows operators to quickly get up to speed on the equipment. They also offer features that make operation more efficient, such as auto-leveling outriggers and even auto-stow for the platform on some models.

Use in a Variety of Work Applications

From tree care to lights and signs and facilities maintenance, and even in the electric utility sector, backyard aerials can be used in many work applications. Their ability to access difficult areas and perform in constrained environments opens new opportunities for businesses. There are also battery powered options for indoor use.

Easy Service

Teupen backyard aerials are backed by Altec’s nationwide mobile and shop service network. With locations and mobile technicians across the country, service is only a call away.

Are Backyard Aerials Right for You?

Altec Teupen units are available for rent, lease or purchase. If Teupen backyard aerials are a fit for your fleet, view our available inventory here or contact your account manager today. If you don’t have an Altec account manager, contact us here or call 800-958-2555.

Achieve ZEV Requirements with Altec’s Electrification Solutions

Posted on by kphillips

Electrification technology, infrastructure, and legislation have evolved rapidly in the last few years, pushing the medium and heavy-duty truck space toward a cleaner future. With the adoption of California Air Resources Board regulations and a changing social landscape, that future is approaching quickly. Below, see how CARB regulations are impacting the transition toward Zero Emissions Vehicles (ZEV) and how Altec can partner with you on your journey to a cleaner fleet.

What are CARB Regulations?

The California Air Resources Board has adopted several regulations designed to accelerate the adoption of ZEVs and encourage the industry to reduce emissions. Historically, CARB has played an active role in shaping federal EPA standards, and it also serves as a guide for states seeking to increase the adoption of MD/HD work applications.

Currently, there are three key CARB regulations under consideration in several states:

  • Omnibus Low NOx: rule that sets standards for engine particulates and emissions
  • Advanced Clean Truck: A sales mandate on chassis OEMs that requires OEMs to sell a certain percentage of ZEVs compared to their overall truck sales for participating states
  • Advanced Clean Fleet: A regulation for customer fleets to adopt ZEV solutions as a certain percentage of their fleet based on the vehicle classification

Why Should You Start Planning Today?

Regulations are only one of the many forces driving the U.S. toward reduced or zero emissions. As the public becomes more climate conscious, there is a larger social push to reduce tailpipe emissions. Many customers have their own corporate sustainability goals, and as vehicle technology continues to evolve, the adoption of ZEV solutions will continue to increase.

While legislation is always evolving, this combination of factors makes it more important for your fleet to have a strategy and roadmap for compliance in place.

How Can I Incorporate ZEVs into My Fleet?

When evaluating ZEV options, Altec has developed a range of battery electric vehicles (EV) targeting specific work applications that maximize EV performance without compromises. With the current EV charging infrastructure and state of technology, electrified solutions are best suited to specific work applications with a defined driving range within the OEM’s EV reported range, and less suited for applications like mutual assistance or storm response.

Altec is constantly evaluating additional work applications and OEM EV models to help customers electrify their fleets and achieve compliance in the way that works best for them.

What Makes Altec EVs Different?

Altec’s EV solutions are designed with technology that’s easy to use, doesn’t interrupt operator workflow, and functions no differently than a chassis with a traditional mechanical PTO or internal combustion engine chassis. This means Altec’s solutions use the same proven technology that our customers have come to expect.

Altec EVs feature an integrated ePTO solution that allows the truck to operate as a system rather than individual components. This system efficiently utilizes the chassis battery (with a minimal impact on range), maximizes productivity, and is easy to charge with a single port. This frees up valuable truck space and improves available weight for customers to outfit the truck with the necessary jobsite equipment.

To address range anxiety, Altec designed a Low State of Charge Alert. This is an audible and visual alert that notifies the operator in the aerial of the current state of charge. The alerts can be configured to sound at a certain level of charge, and it can also be sounded on demand to check the current charge. This feature allows operators to confidently complete their job and return to the garage.

How Do I Get Started?

Altec is here to be your partner in electrification planning. Our Green Fleet and chassis teams can serve as your electrification experts and help you map out the future of your fleet. To learn more about how Altec’s solutions can help electrify your fleet, speak with your account manager today or visit www.altec.com/green-fleet.

Explore New Operator Training with Altec’s Virtual Simulator

Posted on by kphillips

If you’re looking to enhance and expand your operator training program, the Altec Virtual Training Simulator is here to take your training to new heights.

The Altec Virtual Training Simulator imitates real-life operation to provide a life-like training experience for operators. It features equipment-specific, hot-swappable control sets including the Altec Optiview joystick controls, providing operators with familiarity of the controls they will use on actual Altec equipment.

Keep Your Equipment in the Field

With the Altec Virtual Training Simulator, you can keep your revenue producing equipment on the job while your operators train on the virtual simulator. The simulator also provides the ability to train in high-risk and dangerous scenarios without the risk—and without wear and tear on your equipment.

Train on Multiple Pieces of Equipment

The simulator is also configurable with a variety of additional equipment, providing an all-in-one training platform. In addition to the Altec digger derrick, available equipment includes:

  • Articulated dump truck
  • Backhoe
  • Boom truck
  • Compact loader
  • Crawler crane
  • Digger derrick
  • Dozer
  • Excavator
  • Forklift
  • Luffing tower crane
  • Mobile crane
  • Motor grader
  • Telehandler
  • Tower crane
  • Wheel loader
  • Wheeled excavator

Start the Conversation Today

For veterans or new hires, the simulator can increase the safety and efficiency of your team. The Altec Virtual Training Simulator is available for purchase or for rent today. To inquire about usage options, contact Altec Sentry at 205.408.8260 or visit altec.com/safety.

6 Best Practices for Bucket Trucks Wheel Chocks Safety and Compliance

Posted on by kphillips

Are your crews using wheel chocks correctly? Keeping your bucket truck from moving unexpectedly while on the job sounds like common sense, but sometimes we underestimate how important the proper wheel chocks are for ensuring reliable stability.

The Importance of Wheel Chocks

Wheel chocks are wedges placed against a vehicle’s wheels to help prevent unexpected vehicle movement, an especially vital concern for heavy trucks, which can pose significant hazards if not immobilized correctly. When wheel chocks are used properly, they help keep the truck stationary, protecting workers from potentially life-threatening situations.

Wheel Chocks Best Practices

  1. Select the Right Chocks: The type and size of wheel chocks should match the specific vehicle and its wheel diameter. Chocks come in various materials, such as rubber, polyurethane, and metal. Each may have advantages in certain applications and environments. Also, don’t substitute things that aren’t designed/intended to be chocks, like blocks of wood, stones, or concrete blocks.
  2. Number of Chocks: In some scenarios two chocks might not be enough. Drivers and operators should consider whether more than two chocks are needed when parking on steep slopes or when tire to ground contact is reduced.
  3. Positioning: Place the chocks against the center of the tire’ treads to maximize contact. For heavy trucks on level ground, place chocks on both sides of the same wheel to guard against movement in either direction.
  4. Surface Considerations: Ensure the surface where the chocks are placed on a stable, flat surface. Uneven or slippery surfaces can compromise the effectiveness of the chocks. It’s also a good idea to use larger or extra chocks on particularly soft ground,
  5. Application: Apply the parking brake before positioning your wheel chocks. The parking break is the first line of defense in maintaining truck stability, and you should treat wheel chocks as a backup in case it fails.
  6. Inspection and Maintenance: Regularly inspect wheel chocks for wear and damage. Any wheel chock should be replaced if it shows signs of deterioration or damage.

Relevant OSHA Regulations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specific regulations concerning the use of wheel chocks for heavy trucks. According to OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.178(k)(1), all trucks and trailers must have their wheels chocked when parked to prevent accidental movement during use. Additionally, OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.178(m)(7) requires that powered industrial trucks be chocked while being loaded or unloaded.

These regulations emphasize the critical role of wheel chocks in workplace safety. Failing to comply with these regulations increases the risk of serious injury-causing accidents for workers or legal penalties and increased liability for companies.

Benefits

Proper use of wheel chocks is not just a safety best practice; it is an employer’s responsibility that helps prevent accidents and protect workers. By selecting the right chocks, deploying them correctly, adhering to OSHA guidelines, and offering comprehensive safety training, companies can ensure a safer working environment for everyone involved.

When it’s time to get new wheel chocks for your bucket truck, visit the Supply Store or contact your account manager for more information. If you do not have a Supply account manager, call 1-877-GO-ALTEC to connect with us today.

Also don’t forget you can stay up to date on all the products and accessories you need with our seasonal newsletter. Sign up for Altec Supply’s Tools & Accessories Newsletter to receive our latest product recommendations, as well as information on new products and promotions.

Altec Supply Top-Rated Wheel Chocks:

Rubber Wheel Chock, 9.88 x 7.75 x 5 in, Single
Polyurethane Wheel Chock – 10 x 8.5 in, Single

How Altec Supply and A-Aerial Can Help You Prepare for Storm Work

Posted on by kphillips

After a storm, there’s no sight quite like the line of trucks headed to begin recovery work and return power and communications to those in need. When it’s time to hit the road, make sure you have the tools and accessories you need to get the job done.  

Altec Supply has the knowledge and experience to help customers assemble the tools and accessories they need on-hand, and with the addition of A-Aerial, you can stock up on the telecommunications tooling and equipment vital for storm recovery.  

Thanks to Altec Supply’s multiple distribution centers, the team at Altec Supply can get necessary tools to anywhere in the country quickly and efficiently. After a storm, Supply account managers are ready and available to provide personalized assistance to customers by coordinating the delivery of tools as close to the storm zone as possible. Altec Supply’s large inventory of tools means we have the items you need when you need them. 

 Items Your Team Needs for Storm Restoration 

While Altec Supply and A-aerial are always ready and available to help customers secure the tools they need in the wake of a storm, it’s never too early to stock up on what you’ll need for restoration work. As hurricane season heats up and we move toward the colder, crisper air of fall and winter, it’s time to prepare for storms—be it hurricanes or ice storms. As your team is stocking up, check out the following list of the most common items needed after a storm.

CE60 Personal Voltage and Current Indicator by Safeguard Equipment
The Compass from Safeguard Equipment is a personal voltage and current detector that senses exposed electricity and alerts the user long before they are in danger of being electrocuted. This PPE device can have a major impact on preventing workplace injuries and accidents.

Parallel Jaw Wire Grip by Klein Tools
This is a newer grip to the market that is a 2-in-1 option, replacing the need for a 4500 and 4600 grip. The grip is 20% lighter with one handed grip action.

Assembled Hand Line Rope Assemblies by Altec Supply
Handlines are utilized for lifting tools and materials to the top of the pole, whether a lineworker is working from the pole or an aerial platform. These handlines are constructed using 1/2″ Polyale Plus braided rope, easily spliced and resist rotation under load.

Hoists
For many Altec Supply customers, hoists have been a high-demand product for use during storm restoration work. Altec Supply stocks common sizes of both chain and web hoists to meet your company’s needs and specifications.

Mechanical Jumpers and Ground Assemblies
Altec Supply is able to assemble grounds and mechanical jumpers that meet your company’s specific needs and safety standards. Altec Supply also has standard lengths already assembled and on hand ready to be shipped.

Turf Protection Mat by Altec Supply
Lightweight and durable, these 4×8 ft mats are designed with layered high-density polyethylene and weigh in at only 56 lbs., while still being rated at 160,000 lbs. The mats are a highly visible yellow color and feature two ergonomic handles on all four sides, giving you the safest, lightest, easy-to-move mats in the industry.

GMP J2 Cable Lasher from A-Aerial
The Model J2 Cable Lasher will lash any single or multiple aerial cables up to 3 in. (76 mm) diameter across on any suspension strand from 1/4 in. (6 mm) to .535 in. (14 mm). Consists of a rotating drum supported on a carriage that provides the mounting for a driving mechanism, cable lifters, cable and strand rollers.

More Telecommunications Tools and Equipment from A-Aerial 
A-Aerial, a division of Altec, offers a full line of telecommunications and pole line tools and hardware, including items you need for storm restoration like traveling ground bashlins, cable lashers and more. A-Aerial has bi-coastal warehouses and offers reliable same day shipping on in-stock items. Altec Supply account managers can also coordinate delivery for your crews on the road. 

 For more information on how Altec Supply and A-Aerial can help you prepare for storm season, contact your account manager, call 1-877-GO-ALTEC (462-5832), or visit the Altec Supply Store. 

 

Reduce Fleet Downtime with Op-Ready

Posted on by kphillips
Image of laptop showing Op-Ready report

Image of laptop showing Op-Ready report

When you’re ready to go to work, make sure your equipment is, too. Op-Ready is a digital report that combines data from telematics and Altec equipment to identify assets that might go down and why. With this report, customers can address issues today to prevent downtime tomorrow.

Maximize the Value of Your Assets

Op-Ready is a digital solution from Altec Fleet Services designed to help you maximize the value of your Altec equipment by reducing unplanned downtime. Op-Ready tracks chassis and unit data to monitor your entire asset and alert you of any issues that might keep you from using the asset to its fullest extent.

Diagnostic trouble codes and other data are translated into easily understood, actionable insights. Op-Ready also delivers OEM notices, recalls and other alerts.

No additional hardware or software is needed on existing connected equipment, and reports can be set up quickly and easily.

Get Personalized Reports

Op-Ready reports are customizable so you can get just the information you need to know. Reports can also be configured to provide a summary of the entire fleet, a subgroup of assets, or for an individual unit.

To generate the report, Op-Ready compares against user preferences. For example, the user can decide what fuel level, tire pressures, or battery level that warrant being notified. Report recipients are also configurable so that different people within your organization can see the right information for them to keep your equipment up and running.

Keep Your Fleet Op-Ready

Technology has changed a lot over the last 95 years, but Altec’s approach to it remains the same—innovate with purpose to improve the experience of our customers. Operational readiness of equipment has never been more important and Op-Ready is the next step in improving uptime by making sure the right people know what action is needed and when. To learn more about Op-Ready and the other advanced solutions, visit the Altec Fleet Services site here, or click the button below to contact our team today.

Contact Us Today

What is ePTO: Explaining Electric Power Takeoff

Posted on by kphillips

Five JEMS and EVs

As the focus on electrified solutions increases, the term ePTO is used regularly. Below, see what ePTO means and the benefits it provides to equipment operators.

What Does ePTO Stand for?

ePTO stands for electric power takeoff. This technology powers equipment and auxiliary functions using electrical energy, compared to a traditional PTO that relies on mechanical energy from a combustion engine.

At Altec, the ePTO takes energy from the JEMS battery system or electric vehicle traction battery to power the aerial lift, hydraulic winches, outriggers and more. JEMS stands for Jobsite Energy Management System—Altec’s anti-idle solution that offers the benefits of both a traditional chassis and electric applications at the jobsite.

What Makes Up an ePTO?

While ePTO is a common term across the industry, what the term is actually referring to and the components that comprise the ePTO can vary. When used at Altec, the term ePTO refers to the DC or AC motor, the motor controller and the hydraulic pump.

What are the Benefits of ePTO?

The use of JEMS and EVs with the ePTO offers many benefits to customers from safety to cost savings. Using JEMS and its integrated ePTO eliminates idling at the jobsite, which eliminates the noise of a diesel engine and the emissions it produces. This allows for easier communication on the jobsite, increasing safety. It also offers cost savings as one hour of idling can equate to 33 miles of engine wear and tear and 22.4 pounds of CO2 emissions.

The electric motor is also much more efficient than a combustion engine that powers mechanical PTOs. As the ePTO continues to increase in efficiency, it will consume even less energy and allow for smaller batteries or similar sized batteries with even more runtime on each charge.

What is the Application of ePTO?

Altec’s ePTOs work with the JEMS or EV battery system to provide power to auxiliary applications. Altec offers various JEMS systems, paired with the correct sized battery to accomplish the work application. JEMS S provides anti-idle and cab comfort, JEMS SE provides cab comfort and is designed for use with small aerials, and JEMS LE is designed for use with large aerials.

Altec’s ePTOs work on demand, meaning they are not constantly running and activate only when the operator requires hydraulic power. The on-demand feature means the ePTO doesn’t require constant power, allowing Altec to reduce the footprint of the batteries and enclosures to increase overall available payload and cost savings.

How Have Altec’s Electrification Solutions Evolved?

Since Altec entered the electrification space years ago, its JEMS products have continued to evolve based on customer feedback and advancement in technology.

While previous iterations of JEMS were more complex to use, the current JEMS models allow operators to activate the ePTO just as they would a standard mechanical PTO. The systems also integrates with existing heating and cooling cab controls for easier operator use. With the on-demand use of ePTOs, batteries can be correctly sized for the right application to maximize space and weight savings.

Learn More About ePTO and Altec’s Electrification Solutions

Interested in how an ePTO and Altec’s solutions can help your fleet achieve environmental and cost savings goals? Visit our electrification solutions page to learn more or contact us today by clicking here or calling 1-877-GO-ALTEC.

Reaching New Heights with Teupen TC75: Clark’s Tree Express

Posted on by kphillips

When Christopher Clark, owner and operator of Clark’s Tree Express, first purchased the Teupen TC75A, his crews were a little “iffy” about the machine. It was a new machine and they hadn’t seen one locally in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area.

“After using it, my guy who was the head climber said he would never … climb again because this lift is able to get him anywhere he needs to be.”

Since July 2023, Clark says his company has grown by around 12 percent in large part because the Teupen machine allows them to work much more quickly. It’s also cut down on operating costs and insurance costs with less climbing.

“Overall, it’s saving us as a whole around 40 percent of our costs per crew,” Clark said. “The no mess, light weight track system its designed with has really made it easy for us to access any place locally.”

About Teupen

Teupen backyard aerial devices are assembled in Germany, sold globally, and regarded as best in class—and are now part of the expansive Altec network that includes service, tools and accessories, financing and more.

The TC75A used by Clark’s Tree Express is the most versatile and broadly used machine among all of the brand’s CANOPY® models. It’s easily transported behind a full-size pickup truck, and its tracked chassis proves versatile and non-damaging across sodded lawns or surfaces with fragile or sensitive pavers.

The machine weight is a major benefit in both reducing floor loading and improving mobility. Most importantly, its articulated boom design combined with the smooth computer enhanced, electric over hydraulic controls make the machine easy to operate and smooth in movements.

Remote Diagnostics are Now Available on Altec Insights

Posted on by kphillips

 

Altec Insights is a powerful tool for understanding your Altec equipment, now with two new features.

Most supervisors have probably received a familiar phone call—the crew has arrived at the jobsite, but their equipment isn’t working properly. The outriggers won’t deploy, and the crew can’t start their work until a mobile service tech can make it to their location.

With the newest updates to Altec Insights, a powerful tool for understanding your Altec equipment, that familiar situation plays out a little differently. Through Insights, customers can remotely view unit diagnostic trouble codes and vehicle status within Altec Connect.

Once the supervisor receives the call from the crew that the derrick isn’t working, he logs into Altec Connect and pulls up that piece of equipment. He verifies there aren’t any active diagnostic trouble codes, then checks the vehicle status tab. Turns out an emergency stop is activated but the operator forgot to check the one at the front bumper controls. The lineman disengages the switch, deploys the outriggers, and the team gets to work.

Altec Insights is Designed to Help You Work Safely and Efficiently

Altec Insights allows users of select Altec equipment including E-Series derricks and cranes to understand their equipment like never before. Insights combines the raw data from your equipment with Altec expertise and gives users actionable information to improve safety and reduce downtime.

Vehicle Status and Diagnostic Trouble Codes are now available within Insights under the “Analytics” tab. As you saw above, these features allow users to view equipment remotely and identify any easily resolved errors, saving valuable time and money.

Vehicle Status

Vehicle Status information allows for easy remote trouble shooting. As in the example above, an activated emergency stop can be a common occurrence that would result in an unneeded call to a service technician. Vehicle Status includes over a dozen pieces of information including the status of the parking brake, PTO and outrigger interlocks.

Diagnostic Trouble Codes

Unit DTCs provide details on potential equipment faults. DTCs include the name, description, symptoms and actions for further troubleshooting to identify the root cause. DTCs can detect temperature and pressure sensors reporting error values, joystick faults, and slip ring communication issues.

When used in tandem, these features allow users to get the full picture of their equipment and know whether simple troubleshooting is the fix, or verify a service call is necessary for equipment operation.

Learn More About Altec Insights and Other Data Solutions

Altec Insights is available on select Altec models, including E-Series derricks. Click the button below to learn more about Altec insights and other digital products offered by Altec’s Fleet Services.

Learn More About Altec’s Data Solutions

Altec Announces Acquisition of Teupen Maschinenbau GmbH

Posted on by kphillips

Altec has acquired the companies of Teupen Maschinenbau GmBH. Teupen has been designing and manufacturing backyard aerial devices since 1977. Their products are assembled in Germany, sold globally, and regarded as best in class.

This acquisition expands the footprint for Altec Worldwide and provides a complement to Altec’s robust line of products and services designed for the utility, telecommunications, tree care and lights and signs markets.

“Altec is excited to be offering the Teupen product to customers across several of the company’s core industries,” said Paul Crane, Managing Director Altec Worldwide. “These products are designed with best-in-class reliability, durability and versatility in mind. They will allow us to provide our customers with a new type of equipment while still receiving the outstanding Altec experience they know and expect.”

Teupen products are imported and serviced in the United States through Teupen North America, located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Martin Borutta, previous owner, will continue to oversee the business in the U.S. and Germany.

To learn more about Teupen products, contact your Altec account manager today. If you do not have an account manager, contact us by clicking the button below or call 1-877-GO-ALTEC.

Contact Us Today

Altec Hosts Inaugural Engineering Innovation Challenge

Posted on by kphillips

Designed to encourage students to solve real-world problems with STEM solutions, Altec’s Innovation Challenge has long been a success for high school students. Building on that success, Altec recently hosted its Inaugural Engineering Innovation Challenge. This version of the challenge expanded to the collegiate level.

Through partnerships with local universities and the National Society of Black Engineers, three teams of engineering students from Auburn University and UAB, Tuskegee University, the University of Alabama were invited to compete in the program to gain real-world engineering experience and win scholarships.

“Now in my second semester of my sophomore year, I’m in a class on manufacturing processes,” said Daryl Cossey, sophomore Tuskegee student. “I’m doing a challenge that literally will help me understand why forming something correctly in a manufacturing plant matters. This project gives you a really good scope of what the real-world application of what you’re learning in the classroom is.”

Improving a Manufacturing Process

While the high-school version of the challenge asks students to address a community need, the Engineering Innovation Challenge asked students to address a specific manufacturing process at Altec’s Southern manufacturing facility in Birmingham.

Before they are shipped to a final assembly location, truck bodies designed at Southern are exposed to simulated weather conditions to ensure they are water-tight. The current leak tester was designed 10 years ago by engineering interns and takes up a large footprint. Participating teams were tasked with updating the design of the leak tester to better meet current space needs while still meeting requirements of truck-testing.

Students were provided with a list of must-have requirements, like-to-have requirements, and Altec mentors to assist with the project. Teams were able to visit the facility to view the current leak tester and plan their new designs.

“At the kickoff event in October, we presented the problem to them, gave them some design criteria to follow, assigned them Altec mentors and really just let them go and start their problem-solving process,” said Jay Eichelberger, general manager of Birmingham Operations.

Rising to the Challenge

Teams continued to meet regularly and worked with Altec mentors to come up with an effective leak testing concept. In January, teams were invited to Birmingham to present their projects to a group of Altec associates and a panel of judges that included leadership from engineering and human resources. Tuskegee took the first-place title for their design, followed by the team of Auburn and UAB, with University of Alabama taking third place.

“What we saw was frankly really amazing,” Eichelberger said. “You have a group of students—many have not been in a factory environment before and did not have a history of Altec—and they were able to take a process they were introduced to three short months ago and apply what they were learning in school to a practical process.”

Six of the students who participated in the challenge will be interning with Altec this summer in multiple locations. Thank you to all students who participated and to the Altec steering team who made this event a resounding success.

Are You Connected? Four Benefits of Connect

Posted on by kphillips

 

Whether you’re the first owner of your Altec equipment or the fourth or fifth, it’s important that you take the time to sign up for Altec Connect and register your unit.

Altec Connect is an online platform that is designed to give you access to the equipment information you need when you need it. In conjunction with the Altec Supply Store, it is your one stop online shop for ordering tools, supplies, accessories, replacement parts and managing your fleet information.

Below, see four benefits of registering your equipment.

Digitally Access Unit Documents

Misplaced your manuals? Or maybe a member of your service team needs the schematics for a truck currently in the field? Unit-specific materials including manuals, unit schematics and paperwork for Altec-performed inspections are all available digitally in Connect, meaning you have access to all of your paper documentation at anytime from anywhere.

Order Unit-Specific Replacement Parts 24/7

When it’s time to order replacement parts, eliminate the guesswork by ordering through Connect. When you order parts online through Connect, you’re getting the same parts that were used to build your specific unit as listed on your Bill of Materials. While expert members of Altec’s Parts team are available by phone Monday-Thursday 6:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Friday 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central time, Connect gives customers the ability to order parts online 24/7.

View Important Product Notices

Altec Product Notices are Altec-generated documents that require specific action or provide information about products after they’ve been delivered to you. APN types include a variety of information such as items that require immediate action, items that may require future action, best practices and more.

Receiving and completing APN actions plays a vital role in maintaining your equipment’s efficiency and safety. If you are not the original owner of your equipment, it is especially important to register your equipment and sign up for Connect to ensure you receive these critical equipment updates.

View and Manage Notifications for Service Jobs

As an Altec Connect user, you can keep tabs on open service jobs for your fleet. Within Connect, you can manage notification settings for service job status changes. This self-service feature allows you to set which service job notifications you would like to receive.

Don’t Miss Important Information: Get Connected Today

These features of Altec Connect are free for all users. For more information about all of the features available in Connect, click here. If you’re ready to get connected and start taking advantage of digital information about your fleet, create an account today. If you choose not to sign up for Altec Connect, you can still register your unit to ensure you receive important product notices by clicking here.

Reach New Heights with IJ26 Insulating Personnel Jib

Posted on by kphillips

As the electrical grid becomes more heavily stressed and outages become more expensive, the ability to work on electrical lines while keeping them energized is becoming more important than ever before. Compatible with the AC40E and AC45E, Altec’s new IJ26 Category A Insulating Personnel Jib allows for live-line work at new heights.

The jib allows for service of a 500 KV line with a barehand work application. When added to the AC40E, this jib creates Altec’s highest reaching insulating aerial device, giving operators the ability to accomplish live line transmission work practices at higher heights.

Easy Integration with Quick-Attach Aluminum Platform

The IJ26 insulated personnel jib seamlessly integrates with the aluminum two-person quick-attach platform. This platform is rated for up to 1,200 pounds of capacity and includes an additional grounding system to ensure continuity. The platform can be mounted on both the IJ26 as well as on the main boom tip with no modifications.

Four Pinning Offset Positions

The IJ26 is quickly offset into either the 0-, 15-, 30- or 45-degree positions via a single pin. Gently placing the jib tip on the ground allows for the pin to be unloaded and easily moved between offset positions. The use of a wheel at the jib tip prevents the jib from contacting the ground, preventing the risk of damage to the jib.

In-Cab Leakage Monitoring

The IJ26 includes a current leakage monitor mounted inside the cab. A current leakage monitoring system is critical for continual monitoring of current leakage while approaching, bonding on to and working on energized lines, ensuring the dielectric properties of the IJ26 are maintained throughout the use of the system.

Insulated Jib Length Maximum Air Gap (Clear Space) Maximum Platform Capacity AC40E Maximum Working Height AC40E Maximum Platform Capacity AC45E Maximum Working Height AC45E Dielectric Rating, Category A use only
26 ft 3 in 12 ft 10 in 1,200 lbs 193 ft 800 lbs 163 ft 500 kVAC

 

For more information on the IJ26, contact your account manager. If you do not have an account manager, call 1-877-GO-ALTEC or click here to contact a member of our sales team today.

Maximize the Life of Your Altec Boom Truck Crane

Posted on by kphillips

Advanced engineering and rigorous testing make Altec boom truck cranes a reliable workhorse for your fleet. These dual rated solutions offer operators the convenience of having two machines in a single piece of equipment by ensuring that both the crane standard of ASME B30.5 and the aerial standard of ANSI A92.2 are met based on configuration, set-up, and work to be performed.

Proper maintenance and inspection of your boom truck crane is vital to extending the life of your equipment. A full listing of maintenance procedures and intervals can be found in equipment maintenance manuals, with key components that include the boom, rotation system and hydraulic fluid. While your maintenance manual will cover all aspects of keeping your machine running as it should, some particular items of attention are mentioned below.

Boom Maintenance

Regular boom maintenance is key to increasing the longevity of your boom truck crane. Telescopic booms are steel structures designed to slide, making proper boom lubrication one of the most important steps in boom maintenance—and a key step to preventing many issues from arising. All sides of the telescopic boom sections should be lubricated once a month, or every 85 PTO hours.

Telescopic boom extension systems have critical parts that should be inspected regularly for optimal performance. Once a month, check all extend and retract cables for proper tension and abnormal wear, noting any stretching, overtightening or slack. Slide pads and retaining bolts should be checked monthly, as well.

Rotation System Maintenance

The rotation system is critical to the operation of a crane, and regular maintenance to keep the system in good working order will allow for smooth operation on the job site day in and day out.

The bearing itself should be greased every 85 PTO hours, or once a month. Most riding-seat Altec cranes have grease zerks strategically placed inside the operator cab to allow for easy greasing while the operator is in the seat.

Every 500 PTO hours, the rotation cap screws should be visually inspected, as well as inspecting the gear box to ensure the backlash is adjusted correctly. The bearing guard should be inspected for any obstructions that could cause damage or interference. Annually, inspect and measure the rotation bearing for wear and check the torque of rotation bearing cap screws.

Hydraulic Oil

Hydraulic fluid levels should always be checked prior to operation. Every 2,000 PTO hours (or every two years) the system should be flushed and the oil changed. Annually, an oil sample should be collected for testing fluid condition.

Altec Makes it Easy to Service Your Equipment

Altec’s Service team is ready to perform the manufacturer-recommended and industry-mandated inspections and maintenance your equipment needs. Altec offers both extended warranties and prepaid maintenance plans. When paired together, these plans help customers better budget for the future, avoid surprises and get the most out of their fleet’s equipment. Service centers and mobile mechanics are located across the country, making it easy to get the service you need to keep your equipment up and running.

Altec’s prepaid maintenance plans cover industry required preventive maintenance and more. Prepaid maintenance is available with the purchase or lease of new equipment, and added at any point throughout the lifecycle of your existing asset. Learn more about prepaid maintenance here.

Even with the best maintenance plans, some downtime is inevitable. Our extended warranty plan protects you from the repair costs associated with defects in materials and workmanship after the standard warranty expires. Learn more about Altec’s extended warranty here.

Need Help? Please contact us at 1-877-GO ALTEC, option 1.

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Altec Inc.

210 Inverness Center Drive
Birmingham, AL 35242-4834
Phone (205) 991-7733
Fax (205) 408-8601

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