Category: News Articles

Many businesses are establishing aggressive corporate sustainability goals to reduce the environmental and health issues that come from idling emissions. Also, states across the nation are implementing idling regulations and/or laws.

Not only are businesses recognizing the emissions risk due to idling but also the increased cost to their fleet operating budget from idling. Annual fuel and maintenance costs due to idling one truck alone can be close to $10,000.^1-5 This is a significant amount of savings when this cost is applied across a conservative fleet size of 15 medium/heavy duty trucks. For example, a fleet of this size can see annual idling costs of $150k.

If you’re looking for a simple solution that will reduce your fleet’s idling at the jobsite, support sustainability goals and idling regulations/laws, and improve your fleet’s operating budget, consider choosing Altec’s JEMS (Jobsite Energy Management System).

What is JEMS?

JEMS is an integrated plug-in system that uses stored electrical energy from a lithium-ion battery to power the hydraulics (such as the PTO aerial device), jobsite tools, cab comfort (AC and heat), and offers exportable power. The energy storage system is recharged through the following convenient options: plug-in charging Level I and II (SAE J1772) jobsite and mobile charging.

Altec’s 10+ years of developing, supporting and innovating jobsite idle mitigation technology has allowed our JEMS system to be recognized as the market leader for reducing idling at the jobsite.

JEMS has:

• Eliminated over two million jobsite idling hours
• Eliminated over 65 million “idling” miles of engine wear
• Avoided over 43 million CO2 lbs. unnecessarily emitted

Altec’s Latest JEMS Product Updates

Altec recently launched the JEMS S/SE/ and LE models. All the new JEMS models include the jobsite anti-idle feature; however, the SE (small aerial with ePTO) and LE (large aerial with ePTO), also includes an electrified PTO (ePTO). Altec’s new JEMS products include configurable options to offer our customers the JEMS solution to meet their work application and preferred payback period.

The introduction of Altec’s JEMS S/SE and LE offers ample energy for daily work and is designed for operation year-round. The updated Altec JEMS delivers a simplified, easy to use operator interface.

The easy-to-use JEMS in Cab Display gives the operator the ability to:⁶

• Engage JEMS with the touch of a button
• Monitor the charging level
• Receive proactive system alert notifications

Monitor your Jobsite Performance and Savings with JEMS Connect

The JEMS performance can be tracked and analyzed through the JEMS Connect dashboard. The intuitive dashboard allows you to easily identify opportunities to optimize your fuel and maintenance savings.

Operators can view the following metrics from the dashboard:

• Jobsite anti-idle performance
• Fuel and emissions savings
• Other key metrics to optimize your fleet’s jobsite anti-idle

Having visibility into this data ensures you’re maximizing JEMS performance and reducing your operating expenses.

In addition to these features, Altec offers financing through Altec Capital Services. When it comes to financing solutions, ACS customers can expect market expertise, industry knowledge and an unparalleled quality of service.

For more information on how JEMS can help reduce your fleet’s operating budget and achieve your fleet electrification goals, visit https://www.altec.com/products/green-fleet/ or contact Altec at 800-958-2555.

References:
1. Edison Electric Institute (EEI); Transportation Electrification; Utility Fleets Leading the Charge, June 2014.
2. ORNL – RNL: Lascurain, M.B.; Franzese, O.; Capps, G.; et al. (2012). Medium Truck Duty Cycle Data from Real-World Driving Environments: Project Final Report (ORNL/TM-2012/240). Work performed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the U.S. DOE
3. U.S Energy Information Administration for current fuel price: https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/
4. OEM Recommended DPF Cleaning Intervals
5. Mancilla, K. (2018, November 9). How to Maintain Your Boom Truck. Retrieved from https://blog.beaconfunding.com/business/how-to-maintain-your-boom-truck/
6. Altec Internal JEMS data on file.

Kermie Jackson, a Service Supervisor at Altec’s Florida Service Center in Riviera Beach, FL, has worked at Altec for 14 years. After working at a bakery as a mechanic, he decided he wanted to learn how to repair bucket trucks and came to work at Altec as a technician. He is passionate about customer satisfaction, teamwork and helping others achieve their career goals.

We sat down with Jackson to ask him about his job and learn more about what it’s like to work for Altec’s Service Group:

Altec: Where did you work before you came to Altec?

Jackson: I was a mechanic at a bakery. It was mostly electrical, with no hydraulics or pneumatics. I worked there for nine years and decided I wanted to be a mechanic somewhere else. So, I put my resume on Monster.com and was contacted and asked to interview. Here I am today, 14 years later.

Altec: What role did you start out in at Altec?

Jackson: I started as a Technician. Once I mastered that, within five years, I became a Master Technician. I took the initiative to make myself better. Altec helped me a lot with classes. After being a Master Tech for about nine years, they moved me up to Supervisor. I had no plans at first to be a supervisor. I just did my work and the manager saw how aggressive I was at working and the ability I had to talk to customers, so he decided to move me to Shop Supervisor.

Altec: How would you describe your coworkers?

Jackson: As far as a work family goes, I think we are much closer than that. It’s like your mom and dad, for example, and Altec is your mom. Altec helped me out tremendously. Our son got in an accident and they were there behind me one hundred percent. If I needed anything or needed anybody to talk to, they were there. That was a big help. There’s no us, I, or you; it’s a team. That made a big impact on me as far as being a team player.

Altec: From your experience, what career options does Altec offer to technicians?

Jackson: As far as your career goes, there are different avenues. Becoming a supervisor isn’t the only route you can take. There’s also a technician who went to work in our training department. We even have a Master Tech that’s going to work in our Tech Support department. It depends on you and where you want to go and how you want to get there, to prove to yourself that you can do something.

Altec: Can you describe what it’s like to work at Altec?

Jackson: Every day of my 14 years, I’ve learned something, or somebody has taught me something that’s been here less time than I have. It’s easy to move up; you just have to want it. Once you get on the Altec team, you’re in. They’ll treat you with respect. They’ll teach you anything you want to know. They’ll inform you.

Altec: What do you enjoy about your job?

Jackson: I like working with our customers. The best part is when they get their truck repaired, and say a week later, you call them and ask them, ‘How is your truck doing? Are you having any problems?’ That’s customer satisfaction.

Altec: In your 14 years at Altec, what values have you noticed are important to our company?

Jackson: Customer support, that’s the biggest thing. We support our customers one hundred percent. We support manufacturing. We support sales. That’s the Altec team, support. It’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had. Nobody supported me in my previous jobs the way Altec did.

 

At Altec, we know if we put our minds and hearts and backs into something, we can do anything. We care about people. We look after each other.

And no matter where we go, across the nation or the globe, we know one thing holds true: our equipment, our services, and our solutions are used to advance our communities and improve other people’s lives.

Does a career at Altec seem like the right fit for you? If you’re interested in joining Team Altec, check out our current job openings here.

Operating an aerial device or digger derrick without training could put you and others at risk of serious injury or death. Proper training is the first step to becoming a safe operator.

According to ANSI standards, being properly trained means, you’ve had general training for a category of equipment, and you’ve been familiarized with the specific units you operate. General training and familiarization are the two major requirements for operator training.

Think of general training as getting a driver’s license. You met the basic safety requirements, but general training doesn’t mean you can safely operate any vehicle. You still need to be familiar with, and proficient at operating each specific vehicle before heading out on the road.  If you’ve ever tried to find the air conditioning controls while driving an unfamiliar car, you’ve already experienced the need for familiarization.

For aerial devices and digger derricks, ANSI standards list five steps for familiarization:

1. Operator’s Manual Location — You need to learn where the operator’s manual is stored, because it’s the key to understanding the unit, and you’ll need it for the next three steps.

2. Read and Understand the Manufacturer’s Warnings and Instructions – The operator’s manual and unit placards list safety warnings, instructions, inspection requirements, capacity information and other details which are critical to safe operation.

3. Learn the Purpose and Function of All Controls – To safely operate, you’ll need to know why and how each control works. Be sure to check the operator’s manual if you have any questions about operating your equipment. This is another great reason to keep the operator’s manual nearby while you learn about the unit.

4. Learn the Specific Safety and Operating Characteristics of the Unit – This includes set up, leveling, load capacity charts, protection and interlock systems, just to name a few. Don’t assume that similar-looking units have the same operating characteristics.

5. Become Proficient in the Operation of Your Equipment – Spend enough time to become safe and competent at using the controls, to help protect yourself and others from injury.

A qualified person must familiarize you with each unit you operate. If you’re already qualified, the person in charge of the unit may authorize you to self-familiarize, using the five steps listed above.

Safe operators don’t take shortcuts in training. Instead, they take the time to fully understand any unit they operate. This makes their jobsites safer, for everyone.

Visit Altec 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.

Paramount Service & Maintenance is a lights and signs company based in Miami, Florida. The company installs and services everything from signs to exterior, interior and security lighting.

Eric Ribe, Account Manager for Paramount Service, says the Altec equipment his company uses every day is designed specifically for their needs, allowing them to perform a variety of jobs for customers throughout the busy Miami area.

Eric and his team rely on Altec’s LS49 to install and service lighting with maximum use and efficiency. Designed for the lights and signs industry for both installation and maintenance, the LS49 is a non-insulating two-stage telescopic aerial device with a working height of 49 feet and a side reach of 41 feet. The state-of-the-art innovative platform has 600 pounds of platform capacity and 180 degrees of platform rotation.

“There’s not a job that we can’t do with the trucks, from 30-foot signs, pole lights, exterior signs, canopy signs, we do it all,” Ribe said.

The LS49 features a short jacking outrigger capability coupled with a minimum 19,500 pound GVWR chassis. This helps operators keep a small working footprint while still maintaining a large working envelope. This unit is ideal for crews working in tight spaces that need versatility and flexibility at the jobsite.

For Paramount Service, this feature is exactly what is needed to find ways to work efficiently in the tight spaces of Miami streets. The sign and lighting crew depends on the LS49 and its smaller chassis to get in and out of cramped areas.

Nathan Soccaras, Equipment Operator at Paramount Service, says the outrigger setup on the LS49 is a feature that stands out at the jobsite.

When it comes to efficiency and ease of use, Soccarras said the outrigger setup is “very fast for service and maintenance.”

In addition to the LS49’s smaller frame and easy outrigger setup, the LS49 adds value to Paramount Service’s daily operations by eliminating the need for operators acquiring a CDL license.

Socarras compares the features and operation of the LS49 to having a good set of tools that are precisely what you need to get a job done.

“When you have the right tool for each job, with these trucks, you can do so much and have so much capability that you’re unstoppable,” Socarras said.

Are you interested in seeing what the LS49 can do for your lights and signs business? Call 800-958-2555 or contact an Altec representative online.

Are you looking for a great gift for the lineman in your life? If so, we’ve got you covered. Check out our list of the Top 10 linemen tools! This list is based on responses from our linemen who work in the field day in and day out.

To check out more linemen tools, visit Altec Supply Store to shop our entire Tools and Accessories Catalog. To speak to an Altec representative, call 1-877-GO-ALTEC.

Deciding what piece of equipment to purchase can be a tough choice, especially when time and resources are limited. When it comes to boom trucks and knuckle boom cranes, that decision can be even more difficult due to the similar work applications and capabilities of both. While there are many reasons to choose either type of crane, it often comes down to a customer’s personal preference and intended work applications. Both boom truck and knuckle boom cranes offer distinct advantages based on their intended use.

Which Type of Crane is Right for Me?

The first step in determining which type of crane to purchase is to consider where and how you intend to use it. These truck mounted cranes can be used for multiple work applications, such as electric line maintenance and construction for both transmission and distribution infrastructure, tree trimming and removal, material delivery, and general day-trade construction use. Additionally, it’s important to understand the basic structural differences of each type of crane.

To better help you choose which crane you need, we’ll cover work applications and basic features that apply to both pieces of equipment.

Knuckle Boom Cranes

A knuckle boom crane (also known as an articulating crane) is a piece of heavy equipment designed to lift loads, handle and deliver material and conduct work at the boom tip through a variety of attachments. These cranes are created to be lightweight and highly maneuverable for maximum payload while working in tight spaces.

Telescopic Boom Trucks

A boom truck crane, or a telescoping crane, uses high-boom angles and a hoist to lift loads. These cranes are designed for strength and stability and are typically used to lift heavy loads vertically.

Work Applications

Load placement, the weight of your load and your ability to transport it are all essential factors to consider when deciding which type of crane will best fit your daily work needs.

When it comes to load placement, a knuckle boom crane can be a good choice for moving loads point to point, whereas a boom truck crane is sometimes better at moving a load vertically or up and over obstacles such as structures or trees.

If you’re considering the size and weight of a load, heavier items that need to be moved farther away are best lifted by a boom truck crane. Larger loads that need to be moved to a jobsite are best carried by a knuckle boom crane because it doesn’t have the limitation of having a boom stow over the bed.

Support from Start to Finish

Altec offers both telescoping and articulating (knuckle boom) cranes. Altec’s telescopic boom truck cranes are available direct from our factory. For knuckle boom cranes, Altec is the exclusive distributor of Effer Cranes in the US. Regardless of which type of crane is needed, we offer our customers world-class lifting solutions that are designed and manufactured to meet their needs and specifications.

At Altec, we pride ourselves on maintaining consistent relationships with our customers that continue beyond your initial purchase. From the day of your purchase through the life cycle of your equipment, Altec is here to support you every step of the way with service, financing, safety training, tools, parts, fleet management and more.

This includes:

• The Altec Service, the industry’s most extensive fleet of mobile service vehicles and technicians covering both the entire United States and parts of Canada.
• Altec Capital offers financing solutions with market expertise, industry knowledge and unparalleled quality of service.
• Altec Sentry, our technical support and training organization, Altec offers knuckle boom and boom truck service training.
• Altec Connect, a one-stop shop for ordering tools, supplies, accessories, replacement parts and more for your knuckle boom or boom truck crane.
• Altec Fleet Services provides proven fleet management solutions focusing on the objectives most important to you: Safety, Compliance, Performance and Economics.

In addition to this support, both Altec boom truck cranes and knuckle boom cranes are the safest equipment solutions in the industry. From overload protection to outrigger boom interlocks and anti-two block devices, our cranes are designed and built with safety features that help owners and operators comply with the most up-to-date OSHA safety standards.

Are you interested in seeing what an Altec boom truck or knuckle boom crane can do for your business? Call 800-958-2555 or contact an Altec representative online.

This Altec Sentry short course explains the function, testing and inspection of the Altec anti-two block system (ATB). Note: before using this system, you must complete general training and familiarization for every model of crane you will operate. Read and follow the safety and operating instructions in the operator’s manual and unit instructional placards. Follow all applicable work rules and regulations and use the required personal protective equipment.

Anti two-block or ATB systems help prevent the ball block from contacting the boom tip. This is called two-blocking and can cause injury or death as well as damage to the crane, load line and ball or block. The Altec ATB system consists of a load line weight suspended from a chain, connected to a boom tip ATB switch. The ATB switch connects to the crane’s LMAP system through a wire or battery-powered transmitter.

Two-blocking can occur by:

• Winching up too far
• Booming down
• Extending the boom without paying out enough load line

If this happens, the ATB system triggers an audible alarm and an alert on the LMAP screen. It also disables certain crane functions. Examine and test the ATB system during the pre-operational inspection and whenever it is reinstalled. Check that the cotter pins on the ATB weight and switch are secure and in good condition. The ATB chain has a quick connect link. This allows easy assembly when the crane is reconfigured for certain crane functions such as lifting personnel. During your visual inspection, ensure this quick connect link is fully closed and that the chain is the proper length. If the pins or quick connect link are damaged or inoperable, it could cause the weight to fall while the crane is in use.

To test the ATB system, slowly raise the winch until the ATB weight is lifted. Verify the LMAP anti-two block alarm activates.

Check the following control functions do not operate:

• Winch raise
• Boom lower
• Boom extend
• Rotate (on some units)

The winch lower, boom raise and boom retract functions will operate normally. To complete the test, lower the winch to turn off the alarm and LMAP two-block warning. Verify normal winch and boom functions are restored. If any deficiencies are found, remove the unit from service and contact a qualified mechanic. The anti-two block system is a critical safety component on your Altec crane. Inspecting and testing it helps prevent death, injury, or equipment damage during crane operations.

Visit Altec 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.

One of the first things to happen during a storm is a loss of power and communications services. What does it take to restore these services? Bucket trucks and linemen. And lots of them. Bucket trucks and their operators are the lifeblood of emergency response teams in areas affected by storms. Arriving at their work stations at all hours and in all types of weather, these linemen are true heroes.

Linemen and their Bucket Trucks

For linemen, bucket trucks (also known as aerial devices) are both a means of transportation and an office. He or she relies on this truck for their livelihood and for the livelihood of others who depend on power and phone lines to keep their lives on course.

This is especially true during the aftermath of a storm. The bucket truck is essential for emergency post-storm clean-up and restorations. Using their bucket trucks, skilled linemen can safely repair damaged structures, utility lines, signs and street lights. As line crews leave to assist with storm recovery, they are faced with many challenges, severe weather, less than ideal sleeping conditions, and physically demanding work, all while being away from family and friends for extended periods of time.

What role does Altec play in storm recovery?

At Altec, we take pride in our work. We know the equipment we manufacture and support is more than just a product; it has the potential to keep communites safe and businesses running. Each Altec associate plays a vital role in making sure our equipment is built for safe and efficient work in the field. Whether we are welding steel, assembling units, designing new safety features, or testing equipment, we work to reach higher, to build our trucks to the highest standards for the linemen that serve our communities.

In addition to our bucket trucks, Altec cranes play a vital role in storm cleanup and restoration. The cranes are used to fix broken transmission lines and lift damaged trees from homes and businesses.

When it comes to storm recovery, Altec’s Service Group stays ready to help to assist our equipment operators and owners. No matter the time or day, our team is available to offer 24/7 emergency equipment repair and maintenance services.

Supporting the Industry

We take our support of the electric utility industry seriously and work to understand the difficulties linemen face so we can continue to build a better product. We strive to keep the linemen that use our equipment safe and productive and offer our full support to them – be it the services and products we provide or listening to their unique challenges to design new solutions.

At the end of the day, our work is more than just equipment or parts. It’s helping the best way we know how – by listening and working together to make a tangible difference in the lives of both our customers and communities at large.

Are you interested to learn more about what an Altec aerial device can do for your business? Call 800-958-2555 or contact an Altec representative online.

Are you using your digger derrick for utility construction? If so, it’s important to consider how OSHA’s construction crane standard could affect you and your equipment. Depending on the type of work you’re doing with your digger derrick, OSHA may consider it a crane. The official regulation, 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC, Cranes and Derricks in Construction is referred to in this article as the crane standard.

OSHA made a special exclusion in the crane standard for digger derricks that perform certain types of utility construction work. Altec recommends that digger derrick users thoroughly review the crane standard to determine if their digger derrick work is exempt.

Note: Your state and local requirements may be more stringent than OSHA’s rule.

Digger Derricks are excluded from the OSHA crane standard when: 

• Augering holes for poles carrying electric or telecommunications lines
  • Placing/removing the poles
  • Handling materials for installation/removal from the poles
• Performing any other work covered by 29 CFR 1926 Subpart V, Electric Power Transmission and Distribution
• Performing telecom construction work under 29 CFR 1910.268, Telecommunications

Note: For your digger derrick work to be exempt, you must fully comply with Subpart V, or 1910.268, or risk being cited under the crane standard. We recommend contacting OSHA directly if you have specific questions on whether or not digger derrick work is exempt.

If your digger derrick work is not exempt, you must follow OSHA’s crane standard training and equipment requirements listed below.  

Operator Training and Certification:

• Operators must be certified by a nationally accredited agency
• Certification does not fully train or qualify an operator
• Employers must evaluate and document operator qualification
• Demonstrated competence safely operating specific equipment
• Demonstrated ability to perform hoisting activities specific to assigned work
• A certificate is explicitly not enough to satisfy this requirement, see 1926.1427, Operator Training, Certification and Evaluation

OSHA Crane Standard Equipment Requirements:

• Inspections – See 1926.1412 – Inspections
  • Numerous requirements exist
  • Documentation is required
• Safety Devices – See 1926.1415 – Safety Devices
  • Crane level indicator
  • Horn, accessible to the operator
• Operational Aids – See 1926.1416 – Operational Aids
  • Required for units manufactured after November 8th, 2011:
    • Anti-two-blocking Device
    • Boom angle indicator
    • Load limiting device
• Hand Signals Chart – See 1926.1422 – Signals – Hand Signal Chart

To make informed decisions about training and certifying operators and inspecting and equipping your digger derrick, be sure to read the full OSHA crane standard carefully.

 

The Altec Digger Derrick OSHA Compliance package is a great way to equip your digger derrick to meet the OSHA crane standard. In addition, our Altec Sentry team offers operator training and certification through NCCCO. Contact Sentry at 205-408-8260 to get started.

Put 2020 behind you and start off 2021 right with a new 2021 Altec Wall Calendar. Every year Altec designs a calendar that showcases our equipment and customers. This year’s calendar features photos of our customers and their Altec equipment.

Purchase a calendar here on the Altec Merchandise Store.

Please note: The 2021 Altec Calendar can be ordered now and will start to ship on October 23rd.

To all of our customers, we appreciate you, your support and partnership with our team. Thank you for trusting Altec to be your equipment and service provider. We look forward to serving you with Teamwork and Continuous Improvement in 2021.

Many of our photos for this year’s calendar were sourced from Altec fans on social media. We appreciate every fan and customer who sends and tags us in such great photos. Keep it up and you just might be asked to be in next year’s calendar. Follow Altec on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more fun customer photos and updates.

Featured photos source:

January

@theurbanfellers on Instagram

February
Brian Farchette @cabletech75 on Instagram

March
Malcom Leach @malcom_leach on Instagram

April
@altecinc

May
@altecinc

June
@leonidas_tm on Instagram

July
Southeast Lineman Training Center @sltc99 on Instagram

August
@altecinc

September
Bonneville Power Administration

October
@altecinc

November
Blake Ballard @power.farms on Instagram

December
@altecinc

Wondering how to spend the rest of your 2020 equipment budget? Thanks to Section 179 and Bonus Depreciation tax benefits, now is a great time to purchase equipment your company may need to mitigate future inventory shortages. Over the past few years, the Section 179 tax deduction has been available for companies to utilize throughout the entire year.

If you’re interested in applying these tax benefits to your purchases, our knowledgeable finance experts at Altec Capital are ready to help you and your business find the best options to achieve significant savings. If you would like to take delivery at year-end, any equipment purchased through Altec Capital can be secured with no up-front down payment.

Altec Capital Financing offers:

• Deferrals up to 90 days
• Aggressive Financing Rates
• A variety of lease options

What type of financing option is best for me to receive Section 179 benefits?

Capital Lease 

For accounting purposes, the Capital Lease is treated as if the asset were purchased. This type of lease is similar to an installment purchase and includes a bargain purchase option of $1 at the end of the term. With the same tax treatment as a loan, you can depreciate the equipment while deducting the interest portion of the payment. At the end of the term, there are no sales tax implications since there is no transfer of ownership. This type of lease is commonly referred to as a $1 Buyout Lease.

Advantages:

• The Tax Benefit of Ownership – including depreciation and interest expense deductions
• Conserves lines of credit with other lenders
• Tax advantages

Equipment Finance Agreement (EFA) 

An Equipment Finance Agreement is a loan product that helps increase your overall profitability. An EFA benefits customers who desire immediate equipment ownership yet want to pay for the equipment over an extended period of time.

Advantages:

• The Tax Benefit of Ownership – including depreciation and interest expense deductions.
• Provides a variety of payment plans, including monthly, annual, and skip payment plans.
• Quick equity buildup through repayment.
• Better cost control and cost containment.

For 2020, bonus depreciation is offered at 100%. This option is only available for a limited time. Bonus depreciation typically takes effect after a business reaches the Section 179 spending cap. It’s also available for both new and used equipment.

Check out the resources and information below to familiarize yourself with Section 179: 

Section 179 Details:

• Advantages of Leasing and Financing
• Section 179 Explained
• Section 179 Calculator
• Property that Qualifies

Using a tax lease in the 4th quarter is a great way to take advantage of the best rates of the year from Altec Capital. These favorable depreciation deductions will deliver tax-saving benefits to many businesses in 2020. Please note that all qualifying assets will need to be financed and placed in service by December 31.

Call (888) 408-8148 or email finance@altec.com if you have any questions about Altec Capital lease options or 4th quarter tax benefits.

Have you registered your unit ownership with Altec? No matter where you purchased your Altec unit, even if it’s several years old, we’re excited to have you in the Altec family. Registering with Altec lets us keep you informed of important product updates and safety information for your unit.

Registering your ownership isn’t just a great idea; it’s also required. According to ANSI standards, you’ve got 60 days after purchase to send us your ownership information. Even if it has been longer than that since you bought your unit, we still need to know about it.

To register, go to Altec.com and fill out the Unit Registration form online. Or, you can send in the registration card included with the unit manuals. You can also register by phone. Just call 877-GO ALTEC and choose Option 4.

While you’re registering, check out the other resources waiting for you at Altec.com. Sentry online training, Service, Parts, Supply, and many other customer benefits to enjoy.

We’re looking forward to hearing about your unit purchase. To learn more about registering your unit– contact your representative or send an email to altec.connect@altec.com.

Altec has developed a Lanyard Detection System that promotes safe unit operation by helping to ensure line workers are “clipped in” while conducting work from the platform. This operator aid helps reduce the risk of falling from the platform by reminding users to attach their lanyard before working at height.

This system is available on the following model and platform package combinations:

• AA, AN and AM aerials with single one-man (211) or single two-man (217) platform packages
• AN67-E100 and AN67E-E100 aerials with single two-man (217) platform package
• Retrofit compatible with 2016 & newer AA, AN and AM aerials with single one-man (211) and single two-man (217) platform packages

Lanyard Detection Systems helps to ensure that operator lanyards are attached prior to operating the aerial from upper controls. The systems are available in two configurations – Lanyard Alert and Lanyard Interlock.

Units equipped with Lanyard Alert will detect if the lanyard is not attached and sound an audible alarm at the platform when the ISO-Grip interlock is engaged. The unit operation will not be prevented and the aerial will continue to operate but with the audible alarm sounding.

The Lanyard Interlock system goes one step further to ensure safer jobsites by disabling upper controls operation if the lanyard is not detected, in addition to sounding an audible alarm when the ISO-Grip interlock is engaged.

One key feature of both Lanyard Detection Systems is Anti-tie down, which uses electronic sensors to detect and prevent the system from being permanently defeated. Anti-tie down helps ensure a safe jobsite, in circumstances where operators leave a lanyard or other device attached to the fall protection anchor.

Lanyard Detection Systems provide the following benefits to users: 

• Reduces the risk of a person falling from the platform
• Prevents operation of the aerial upper controller (Lanyard Interlock)
• Universally compatible with existing lanyards
• Factory installed solution, eliminating the need to self-install components or the time required to send the vehicle to a third-party installer
• Maintenance-free power supply, no need to maintain or replace a battery
• Risk of abuse reduced by anti-tie down functionality
• Reduced risk of OSHA jobsite fines

“Altec has created the first and only Lanyard Detection System for insulating aerials that can prevent accidental unit operation when the lanyard is not secured. This feature goes a long way towards promoting repeatably safer jobsites for those working at height,” says Ryan Hulleman, Altec’s Large Aerial Market Manager.

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

Do you know how to maximize the use of radio remotes on your Altec digger derrick?

Read below to find out how.

Check Your Batteries 

First and foremost, think about the batteries in your radio remote. It is best to swap in a fully charged battery at the beginning of each workday. It minimizes downtime, unnecessary trips to the battery charger and provides uninterrupted control of your Altec digger derrick.

We understand that your focus is on the job at hand, so Altec derrick radios are equipped with an inactivity timeout to conserve battery life. After five minutes of inactivity, the radio will turn off, and the operator can perform the radio start-up procedure when ready to operate the digger derrick again. The radio timeout feature helps the radio and operator increase productivity at the jobsite.

Assess Your Remote’s Connectivity 

Whenever the radio is turned on, it requires the operator to perform a start-up procedure to link it to the digger derrick. The procedure is different on each radio and is available in the operator manual provided with your derrick. It is important to hold the start/link button through two full beeps before releasing it. You may encounter connectivity issues if you are too quick to release the link button.

Did you know that the radio remote has a tilt sensor? If the radio is tipped for longer than two to five seconds past 75 degrees, the remote will unlink from the derrick. This functionality is a safety feature to help prevent unexpected machine operation. If you find that the radio is not working, your first step should be to perform the startup procedure.

Are you having an issue with the radio intermittently working with your derrick? Go to the receiver mounted on the turntable of the derrick. Perform a visual inspection of the connections and antenna to ensure they are fully seated. Also, if you haven’t put in a fully charged battery, consider doing so.

Should you find you need additional support, please call 1-800-GO-ALTEC.

Are you interested to learn more about what an Altec digger derrick can do for your business? Call 800-958-2555 or contact an Altec representative online.

At Altec, we live and work by a set of values that place the customer first and view people as our greatest strength. Throughout our history, we have maintained a consistent culture that has helped us earn the confidence of our customers and associates worldwide.

That’s why today, Altec is an innovative, financially sound company setting the standard of excellence in design, manufacturing and service. We are dedicated to ensuring an inclusive and welcoming environment that hosts a diverse team of associates and interns. We believe these individuals truly represent the best our industry has to offer.

In 2020, despite a global pandemic, Altec remained committed to hosting our summer internship program. While our interns could not work with our teams in person, they were given the opportunity to work virtually from home. These interns joined meetings, completed team projects and learned the ins and outs of working in a corporate environment. In addition, these students participated in weekly video calls with Altec Leadership.

To give an in-depth look at what an internship with Altec is like, interviewed Jessika Wren, who interned with our Information Services department this summer.

2020 Altec Summer Corporate Interns:

Joseph Blalock

• College: The University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Major: Accounting
• Hometown: Trussville, AL

David Brooks

• College: Auburn University
• Major: Management Information Systems
• Hometown: Birmingham, AL

Laura Ethridge

• College: Auburn University
• Major: Accounting and Information Systems Management
• Hometown: Hoover, AL

Brianna Foster

• College: The University of Alabama
• Major: Accounting
• Hometown: Birmingham, AL

Rishik Hombal

• College: Case Western Reserve University
• Major: Computer Science
• Hometown: Birmingham, AL

Tara Livingston

• College: Boston University
• Major: Computer Information Systems
• Hometown: Athens, AL

Siddarth Nathella

• College: Purdue University
• Major: Mechanical Engineering
• Hometown: Blacksburg, VA

Kennedy Schwefler

• College: The University of Alabama
• Major: Marketing
• Hometown: Birmingham, AL

Logan Sheaffer

• College: The University of Alabama
• Major: Marketing
• Hometown: Birmingham, AL

Haley Woodruff

• College: The University of Alabama
• Major: Management Information Systems
• Hometown: Madison, AL

Jessika Wren

• College: The University of Alabama
• Major: Management Information Systems
• Hometown: Gardendale, AL