Maximize the Life of Your Altec Boom Truck Crane

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.