1. Equipment maintenance is an important
part of any safety program with
knuckleboom trucks. Keeping equipment
clean should be considered a part of every
maintenance program as well, since clean
vehicles are not only easier and safer to use
but easier to maintain as well. What is often
not realized is that there is a right way and a
wrong way to keep this truck and
specifically the crane itself clean and
maintained, being careful to avoid using the
wrong products for this process that could
be harmful and affect the integrity of the
boom.
IT support
2. Understand Boom Construction Before attempting to clean or
work on a knuckleboom truck or the boom itself, it is essential to
understand just how the arm works and equally important, how it is
constructed Due to the nature of the work that is performed of lifting
people and things, most knucklebooms and aerial lifts are
constructed with fiberglass casings around all of the mechanical
parts The buckets themselves are made of fiberglass as well, at
least those used in electric utility applications Fiberglass is a
non-corroding, non-conductive material made of glass fibers and
epoxies or plastic polymers that when combined, produce a very
strong, moldable and durable material that does not conduct
electricity; this can prevent linesmen from being electrocuted while
working A fiberglass bucket keeps workers safe while the covering
around the whole boom prevents the transmission of electric currents
from the arm to the truck
3. This could damage the vehicle and electrocute workers touching
the vehicle or working nearby Specialized Cleaning Products
When washing fiberglass booms, buckets, and protective parts, only
special cleaners and wipes that are OSHA approved for use on this
material should be used as other chemicals are typically too harsh
This special material used on knuckleboom trucks for industrial and
electrical use is finished with a coating to help protect it that can be
damaged or dissolved when general cleaners are used Over a
period of time, these chemicals can IT support actually begin to
soften the fiberglass itself and affect its strength, creating weak spots
that can crack, break and lose protective properties
4. When damaged, this material can allow electric current to be
conducted which defeats the vehicle's purpose; any damaged
fiberglass will have to be replaced which is very expensive While
stronger degreasers and cleaners may be necessary for other parts
of the truck, it is important to know which parts should be washed
with certain materials to keep all parts working with no damage
A Clean Boom Truck is a Safe Boom Truck Besides knowing
about suitable cleansing products to use on different parts of the
vehicle, keeping a washed boom truck provides the best way for
them to remain useful and well-maintained Damaged wires, hoses
and other parts can be noticed when the truck is clean as will cracks
in fiberglass parts, rust on metal parts, and anything else that could
be problematic if left untreated
5. An accurate safety check on a vehicle that is covered in grease and
dried mud cannot be done, so every crew should thoroughly wash
and degrease it regularly Doing so helps prevent and delay
corrosion due to road salt, pine pitch, road tar and other things that
could corrode the truck's surfaces Following routine cleaning and
maintenance, every truck should be waxed to protect the metal parts
and fiberglass as well, providing a finishing touch on a well-kept, safe
vehicle Though it may seem like a lot of work to continually wash
and wax knuckleboom trucks, it is an essential step that must be
taken seriously
6. Damage, corrosion and other safety issues can be discovered
quicker this way; it also looks more professional for crews to head
out to a job in clean, shiny and safe knuckleboom trucks!
Christopher M Hunter is an expert in commercial specialty trucks
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