inspection, look for anything that is out of the ordinary. The truck body should be free from any visible damage, dents, or deformation, and the glass and mir- rors should be intact with no cracks. Open and close all doors and windows to ensure they function smoothly. And take a moment to scan the hydrau- lic cylinders and hoses – any fraying, bulging, or leaking indicates that they need immediate attention. The exterior of the vehicle should also be free from corrosion, and all nuts and bolts – especially those securing core components – must be tight and ac- counted for. Check every tire, including the spare, to confirm they are inflated and in good condition. Look under- neath the truck for any visible leaks, and then move to the boom. The boom should show no signs of rust, deformation, or damage. Inspect the boom rest or cradle, along with all pins, rings, and bolts, to ensure everything is secure. Next, check the bucket. Confirm the mounting is solid, the liner is intact, and the door latch opens and closes as it should. Outriggers, outrigger pads, and tie-off points should also be inspected for wear and structural integrity. Lastly, take a moment to verify that all required decals – such as safety labels, warnings, operating instruc- tions, etc. – are legible and in place, and that the operator’s manual is stored in the truck.
When it comes to preparing bucket trucks for winter, oil is the key area that operators should focus on first.
be topped off and clean, and engine coolant must be at the proper level. “Coolant is a very important part of the truck,” Dean said. “It makes sure that the engine stays cool and doesn’t freeze up in the engine." Next, move onto the hydraulic fluid, confirming it’s within the manufac- turer’s recommended range. Take a quick look for any fuel leaks and check to ensure there’s enough fuel for the day.
hazard as the operator drives down the road. “It’s no different than when you see big sheets of ice fly off the top of a car,” said Dean. “The same thing hides inside the aerial lift, on top of the booms, and all the components – all that water sits there and freezes.” One way to avoid these kinds of acci- dents is by using bucket covers to keep water from weighing down and freez- ing inside the bucket. “Once it gets weighed down, that water accumulates and freezes,” he said. “It can turn into a giant block of ice, and as the truck goes down the road, the wind can get underneath it and lift it up.” At a minimum, Dean recommended cleaning off bucket trucks and large equipment before driving or operating them to prevent unwanted hazards on and off the road. Fluids Checks The next step is to pop the hood and check all fluid levels. Brake fluid should
Bucket Truck Fluids During Wintertime Operation
General & Exterior Winter Inspection Tips
When it comes to preparing bucket trucks for winter, Lumberg said oil is the key area that operators should fo- cus on first: “Altec recommends warming up the oil when temperatures are below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.” It’s important to refer to the manufac- turer’s recommendations, as some may request a different viscosity, or thick- ness, of oil for wintertime operation.
Eric Lumberg, product safety manager at Altec , explained that as tempera- tures drop in the winter, his compa- ny recommends keeping steps and walkways clear of ice and snow. This precaution also follows the regular project manager (PM) checklist found in Altec’s maintenance manual. Just as importantly, if there’s ice pres- ent on the aerial lift, it could cause a
ArborTIMES ™ Winter 2026 | 23
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online