Bucket Truck Boom Failure

[96coal449]

A friend, also a contract climber, have been using this one 80' elevator.

Truth be told, we shouldn't be. Service on this unit is currently non existent. Doesn't even seem to have seen any service for some time. The zerk fittings in the end of the boom look like they would need work just to get them to accept grease. The leveling of the bucket creaks from time to time and, the controls are touchy and jerky. Like the control valves are worn out.

We refuse to use the elevator, and only use the rear outriggers to negate the front one that doesn't hold pressure. We negate all this by working off the rear of the truck.

Still, we're both at the point of refusal to operate this bucket. At the same time, we both gotta eat. Some of these jobs we do require a bucket or crane to complete.

I honestly don't have much fear for my own life. Much of what I have strived for is gone....and so be it.
I am concerned for my friend who operates it. He is young with much future ahead. I've made him aware but, like me....he needs to eat as well.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

A friend, also a contract climber, have been using this one 80' elevator.

Truth be told, we shouldn't be. Service on this unit is currently non existent. Doesn't even seem to have seen any service for some time. The zerk fittings in the end of the boom look like they would need work just to get them to accept grease. The leveling of the bucket creaks from time to time and, the controls are touchy and jerky. Like the control valves are worn out.

We refuse to use the elevator, and only use the rear outriggers to negate the front one that doesn't hold pressure. We negate all this by working off the rear of the truck.

Still, we're both at the point of refusal to operate this bucket. At the same time, we both gotta eat. Some of these jobs we do require a bucket or crane to complete.

I honestly don't have much fear for my own life. Much of what I have strived for is gone....and so be it.
I am concerned for my friend who operates it. He is young with much future ahead. I've made him aware but, like me....he needs to eat as well.

I have fear for your life and would prefer it if you came back alive. Same with your friend. We loose too many good people to preventable issues.

What is preventing maintenance and inspection on the lift? Are there quality rentals that could replace it in the interim while you fix/search for a replacement?

I know we haven't talked much, but most y'all on here I consider my friend. I really prefer not losing friends.

 

[96coal449]

I have fear for your life and would prefer it if you came back alive. Same with your friend. We loose too many good people to preventable issues.

What is preventing maintenance and inspection on the lift? Are there quality rentals that could replace it in the interim while you fix/search for a replacement?

I know we haven't talked much, but most y'all on here I consider my friend. I really prefer not losing friends.

I'm good with it all.....
The company isn't going to last in IMHO. Dude's the 3rd owner and a fresh contract to buy it out.
There is no maintenance on any of the equipment. The chipper hasn't even seen any grease all season.
I've begun to think, with reasons, this is a laundering business. I've used this bucket twice and pretty much refuse to continue. But, when push comes to shove, I won't let it stand in the way of a $500 pay day. I gotta survive...or not. As fucked up as it sounds.

We haven't talked much only because I'm not here much these days. Thanks my friend, all is well.

 

[Reach]

A friend, also a contract climber, have been using this one 80' elevator.

Truth be told, we shouldn't be. Service on this unit is currently non existent. Doesn't even seem to have seen any service for some time. The zerk fittings in the end of the boom look like they would need work just to get them to accept grease. The leveling of the bucket creaks from time to time and, the controls are touchy and jerky. Like the control valves are worn out.

We refuse to use the elevator, and only use the rear outriggers to negate the front one that doesn't hold pressure. We negate all this by working off the rear of the truck.

Still, we're both at the point of refusal to operate this bucket. At the same time, we both gotta eat. Some of these jobs we do require a bucket or crane to complete.

I honestly don't have much fear for my own life. Much of what I have strived for is gone....and so be it.
I am concerned for my friend who operates it. He is young with much future ahead. I've made him aware but, like me....he needs to eat as well.

That sounds like a very bad situation. Seems to me like it might be time to look into another opportunity for work. There are certainly plenty of legitimate companies out there, and at least around here everyone is hiring. Don't know where you're at, but I'm sure there is someone better nearby that would put you in a safe machine. Or come out here and join us, we are hiring right now as well. And all of our machinery is kept up-to-date and properly maintained.

 

[96coal449]

I'm to heavily invested to move. Honestly, there isn't much offered for good companies. The ones looking for help are ones no experienced climbers want to work with, and for good reasons.

I've just enlisted myself with another crane OP. He's ''rammy and jammy,'' my quote, to the point of being dangerous. I've worked with him on sites for over a decade. He's been rough on me both on the ground and riding the ball. He gets jobs where he needs to bring in a climber. With an $800 day rate. I gotta do what I got to.

I'm knowingly taking the extra risks. pushing hard to start up on my own again. I'm literal[y a cripple. Many outfits wouldn't want me, even though I still get shit done. I'm all good.

Thanks for the concerns, and @Reach thanks for the offer.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

That sounds like a very bad situation. Seems to me like it might be time to look into another opportunity for work. There are certainly plenty of legitimate companies out there, and at least around here everyone is hiring. Don't know where you're at, but I'm sure there is someone better nearby that would put you in a safe machine. Or come out here and join us, we are hiring right now as well. And all of our machinery is kept up-to-date and properly maintained.

Straight up. There's a dozen of us on here that wouldn't not put you in fucked up positions like that, contract climber or not. I've been there, to a degree, but a big part of being your own boss is having the faith to choose what is better, and make room for that better by refusing what doesn't help you grow.

It doesn't feel good to be in that transactional of a relationship. Being fully extracted from without anyone caring for the repercussions has largely fallen out of many industries. I don't know why we tolerate it in tree care.

I could refer you to a dozen quality companies in the twin cities metro that need folks. Even the "hacks" around here treat their guys better than that. You are worthy of being treated with dignity in a job that demands it.

I don't think you are good with it all. I've been in your shoes, and it's not so much being good with it as just hoping something else comes along. You have to make the room for the better to come.

Additionally, how would it impact you if someone else got injured or killed because of equipment failure that could have been prevented? It's not just you and old boy with the bucket, there's real bystander property and lives at stake. Let alone if someone else uses the bucket and gets offed by it.

I respect you very much for bringing this up. In no way am I meaning this to be a lecture. Life is hard. It's getting harder. There's lots out there to not want to continue on for. I'll be candid, I think tree care attracts folks who have a "nothing to lose" mindset that you just can't tell therapists and family about. I struggle with it daily. We want you around. We want to see you grow and thrive. Nobody should be stuck in something that is fully unsafe, willingly or otherwise.

I raise my hand and volunteer to talk if you'd like. I don't pretend to have all the answers, but I can at least listen a bit and try.

 

[96coal449]

Straight up. There's a dozen of us on here that wouldn't not put you in fucked up positions like that, contract climber or not. I've been there, to a degree, but a big part of being your own boss is having the faith to choose what is better, and make room for that better by refusing what doesn't help you grow.

It doesn't feel good to be in that transactional of a relationship. Being fully extracted from without anyone caring for the repercussions has largely fallen out of many industries. I don't know why we tolerate it in tree care.

I could refer you to a dozen quality companies in the twin cities metro that need folks. Even the "hacks" around here treat their guys better than that. You are worthy of being treated with dignity in a job that demands it.

I don't think you are good with it all. I've been in your shoes, and it's not so much being good with it as just hoping something else comes along. You have to make the room for the better to come.

Additionally, how would it impact you if someone else got injured or killed because of equipment failure that could have been prevented? It's not just you and old boy with the bucket, there's real bystander property and lives at stake. Let alone if someone else uses the bucket and gets offed by it.

I respect you very much for bringing this up. In no way am I meaning this to be a lecture. Life is hard. It's getting harder. There's lots out there to not want to continue on for. I'll be candid, I think tree care attracts folks who have a "nothing to lose" mindset that you just can't tell therapists and family about. I struggle with it daily. We want you around. We want to see you grow and thrive. Nobody should be stuck in something that is fully unsafe, willingly or otherwise.

I raise my hand and volunteer to talk if you'd like. I don't pretend to have all the answers, but I can at least listen a bit and try.

Thank you, sincerely.