Serious question about bucket truck boom...

[bigcut]

Dustin, a drift test is not just shutting down the power source and pulling the lever, first set up the truck where you can leave it for at least a half hour (lunch time) set the boom in different positions to test the different valves, over back for the upper boom upper cylinder, over the cab raised upper boom a little, lower in the cradle for upper boom lower cylinder, lower boom out of the cradle upper boom stored in rest for lower boom cylinder. In these three positions measure the distance from basket to ground or cab and let it set, have lunch remeasure any movement over a couple inches the valves need adjusting probably not replacement.

Get a lift manual. Cable inspection just as important look for fatigue breaks wires separating with a space in between, more important valley break where wire sticks up from the valley of the twists valley breaks show the cable was exposed to too much stress. Give me a call and I can send you a manual and explain some of these important inspection procedures. 207 451 8201.

Mike Lee

 

[Dustin]

Thanks to everyone for all of the information. I knew this was the right place to look for what I needed. I will begin a log of everything I do, and keep track of any servicing or inspections/tests that I do as well. It makes sense that if nobody else has records I certainly should.

I will continue to look for more information and make sure that I am as safe as I can be at work. Everyone on this board knows that what we do doesn't need to be any more dangerous or risky.

If anybody else has similar issues or needs information about booms in general, I will leave the thread open ended for anybody else that wants info. Otherwise, anybody else can feel free to keep adding comments as they see fit. I can never have too much information.

Mike- thank you for the offer. PM sent.