Altec engineers our digger derricks with the equipment and systems that make the work you do easier, like digging holes at an angle or lifting maximum loads. Here is a list of ways to maximize the performance and safety of your Altec Digger Derrick.
Perform Full Range of Motion Checks
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI A10.31) requires digger derrick users to perform a test of all functions through the complete range of motion prior to each work shift. Without this simple rule, there is no other way to ensure the unit is fully functional before it’s put to work. An added side benefit is exercising hydraulic cylinders and bearings, and circulating lubricant within the unit.
RotaFloat: Screw Anchor Installation Made Easy
An experienced operator knows that installing a screw anchor with a digger derrick can be a challenging task to master. Achieving just the right combination of Boom Down, Boom Rotate, and Boom In/Out control is tricky enough, but adding in tough soil or bad weather conditions can challenge any operator.
Altec’s RotaFloat system eases the challenge by allowing Boom Rotation to automatically follow the sideways pull of the screw anchor. This system allows the operator to concentrate more on applying downward pressure and precisely controlling the anchor’s angle. Using RotaFloat also reduces side loading, which means less wear and tear on components during anchor installation. Order as an option on your new Altec Digger Derrick or order a kit to retrofit your model.
Consider Your Travel Height
Before traveling with an Altec Digger Derrick, it’s important to position the pole guides fully forward every time the boom is stowed to ensure the digger derrick height is at or below its posted travel height. Another important travel consideration is determining the minimum clearance height of obstacles along the planned route, including power line crossings, and compare them with the height placard inside the unit cab. Violating minimum power line approach distances can have life-threatening consequences. Develop good operator safety habits like careful route planning to help avoid accidents before you put the key in the ignition.
Know Your Structural Limits
Altec Digger Derricks are designed and tested for rock-solid reliability at their maximum load rating. Hydraulic Overload Protection (HOP), a standard feature on Altec Digger Derricks, is a big contributor to efficient operation and derrick safety.
When downward pull on the boom reaches the safe maximum hydraulic load, HOP disables certain functions of the digger derrick. For example, when digging a hole, too much downward pressure on the auger can quickly increase the load on the boom. The operator might not notice or react in time, but the HOP system will turn off the dig function before the load exceeds structural limits.
During lifting operations, HOP is an important structural protection feature involved in disabling Winch Raise, Boom Extend, and Boom Lower functions to prevent overload. Although HOP cannot prevent instability or replace an operator’s proper use of capacity charts, it’s a valuable tool for monitoring structural limits.
Maintain Five Winch Drum Wraps
Keeping five wraps of winch line or more on the drum ensures your unit can safely handle its rated load. Your Altec Digger Derrick was built with the proper length of winch line installed. However, shortening or replacing it with an improper length of line could create an unsafe situation, especially when using full boom extension and multiple parts of line. Always ensure replacement parts meet Altec specifications, and make a habit of visually checking the winch drum prior to lifting a load at maximum radius.
Our thanks to Altec, a leading equipment and service provider for the electric utility, telecommunications, contractor, lights and signs and tree care markets, for giving us permission to post this article on our website. The company provides products and services in more than 100 countries throughout the world. More info about the article – (Click Here).
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