Weather is something we cannot ignore in the bucket truck business. Tree trimmers get busy when high winds knock down trees, and utility companies respond when weather-caused emergencies occur. And now another hurricane season (June – November) is upon us. It doesn’t seem like that long ago that we were talking about 2017 and the monster hurricanes that hit Puerto Rico, Florida, and Texas – not to mention the devastation of some other Caribbean islands. With that in mind, here is what NOAA predicts for 2018. Boy, wouldn’t you like to have a job that allowed such room for error?! In … [Read more...]
History of Digger Derricks – Part II
If you had a chance to read History of Digger Derricks, Part 1, you know that a digger derrick is essentially a mobile machine with a digger derrick mounted on a truck chassis. It is extremely large due to the physical dimensions and heavy weight of the attached boom pedestal and booms, the hydraulic motor, auger, and accessories. The digger truck has a powerful engine to multiply the torque and control the hydraulic system, which in turn directs the rotational capacity of the auger. We gave a brief history starting in the early days of electrification when power line construction was a … [Read more...]
To Buy (or Build) a Bucket Truck … That is the Question?
Bucket trucks are an important part of many businesses, including tree trimmers, foresters, sign companies, and of course, utility companies. So it’s important to find the bucket truck that’s right for you. Many companies sell new and used bucket trucks. Here’s a short list of the most popular brands. Hi-Ranger (which is now owned by Terex) Altec Teco Holan Reach All Versalift Which Truck Will You Buy? When buying a bucket truck, there are many options to consider – new, used, articulating boom, telescoping boom. You will want to consider how high you will need the … [Read more...]
Hydraulic Fluid 101
Actually, we should have named our blog Hydraulic Fluid 5606 since bucket truck manufacturers recommend fluids that comply with Mil spec 5606. It’s all about the viscosity – it’s low-viscosity aviation hydraulic fluid. Technically speaking, Mil-H-5606 is a U.S. specification for hydraulic fluids based on mineral oil. They are used in military 3,000 psi hydraulic systems. Their biggest drawback is their flammability, which is why they are no longer used in new commercial aircraft designs. However, many piston general aviation aircraft still depend on 5606 hydraulic fluid. The fluid … [Read more...]
History of Digger Derricks – Part I
Digger derricks are used mainly in the electrical, telecommunications, and cable fields, as well as in the construction industry. Derrick trucks feature an auger that drills the hole, and pole clamps to grasp the pole as it is being inserted. The main components of a digger derrick are the pedestal, the turntable, the booms, the cylinders for boom control, the outriggers or stabilizers, the digger motor, the auger and auger teeth, and the controls. From digging to lifting, these trucks are designed to literally do it all. The rotating hex-shaft auger is specifically designed to … [Read more...]