bucket on a hill?

[PurdueJoe]

When setting up our bucket I understand the 5 degree slope side to side and being wary when setting up on a side to side slope and be very careful setting up in areas with side slope as well as front to back. But, I have a buddy from altec that says front to back slope only is something to figure in. But every company I have worked for never worried about the just straight front to back slope meaning if I pull my truck up or down on a very, very steep grade with no side to side slope just chalk the wheels and rock out. Whats everyone's take on this??

 

[Tree Dr.]

hill

the gear that rotates the turret is a weak point compared to the lift, if the set up requires rotating extended boom upgrade might be a problem.

 

[chip's-tree]

When setting up our bucket I understand the 5 degree slope side to side and being wary when setting up on a side to side slope and be very careful setting up in areas with side slope as well as front to back. But, I have a buddy from altec that says front to back slope only is something to figure in. But every company I have worked for never worried about the just straight front to back slope meaning if I pull my truck up or down on a very, very steep grade with no side to side slope just chalk the wheels and rock out. Whats everyone's take on this??

if I understand your post---I don't worry about straight front to back but the side slope I do. If I'm working steep ground I always setup straight up and down the grade.

 

[teamtree]

If you are working straight off the front of the truck you should be fine...but if you want to work to the sides then you are setting yourself up for a big time problem. Your weakest link in your bucket truck is your turn-style (maybe wrong technical term). It is meant to work on level ground. When you move the boom to the side then you are putting a huge load on that turn-style. I have had some older trucks slip and that is why I only work off the front if I am working up slope. I would never work down slope either (unless you got a bed full of chips to give you some weight but still it is risky.

 

[chip's-tree]

If you are working straight off the front of the truck you should be fine...but if you want to work to the sides then you are setting yourself up for a big time problem. Your weakest link in your bucket truck is your turn-style (maybe wrong technical term). It is meant to work on level ground. When you move the boom to the side then you are putting a huge load on that turn-style. I have had some older trucks slip and that is why I only work off the front if I am working up slope. I would never work down slope either (unless you got a bed full of chips to give you some weight but still it is risky.

teamtree the first time anyone swings sideways a on much of a slope you won't ever have to tell them "don't do that again"----they'll have to change their pants... the turret is the weakest link.

 

[Rftreeman]

It depends on the grade of the slope, my second man once slid a few feet down a step driveway because he unloaded the rear wheels (took the boom off the front) which were the brake wheels, dang truck rolled right over the chocks, broke the driveway and scared me pretty good.

As for side slope, same thing, depends on the grade of the slope.

 

[Komitet]

I've never had an issue working on front/back slopes. Some of the terrain here we work into almost 45deg, we always set up with the front facing up, our booms/trucks are inspected monthly by ourselves and by the mechanics every 6 months, and by MTO yearly, always check your turntable sprocket and ensure it's lubed.

 

[lego1970]

I'm glad you asked because I came across the same concern last year and it's nice to know I'm not the only one that questions that. Last year I got to do some off road bucket work useing a 4x4 85' bucket truck with 4 outriggers. We had that thing at some extreme angles front to back but always managed to shore up the sides with blocks of wood to keep it level side to side. Not only did the turret make some serious straining noise but when you looked down the boom, it would be like 5' leaned away from center. I can't imagine it was good on all the pins and knuckles to be torqued sideways like that but it held up. I was saying a lot of prayers and holding my breath for the 4 weeks going across this hilly farmland.

 

[clearance]

I'm glad you asked because I came across the same concern last year and it's nice to know I'm not the only one that questions that. Last year I got to do some off road bucket work useing a 4x4 85' bucket truck with 4 outriggers. We had that thing at some extreme angles front to back but always managed to shore up the sides with blocks of wood to keep it level side to side. Not only did the turret make some serious straining noise but when you looked down the boom, it would be like 5' leaned away from center. I can't imagine it was good on all the pins and knuckles to be torqued sideways like that but it held up. I was saying a lot of prayers and holding my breath for the 4 weeks going across this hilly farmland.

Welcome to the site. Good to have another guy that does treework, nothing wrong with weekend warriors, but we need more guys who do the work.

 

[Rftreeman]

I'm glad you asked because I came across the same concern last year and it's nice to know I'm not the only one that questions that. Last year I got to do some off road bucket work useing a 4x4 85' bucket truck with 4 outriggers. We had that thing at some extreme angles front to back but always managed to shore up the sides with blocks of wood to keep it level side to side. Not only did the turret make some serious straining noise but when you looked down the boom, it would be like 5' leaned away from center. I can't imagine it was good on all the pins and knuckles to be torqued sideways like that but it held up. I was saying a lot of prayers and holding my breath for the 4 weeks going across this hilly farmland.

reminds me of working transmission ROW with a skidder bucket, we had that thing in some spots that made my a hole so tight you couldn't have driven a hair up it with a jack hammer on steroids.

 

[lego1970]

Welcome to the site. Good to have another guy that does treework, nothing wrong with weekend warriors, but we need more guys who do the work.

Thanks!