Bucket trucks

[treeclimbermike]

I just bought a 1994 GMC with an Altec LR III-55. The truck runs like a dream and looks brand new. I have been in the aerial. It runs nice and smooth and the hoses look fine. This is my first time having a bucket truck and using one as well. I plan on having it looked at this week. Before I do I have noticed a little bounce in the upper arm near the base. There are no cracks or anything, but don't know if this is normal. Physics wise it makes a little sense that there is this bounce, but would like an opinion from many of our experienced bucket operators. Other than that I have just looked for any signs of fatigue in the steel. Is there any thing I should look for that I can see? I value the expertise of many of you and would appreciate any feed back on this.

 

[John464]

bounce is normal. you need to ease onto the controls instead of pushing them down all the way like you would, say a stump grinder. the upper boom is the most touchy control.