Bucket voltage rating certification

[BigUglySquirrel]

I was reading another thread about line clearing and a fella said something about having to have rigs less than 6 yrs. old. That made me wonder about the dielectric voltage rating on the boom of a bucket. How often does that cert. need to be updated?? I know ours was done about 3 yrs. ago from the tag on the boom, but how often should it be done...and how often are all of you doing it? Also...who do you take it to to have it done? Does that 6 yr. age figure have something to do with the insulating properties of the stick or is it a mechanical liability issue? As always, thanks for the input!

 

[Lumberjack]

I think its to be inspected every year.

 

[Dadatwins]

Di-electric test needs to be updated every year. Usually done by dealer/ manufacturer of boom. Read manufacturers maintainence schedule and keep the boom clean of chips, birds nest, tree sap, dirt, gas, oil, ect. Debris in the boom is leading cause of di-electric failure for most booms.

 

[vharrison2]

Every Year.

 

[matthias]

Our trucks are on a yearly rotation and are tested by utility employees. I think it is $500- $1000 per truck (I don't pay it) but the peace of mind that a tested boom gives you within your limits of approach is worth it. :Eye:

 

[topnotchtree]

I have been with asplundh well over ten years and I have never heard of a bucket being tested for insulation properties. I do believe they are tested when new before entering the workfield, but never heard of them being tested after that. They do get a yearly mechanical inspection. We pull out of the utility's warehouse and I have seen the linemans trucks get tested every now and then.

 

[diltree]

You are supposed to get your bucket dialectically tested every year...id wouldn't shock me if asplundh did'nt adhere to this, but i buy my buckets from aerial lift of conn., they will actually come to your yard yearly to test all your riggs.

 

[diltree]

I was reading another thread about line clearing and a fella said something about having to have rigs less than 6 yrs. old. That made me wonder about the dielectric voltage rating on the boom of a bucket. How often does that cert. need to be updated?? I know ours was done about 3 yrs. ago from the tag on the boom, but how often should it be done...and how often are all of you doing it? Also...who do you take it to to have it done? Does that 6 yr. age figure have something to do with the insulating properties of the stick or is it a mechanical liability issue? As always, thanks for the input!

The six year old rigg clause.....I assume that it has to do with liability(hydraulic hoses busting, oil leaks...ext.) and maintaining a higher standard of what outfits the utilities Invite to bid.

 

[JJackson]

Our contractors (Asplundh and Trees Inc.) are rquired to have their buckets tested yearly and also fiberglass pruning poles are tested also. these things are required by the contract.

 

[clearance]

Up here in B.C. everybodies booms, trimsaws, polepruners have to be tested. Asplundh included, the booms are tested by the utility (B.C. Hydro).

 

[Treeman14]

We have ours tested every year. Aerial Lift of CT has a mobile crew that will come to your location. Its about $400 - $500 for a very thorough mechanical and di-electric test and certification.

 

[topnotchtree]

I talked with an Asplundh "safety guy" about the testing. He agreed many utility companied are requiring the testing, but our utility does not. Our contract calls for no equipment older that 7 years, maybe that has something to do with it. He did say if a boom needs repair, and a new hydro line gets replaced from the basket to the pedestal, the truck gets tested.

 

[Tree Wizard]

I'm with Treeman14. We also have Aerial Lift of CT aerial lifts and we have them come by every year to to do a PM on them. In fact they should be showing up in a couple of weeks. They do a great job and keep records on the unit. If you are in the market for a used Aerial Lift of CT, you can call them with the serial number of the unit you are looking at and they can tell you its history.

 

[diltree]

Aerial Lift of Conn. Is the best company hands down. We have been doing business with them since they opened their doors and skyworker went out of business. They have always offered great service, and an incredibly reliable product. I would never buy a lift from another company. To stay with the nature of the post...they make sure that our lifts are regularly maintained and inspected every year, and they come to us to perform the service.

 

[NeTree]

You are supposed to get your bucket dialectically tested every year...id wouldn't shock me if asplundh did'nt adhere to this, but i buy my buckets from aerial lift of conn., they will actually come to your yard yearly to test all your riggs.

Ditto. I don't know of anyone who has worked with them and been dissatisfied.