Picked this up the other day. Forestry truck

[Regalia626]

1995 gmc with a 366. I didn't get any books with it. Anyone know what type of lift it has? Good/bad? I'm thinking it's a 55 foot? Any concerns I should have for safer purposes? It's been all greased everything starts and runs good it just looks beat up.

Thanks!

 

[mike515]

That boom is an Asplundh LR 4 or 5 probably. I don't remember what each one looked like back then. Altec eventually got the rights to the design. As far as how to tell if it's safe....that's tough to say just looking at one pic or even a bunch of pics. I'd start with inspecting everything. Check all of the welds, bolts, hoses, components, etc. Check the fiberglass upper boom and the insert in the lower boom to make sure there are no cracks (and also fly the boom over-center so you can check the bottom of the fiberglass with the weight of the boom on it stressing it the opposite way) Then fly the boom from the pedestal and take it through it's entire range of motion. There should be no creaking, clicking, jumping or floating at any time. Everything should run smooth and quietly.

Of course, none of this will mean the boom is 100% safe but it should help you see or hear any obvious issues. Congrats on your new boom.

 

[Regalia626]

Thanks for the info! Can I still get parts for it? And I'm going to take some pics of the top of the boom. There is some marks that go across the top boom up and down the boom

 

[mike515]

Yeah...post some pics. Gray...kind of metallic looking marks on the upper boom are probably from rubbing on power lines. Pretty common on line clearance trucks. As far as parts....I'd say to call Altec with the serial number. They can either sell parts or locate the nearest dealer for you. They can also use the serial number to see if there have been any recalls on that model and if your particular unit has been updated (there is usually a database created for that kind of thing). You can probably get a manual from them too.

 

[Regalia626]

Thanks a lot! Ill put some pics up in the next few days

 

[Regalia626]

Is this a normal thing? That's the top of the upper boom. Looks like where it rubbed on wires

 

[Regalia626]

I can't find the serial number on the bucket. Does the trucks serial number work?

 

[mike515]

Those marks aren't what I was talking about. The marks from wires can usually be cleaned off. I don't know what happened to that boom. I've seen similar marks before but nothing that extensive. If it looks like that fiberglass can retain any moisture you may want to sand it down and seal it.

Your serial number should be on the pedestal of the boom. There should a metal placard with the serial number, model, etc. It might be the one you can kind of see in your pic (just left of the upper boom in the pic) but usually it should be near your lower hydraulic controls. The serial number also will be engraved or stamped into the lower part of the pedestal.

 

[lone wolf]

That boom is an Asplundh LR 4 or 5 probably. I don't remember what each one looked like back then. Altec eventually got the rights to the design. As far as how to tell if it's safe....that's tough to say just looking at one pic or even a bunch of pics. I'd start with inspecting everything. Check all of the welds, bolts, hoses, components, etc. Check the fiberglass upper boom and the insert in the lower boom to make sure there are no cracks (and also fly the boom over-center so you can check the bottom of the fiberglass with the weight of the boom on it stressing it the opposite way) Then fly the boom from the pedestal and take it through it's entire range of motion. There should be no creaking, clicking, jumping or floating at any time. Everything should run smooth and quietly.

Of course, none of this will mean the boom is 100% safe but it should help you see or hear any obvious issues. Congrats on your new boom.

Does that one use a rotation chain for the main turret?

 

[Regalia626]

Yes. I just saw lr3 on it so that mystery is solved. Now I'm trying to find a serial number on it like mike informed me

 

[mike515]

Does that one use a rotation chain for the main turret?

It's been maybe 20 years since I've worked with an LR and I don't remember if those had a chain or not. I'm pretty sure the earlier models used a chain. I remember the biggest difference we talked about back then was the knuckle. They eliminated the old cable style and introduced what you can see in the OP. They look kind of like huge bicycle chain links and they were supposed to be maintenance-free. But if the LR 4s and 5s did eliminate the chain and go to a gear, I'd consider it an upgrade.

 

[lone wolf]

It's been maybe 20 years since I've worked with an LR and I don't remember if those had a chain or not. I'm pretty sure the earlier models used a chain. I remember the biggest difference we talked about back then was the knuckle. They eliminated the old cable style and introduced what you can see in the OP. They look kind of like huge bicycle chain links and they were supposed to be maintenance-free. But if the LR 4s and 5s did eliminate the chain and go to a gear, I'd consider it an upgrade.

I had that rotation chain snap and put me into the lines! I hope it don't use that stupid design.

 

[mike515]

Yes. I just saw lr3 on it so that mystery is solved. Now I'm trying to find a serial number on it like mike informed me

I was close!

I knew for sure that it wasn't an LR 1 or LR2 because of that knuckle. Wasn't sure exactly which model they made the switch on. I thought it was 4 but evidently not.

 

[lone wolf]

I was close!

I knew for sure that it wasn't an LR 1 or LR2 because of that knuckle. Wasn't sure exactly which model they made the switch on. I thought it was 4 but evidently not.

You ever work on Aerial Lift of Conn?

 

[mike515]

I had that rotation chain snap and put me into the lines! I hope it don't use that stupid design.

Did you get hurt? I bet they said it was the foreman's fault for not inspecting it properly. I swear that was probably the only reason they even had the "G sheets".....just so they could blame you when something went wrong.

 

[mike515]

You ever work on Aerial Lift of Conn?

I've used one but didn't really work on it. It didn't belong to me.

 

[lone wolf]

Did you get hurt? I bet they said it was the foreman's fault for not inspecting it properly. I swear that was probably the only reason they even had the "G sheets".....just so they could blame you when something went wrong.

It was my truck my company. The wires stopped it and I came down on a rope. The stupid chain was a bad idea. Not hurt but rattled.

 

[lone wolf]

I've used one but didn't really work on it. It didn't belong to me.

They work good it seems and are strong.

 

[mike515]

It was my truck my company. The wires stopped it and I came down on a rope. The stupid chain was a bad idea. Not hurt but rattled.

Ah...I see. I guess the system is only as strong as the weakest link. I started out with that particular orange company years ago. The "G sheet" was the equipment inspection form that we had to fill out weekly. It may have been different in different parts of the country but where I was, those booms usually didn't get inspected every week. They wanted us moving and billing and to inspect a boom the way that sheet required us to would take a little time. So most guys just put "G" for everything (I don't remember how many things where on the list but it was a lot....maybe it was 88 things...that number just jumps out at me for some reason).

I remember one time that I marked down a bad tire and my general foreman sent it back to me with that circled and the words "Needs to say good" next to it. So maybe they should put a good tire on it then! But of course....we weren't supposed to call it a "G sheet". I think it was there to protect the company....not the employees.

 

[lone wolf]

Ah...I see. I guess the system is only as strong as the weakest link. I started out with that particular orange company years ago. The "G sheet" was the equipment inspection form that we had to fill out weekly. It may have been different in different parts of the country but where I was, those booms usually didn't get inspected every week. They wanted us moving and billing and to inspect a boom the way that sheet required us to would take a little time. So most guys just put "G" for everything (I don't remember how many things where on the list but it was a lot....maybe it was 88 things...that number just jumps out at me for some reason).

I remember one time that I marked down a bad tire and my general foreman sent it back to me with that circled and the words "Needs to say good" next to it. So maybe they should put a good tire on it then! But of course....we weren't supposed to call it a "G sheet". I think it was there to protect the company....not the employees.

I remember after they got sued if you called them for tech support the were reluctant to answer any questions I had.