Utility Pros

Investing in Rebuilds and Transfers

Utilities and utility contractors with large fleets of equipment often utilize telematics and other data tracking systems to monitor age, utilization, and maintenance costs. This type of information enables fleet owners to...

Do You Know Your Load? This Tool Can Help

All bucket trucks have a maximum rated load established by the manufacturer. Operating within this range is an important facet of operator safety and preventing equipment damage...

Bucket Truck Annual Inspections: Part 2 – Factors to Remember

During the annual inspection, the mechanic or service technician needs to conduct a performance test of all the boom’s movements. It is important to check the condition and tightness of all the bolts and other...

Bucket Truck Annual Inspections: Part 1 – Factors to Remember

On a vehicle-mounted aerial device, one of the most critical components to influence the productivity and the safety of the utility crew is the boom. The boom’s ability to elevate, rotate and position operators into place is the single biggest factor in...

Frequent Bucket Truck Boom Inspections: What to Do and When?

Frequent boom inspection and tests should be performed immediately prior to first use of a bucket truck at the beginning of each shift. ANSI (the American National Standards Institute) and each bucket truck manufacturer have provided owners with detailed guidelines for conducting frequent (daily to monthly) tests that will...

Best Kept Secret to Screw Anchor Installation

What’s a digger derrick without efficient tools? The Hollow Kelly Bar is another example of why Terex Utilities designs and manufactures its own auger tooling. It’s actually one of the best kept secrets for screw anchor installation.

Best Practices When Conducting Site Surveys

Bucket trucks and digger derricks are some of the most important machines in your equipment fleet. To maintain safe productivity on any jobsite, follow these best practices for conducting a site survey for safe set-up, operation, and care for your bucket truck. As always, refer to...

Practical Considerations for Distribution Class Electric Trucks

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) sustainability goals are among the key reasons electric utilities are looking for clean, quiet equipment to add to their operations. As original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) work to find solutions to offer the industry, the key question is...

When Outsourcing Fleet Maintenance Makes Sense

Maintaining a regular maintenance schedule, whether through in-house resources or by outsourcing to a trusted partner, will keep any utility company’s equipment fleet up and running for a long time. If a utility truck has any issue that cannot be fixed...

Help Your Equipment Work Harder and Last Longer with Preventative Maintenance

Every utility equipment owner knows that preventive maintenance is key to keeping a fleet running at peak efficiency. This is especially true in today’s economy as the cost of buying new equipment compared to the cost of investing in preventive maintenance programs significantly...

Part 2 – Troubleshooting Tips When Insulated Booms Fail Dielectric Testing

In the previous article, we covered the different situations that occur when dielectric testing is needed and possible causes when the testing fails. The following steps will dig deeper on what can be done if the boom continues to fail...

Part 1 - Troubleshooting Tips When Insulated Booms Fail Dielectric Testing

Insulated aerial devices and digger derricks may provide secondary protection to help protect workers who follow proper work practices from electrocution. For this reason, dielectric testing is critical to...