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Equipment maintenance is an important part of any safety program with knuckleboom trucks. Keeping equipment clean should be considered a part of every maintenance program as well, since clean vehicles are not only easier and safer to use but easier to maintain as well. What is often not realized is that there is a right way and a wrong way to keep this truck and specifically the crane itself clean and maintained, being careful to avoid using the wrong products for this process that could be harmful and affect the integrity of the boom. Understand Boom Construction Before attempting to clean or work on a knuckleboom truck or the boom itself, it is essential to understand just how the arm works and equally important, how it is constructed. Due to the nature of the work that is performed of lifting people and things, most knucklebooms and aerial lifts are constructed with fiberglass casings around all of the mechanical parts. The buckets themselves are made of fiberglass as well, at least those used in electric utility applications. Fiberglass is a non-corroding, non-conductive material made of glass fibers and epoxies or plastic polymers that when combined, produce a very strong, moldable and durable material that does not conduct electricity; this can prevent linesmen from being electrocuted while working. A fiberglass bucket keeps workers safe while the covering around the whole boom prevents the transmission of electric currents from the arm to the truck. This could damage the vehicle and electrocute workers touching the vehicle or working nearby. Specialized Cleaning Products When washing fiberglass booms, buckets, and protective parts, only special cleaners and wipes that are OSHA approved for use on this material should be used as other chemicals are typically too harsh. This special material used on knuckleboom trucks for industrial and electrical use is finished with a coating to help protect it that can be damaged or dissolved when general cleaners are used. Over a period of time, these chemicals can actually begin to soften the fiberglass itself and affect its strength, creating weak spots that can crack, break and lose protective properties. When damaged, this material can allow electric current to be conducted which defeats the vehicle's purpose; any damaged fiberglass will have to be replaced which is very expensive. While stronger degreasers and cleaners may be necessary for other parts of the truck, it is important to know which parts should be washed with certain materials to keep all parts working with no damage. A Clean Boom Truck is a Safe Boom Truck Besides knowing about suitable cleansing products to use on different parts of the vehicle, keeping a washed boom truck provides the best way for them to remain useful and well-maintained. Damaged wires, hoses and other parts can be noticed when the truck is clean as will cracks in fiberglass parts, rust on metal parts, and anything else that could be problematic if left untreated. An accurate safety check on a vehicle that is covered in grease and dried mud cannot be done, so every crew should thoroughly wash and degrease it regularly. Doing so helps prevent and delay corrosion due to road salt, pine pitch, road tar and other things that could corrode the truck's surfaces. Following routine cleaning and maintenance, every truck should be waxed to protect the metal parts and fiberglass as well, providing a finishing touch on a well-kept, safe vehicle. Though it may seem like a lot of work to continually wash and wax knuckleboom trucks, it is an essential step that must be taken seriously. Damage, corrosion and other safety issues can be discovered quicker this way; it also looks more professional for crews to head out to a job in clean, shiny and safe knuckleboom trucks! Christopher M. Hunter is an expert in commercial specialty trucks. To find out more about Knuckleboom Trucks, go to the main website at: http://www.centraltrucksales.net/home.
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