All digger derrick operators and service technicians should follow the ANSI/ASSP A10.31 standard, as it is crucial for ensuring the safe and efficient use of digger derricks. It provides a framework for design, operation, and maintenance, and it helps to minimize accidents and injuries related to these machines by stating the maintenance and operation responsibilities of the owner, user, and operators.

Proper Use and Maintenance

The performance and mechanical integrity of a machine is directly attributed to the maintenance, use, and proper operation of the digger derrick. A highly trained operator or technician can often find problems with a machine before they become critical in nature. The training on the maintenance the operators and crews receive is valuable to detect any issues with machines before they go into the field.

Implementing a preventive maintenance program for a company’s utility fleet, based on the manufacturer’s recommended guidelines, keeps equipment costs low and uptime high. Detailed and accurate records are essential to a successful maintenance program.

Frequent and Periodic Inspection Intervals

An Operator’s Manual and a Maintenance Manual is delivered with every digger derrick that Terex manufactures. The manual outlines tasks that are needed to take place in frequent and periodic inspection intervals that include daily, 90 days, 180 days, and annually. At Terex, we will always offer to assist in helping the end user’s maintenance program for the best fit of the company’s size and needs.

Daily

Daily maintenance tasks that we list include a visual inspection of multiple systems, as well as an operational test of the digger derrick’s functions. Terex lists 20 different actions to take when performing the daily inspection. The best people to complete the daily maintenance tasks are the truck’s operating crew. They see it before operation begins and are responsible for the pre-shift inspection. They need to look for any damage, deformation, missing parts, or loose fasteners. They know the most about the truck’s particular sounds and performance. If any components or functions of the truck are not working properly, then these items need to be brought to the attention of supervisors and a trained service technician or mechanic and repaired or replaced to ensure the safety and productivity of the truck and its crew.

90 Days

After the first 90 days of operation of a new machine, the return filter needs to be replaced. Every 90 days  a torque check should be done on all the auger attachment fasteners. Lubrication is also important – our manual and a chart on the machine shows all the points that need to be lubricated. At the 90-day mark, the daily inspections should also take place.

180 Days

At 180 days, the tightness of the rotation bearing bolts, turntable to bearing, and bearing to pedestal needs to be checked for proper torque. All exposed hoses should be inspected, and the hydraulic tank breather needs to be cleaned. The daily and 90-day inspections should also be conducted.

Annual

Annual inspections should include inspecting and lubricating the PTO pump splines or drive shaft to pump if it is equipped. The hydraulic oil needs to be sampled and tested. In addition, the cylinder drift test and a structural & critical weld inspection should be performed. The hydraulic pressure adjustments should be checked for the proper setting, and the extension cables, if equipped, should be lubricated. Finally, the daily, 90-day, and 180-day inspection actions should also be performed. If the unit is insulating perform a dielectric test to verify the insulation is performing as expected. Any unsafe conditions disclosed by any inspection or during use shall be corrected before operation of the digger derrick is resumed. Only Qualified personnel shall do adjustments and repairs. (Please refer to the manual for your unit for any additional maintenance items.)

Communication Throughout Is Key

Maintenance intervals are excellent opportunities for the truck’s operating crew and the company’s service technician or mechanic to have an open discussion about how the truck is being used, the conditions it is operating in, and how it is performing. During the annual inspection, everyone involved in the truck’s operation and care needs to look at the truck’s maintenance records to spot any patterns.