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 estimate lifetime maintenance costs and predict when it makes business sense to repair equipment or replace it. When it comes to truck-mounted equipment like digger derricks or aerial devices, one other option to consider is rebuilding the equipment. 

“People like Terex equipment because its rugged and it works. It’s longevity in the field often makes rebuilding and transfers of Terex equipment a good investment,” says Bradd Weibel, Terex Territory Sales Manager.

Lifetime of Chassis Versus Bucket Truck or Digger Derrick Device 

Under normal operating conditions, the engine or chassis may wear out before the aerial device or digger derrick. The expected lifetime of the chassis, depending on mileage, is 10 to 12 years, while Terex Utilities aerials and digger derrick devices may last much longer. When that is the case, equipment managers have three options: sell and buy new, transfer the aerial or digger to a new or rebuilt chassis, or rebuild the original package. 

How to Proceed: 

When considering how to proceed, Terex Services can assist by providing a thorough inspection. If any components or structures require major repairs then rebuilding may not be feasible, unless availability of new equipment does not satisfy needs. However, if standard refurbishment is needed for things like pins, bushings, control heads, bearings, hoses, and paint, then Terex Utilities can provide detailed estimates to help the contractor decide what to handle in-house and what refurbishment should be handled by a third party. 

“Terex Services frequently does transfers or updates to specific aerial device or digger derrick components, as well as carrier components such as: brakes, alternators, starters and other non-electric chassis work.  In addition, we can also rebuild the booms,” says Weibel. 

What’s Next?