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EQUIPMENT FOCUS EQUIPMENT FOCUS ground is firm enough to support your bucket truck. If the ground is not firm enough, you need to use pads under the outriggers and crib as needed to distrib- ute the load or reposition the truck on firm ground. If your bucket truck does not have outriggers, or is only equipped with one set, make sure all the tires and axle suspension springs are equally loaded. "Always set up your truck in a position to safely do the work," he said. If the vehicle must be parked on a slope, always keep the boom on the uphill side, chock the wheels, and work off the rear of the truck.Per ANSI A92.2, bucket trucks should be operated on firm, flat surfaces and never exceed a 5- degree slope. "Use your bucket truck's chassis level indicator to make sure the truck is always set within the manufac- turers operational limits," said Olson. "There are many limitations for the truck and crew when working on an incline so we instruct our crews to follow the manufacturer's instructions for maxi- mum slope set-up for that model of aerial device," said Tom Wolf, president of Wolf Tree in Knoxville, Tenn., a division of Davey Tree. "You need to know what the maxi- mum bucket load capacity is on your truck, and do not exceed it at any point during operation," added Olson. "That means you need to know how much each person, tool and accessory weighs By Amber Reed hether you work for a tree care company or are a municipal arborist or do utility right-of-way main- tenance, aerial devices, particularly bucket trucks, are some of the most important machines in your equipment fleet.To maintain safe productivity on any jobsite, follow these best practices for set-up, operation and care for your bucket truck. Set-up According to Jim Olson, product and safety engineer, Terex Utilities, conduct a site survey before any work begins — identify potential hazards that you need to avoid during operation, including ditches, drop-offs, holes, debris, sewers, overhead obstructions, electrical conductors and underground utilities. At this point, said Olson, you also need to determine if the 16 Arbor Age / November/December 2011 before getting into the bucket. And, you need to anticipate how much weight will be added during operation — from branches and twigs that fall into the bucket to sawdust that will accumulate." It is also important to evaluate the site's ambient conditions, including temperature. Operating in extreme weather conditions requires that you take extra precautions to protect your crew and truck."Once our site survey is done, our crews hold a job briefing to discuss the project," said Wolf. "It is important that each and every team member understands what needs to be accomplished, and what challenges are involved." Mark Vaughn, vice president of Davey Tree in Kent, Ohio, also requires a pre-work meeting with the crew. "Before project start-up, Davey crew leaders perform a jobsite safety/hazard analysis with the crew, develop a job plan — including delega- tion of task assignments — and communicate the plan through an interactive job briefing with the crew. Once the crew is working the plan, if error precursors arise, the crew must stop, evaluate hazards, and repeat the planning process to safely adapt www.arborage.com