The cherry picker, also known as a bucket truck, is one of the best pieces of equipment to ever exist in the telecommunications and power line industries. It has made the work of line personnel much safer and highly efficient. The cherry picker is not just for the exclusive use of these industries; Several other companies that do aerial work on a regular basis can also benefit from them. Before you decide to buy this machine from a dealer or equipment auction, it is important to understand the uses of this equipment, as well as its main parts.
Cherry Picker Uses
A cherry picker is used to lift workers and material to certain high heights, usually accomplished via an adjustable mechanical arm called a boom. The base of this component varies by application; For industries that require equipment to work in multiple locations, it mounts to the rear of a truck frame.
major components
It is also important to know more specific information about the various parts of this vehicle to ensure that any possible purchase includes exactly what is needed for specific tasks.
- Boom – This is the most predominant feature of the cherry picker. It is a steel support that connects the base support of the equipment and the platform where the worker is located. Its length can be adjusted depending on the required working height and there are two design variations for this component. The first is the telescopic arm that can change length by extending subsequent sections within the main one similar to a telescope. The second design is an articulated boom, which can be adjusted by folding and extending the knuckle-shaped sections of the boom.
- bucket – The hub is a sheath made of non-conductive material such as fiberglass. As the name implies, this component closely resembles an oversized bucket and is generally about waist height for an average-sized worker. It connects directly to the top of the boom and serves as a safe platform from which workers can operate.
- Turret – A tower connects the lower end of the boom and the truck chassis. You can rotate 360 degrees horizontally to adjust the direction of this component. It is also equipped with a joint to allow vertical movement of the boom.
- Base – In most outdoor cherry picker applications, the boom is mounted on a truck. This allows for equipment mobility as these vehicles can operate effectively in both paved and off-road conditions. The base truck’s engine also provides the power to drive all of the equipment’s hydraulic components.
- stabilizers – The size and weight of the barrier are massive; Because he can move to either side of the truck, he can cause the crew to lose their balance and tip over. The purpose of the stabilizers is to provide additional support and increase the base of the truck to prevent it from tipping over. Most cherry pickers have two sets of stabilizers, one behind the cab and one set at the rear end of the truck bed.
- Hydraulic system – Another important component of this equipment is the hydraulic system which is made up of a pump, lines and rams. Basically, these three sub-components convert the power from the engine through the PTO into the actual movement of the boom and stabilizers.
It is important to know the individual components of a bucket truck, especially before purchasing one. Component specifications, as well as truck model, vary from manufacturer to manufacturer; some applications may require particular specifications. To be sure you buy the right cherry picker, it’s vital to first learn and know its different parts!