This article was published in the March 2020 edition of NTEA News.
NTEA’s Telescopic Service Crane Manufacturers Group (TSCMG) was formed in 2014. It targets key issues related to service cranes and helps promote more efficient work truck builds.
A primary priority is to continually develop programs to help enhance the safe and efficient use of service cranes. A recently completed initiative is a uniform inspection form upfitters can utilize to examine telescopic service cranes. This project involves incorporating elements of each participating company’s inspection form into a universal document for truck equipment upfitters to use for service cranes.
While this takes time to create and implement, the end result will offer service crane installers a uniform inspection format for increased operational efficiency. Additional projects include operator training and educational offerings, installation aids and enhancing OEM relationships to bring a unified voice on chassis-related issues.
The group also developed a definition for its product: “A service truck crane is identified by its telescopic boom, where the base and mast structure is not integral to the stabilizer/outrigger system. Lifting is typically accomplished via a winch (electric or hydraulic), and its functions (rotation, elevation, telescoping) are either powered or manual. These machines tend to have relatively shorter boom lengths (10–35 feet) and lower capacities (1–7 tons) as compared to other telescopic boom-fixed cab machines (e.g., boom trucks, carry deck cranes). Additionally, operations are usually conducted by the use of radio remote or pendant control with the operator standing on the ground following the load.”
Learn more about TSCMG at ntea.com/tscmg or contact Bob Raybuck, NTEA director of technical services, at bob@ntea.com.
