NTEA’s TSCMG focuses on uniform inspections

This article was published in the April 2019 edition of NTEA News.

NTEA’s Telescopic Service Crane Manufacturers Group (TSCMG) was formed in 2014. The group focuses on issues related to service cranes and promoting more efficient work truck builds.

One of this affiliate division’s initial goals is to develop an industry inspection form upfitters can use for telescopic service cranes. The industry form would incorporate elements of each participating company’s current inspection form into an industry-wide document to better assist truck equipment upfitters.

While this undertaking will be time-intensive, the end result should offer service crane installers a uniform inspection format resulting in increased operational efficiency.

The group also has 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.”

Additional future projects will include operator training and educational offerings, installation aids and enhancing OEM relationships to bring a unified voice on chassis-related issues.