Keep Your Booms Telescoping

Harley Wilson

Harley Wilson is president of LAB, LLC, Indianapolis, Ind., a distributor for LUBE-A-BOOM, a friction-reducing lubricant for telescoping booms on cranes, forklifts, aerial lifts, and hydraulic excavators. For more information, email sales@lubeaboom.com or visit www.lubeaboom.com. This article is reprinted with permission from the Association of Equipment Management Professionals

 

Many different crane, forklift, and aerial work platform models incorporate telescoping booms in their designs. The simplest telescopic boom design consists of a sliding section that rides on wear pads, while another design relies on rollers. Although there are differences in construction and required maintenance, all telescopic booms can develop severe problems if they are not properly adjusted and maintained. When booms are not properly maintained, severe problems can occur • in the most extreme circumstances, these problems can require owners to replace one or more sections of the boom.

Lubrication

One problem area in particular is boom lubrication. Boom sections that are not properly lubricated can accelerate wear, especially if they are exposed to an abrasive environment, such as an area with excessive amounts of sand. Harmful abrasives have a tendency to adhere to the lubricant, so the telescoping sections should be cleaned thoroughly with a pressure washer after they are exposed to this environment. Some OEMs recommend that lubricants shouldn't be used in these environments, but it is up to the individual end-user to determine whether that is acceptable.

 

In another setting, over-greasing a telescopic boom may seem like a simple solution. However, since globs of grease dripping off the machine can cause accidents and an unsightly mess, it is equally important to keep from over-greasing a boom.

 

Different applications require different lubricants. Most maintenance departments use a lithium-based grease, which is applied with a paint roller, spread with a putty knife, or sprayed on. Sometimes dry lubes, graphite, or DuPont Teflon® additive-type products are used • usually because they don't attract and hold abrasives • but in some cases, they are not as effective in eliminating friction. Often a product's corrosion and water-resistance value is overlooked, which can be a costly miscalculation. Using a lubricant that has a wide temperature range also can help extend your maintenance interval.

 

If you are operating in areas where water or saltwater is a factor, it is important to use products that prevent rust, oxidation, and corrosion. Synthetic products offer protection that far exceeds most lithium-based greases.

 

The bottom line is grease can be made from many different types of base materials, and they all have specific properties that you should carefully evaluate. With lubricants • as with everything else • you get what you pay for. To make an informed decision, it is vitally important that you compare the technical data sheets on each product.

 

Wear pads and rollers

Wear pad life is another critical factor in maintaining the health and well-being of your telescoping boom. The pads should last several years under normal operation. In many cases, the pads will be less expensive to maintain than the labor involved in removing them and installing new ones. If the telescopic cylinder rides on a wear pad, this item should be part of your preventive maintenance program. Don't forget attend to the internal components of the boom, chains, cables, and sheaves, which also require adjustments and lubrication.

 

Booms with upper wear pads are hard to reach. As a result, they don't get the same attention as the lower pads. Some technicians simply squirt grease into the boom section and hope it eventually reaches the area where the wear pad tracks. Other technicians make extensions for their grease guns to enable them to reach further up in the boom. Aerosol lubricants can provide another way of getting the lubricant on the upper wear pads.

 

Depending on the design of the machine, rollers may require occasional lubrication. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations concerning rollers. Inspect them regularly and make certain they turn freely and have no flat spots.

 

Alignment

If the telescopic boom has side wear bars or adjustable pads, another critical factor in making sure your equipment is performing to the best of its ability is following the manufacturer's guidelines to ensure proper alignment and prevent unnecessary side loading. It's important to note that sidebars can be adjusted too tightly, which can cause seizing and excessive wear.

 

A typical procedure is to loosen the bars and telescope the boom sections in and out, adjusting them equally to center the boom. A good way to check for alignment with a crane is to extend the boom, lower the load line, and see how far it's off the centerline of the machine chassis. You probably won't find a published dimension for this procedure, but if you think the boom alignment is not acceptable, you should contact a dealer or the OEM for specifications.

 

Each piece of equipment has its own service and maintenance procedures, and it is important to make sure the job where the machine is used falls within these guidelines. If the application is more severe, your maintenance intervals should be increased accordingly. With proper maintenance intervals, proper operation, and quality lubricants, your telescopic boom should provide many years of trouble-free service.