Service Shines Through

Enlarge Image Image 1. This JLG 860SJ is exposed to corrosive environments.

Subject: JLG 860SJ telescopic boom lift with 86-foot platform height manufactured by JLG Industries, Inc., McConnellsburg, Pa.

Serial Number:

Date in service: January 2004

Hours in service: 1,098

Equipment owner: Sims Crane & Equipment Company, Tampa, Fla.

Service area: Central Florida and Gulf Coast

Date of review: 2-6-06

 

February 10, 2006 — With six offices located throughout Florida, Sims Crane has been supplying lifting equipment throughout the Southeast since 1959. The company carries Tadano, Grove, and Shuttlelift cranes, as well as JLG aerial work platforms and SkyTrak telehandlers.

 

Used predominately for maintenance work in phosphate mines and refining facilities around Lakeland, Fla., this JLG 860SJ boom lift (Image 1) has really been put to the test of withstanding the harsh effects of its environment. Corrosion is tough to keep at bay when equipment is working in the humid salty air. Florida is also home to some of the largest phosphate mines and production facilities in the world. Maintaining these plants is a never-ending battle, considering the highly corrosive nature of phosphates.

 

This 860SJ has spent nearly its entire life in phosphate plants 

Enlarge Image Image 2. The most pronounced rust appears on the platform weldment.

and has visibly suffered as a result. Although JLG puts a lot of effort into reducing corrosion, it is fair to say that it is impossible to defend a machine against the onslaught this one has faced. From a distance you can't really detect the extent of superficial damage rust has inflicted on this machine. Up close it is a different story.

 

The platform weldment (Image 2) and related hardware is seriously corroded. This is the most dramatic example of rusting that I could find on the machine, which I believe is a direct result of these machine parts being lowered and left for extended periods in phosphate-laden puddles. But rust was present on just about every metal surface of this machine. The power track, however was minimally rusted, and remained straight and true.

 

Enlarge Image Image 3. Steel liners help prevent hose damage and chafing.

The hydraulic hoses (Image 3) on this machine seemed to be exposed to extra stress. Although I'm not sure if the problem is related to assembly or maintenance issues, in Image 2 you can see the bottom of the boom's main lift cylinder. When the boom reaches maximum elevation, the hoses rub against the bottom of the cylinder. If not addressed, this could become a problem for Sims Crane.

 

Enlarge Image Image 4. Rounded liners prevent hose chafing.

On a more positive note, however, JLG has taken steps to help eliminate the damage sharp edges can do to hydraulic hoses. Rounded steel liners have been welded  into the opening to prevent premature chafing (Image 4).

 

Although the painted surfaces of this boom lift have lost their luster and the metal surfaces bear the marks of a corrosive environment, the 860SJ has performed well for Sims Crane. The d

Enlarge Image Images 5 and 6. Generally speaking, the paint and decals at the lower and upper control stations have resisted the harsh working environments. Enlarge Image

ecals, lower controls and upper controls (Images 5 and 6) have weathered the storm nicely. Notice that the decals have retained their color and integrity.

 

When it came time to operate the boom lift, I found the controls to be smooth and precise, steering responsive, and as always the boom slewing (rotation) was firm with no back lash.

 

Service issues

A quick review of this unit's service records didn't produce any specific concerns or major repetitive  problems. A governor spring broke on the Deutz diesel engine causing it to cut to full throttle. And there were  three service calls, over a period of about 8 months, for drive speed issues. It was  not clear from the records what caused the limit switch, which cuts speed as a safety mechanism when the  boom is elevated, to stick. Total repair costs, exclusive of customer caused damage, was less that $500 • an excellent achievement considering the life this machine leads.

Owner's impressions

Kurt Kuffermann, Vice President and Orlando Branch manager, had high praise for all of the company's JLG equipment. “Lesser machines are no match for traveling through Florida's sandy terrain, but the JLG four-wheel drive system has worked exceptionally,” he said.