Crack Seal Air Hose Boom Saves Backs, Hoses, and Hoods
Crack Seal Air Hose Boom Saves Backs, Hoses, and Hoods
Item #: 20250024
Embedded Files
CONTACTS
Implementing Organization: Region Four, Escalante Shed
Implementation Lead: Bret Brooks
Development Team: Bret Brooks, Warren Haycock, Oakley Haws, Brent Jessen, and Wyatt Barnson
Article Written By: Burke DeGroff
Innovation Council Liaison: Burke DeGroff
Innovation Team Coordinator: Quinten Klingonsmith
STATUS
Implementation Date: December 1, 2023
Adoption Status: Fully Implemented
Adoptability Note: Could your crew benefit from this type of boom? Reach out for details and you may be able to build one for yourself.
APPLIES TO
Topic: Tools
Organization(s): Central Maintenance / Facilities Management, Equipment Operations, Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4
Job Role(s): Mechanics / Equipment, Transportation Technician
Tags: highway transportation, infrastructure preservation, labor productivity, supplies, employee empowerment, job satisfaction, occupational safety, economic benefits, inventions, equipment, maintenance, construction safety, boom, air hose, hose, crack seal, truck, hood, quality of life
PROBLEM
PROBLEM
In preparation to crack seal roads, high-pressure air is used to blow dirt and debris out of cracks. Typically, air hoses are routed over the truck's hood and dragged along the ground in front of a slow-moving truck. This approach wears out a few hoses per year.
CHANGE
CHANGE
The crew at the Escalante Shed built an extendable boom to route the air hose up and over the hood of the truck. The hose is held off the roadway, and the boom pivots, allowing the operator to go from side to side in front of the truck without dragging the hose. See the video linked below.
RESULT
RESULT
The hose boom keeps the hose from being ruined, avoiding expensive hose repairs and replacement.
The boom also spares the hood of the truck from being scratched, trip hazards are reduced, and operators appreciate not having to lug around the hose.
The biggest savings come from avoiding breakdowns that impact six to eight crew members, especially in remote areas such as Escalante, Junction, and Panguitch, where a replacement hose can be 3 to 4 hours away. A breakdown can cost the crew a whole day of productivity.
LINKS
LINKS
Air Hose Boom (video)
Operator has freedom to move
without having to lug the hose around
The boom mounts in the shovel rack. Its length can be extended.
IMPACT
IMPACT
BETTER MOBILITY
BETTER MOBILITY
Crack seal preparation is more efficient, helping to better preserve infrastructure and reduce maintenance related delays
GOOD HEALTH
GOOD HEALTH
The boom takes strain off workers, preserving their health
Workers appreciate not having to wrestle with hoses being dragged along the ground
CONNECTED COMMUNITIES
CONNECTED COMMUNITIES
N/A
STRONG ECONOMY
STRONG ECONOMY
An air hose's working life is greatly extended
Work stoppages are reduced
More work gets done in less time
EFFICIENCIES*
EFFICIENCIES*
Cost Avoidance: $93,505 over 20 years (Dec 1, 2023 - Dec 1, 2043)
Labor Savings: 92 hours annually
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 337:1
*Benefits are estimated net of initial and ongoing expenses. Savings are averaged over the expected benefit life of the innovation. See details.
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