The Team Visited Altec Industries on September 25, 2024 in Elizabethtown, KY. We hoped to develop an understanding on the issue at hand, collect data and measurements needed for the designing process, and create a connection with our Altec Sponsor, Matt Fogel. The deliverable is redacted to maintain confidentiality, however, the following notes were recorded after the initial visit:
We measured 22 vertical inches from the ground to the base of the bucket truck when the truck is complete with all components attached. This means that the workers have to fit in a space of 22 inches. Also, we measured 23 vertical inches from the ground to the bottom of the shaft component, which is at the same height as the PTO and pump. We were also able to lift each component, and we noted that the pump was the heaviest, weighing anywhere between 80-85lbs.
During the visit a few concerns arose. Some dealing with the physical design of the truck where others were more focused on the process in which the parts were installed. Starting with the physical design of the truck, some of the bolts underneath the vehicle block the PTO system from being installed easier. A concern with the installment process is the installment of a piece called the “torsion bar.” This is a bar that is installed under the vehicle to give it increased stability. This increased stability is important for these trucks as people tend to be working with telecom wires and are suspended several feet above the truck. The torsion bar is installed before all three components, and after it is installed, it removes a lot of the free space from underneath the vehicle to be able to install the other components. Another problem is the physical shape and installment of the PTO in general. There is a blind spot in which the user is unable to see where to properly place instrument to bolt the PTO.
A problem that needs to be taken care of within our design somehow is the time constraint. When looking at the truck, we were told that if the parts aren’t installed within an hour there is a risk of an oil spill under the truck. This is bad for several reasons. One, the user gets covered in oil that is likely hazardous to consume. Two, after the user is covered in oil, the installment process then becomes significantly harder as everything is now slick and hard to hold onto.
One potential course of action could be flipping the bolts that are in the way of the PTO system being installed. Although without them completely there the process would still be 4 difficult, it would help a lot if these bolts could be flipped around to avoid the PTO potentially striking during installment to prevent having to restart the process. A corrective suggestion for the torsion bar would be to see if it is possible to have it installed after the components are installed. The torsion bar takes up a large portion of space underneath the vehicle once it has been installed thus making it a lot harder for any mobility for the user to take advantage of.
Fixing the blind spot could be tough. One suggestion was to install a small mirror within the blind spot with hopes of making it easier to see. This is one that will require some more brainstorming.
To prevent the oil from spilling under the truck, the easiest solution would be to make sure the components can be installed within an hour. Our design will have to take both the time constraint and user constraint to try and make sure our mechanism can encompass both factors.
Shortly after our visit to the site, The Team sent Matt, and other employees directly involved with the installation process, an initial pre-design survey. This allowed us to hear directly from the employees themselves, including any suggestions they may have or any concerns about the task.