When looking at utility vehicles, especially aerial bucket trucks, the is a huge demand for units that do not require a CDL license. There has been confusion and many different opinions as to what qualifies a truck to be over CDL or under CDL.
After talking with the Ohio State Patrol, I think I have the final answer. The law states that if a vehicle has a GVWR of 26,000 lbs or under, it does not require a CDL license. If a vehicle has a GVWR of 26,001 or greater, it requires a CDL. There is not mention of air brakes. However, if a vehicle is 26,001 lbs or over and it also has air-brakes, then you also need an air-brake certification.
So in short, any driver can drive a truck at 26,000 GVWR with air brakes and still be legal. However, if the truck is 26,001 GVWR and has air brakes, you will need a CDL and also an air-brake certification.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Over-center vs. Non-Over-center
When looking at an Articulating Bucket Truck, there are two main designs to consider. The first, and most common, is a Non-Over-center bucket. The NOC bucket will articulate and extend to a full 90 degrees (straight up in the air). This is a great design for electrical work as you are generally close to the truck. The limitation to the NOC bucket truck is that the amount of total side reach is the length of the upper boom and no more.
For a more versatile and maneuverable bucket truck, the Over-center unit will provide almost twice the side reach.
The term “Over-center” refers to the position of the upper boom when it is fully extended and actually breaks past the 90-degree mark…it goes over center. This function will give an operator the ability to extend the lower and upper boom out vertically, thus having almost twice the amount of side reach…the full length of the lower and upper boom extended.
The over center models are perfect for applications where the operator needs additional maneuverability and added side reach. For instance, many arborists utilize the over center bucket trucks as well as utility workers who need the additional flexibility.
The easiest way to determine if a bucket truck is over-center or not, is to look at the position of the upper and lower booms. If they are stacked on top of each other, 99% of the time, it is a NOC boom. If they are side-by-side, then 99% of the time it is an OC boom.
Some bucket trucks also have a lower boom that breaks over center. For instance, the Lift All LOM-10-55 has a lower boom that will break 10 degrees past the center mark…or 100 degrees.
For a more versatile and maneuverable bucket truck, the Over-center unit will provide almost twice the side reach.The term “Over-center” refers to the position of the upper boom when it is fully extended and actually breaks past the 90-degree mark…it goes over center. This function will give an operator the ability to extend the lower and upper boom out vertically, thus having almost twice the amount of side reach…the full length of the lower and upper boom extended.
The over center models are perfect for applications where the operator needs additional maneuverability and added side reach. For instance, many arborists utilize the over center bucket trucks as well as utility workers who need the additional flexibility.
The easiest way to determine if a bucket truck is over-center or not, is to look at the position of the upper and lower booms. If they are stacked on top of each other, 99% of the time, it is a NOC boom. If they are side-by-side, then 99% of the time it is an OC boom.
Some bucket trucks also have a lower boom that breaks over center. For instance, the Lift All LOM-10-55 has a lower boom that will break 10 degrees past the center mark…or 100 degrees.
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