Of all the things we take for granted in the modern age, electricity may be No. 1 on the list. 

After a storm knocks out the power grid, restoring it to working order is necessary for recovery efforts as a whole. Turning the lights back on is the first step to reinstating a state normalcy to a community while simultaneously providing a power source needed by crews to further recovery efforts. 

What does this mean for you? There’s business in power restoration. Of course, without equipment to take on the jobs, you’re left watching from the sideline and waiting for the coach to call your number. Check out the manufacturers below and the products they offer to find the machinery you need to get in the power restoration game or expand your current offerings.

Bucket trucks

The advantages of getting workers safe access to power lines, transformers and other electrical infrastructure at heights that would otherwise be inaccessible go without saying. The versatility of aerial lifts make them a must-have for utility restoration.

Manufacturers:

Altec offers a vast line of aerial units like non-overcenter, overcenter, telescopic and telescopic articulating lines of trucks with each line consisting of various sizes and abilities. Altec also offers a dual-rated solution, providing both aerial and crane operation for an operator looking for versatility in one vehicle. 

Similarly, Dur-A-Lift provides an array of aerial lifts depending on specific needs. They supply multiple telescopic articulating and material handling options and also offer lifts on smaller truck chassis for tighter jobs. Dur-A-Lift also builds a tracked lift solution for post-disaster conditions. The machine can climb 40-degree slopes and wade through 3 feet of water. 

Palfinger is another company that covers the gambit of bucket truck configurations and styles including overcenter, non-overcenter, telescopic and articulated telescopic. They are purpose-built for handling telecommunications, electrical utility, municipal, industrial, tree care and sign markets. Palfinger provides both insulated and non-insulated bucket trucks that can be built-to-order or purchased as a turnkey work-ready vehicle package. 

Additional options come from Versalift, makers of the SlopeMax bucket truck safety system. Built knowing level ground isn’t always reality, SlopeMax uses multiple omnidirectional sensors to compare base slope and lower boom angles relative to horizontal before the boom is deployed. The system is available on Versalift SST and VST series of trucks. 

Digger Derricks

Digger derricks equipped with a hydraulic auger or a crane and a digging apparatus make easy work of post-hole digging and placing. And when power lines go down in severe weather or a wildfire, someone needs to put them back up. 

Manufacturers:

Altec’s line of work vehicles extends well outside bucket trucks. The company also produces a vast line of digger derricks offering numerous configurations and mounting locations specific to the end user’s needs. Depending on need, Altec’s line covers small, backyard models to transmission and distribution derricks.

The fleet of derricks from Versalift’s line of trucks are manufactured with a lightweight design and a focus on ease of maintenance. Among the numerous feature options, users can choose between full pressure hydraulic controls with open- center system or radio remote controls with closed center hydraulic system. 

Terex is another manufacturer offering a variety of digger derricks that can be customized to meet your company needs. Whether it is a mounted truck digger or a track digger, Terex is built to support the transmission and utility grid and on a variety of site locations. Users can choose between their Commander and General series, each offering various size and feature options.

Elliott Equipment builds a line of derricks with optional features allowing buyers to build the truck to fit their mold. Various model offerings include a range of sizes built to handle a range of jobs. Their transmission digger derricks are mounted on tandem axle chassis without pusher or tag axles to allow trucks to navigate challenging terrain.

Cranes

Cranes prove useful in a variety of disaster recovery scenarios. Their capabilities of lifting power utility material is only one benefit. These versatile machines have a place in many areas of disaster recovery. Cranes can assist in deploying and positioning other machinery and equipment as well as play a role in clearing debris and rescue operations.

Manufacturers:

QMC Cranes manufactures an entire line of cranes specific to electric utility work, each one designed with the operator’s safety and efficiency in mind. Depending on the model, operators can transport up to 10 tons of payload to a job site and set it with the same truck. 

Stellar Industries delivers a range of electric, electric-hydraulic and hydraulic cranes. The variety gives operators plenty of options in power and capacity to cover light or heavy-duty jobs. The company offers models for nearly every truck body so cranes can be set up to customers’ desires. 

Also supplying a full line of electric, electric-hydraulic and hydraulic cranes is Venco Venturo. Expandable lengths and multiple configurations give plenty of options within each product line. Like the others, Venco Venturo has cranes built for a range of capacity demands. 

Tree care equipment

Forestry bucket trucks, also known as tree-trimming trucks or aerial lift trucks, are typically more compact and utilize smaller booms. These vehicles are often first on scene following a storm to clear trees from power lines, making a clear workspace for other specialty equipment to operate.

Companies like Altec, Dur-A-Lift and Versalift all build trucks rigged for this specialty service. Many of which are versatile units that can also be used outside of tree care. 

Exploring as many offerings as possible before selecting is smart business. These manufacturers provide a spectrum of options, from varying configurations to specific functionalities, ensuring that utility companies, contractors, and service providers have access to the right tools for the job.