As a professional Fiberglass Bucket Repair Company, we specialize in FRP Bucket repair for power and utility companies. Whether you need a repair, a touch-up, or new additions to your boom lift, PlasTech is here to ensure you receive precisely what you need. We ensure you can return to your job with little downtime. We know how stressful broken equipment can be, and we’re here to ensure you can get back to work as quickly as possible.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO REPAIR MY FIBERGLASS BUCKET?
Our typical turn-around time can range anywhere from 7-30 days, depending on your scheduling need. Ordering a new fiberglass bucket will likely be delayed by 3-6 months, if not longer. Furthermore, ordering a new bucket will probably be more expensive than refurbishing your FRP Utility Bucket.
CAN INSULATION CAPABILITIES BE REPAIRED?
The liability factor of having a man in a bucket repair boils down to whether or not a bucket's insulating capabilities can be restored. If not properly restored, a lineman could be electrocuted. As an industrial service provider, we can restore a bucket's insulation capabilities and test our results before returning your bucket.
There are two parts of an insulated bucket truck that have a dielectric fiberglass coating: The Bucket Itself and the Boom. This prevents electricity from flowing through the boom, damaging the equipment, or potentially electrocuting the operator. The boom will have three insulated areas: Lower Boom Insulation, Upper Boom Insulation, and Bucket Insulation. Each of the insulation areas has a different insulation rating.
Typically, a boom has three insulating areas: one in the lower boom, one in the upper boom, and one in the bucket liner. All have different insulation ratings.
FIBERGLASS-REINFORCED PLASTIC BUCKET GELCOAT
Has your fiberglass bucket turned gray from grease and dirt or yellow from the gel-coat aging process? FRP Utility buckets can be refurbished to look new again. We can easily sand off the existing gel coat and apply a fresh coat of paint.
FIBERGLASS BUCKET REPAIR SERVICES
Plastech can patch your fiberglass bucket to retain structural integrity if there are any cracks or holes. We can also test the bucket's electrical insulation to pass inspection.
When refurbishing, we typically diagnose the areas of failure, thoroughly sanding off the old gel-coat layer and exposing the fiberglass. Cracks and gouges will be cut out and replaced with new fiberglass. After the patches are sanded to match the thickness, we spray the entire bucket with a gel coat. The bucket will be structurally sound.
If for some reason, the bucket cannot be salvaged to pass inspection, we will inform the bucket owner before any repair or maintenance work begins.
WHAT KIND OF REPAIRS CAN PLASTECH PERFORM?
These repairs include the following:
Fiberglass Repairs: Cracks, Holes, Chips, etc.
Bucket and Boom Surfaces can be resurfaced to a new exterior gel coat. Labels and safety markings can be clear coat protected.
We fabricate and modify steps, Hanging Tool Trays & Tools Boards, and Covers to adapt to factory-made buckets.
Modifying existing buckets includes crawl holes, doors, covers, and bucket steps.
Boom lift services and repairs, refinishing, or repainting can often be done without removing them from the truck.
Boom mounting inserts and mounting ribs are molded into the bucket laminate to prevent separation—No adhesive or bonding agents are used to prevent separation. All laminates are molded fiberglass.
UHMW Polyethylene Liner Repairs.
Field service and repairs.
HOW IMPORTANT IS SAFETY FOR FRP UTILITY BUCKETS?
After undergoing inspection, defects may be detected. If unrepaired, some of these defects can result in death or severe injury.
Your Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Utility Bucket may be covered under warranty, but delay times or supply chain issues can leave your utility truck sidelined or place your utility technician at serious risk.
Here are a few steps to take to make sure your unit is working correctly:
Make certain the Boom is clean. Debris stuck to the boom can conduct electricity.
Inspect the boom for surface irregularities like scratches, cracks, or shipped gel-coat. Surface irregularities may trap dirt and contaminants, which over time, can reduce the dielectric properties of the fiberglass. Look at the Rim, Mounting Ribs, platform sides, and bottom.
Ensure the fiberglass components are inspected periodically to ascertain that they are still dielectric.
Check all accessible fasteners to ensure no signs of frictional wear or looseness. Fasteners should fit securely and show minimal signs of rusting.
Follow the instruction manual when dealing with electricity.
Inspectors will generate a report to detect cracks, structural failures, coating failures, holes, insulation failures, or mechanical failures. The unit must be taken out of service immediately if any damages or abnormalities are found. Contact Plastech at 410-737-4700 or contact@plastechservices.com for further assistance.
WHY DO FRP BUCKETS NEED TO BE REPAIRED?
Powerline technicians often need insulated fiberglass buckets to help keep them safe when dealing with electrical work on overhead power lines. However, in this line of work, accidents happen all the time.
When aerial lift buckets are inspected, they can be flagged during a dielectric test. A dielectric test verifies the electrical insulating strength in the FRP upper and lowers booms, buckets, liners, and FRP extensions on digger derricks, tool circuits, and upper control systems. Aerial lifts are also rented for other maintenance work, so it's essential to maintain the integrity of the aerial work platform. When finding google results for"aerial lift near me," it's essential to find aerial lift rentals with the proper certifications.