Works Hard for a Living
 >click on image to enlarge Image 1 - A 4-year-old Snorkel TB-42 |
Subject : Snorkel TB-42 telescopic boom lift; manufactured by Snorkel International, St. Joseph, Mo.; featuring 42-foot platform height.
Serial number : FB00062
Date in service : 03-2000
Hours in service : 2,209
Equipment owner : Ahern Equipment Rentals, Las Vegas , Nev.
Service location : Nevada , Arizona , and southern California
Date of review : 4/28/04
The TB-42 was first introduced more than a quarter of a century ago. Today, under new ownership, Snorkel has a new identity founded in a strong engineering tradition. While there have been a few minor improvements to the TB-42, including a new power track design and style updates, not much has changed on TB-42s being built today or the four-year-old one I reviewed.
I think it's fair to say that the TB-42 I reviewed has had a rough life. Yet, it's a tribute to the unit's rugged design when you consider how little it has cost to maintain the machine. Overall, it appears to have been a dependable workhorse for Ahern Rentals, serving all over the southwestern United States .
Overall appearance
Four years in the southwestern sun has taken its toll on this TB-42's orange paint job, as has spending time working in paint applications. A light layer of overspray covered many parts of the boom lift, especially the platform and power track enclosure. Nevertheless, the wear was not enough to warrant a new coat of paint.
|
|
In recent years, one of the few updates made to the TB-4 2 was fiberglass nose and cowling sporting rounded edges, replacing the use of metal in these pieces. This was intended to provide an updated look. Observe, however, the damage inflicted on the rear cowling in Image 2. The cowling is cracked and starting to bow. Although I'm confident that this damage is a direct result of abuse, metal components would certainly have faired better.
In contrast, the aluminum alloy intermediate and fly boom sections were in excellent condition, and the dry-running UHMW slide pads have done a good job of protecting the boom. I noticed no premature wear here or along the external power track.
A sliding tube and track design protects hoses and cables, see Image 3, and allows for easy inspection from underneath the track. I took a close look at all the hoses and cables and found that tidy and efficient routing has done its job-not a single item showed cause for concern.
Guard rails on the aluminum platform were all straight as an arrow. Service records later revealed that the only repair ever made to the platform was replacement of the upper ring intended to protect the controls. This ring is designed for easy replacement with the simple removal of four bolts. The original 12x16.5 Firestone loader lug drive tires have held up surprisingly well. I estimate that at least 80% of the original tread remains.
Operational issues
Snorkel was the first manufacturer in the aerial lift market to offer a flow-regulating and pressure-compensating variable displacement pump. This smooth system was no less so on the four-year-old TB-42, exhibiting smooth, positive control. Large, dual joysticks were in good working condition, and the protection ring mentioned earlier, also serves as a balance point for the operator. Original protective rubber boots on both joysticks remained very pliable. The only control that had been replaced was the emergency-stop button.
 Image 5 - Instructions on controls remained bright and legible. |
Control placards, including bold-colored directional arrows, were still bright and legible. The arrows, which correspond to similar arrows on the machine's base, have proven to be an effective visual cue for the operator to know directional orientation. A gravity bar at the entrance gate moved freely, despite the presence of debris and paint build-up.
A less obvious feature, but one that I really appreciate, is the rigidity of the boom and platform. Snorkel uses a rack and pinion system to rotate the platform. This particular unit was fitted with an actuator supplied by Parker-Hannifin. I leaned as hard as I could on the platform and there was no play in the slew or platform rotation actuator. Power is supplied by a 33 hp Ford LRG-425 gasoline engine, which started up instantly and was quiet running.
Serviceability
It may seem trite, but I think it's nice when the hood pops up with a simple punch of the latch release button. The TB-42 has four steel hoods which did just that. Cast metal latches and lock sets looked like new. Once I was underneath the hood, all service points were easy to reach.
|
|
The only thing that wasn't as it should be was the plastic gas tank that had become deformed. As you can see in Image 6, it appears to have melted. While I admit it gets hot in the desert, it doesn't get that hot! I can only imagine that the steel bands employed to keep the tank in place have been over tensioned, causing the walls to buckle.
A review of the TB-42's computerized service records revealed only a few basic repairs. In addition to the platform guard ring, there was a $137.50 charge for installation of a hydraulic remote filter kit. According to the manufacturer, this was a factory-issued update resulting from the change to the fiberglass cowling design, which made it difficult to swap out the tank filter used previously. Beyond that, the only items replaced included a new level sensor, temperature gauge, and the emergency-stop button. Additionally, a radiator repair had been made but was attributed to customer damage. When you deduct the cost of the radiator repair and about $200 worth of repairs for flat tires, the cost to keep this unit running was just under $1,200. This includes parts, preventative maintenance items, and consumables.
Overall, this TB-42 has exhibited a low cost of ownership despite the fact that it appears to have been worked pretty hard. A replacement piece of fiberglass, a new gas tank, and a fresh coat of paint, and this baby is as good as new.
