Equipment dealers, utilities, and utility contractors participated in hands-on service training for digger derricks and aerial devices at the Terex Utilities Service School held in June at the Lake Area Technical College facility.

The three-day event was at capacity with 48 participants and a waiting list. Participants were either technicians or technician trainers, ranging from just months to decades of experience.

Participants rotated through six stations which covered Hi-Ranger TM, Optima, and Commander products.

“A lot of times we can’t get access to these units to do training with our technicians on things like testing hydraulic over-pressurization and cycle times. These are things that we would like to teach our technicians, and I’m able to do it here and it’s hands-on,” said Mark Jones, technical training instructor from Ring Power in Florida.

In addition to general troubleshooting, maintenance, and inspections, other sessions took deep dives into chassis controllers, aerial device leveling systems, and digger derrick planetary rotation and hydraulic overload protection.

“When it comes to inspections, there are certain tests that can be performed that confirm if something needs to be repaired, even if the item doesn't initially appear to require it," said Dakotah Stewart, lead technician for Custom Truck One Source in Oklahoma.

Being able to meet Terex Services technicians in person was one of the highlights for Stewart.

“We call Terex Services team members all the time and they always help us get problems fixed but getting to meet the people you have been talking to is really valuable,” Stewart said. “Being able to have them show me, hands-on, means that I’ll be able to go back and get the equipment on the road in half the time and labor.”