Safety is a key element with aerial lift equipment. After all, it is the material responsible for keeping workers protected while working around sensitive lines in elevated conditions. Installing a bucket liner to your bucket truck bucket can provide an additional layer of protection, as well as make the bucket easier to clean. However, not all buckets are a universal size. It is important to measure your bucket to select a liner that accurately fits your equipment. An ill-fitting liner may not work as intended. This blog details how to correctly measure a bucket truck bucket for a liner.
Correctly Measuring for Bucket Liners
Measuring for a bucket liner is a simple process, but it is critical to find the proper size for your bucket. When measuring a bucket liner, there are three dimensions to consider: length, width and depth. In addition, you will also want to identify the internal and external diameters of the liner, along with the liner’s overall length and height. To accurately measure, take the liner out of the bucket and place it on level ground. Start by finding the exterior length at the top of the liner. To do this, measure horizontally across the widest part of the top of the bucket liner 1-2 inches below the lip. Next, find the exterior width of the liner by measuring across the narrowest side of the liner 1-2 inches below the lip. The exterior length from the bottom is measured similarly to the top, but this time measure across the longest part of the liner 2-3 inches from the bottom. Measure the bottom exterior width by measuring the narrow part of the liner 2-3 inches from the bottom. The final measurement is the exterior height. With the liner on the ground, measure from the bottom of the liner to under the lip. If your bucket does not currently have a liner, you can take these same measurements from the inside of your bucket to find the correct liner size. Each liner from Alliance Equipment is molded for proper fitment. The liner does not need to be from the same manufacturer as the bucket, but we guarantee our liners will fit inside our buckets. If you ordered the wrong size, do not worry. We accept exchanges because we want to ensure our customers have the correct liner fitment for their buckets.
Measure from the outside floor to underneath the lip.
Benefits of a Bucket Liner
There are multiple benefits to adding a bucket liner to your bucket truck. No matter what industry your bucket truck is used for, we can provide liners for a variety of bucket types. Bucket liners provide electrical insulation to the bucket. When employees are working near live power lines, a liner creates a barrier to prevent an electrical current from flowing through the bucket. If a current flowed through the bucket, it could potentially electrocute the worker. Bucket liners are made of polyethylene plastic, which acts as an insulator. In addition to safety, bucket liners offer comfort to workers. They reduce vibrations from the truck and equipment to provide stable footing for enhanced comfort. Liners also make cleaning easier and keep the bucket protected from scratches, cuts and abrasions. It is important to routinely check your liner for signs of wear or damage. If a liner is cracked, it cannot perform as expected, which puts your workers and aerial lift equipment at risk. When you notice wear, it is best to replace the liner as soon as possible.
Importance of Correctly Measuring Your Liner
It is important to correctly measure your bucket liner. If the liner is too short, it will not sit on the floor of the bucket. If it is too tall, it will extend beyond the bucket flange. Dielectric testing can help determine the insulation integrity of the liner. This will let you know if the insulation can withstand a high voltage event without breaking down. You want the liner to protect in the event of electrical currents running through the bucket. It is also important to measure how much the bucket can safely hold. This is called capacity calculation and you can find the capacity of your liner by multiplying the length, width and height measurements. For example, if the length is three feet, the width is two feet and the height is two feet, your liner would have a capacity of 12 cubic feet. These measurements not only help you find the best fit for a bucket liner, but is also keeps workers safe.
Reach out to Alliance Equipment
Now that you know how to accurately measure your bucket truck bucket liner, it is time for an upgrade. Contact Alliance Equipment today to speak with our knowledgeable staff regarding our bucket liners. We have a selection to choose from to meet your needs.