Winter-Ready Bucket Trucks: The Complete Maintenance & Safety Checklist for Utility Fleets
Get your bucket truacks winter-ready with our complete maintenance and safety checklist. Reduce downtime and keep your fleet running smoothly.
why winter-ready matters
Cold weather amplifies known risks: thicker hydraulic oil slows boom response, batteries lose cold-cranking power, tire pressure drops and corrosion increase with road salt. A focused winter checklist cuts unplanned downtime and incidents.
maintenance checklist
Hydraulics & boom
+ Monitor the tank temperature and follow the filtration schedule. As for hydraulic oil, our high-pressure system significantly minimizes the impact of low temperatures, ensuring stable performance even in cold weather.
+ Inspect hoses, cylinders, fittings for leaks or brittleness; grease pivot points and articulations to reduce wear.
+ Protect the platform/upper controls with bucket covers to prevent snow/ice accumulation; verify control function before each shift.
electrical system & batteries
+ Test battery voltage & CCA; clean terminals and apply dielectric grease; replace weak batteries proactively.
+ Check wiring, lights, alerts for corrosion or damage; winter operations require reliable visibility and signaling.
Chassis, tires & outriggers
+ Verify tire tread depth & PSI; consider chains where conditions demand. Temperature swings change PSI, monitor frequently.
+ Clear snow/ice under outrigger pads; set up on bare, level ground; use wheel chocks and proper traffic control. Feather controls to avoid sudden movements on slick surfaces.
engine & fluids
+ Follow OEM intervals for engine oil/coolant; confirm block heaters/defrosters; avoid diesel fuel gelling with tinter-grade fuel and anti-gel additives.
compliance & testing
+ Annual dielectric testing for insulated units and adherance to OEM preventive maintenance checklists support safe operation.
daily pre-shift quick checks
+ Hydraulic fluid level & leak scan; grease as needed.
+ Test ground/bucket controls; emergency stop, lights/alarms.
+ Inspect boom, platform, stabilizers; remove ice/snow from pads.
+ Battery status; tire PSI; chains (if applicable).
need assistance?
service center - victoriaville (QC)
27 rue de l'Artisan, Victoriaville, QC G6P 9S9
service center - guelph (ON)
150 Southgate Drive, Guelph, ON N1G 4P5
CONTACT US : https://www.posiplus.com/en/contact-us/en/contact-us
