14.07.2011

Skyjack safety bulletin

Skyjack has issued a safety related service bulletin that requires around 110 units of its SJ46AJ and SJ51AJ articulated boom models to be taken out of operation, checked and modified.

The issue involves the master levelling cylinder boom attachment bracket and the bushes in the riser connection linkage. Failure to implement this bulletin could result in a potentially fatal failure.

The units affected are the majority of units between serial numbers 95000001 and 95000122 – if you own or are using a machine in this band you should check the bulletin via the following link www.skyjack.com/sites/default/files/service_bulletin_113_1.pdf .

The failure of the bracket weld would in most cases simply stop the platform levelling system from working automatically, something that would be immediately self-evident and which could be overridden by the platform level switch in order to return to the ground.

The bushes in the link could wear prematurely, utlimately resulting in deformation of the link’s structure, although this ought to be picked up in a six monthly or annual inspection.

Neither the main boom and riser structures on these machines nor components are at risk or involved in the bulletin.

In the unlikely event that you have one of the affected machines and have not already been contacted by Skyjack, you should contact them as soon as possible.

Vertikal Comment

Recall notices such as this are not uncommon, in spite all the latest computer aided design tools and testing something can and does slip through the net causing a problem a year or two down the road. The quality of the manufacturer is then truly tested and displayed.

It is good to see that companies like Skyjack along with most of the major manufacturers treat such issues cautiously and seriously. In the distant past an issue such as this would have been treated when and if necessary or hidden with a call to inspect the machine and check for cracks or premature wear.

It can be exceptionally challenging for manufacturers to get all their dealers and owners to treat such bulletins with the urgency that is often called for. It used to be relatively common to find mandatory safety related retrofit kits supplied by serial number - in stock in a customer’s workshops up to a year or two after it was issued.

Perhaps by publicising such issues more widely more end users will be aware of the recall and pressure applied to those who do not respond as they should. Although hopefully such companies no longer exist?