Alto MD Tower Inspection Guide

This guide helps owners & operators learn how to inspect and maintain all the key components in the Alto Medium Duty Tower range, ensuring safe and reliable use

Introduction

This Inspection & Maintenance guide has been produced by Lakeside Industries Ltd and is intended to be used in conjunction with ALTO MD Aluminium Access products. Planned preventative maintenance is essential for the longevity of the product and the safety of the user. We recommend that all components are thoroughly inspected before and after use. By using the guidance detailled below, your ALTO MD Tower System will be maintained to a high standard and safe for use.

The ALTO range of products has been designed to need very little maintenance. Any warranty will be negated if repairs are carried out by anyone other than Lakeside Industries Ltd, or a repair agent authorised by Lakeside Industries Ltd.

A downloadable version of this guide is also available Click here.

Wheels

General

• Check castor wheel is secure in jack stem assembly.
• Check that the brake mechanism is not damaged and works in both the on & off mode.
• Check that the axle bolt is secure and not loose.
• Check that the wheel is not damaged and turns freely.

Adjustable Legs

General

• Check that threads are not damaged & leg is straight.
• Check weld at base is intact and undamaged.
• Clean and lightly apply a penetrating lubricant to the threaded stem and all moving parts.
• Fully threaded legs must have a “break” in the thread approx. 150mm from the top to prevent casting being removed.

Castings - adj. collar & base jack assy

• Check the spinning operation of the locating collar & spring action locking pin.
• Check for damage and cracks in the casting.
• Check swivel base is not damaged and pivots freely.
• Clean and lightly apply a penetrating lubricant to the all moving parts.

Frames

General

• Remove any concrete or other substances adhering to the frame
• Check for squareness and for the straightness of frame - left-to-right and top-to-bottom
• Check all welds are sound and intact
• Check in particular for any dents, creases or crushes

Uprights & Conical Head Fittings

• Check for any damage to uprights
• Check the head fittings are undamaged & the condition of the pegs on the head fittings
• Check the weld where the upright meets the casting
• Check the locating holes in the base of the upright
• Check in particular for any dents, creases or crushes

Rungs & Ladder Frames

• Check for any damage to horizontal rungs
• Check all locating pegs/screws on horizontals
• Check ladder rungs are not damaged and secure
• Check vertical stiles are straight, not damaged and welds are intact
• Check in particular for any dents, creases or crushes

Braces

Hooks

• Check hooks to ensure there is no distortion/cracking
• Ensure that the latch bolt & nut are in good condition and operate freely
• Remove all concrete or other substances adhering to the hook
• Lightly apply a penetrating lubricant to the pins/springs

Tubes

• Check that the brace tube is not bent, damaged or distorted and that there are no dents greater than 5mm
• Remove all concrete or other substances adhering to the tube

Platforms

Trap Platforms

• Check that trapdoor is in good working order and plywood is not damaged
• Check hinges are working and rivets are fixed securely
• Check door latch engages correctly and locks/unlocks

General

• Check for distortion in all directions
• Check for any damage to plywood, aluminium and hooks
• Check wind latches are fitted and operate correctly
• Check 4 welds on the underside are intact. If the welds are cracked, do not use
• Check all fastenings/rivets are tight and secure

Toeboards

Sides

• Remove any concrete or other substances adhering to the toeboard
• Ensure there is no damage to the sides and they are both straight

Hinged Ends

• Check that all pins and fastenings are intact & secured and that the toeboard opens and closes correctly
• Remove all concrete or other substances adhering to the ends

Stabilisers

Tubes

• Remove all concrete and other substances adhering to the stabiliser
• Ensure that the tube is not bent, damaged or distorted and there are no dents greater than 5mm

Clamps

• Check that the bolts, wing nuts and swivel couplers are secure, operate freely and are not corroded
• Check that the castings are not damaged

Foot

• Check that the castings are not damaged
• Check that there is no local damage to the tee foot
• Check rubber pad is in good condition and still fixed to the tee section aluminium

Advance Guardrail Unit

Frame

• Remove all concrete/substances adhering to the frame
• Check squareness/straightness of frame uprights
• Frames should connect & lock into position without issue
• Check all welds are sound
• Check that the brace tube is not bent, damaged or distorted and that there are no dents greater than 5mm

Hooks & Clamps

• Check hooks to ensure there is no distortion or cracking
• Ensure all bolts/nuts/plates are secure & in good condition
• Check that the bolts, wing nuts and swivel couplers are secure, operate freely & are not corroded
• Check that the castings are not damaged

Additional Guidance

Where the equipment forms part of a hire fleet, the equipment should be inspected as detailed below by the hire company on return from each hire contract. As with all construction industry equipment – and in particular items relating to working at height, it is vital that only fault free, undamaged items are deployed in accordance with the assembly guide to preserve the integrity of the structure, the safety of the users and those around them.

The ALTO MD Tower System components have been subjected to rigorous testing to determine and prove their reliability, safety & capacity. The construction & facilities management industries where this equipment is typically deployed can be demanding environments and there are occasions in which damage occurs – either through accident or misuse. Serious misuse through significant overloading or use for inappropriate tasks can impair the integrity of components.

It is vital that equipment is inspected post use properly so that remedial action can be taken. Equipment that has been misused may be unsafe and should not be used. No liability will be accepted in relation to equipment that shows signs of misuse. Any product or component which fails any of the inspections set out in this document must be withdrawn from use and quarantined for further inspection, repair or replacement as appropriate.

ALTO MD Tower System equipment should not be modified in any way and should only be repaired by the manufacturer - Lakeside Industries Ltd - or by authorised agents, If it is suspected that equipment has been modified or repaired by any other provider, the equipment should be quarantined and returned to Lakeside Industries Ltd for free inspection. No liability will be accepted in relation to equipment that has been subjected to unauthorised modification or repair.