More than 30 people from five countries attended Terex Utilities’ 38th annual Hands On Training seminar, which included demonstrations of aerial lifts, digger derricks, and auger drills. Participants from Spain, Peru, Mexico, Canada, and the United States included fleet managers, fleet technicians, purchasing managers, and other office personnel.

The Hands On Training, held Aug. 22 to 24 at Terex Utilities’ outdoor training grounds in Watertown, S.D., is designed to help customers and distributors gain a better understanding of typical applications and proper use of Terex equipment. Those attending represented utility companies, utility co-ops, rental companies, and dealers.

Over the course of three days, participants rotated through 10 stations where they operated equipment and performed actual jobs under the direct supervision of Terex trainers. Tasks included digging holes and setting poles with digger derricks, setting screw-anchors in four different directions, using remote controls to change out a transformer, and setting up and performing a three-phase lift.

This year, participants were divided into three crews to set three poles with two spans, which included digging a hole, setting the pole, and tensioning the wires. In addition, trainers demonstrate other operations, such as pole removal techniques and multi-part winch line lifting.  

“The Hands On Training is a chance to simulate a work day and learn about the typical tasks performed by utility crews in the field. Participants benefit in different ways, depending on their responsibilities and roles,” said Ken Vlasman, Customer Service Manager, Terex Utilities. “Purchasing managers learn about the added value of optional equipment, while technicians get insight into how the equipment is used, which aids in service diagnoses. Just for fun, participants used a digger derrick to maneuver a load through a timed obstacle course. The person with the fastest time received a certificate,” he said.

By the end of the Hands On Training, each person had operated 14 different pieces of Terex equipment, including Hi-Ranger TCX, HRX, TM 100, TCX 65/100, and LTM40 aerial devices; Commander 6060 and Commander 4047 digger derricks, and an A330 auger drill.