We manufacture insulated fiberglass booms for digger derricks, the utility machines that dig pole holes and set poles near energized lines. Each filament wound boom is built to the requirements of the specific unit it will be mounted on, ensuring the boom matches the machine it is designed for. Whether for a new production unit or an established equipment manufacturer, our team can work from specifications to provide the right boom for the application.
What is a Digger Derrick?
A digger derrick, often mounted on a truck as a digger derrick truck, is a specialized utility machine with an auger and a high lifting capacity. Utility companies and contractors use it to dig holes and set poles for telecommunications and electrical lines. It also sets transformers and gives linemen aerial access, which makes it one of the types of equipment we build booms for.
A digger derrick works close to live wires while drilling into the ground. That is why insulating booms matters on a unit that spends its day under energized lines.
Benefits of Adding Insulated Booms to Digger Derricks
An insulated boom changes where a digger derrick can safely work. These benefits come from the boom itself.
Enhanced
Operator Safety
The boom acts as a protective barrier, so the operator stays protected if the boom comes into contact with a powerline during pole placement.
Focused Pole Placement
With the boom insulated, operators can concentrate on ground tasks and on placing the pole precisely, without constant worry about electrical contact.
Standards-Based Design
Digger derricks are manufactured and tested to ANSI A10.31, and we build each boom to the requirements of the unit it goes on.
Insulated Booms for Telescopic and Articulating Digger Derricks
The boom style depends on how the digger derrick reaches the work, and we build for both.
Telescopic Digger Derrick
Booms
Telescopic booms extend in nested sections, which gives the unit the reach to set poles and work at height. That straight-line reach lets the operator place a pole accurately where it is needed, even with energized conductors nearby. Our telescopic insulated booms are built to the length and load requirements of each unit, so the boom is matched to the loads and working heights that machine handles.
Articulating Digger Derrick Booms
Our insulated articulating booms use hinged sections that let the operator position the load around poles and other obstructions. That flexibility suits crews working in tight spaces, such as a pole line beside a road or behind trees, where the load cannot always come straight down from above. The same movement helps when the unit sets a transformer or gives a lineman aerial access, since the load or platform can be placed right at the work.
Digger Derrick Applications by Industry
Digger derricks set the poles that carry power and communications, so the same machine shows up on several kinds of jobs. Crews use them on new construction projects and on maintenance work, and utilities depend on them to set poles for electric distribution circuits and transmission lines. They are one of many pieces of equipment across the industries we serve.
Design Your Own Boom Online
Digger derrick booms need to meet tight specifications to perform safely in demanding underground and overhead work environments. Our request a quote form includes an optional boom design module where you can submit your measurements and specs directly, so our team can hit the ground running on a custom quote for your application.
Trusted by Digger Derrick Manufacturers and Utility Fleets
We have built fiberglass booms for more than 50 years, and that history shapes how we work with digger derrick manufacturers. We hold a seat on the safety committee with those manufacturers, which lets us contribute to safeguards for operators worldwide. Our booms are trusted by top manufacturers in the industry.
Tens of thousands of booms over three decades demonstrate Waco Boom's track record that lift manufacturers and users regularly depend on.
Reliability
Waco Boom manufactures with a specific focus on insulating booms for the aerial work industry and has been held as the industry standard for nearly 30 years. Since 1998, our engineering staff has maintained a presence helping inform and understand industry standards for domestic and international applications.
Waco Boom uses a filament winding process and unique molding techniques, unmatched by any other process. This ensures the highest resin-to-fiber ratio and heightened consistency, which translates to better stiffness and durability, prevention of air and moisture gaps, lighter weight, and superior aesthetics. When designing to customers’ needs for safety of life and property, choose the boom that is backed by the best quality, expertise, and service.
Innovation
All progress and development at Waco Boom reflect back to manufacturing the best filament wound booms. The quality assurance program is built on the premise of continual improvement. This improvement is pursued in production efficiencies, new tooling and part designs, enhanced quality checks, and engineering research.
Waco Boom performs onsite destructive break testing and dielectric tests. This focus and attention are unparalleled and new challenges are welcome to help drive a safer, lighter, stronger, and unique product for the aerial lift industry.
Boom Availability
Based on performance requirements, Waco Boom can help recommend and develop the proper boom for your application. Tooling can be machined to create a unique, proprietary component for your design. In addition, on the back, you will find a chart with readily available common boom sizes.
Request a Quote for Digger Derrick Booms
Every boom we build is made to order for the unit it goes on. We work with digger derrick manufacturers to provide insulated fiberglass booms built to their specifications, performance requirements, and production needs.
FAQs
Here are answers to a few common questions about insulated booms for digger derrick owners and fleet managers.
A digger derrick is built to dig pole holes with an auger and lift and set poles, while a bucket truck is built to lift a worker in a bucket to the job. Either machine can carry an insulated boom, and we build for both, including insulated booms for bucket trucks.
Digger derricks are covered by ANSI A10.31. Dielectric testing of insulated units is done by a qualified person under A10.31 or ANSI A92.2, which covers insulated aerial devices. Every boom we build is dielectric tested before it ships as part of our quality assurance and testing process.
Yes. When the fiberglass boom is replaced, the original qualification test is no longer valid, so a new one is required. Repairs to the insulated sections also call for a maintenance test, and regular boom maintenance helps catch damage before it gets that far. If you are replacing a section, contact us and we will help you find the right boom for the unit.
Our Process, Our Booms
Have a question? our experts can help you!
Contact Us
If you have any questions or would like more information on any of our products, please contact us or submit a request.
(254) 776-2556
Mailing Address
PO BOX 20008
Waco, Texas 76702
Shipping Address
481 Texas Central Parkway
Waco, Texas 76712