Terex Utilities Hosts Its 46th Annual Hands-On Training

Terex Utilities Hosts its 46th Annual Hands-On Training Auger digging from truck

Terex Utilities held its 46th annual Hands-On Training in August at its manufacturing facility in Watertown, S.D. The program provided the opportunity for customers, dealers and rental partners to operate Terex Digger Derricks and Aerial Devices in different applications.

Thirty-six participants from across the United States and Canada rotated through seven different stations. The digger derrick stations included digging holes, setting poles, and setting screw- anchors. The aerial device stations involved changing out a transformer. Then visitors set up and performed a three-phase lift and changing out an insulator. The instructors also taught participants about top controls and how to operate a backyard unit.

The final day provided the opportunity to experience line building as a team. “Every (Terex) team member was incredibly informative and overly nice. The program’s structure is well designed. It keeps the trainees engaged,” said one of the participants on the post-event survey.

What the Experts Said About Terex Utilities Hands-On Training

“Hands On is geared toward anyone who works for a utility or one of our partners – whether they are a fleet manager, lineman, mechanic or work in the office,” said Kenny Vlasman, Customer Service Manager with Terex Utilities. “At the end of the day, we want them to go back to work with an understanding of our equipment – what the equipment is, how it operates, and its purpose.”

David Walleser, a Fleet Mechanic for Dairyland Power in La Crosse, Wis., said the Hands-On program made him feel more comfortable, with a better understanding of how a piece of machinery works. “It is easy to be intimidated by a piece of equipment you don’t understand,” he said. “Coming here has opened my eyes on what these machines are capable of and what they do on a daily basis. This is critical to support Dairyland’s number one priority of safety.”

Vonnie Eldridge is an accountant with Scott Powerline, a Terex rental partner. She explained that going through the Hands-On program gave her a better understanding of the industry overall. She noted the importance of her teams’ role when they rent or sell Terex equipment to the electric utility industry. “Hands On definitely gave me a better appreciation of the people who do this on a daily basis – from the mechanics who work on the equipment to the linemen in the field,” said Eldridge.

For more information about Terex products and services, as well as the company’s training and certification schools, visit www.terex.com/utilities.