SIL-3160
Altec has learned that the pole setter boss was not welded to specification on certain HD35A-22 units built from September 2008 to April 2024. This can lead to cracks in the pole setter tube outer weldment.
2020 Altec Pressure Digger
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
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Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
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InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview
Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Altec Pressure Digger. 5 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Safety recalls
No recalls in our database for this model year
That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
No owner complaints recorded for this model year
Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
CSR 3083
STEERING
Altec Industries, Inc. has received notification from Daimler Truck North America that a condition exists relating to motor vehicle safety, compliance, or emissions in certain 2019 through 2021 model year Freightliner 108SD, 114SD, 122SD, Business Class M2, Cascadia, Columbia, and Coronado model vehicles that is equipped with Altec equipment. On the affected vehicles, the drag link taper joint at the steering arm may not have been tightened sufficiently and may come loose. This may result in a gradual loosening of the joint, causing a loss of steering control, which increases the risk of a crash. A loose joint may be detected by pre-trip inspections, loose steering, wandering, noises or vibration.
SIL 3039
EQUIPMENT
Altec has learned that the hydraulic ball valve on the hydraulic reservoir return line of HD35A pressure diggers built from September 2014 to November 2022 may not get returned to the open position after being turned to the closed position for maintenance. If the unit is started while the ball valve is in the closed position, the ball valve may become over pressurized and separate, emptying the hydraulic system.
SIL 3038
EQUIPMENT; POWER TRAIN
Altec has learned that output drive sleeve on certain HD35A pressure diggers built from May 2020 to January 2021 may fail suddenly during use, generating a large quantity of debris in the auger transmission gearbox. If the unit is not shut down immediately, if this failure occurs, this debris can contaminate other components throughout the hydraulic system, causing major additional damage. The customer should contact Altec Shop Service within 30 days of receiving this notice to schedule the output drive sleeve to be replaced as soon as this can be performed at an Altec facility. While awaiting the repair, advise all unit operators that if they hear any loud grinding or other unusual noises from the auger transmission gearbox or notice the kelly bar has suddenly started drifting, they must stow the unit immediately and take it out of service.
SIL 808
EQUIPMENT; POWER TRAIN
Altec has learned that supplier-provided auger transmission gearboxes for the HD35A derricks built from May 2020 to January 2021 have an oversized square-drive opening for the kelly bar in the output drive sleeve. This results in an improper fit with the kelly bar, which can lead to excessive wear on the lower packing seals and premature hydraulic oil leakage. Altec requires that the output drive sleeve be replaced no later than the next preventive maintenance interval. This repair is covered under the Altec Warranty Policy and must be performed at an Altec facility
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.