Bucket Trucks Buyer's Guide
Please see our new article "Bucket Trucks for Sale".
NOTE: This section is continually updated; please feel free to e-mail us your suggestions.
We will also cover some basics, such as:
What a bucket truck is used for.
Why rent or buy a bucket truck
Who's who in the world of bucket trucks manufacturers.
Certification.
How to buy bucket trucks
a. Locate a dealer with a good reputation.
b. Look for a variety of inventory.
c. Ask for references.
d. Is the dealer licensed and bonded.
e. Has the boom been inspected and certified
Forestry bucket trucks. Decide how high you need to be to do most of your work. Generally the higher you go the more the unit will cost. If most of trees are below 50ft, a 55ft working height should be good. A single bucket is most common. Decide whether or not you want a dump bed included. Make sure that the truck has a flatbed with some storage boxes. You don’t need a utility bed.
Utility or line bucket trucks. Decide how high you need to be to do most of your work. Generally the higher you go the more the unit will cost. Make sure that the truck has a utility bed, you’ll need all the storage space you can get. Decide if you need single bucket, 2-single buckets or a 2-man tub. An insulated boom is most commonly used. You might need a material handler or an over-center boom.
Sign trucks. Sign trucks come in many varieties., Most common have a 2-man metal basket with varying heights, crane with lifting capacity up to 8000lbs, some have welders. Some sign companies prefer the ladder trucks while other companies like the boom type with a bucket attached on the end.
How to choose the right bucket truck for you and your work.
ELECTRICAL Commonly requires an insulated boom. Variety of heights. Double bucket. Material Handling. Rear Mount.
TREE or LANDSCAPE Commonly requires an insulated boom. Variety of heights. Single bucket. Front or Rear Mount
ADVERTISING or SIGN INDUSTRY Either insulated or non-insulated, Variety of heights. Double bucket. Material Handling. Ladder or Boom, Rear Mount
CABLE Either insulated or non-insulated, Variety of heights. Single bucket. Front or Rear Mount.
How to decide whether to buy a NEW versus USED bucket truck.
Money matters, a new truck comes with a guarantee and peace of mind, although the bucket and boom usually only come with a 1 year warranty. You do lose $$ on the initial depreciation.
With a quality used truck you can get much more bang for your buck. Often you can find a quality slightly (less than 5 years old) for 50% of the new price.
How to decide whether to rent or buy your bucket truck.
If you need a truck for 30 days or less per year, then it probably makes financial sense to rent. The peace of mind of having the equipment available at a moments notice gives the business man a big advantage over his competitor who rents.
Categories & Types of Bucket Trucks
To help you choose the right bucket truck, we will put together an easy-to-use, hyperlinked classification:
Bucket trucks by use
Forestry bucket trucks. Heights from 32ft to 75ft. Usually booms are insulated, rear mount. Single bucket. Flatbed. Storage boxes. Upper and Lower controls. Dual hydraulic outriggers. Dump Bed. Over-Center.
Utility or line bucket trucks. Heights from 32ft to 105ft. Usually booms are insulated, rear mount. Utility Bed. Storage boxes. Upper and Lower controls. Dual or quad hydraulic outriggers. Over-Center. Single bucket, 2-single buckets or a 2-man tub. An insulated boom is most commonly used. Material handler. Over-center or Non over-center boom.
Sign trucks. Sign trucks come in many varieties. Heights from 32ft to 105ft, Most common have a 2-man metal basket with varying heights, crane with lifting capacity up to 8000lbs, some have welders. Some sign companies prefer the ladder trucks while other companies like the boom type with a bucket attached on the end.
Certification
For more information on Annual Certification Process click here: http://www.pact337.com/index.html
Boom trucks, bucket trucks and crane trucks are required to be inspected and certified annually by an OSHA qualified inspection company.
They will inspect the boom and controls for normal operation, also check the hydraulics for leaks. In addition, a dielectric test will be done on insulated booms.
Bucket trucks by manufacturer
Boom manufacturers
Altec
Telsta
Terex
Versalift
Hi Ranger
Eti
Armlift
Lift-All
Elliott
TECO
Aerial Lift of Connecticut
Vehicle (chassis) manufacturers
International Models: 4700, 4900, 4400, 4300, 2600.
Ford models: E350, F350, F450, F550, F650, F750, F800, L8000, L9000
GM Models: 3500HD, 4500, 5500, Topkick, C6500, C7500, C8500
Bucket trucks by construction
Non-Over-center Aerial Device or Over-center Aerial Device
Articulated boom or telescoping boom
Rear mount or Front Mount
Insulated or Non-Insulated
Bucket trucks pricing
Bucket trucks can be bought for as little as $10,000 to $15,000 - it depends on the age and height.
Bucket truck specifications
To make sure you get exactly the vehicle you need check the following issues:
Overall Height
Working Height
Overall Length
Unit Length
Center of Rotation
Cab to Axle
Wheel Base
Front Axle
Rear Axle
Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating
Recommended Weight
Outriggers
Bucket truck features:
24 x 24 x 40 in. One-Person Side Mount Platform
Safety Harness With Attached Lanyard
Control-Plus “3-D” Single Stick
Hydraulic Stop At Platform Controls
Positive Mechanical Platform Leveling System
Full Pressure, Open Center Hydraulic System
Oil Level Sight Gauge On Reservoir
Two Speed Engine Throttle At Platform Controls
Continuous Unrestricted Worm Gear Rotation
Category “C” Rating Per ANSI A92.2
35 Gallon Hydraulic Oil Reservoir
Dual Hydraulic Tool Outlets At Platform
Padded Upper Boom Rest With Tie Down
Lower Boom Rest
Boom Interlock
350 lb. Platform Capacity
Material Handler
Options to consider and how to know if the option is right for you:
Hydraulic Elevator Lift (to increase working height capability)
Larger Side Mount Platform / Oversize Bucket (24x30x42)
Platform Covers and Liners
Certification
Automatic Demand Throttle System
Engine Stop/Start At Platform
Components To Meet Category “B” Rating
Boom/Boom Stow Interlock
Hydraulic Platform Tilt
Auxiliary Power System Or Auxiliary Lowering
Shut Off Valve For Hydraulic System Reservoir
Various Types of Outriggers
Lower Boom Lift Eye
Outrigger Controls With Chipper Box Control
Hydraulic Tool Outlets Below Rotation
Transverse Lift (Adds 10 ft. of Working Height)
Boom Overstow Protection
Truck Grounding Cable & Clamp
Emergency Hydraulic Power
Hydraulic Tool Circuit
Two Speed Throttle
Single Handle Control
Bucket Liner
Bucket Cover
Hydraulic Bucket Rotator
Bucket Tilt-Rescue
End Mount Bucket
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