Bucket trucks

[Abbershay]

I use and old bucket truck , i have never had the benifits of using anything new. I was watching a fellow with a newer truck and when he was up about 52ft that thing really bucked him around. He was very experienced but i could clearly see it bothered him.

My bucket gives me allot of sway and when i am way up it gets me a little uneasy at times...

I actually feel more secure in the tree , If you can understand that.
For those of you who use new trucks are they smooth?

I am sure you all are totally fearless.. but i have to tell you that i feel shakey some days when i am way up there . i have some things i do to get rid of that feeling . Do you ever feel this way and if so what do you do?

 

[rborist1]

:Eye:

 

[MasterBlaster]

Your bucket shouldn't swing AT ALL, other then minor boom bouncing. When you release the lever the movement should STOP. This is extremely important when working aroung pwr lines.

You need to get your bucket looked at.

People die in them all the time.

One guy I worked for had a 75' elevator bucket. When you let go of the lever, the movement continued for another 4 to 6 feet. He told me 'Ya, I gotta get that thing fixed - just feather it'

Ha! I told him yea, I'll climb the rest of the tree out.

Wear your lanyard, Abb.

 

[Abbershay]

I see mostly the pins have some slack. Nothing i plan on fixing in the immedate future... I am not going to put allot of money into this truck. I would think trying to fix those pins would be allot of work... I have the style bucket that is attached to the back of the truck. Mostly all pins.

 

[Abbershay]

i couldnt handle having the thing go after i wasnt running the lever.. that is to much for me.... as for powerlines i am extreamly careful there. Yes i know that lynard is way important..... You just grab a branch and before you know it that branch is taking you with it to the ground....

 

[MasterBlaster]

Don't forget about the 'dying' part I spoke of!

 

[Abbershay]

i remember that part . but do people often die from the buckets breaking or flipping ?

 

[rborist1]

:Eye:

 

[Abbershay]

I already know that it has problems with pins i personaly dont think that they will be a problem ? I know that an inspector would tell me that i need to replace the pins , he would do this just to cover himself as i would expect.. But in reality i really dont think those pins are going to break. That would take allot.

If i thought i could get an inspector to give me the straight story of the risk i would have him take a look , probly will anyway. but i hope he just doesnt tell me i need to replace these pins just for the sake that he doesnt want to be responsible ...

 

[MasterBlaster]

http://www.sspc.org/regnews/regnewsother/aerialsafety.html

 

[Abbershay]

thank you i will check into it.

 

[Scars2prove-it]

My bucket truck is a '95 altec. It just recently had the main bushings replaced and was dielectric tested. A bucket shouldn't sway. Maybe the upper boom will bounce if you stop too fast. Mine doesn't sway even in windy conditions.

I think you should seriously consider buying a refurbished truck. They run about $40-55k. They wont spring leaks and get you stuck in the air. Trust me, I've been through all that.

 

[Abbershay]

What did that work cost you ? I wouldnt even consider spending that kind of money on a used truck.... Buy new first and that isnt likely to happen..

 

[MasterBlaster]

You get what you pay for.

Hopefully.

 

[NeTree]

If it's just normal boom flex, I wouldn't worry about it. More movement than usual could signal a greasing is in order.

The age of the truck isn't as important as how well it was maintained.

Here's the first truck I bought, and it still sees use almost daily. 1970 Ford C-600 (Cabover), 361 2v gas, Clarke 5+5, 46' Skyworker, all cables. Still passes inspection every time.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Nice setup, Erik!

I don't think Abbs talking bout boom sway, though.

I thunk.





Hey Erik, whats that weird looking side bin?

 

[rborist1]

:Eye:

 

[NeTree]

Butch, that "side bin" is my toolboxes.... gots to put stuff in there so I don't have to put tools in the chip-box, get to the job, take em out, do the job, put em back in, go to the dump site, take em back out, dump, put em back in....


There's room in there for EVERYthing. AND they lock.

It's 8 feet deep (the width of the truck), 4 feet/3 feet high, and 4 feet wide. (With shelves inside of course)



Course, it's not tall enough for everything, but it's gotta REAL tight turning radius, and a short sheelbase. Gets alot of places the 55/65/75 can't. Perfect for urban street-tree pruning.

 

[SilverBlue]

Do they have BT'S in AB? thought there's only fields of wheat.

 

[rborist1]

:Eye: