Contemplating puchasing a buckter truck for first time. Pls help.

[dtsabai]

Contemplating puchasing a bucket truck for first time. Pls help.

Ok, so I have been doing residential tree work (climbing) for a few years. I have always had a car, and now that I actually own my own company I need a truck. With that being said, I have been looking at pick up trucks just to haul gear around, and sometimes pull trees. However, with the amount of money it takes to buy a truck, I am seriously contemplating purchasing a bucket truck for almost the same money.

Since I do residential work, it would probably only help me about 50% of the time, but, that's still 1/2 of the work I wouldn't have to climb.

Please tell me the pitfalls with this particular unit, I am looking at this one on eBay. How much is insurance? Fuel? And most importantly maintenance on a truck this old?

Thank you very much in advance for all of your help and input.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150436549911&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[deevo]

First off it's a bucket truck, bid on it, looks like a decent truck. Guy I've been working with lately has a 1989 ex-Asplund with a 55' Altec.... a bit of rust but still runs good and gets the jobs done, he pulls a vermeer 1800xl with it, and that's a beast in itself!

 

[dtsabai]

First off it's a bucket truck, bid on it, looks like a decent truck. Guy I've been working with lately has a 1989 ex-Asplund with a 55' Altec.... a bit of rust but still runs good and gets the jobs done, he pulls a vermeer 1800xl with it, and that's a beast in itself!

Sorry, the bucket was a typo, I just would like to look at the expenses I would assume with buying a piece of equipment like that before I buy it. Please give me some numbers if you can.

Thank you again!

 

[deevo]

Sorry, the bucket was a typo, I just would like to look at the expenses I would assume with buying a piece of equipment like that before I buy it. Please give me some numbers if you can.

Thank you again!

Well the 454 will suck the gas back, throw on a chipper at hwy speed, gauge will go down even faster lol! A lot of guys on here have bought ex-Asplund units, all depends on how/if they were taken care of. That one looks like it's in good condition but no gaurantees from the seller. I personally wouldn't ever buy something off the net that big without seeing it. That's just me though. As long as you do the proper and required maintenance to it that truck should last quite a while. Just remember to do it and don't cheap out as your life maybe relying on it on a regular basis. Sounds like you are asking all the right questions which is good. It's a big investment buying something like that. Good luck and let us know!

 

[ozarktreeman]

Search in this section for Knoxville truck,believe there is some negativity there. I would keep on searching bound to be better deals out there.I searched for 3 months before I found something I was comfortable with purchasing. Always in these purchases BUYER beware and cautious.If this is the price range your looking to spend in.

 

[arbor pro]

Search in this section for Knoxville truck,believe there is some negativity there. I would keep on searching bound to be better deals out there.I searched for 3 months before I found something I was comfortable with purchasing. Always in these purchases BUYER beware and cautious.If this is the price range your looking to spend in.

From what I understand, these sellers go to nationwide equipment auctions, buy equipment cheap, do a few repairs or refurbishing (sometimes nothing at all) and then resell the equipment for a profit. Nothing wrong with that so long as the equipment gets represented accurately to potential buyers.

I don't know this particular seller's customer service history but, the problem I had with the other company from Knoxville, IA - Iowa Truck and Equipment, either didn't represent their equipment accurately or didn't know about the host of problems the equipment had when they listed it. When I bought two trucks from them, i had to put both in the shop as soon as I got them home. I would heed the advice of others and try to look before you buy - and not just look but actually drive and test out the truck thoroughly as just running a boom up and down without driving the truck down the road doesn't give you the full picture of how well the equipment has been maintained.

Good luck. I don't want to scare you off from this, however, I would just assume that if the deal seems to good to be true it probably is. I called Rexco some time ago about a chip truck he had for sale and he told me that he is not associated with the guys I dealt with - just a lot of guys in the Knoxville and DesMoines area getting into used tree equipment sales...

 

[Gerasimek]

This may help you.
I have basically the same unit. Mine is a 1997 GMC forestry package w/ pony motor, 60' WH over-center boom with a 366ci. I bought the truck in '98 or '99. It was an Asplundh line truck like the one you are looking at.
Since I bought it I have replaced a cracked head and the alternator. That's it. Part of it is that I'm big on keeping things maintained, the other is that, IMO, line trucks are over-built.
I'm currently looking at buying a 75 footer if I can find a buyer for mine.
Bottom line- a bucket truck will make you money. It's worth whatever you pay for it as long as you maintain it regularly (grease, oil, filters, plugs).
Let me know if you have any questions.
Hope this helps.
Gerasimek

 

[I Stand Alone]

Inspections and Dielectric testing

When was the last inspection on the aerial lift. and after you buy it where can you get it inspected.

We have ours inspected annually by the manufacturer. It is tested and inspected in our yard, they come to us, it is not cheap but still better than some local mechanic trying to work on your lift.

Remember your life depends upon the safety of the unit. If the truck breaks down so what, if the lift fails!!!!!!

Recently there have been a rash of bucket failures mostly due to lack of maintenance.

 

[gr8scott72]

I am seriously contemplating purchasing a bucket truck for almost the same money.

You can get a GOOD 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck for MUCH less than even the most affordable bucket truck.