Truck help

[FFwingnut]

I am new to the site and have been able to pick up on alot of info.

I was wondering if I should stay away from buying a used bucket truck from a big company like Ansplundh or from a really small company. Why or why not. What to look for in either one.

-Thanks

 

[(WLL)]

assplunga dont sell trucks fer no reason id be real cautious buying anything from them and i would not do so unless it went through a thorough inspection and came with a complete wrightup from a certified boom truck dealer with a good reputation

 

[tree MDS]

I bought an asplundh truck "reconditioned" off the net, most due to logistics, if I had it to do over again I would look for something more local, like a primarilly owner operated rig, better taken care of and you get to check out his operation/see how he takes care of things. I'd look for someone thats successfull and just upgrading. Those line guys are equipment destroyers, let me tell ya.

 

[ropensaddle]

I bought an asplundh truck "reconditioned" off the net, most due to logistics, if I had it to do over again I would look for something more local, like a primarilly owner operated rig, better taken care of and you get to check out his operation/see how he takes care of things. I'd look for someone thats successfull and just upgrading. Those line guys are equipment destroyers, let me tell ya.

Not all of them but I will agree many and mostly is pay orientated!
Anyway Asplundh sells through a reconditioning service so they are
not held liable. I worked for them and could not buy from them they
in most places retire a bucket after ten years. It is sent to a reconditioned
dealer and then put up for sale by the dealer. I bought mine at an auction
and was a lineman truck they get less banged up but at least both are
maintained beware of private as the questions are many first being why are
selling this truck?

 

[mysawmyrules]

I can't speak for bucket trucks but Ag and on-highway trucks I have had better luck buying directly or through auction from larger companies for the simple reason that they have a maintenance budget and for the most part a qualified tec. doing the work vs. a mom and pop's operation that may have well maintained equip. if that's the case why sell it. Or they don't look after it and gave up trying to figure out why the horn goes off when they turn right in such a case now it's your problem. As well most large companies just pull the pin at a certain mileage or hrs. Having said that buyer beware and do your homework on the equip. and once you get it make the best of it because remorse is a wasted emotion when it comes to used equip. Just my experience but again I've never bought a bucket truck.
Jon W

 

[tree MDS]

Another thing to consider is that if the private mom n pop shop bought this truck new, they know what it cost and you would think would maintain it properly cuz they aint cheap. Plus I can tell what a guys is about within 5 min talking to him at his shop and looking around etc.

 

[custom8726]

You can get some really good deals on old asplundh trucks. They do not make there own booms anymore so you will end up with a HI-RANGER or ALTEC most likely if you buy a late 90's bucket. If you are mechanically inclined you can make a very good assesment of the boom and vehicle and then go from there if you are not mechanically inclined bring some one that is, it will save your a$$ in the long run. You can usually pick up a 96-97 asplundh bucket between 14-21k where as you will usually spend 30k+ on a similarely equiped privatly owned bucket.