Alot of you have them. What is the main benifit, how much more can u make with a bucket truck? Been climbing for 10 years. It seems about 85-90% of estimates I do can be climbed. We seem to work everyday the 15% "un climb able" I pass on to a friend who does bucket only. What made you buy your first bucket truck? Is it always worth the extra cost and maintainence? How bad have some of your repair cost been? Thanks for any input
Why get a bucket?
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the co I work for runs three buckets has two cranes and all the stuff to keep up with them if we did not have the buckets we would not be able to keep up with our work load we would need to run 6 crews instead of 3 so in that aspect speed is the benefit something else to consider about buckets is how long before your body craps out from all the climbing? save yourself pain in the future! another thing if you or your star climber is out for what ever reason (as long as the tree is bucket accessible) you can send a guy up that might not be the best climber in the world but still get a big job done quick and keep the money rollin in
our buckets have been pretty reliable the one only cost a few dollars to repair in the last couple years (other then the usual preventive maint stuff) one had a front brake job and I think it got a power steering pump the other is now having its first problem I've seen something about a cam sensor still runs fine but is a bear to start when its run a long time and shut off
for you a bucket may help out a lot, a little, or none if you don't have enough work to feed the truck maybe pass on it. if right now you cant sell any more work without falling way behind look deeper into your situation. if you have more work you can go after and sell to keep the truck busy defiantly go buy a truck and sell your ass off
our buckets have been pretty reliable the one only cost a few dollars to repair in the last couple years (other then the usual preventive maint stuff) one had a front brake job and I think it got a power steering pump the other is now having its first problem I've seen something about a cam sensor still runs fine but is a bear to start when its run a long time and shut off
for you a bucket may help out a lot, a little, or none if you don't have enough work to feed the truck maybe pass on it. if right now you cant sell any more work without falling way behind look deeper into your situation. if you have more work you can go after and sell to keep the truck busy defiantly go buy a truck and sell your ass off
mattfr12
The Bulldog
The benefit is the amount of work a person can get done with a bucket vs traditional climbing a tree. And it is a lot thats why companies like FEVA are rolling 100+ thousand dollar buckets off the line everyday.
Maintenance depends on what kind of bucket you plan on buying, a new one or a 10 year old one. A lot of time other tree guys don't get rid of trucks because they are doing fine and making them lots of money. Its so they can get the down payment on the next best thing.
Used chippers, stumpers, buckets, and all other tree equipment usually lives a hard life. be careful and know what your buying. getting a bucket could be great but buying one with a new paint job that looks like a million bucks but the guts are crap is gonna be not so great.
Im just saying that to possibly save you some headaches if your looking at some of these companies slapping a white paint job on old asphlund trucks.
Bucket trucks are generally much faster at cutting down a tree, and they let you safely get some places you cannot otherwise do. If you are doing removals, and have lots of equipment to handle the high production that a bucket truck can deliver, then you need one.
If you mostly do fine trimming, you won't hardly ever get to use it, and you will be disappointed with your purchase. It costs a fair amount of insurance money for a bucket truck, and they don't do much except put a man up in the air. You look real silly pulling a utility trailer around with a high-dollar bucket truck, and they don't have much cargo space, either.
I used to have an old bucket truck, but I got worried about it's reliability, and it wasn't getting that much use. I sold it, and have only rented a few aerial devices since then.
If you mostly do fine trimming, you won't hardly ever get to use it, and you will be disappointed with your purchase. It costs a fair amount of insurance money for a bucket truck, and they don't do much except put a man up in the air. You look real silly pulling a utility trailer around with a high-dollar bucket truck, and they don't have much cargo space, either.
I used to have an old bucket truck, but I got worried about it's reliability, and it wasn't getting that much use. I sold it, and have only rented a few aerial devices since then.
imagineero
Addicted to ArboristSite
I don't have a bucket truck, or a crane... but hire them in when needed. This is a pretty good deal, you get the benefit of both sides and it works out well if you are one of the borderline cases as I am. I don't have enough bucket work to justify I bucket truck, but every now and then having one is a big asset. I'm on good terms with a sub contractor who owns a big one, It's LV rated and the guy who operates it as an ex tree guy. He's retired and all he does is sub out the bucket at $130/hour. It sounds steep maybe, but he doesn't charge travel time and that price includes fuel, insurance, maintenance etc, plus his time. All ov which would add up to about $20k~$30k/year, not including the price of the truck (about $150k) and not including his time (maybe about $50k).
His bucket is rated for 2 guys, and I mostly use it when I've got work over power lines. I'm in the bucket with one of my groundies, and the truck owner operates the controls. There are controls in the bucket, but having him steer me is way quicker. I'm on the saw, groundie manages the branches. The truck guy steers us in for a cut, and back out to drop if necessary, then back in for the next cut. Goes so fast the bucket almost doesn't stop moving. Because he's an ex tree guy he's already thought a cut or two ahead of me, so I magically arrive at the next take before I've even nodded at him. We get most big trees done in 1-2 hours, so it's money well spent considering that often saves me a whole day of climbing and rigging. Having the bucket means I often can use one less groundie too.
I wouldn't buy one, but when you need one it sure is nice to have one.
Shaun
His bucket is rated for 2 guys, and I mostly use it when I've got work over power lines. I'm in the bucket with one of my groundies, and the truck owner operates the controls. There are controls in the bucket, but having him steer me is way quicker. I'm on the saw, groundie manages the branches. The truck guy steers us in for a cut, and back out to drop if necessary, then back in for the next cut. Goes so fast the bucket almost doesn't stop moving. Because he's an ex tree guy he's already thought a cut or two ahead of me, so I magically arrive at the next take before I've even nodded at him. We get most big trees done in 1-2 hours, so it's money well spent considering that often saves me a whole day of climbing and rigging. Having the bucket means I often can use one less groundie too.
I wouldn't buy one, but when you need one it sure is nice to have one.
Shaun
sgreanbeans
Treeaculterologist
Newt, "it is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it". (who knows what that is from?)
I use mine when ever I can, I am broken of course, so the health side of things are huge for me. It is sure nice to be able to jump in it and blast thru a big removal.
Matt is right, watch the white wash, there are several bucket "resale" shops that put band aids on any problems, one in particular (southern Ill) they are horrible at it. Buy one, not painted, they charge a average of 10g's more for a bucket of paint. I painted mine for like 1500, including tools.
If you can afford it, I would get one, you ll love it after a while.
I use mine when ever I can, I am broken of course, so the health side of things are huge for me. It is sure nice to be able to jump in it and blast thru a big removal.
Matt is right, watch the white wash, there are several bucket "resale" shops that put band aids on any problems, one in particular (southern Ill) they are horrible at it. Buy one, not painted, they charge a average of 10g's more for a bucket of paint. I painted mine for like 1500, including tools.
If you can afford it, I would get one, you ll love it after a while.
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Good points made. I think if the only thing I do is large removals it would be a no brainer. The number one reason would be to alleviate hip, knee, foot strain. One or two days a week in a bucket would be x hours less on the spikes. might make the career last a few extra years.
TreeAce
Addicted to ArboristSite
Lonesome Dove. excellent movie
GuilfordTree
ArboristSite Lurker
I've actually been renting a jlg 50' trailer pulled lift for jobs that are either to dead\weak to climb or over wires. It costs me $290 per day and the effiency is excellent. Gonna be doing this for awhile till I get the workload to buy a truck. Otherwise its climbing.
sgreanbeans
Treeaculterologist
I had rented one of those back in the day, freaking battery's exploded! BLUE FIRE! Not my fault. It took that thing out in a hurry! Pretty scary!
Thought I had my truck and chipper sold, but think I am going to back out of the deal, just don't feel good about this guy buying it. Don't have much confidence in his crew.
Thought I had my truck and chipper sold, but think I am going to back out of the deal, just don't feel good about this guy buying it. Don't have much confidence in his crew.
If they are paying up front for the equipment, and you are happy with the price, let 'em have it.
You can't protect fools from themselves. If they are determined to get a bucket truck, they'll probably just find a worse condition truck than the one you sold.
Besides, caveat emptor, let the buyer beware.
You can't protect fools from themselves. If they are determined to get a bucket truck, they'll probably just find a worse condition truck than the one you sold.
Besides, caveat emptor, let the buyer beware.
treeclimber101
UNCLE BUCK
I payed 35k for mine lr3 love it , the truck has 68k original miles and it's a 99 I have been lucky as hell with it 2 clutches and a rebuilt engine a few other small issues but I have owned it since 04' I mean can I even complain about it ! If I were to sell now I would just be a fool doesn't matter the year if it can make you money and make the work safer new old it's all the same to me , remember chrome don't get ya home
mattfr12
The Bulldog
Is it diesel or gas with a pony? LR3 is a good boom I've used one a lot. I'm running all Terex right now but once these trucks are 5-6 years old I'm going back to Altec. I like there elevator setup a little better, both very comparable tho. Ran Ariel of conn for Bartlett and hated it very limited boom vs its competitors.
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flushcut
Addicted to ArboristSite
Just an opinion JLG towables suck compaired to Genie or Nifty.
treeclimber101
UNCLE BUCK
Both gas , pony is a little 3 cylinder , and a 366 converted to 427 low miles too , I want 4x4 real bad not cause I need just cause they have it and I want it !
2treeornot2tree
Dont cry, just do it
I could have bought a truck the same as yours when i bought mine for $15,500 with 42,000 miles. The bank ####ed me around so much that some else picked it up. I bought the i have now which is a 98 with 89,000 miles for $14,000.00. Seems like you cant touch the same truck now for less then $27,000.
I want a 75' altec real bad, but i might keep what i got and get a 75' tracked portable life so i can get into peoples back yards. I am just thinking that the portable lift would be better all around.
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I have the same truck. 99 as well. Picked it up a year ago from a guy that owned a big towing company. He got it to use on his property, realized DIY tree work was not for him. Its an ex asplundh truck, 62,000 miles and it's solid. Got the guy down to 15k after I made a big fuss about the pony motor not working. It's more than paid for itself. Ugly orange color but hey, I know some on this site actually pay for orange paint. :hmm3grin2orange:
2treeornot2tree
Dont cry, just do it
Mine came orange too. I painted it white a couple years ago. It took me about 1.5 weeks to do it. I coat primer, 3 coats white Van sickle paint with hardener.
murphy4trees
Addicted to ArboristSite
I gradiated from a 55' LRIV to the 75 foot altec elevator....
That's a GREAT truck for pruning, mostly doing reduction pruning on large horizontal branches..
Check this video.. you need that extra height and side reach for big trees..
Its been a God Send.. broke my ankle this year on Saturday and was back in the bucket on Wednesday, (on a stool), worked a good 5-6 hours on Thursday and was back to full days on Monday.
Tree Pruning Malvern PA.mov - YouTube
ps.. the LR IV is for sale... 97 GMC, around 70K miles, pony motor works...... not pretty, but a real work horse
another vid: (shows the bucket at work towards the end..
Proper Tree Pruning Paoli PA 19301 .mov - YouTube
That's a GREAT truck for pruning, mostly doing reduction pruning on large horizontal branches..
Check this video.. you need that extra height and side reach for big trees..
Its been a God Send.. broke my ankle this year on Saturday and was back in the bucket on Wednesday, (on a stool), worked a good 5-6 hours on Thursday and was back to full days on Monday.
Tree Pruning Malvern PA.mov - YouTube
ps.. the LR IV is for sale... 97 GMC, around 70K miles, pony motor works...... not pretty, but a real work horse
another vid: (shows the bucket at work towards the end..
Proper Tree Pruning Paoli PA 19301 .mov - YouTube
What was your total bill for primer and paint? I spent 3 weeks off and on preping the truck. That was 2 months ago. Haven't had the time to paint her up. On a 3 day job right now with it.
