As you drive down the road, you may notice a truck with a long arm at the end of which is a container carrying a person working on a power pole or communication lines; or you may notice a similar truck and worker trimming tree limbs after a storm; or in your neighborhood you may notice that same vehicle with a worker putting up Christmas lights and decorations. Wherever you go, if you look closely, you will notice that these vehicles perform their routine or special tasks. The versatility and utility of bucket trucks is well recognized in a wide variety of industries.
Basically, these unique vehicles consist of a truck, a boom, and a bucket. Depending on the design required by each different industry, there may be a single motor operating both the vehicle and bucket lift system or two motors, one for the truck and an auxiliary motor for the bucket lift system. There may be one or two arms made of different materials, such as steel, fiberglass, or wood, and the arm may be articulated, Z-type, or telescopic. There are also different types of buckets depending on the required use with capacity for a single worker or two workers.
The main objective of these vehicles is to reach great heights, replacing stairs to perform tasks in a more efficient and productive way. So how do you know which one is right for your business or industry with so many different shapes, sizes and capabilities? Bigger is not necessarily better; the right one for you depends on your needs. Let’s explore some of the common uses of these vehicles to see which one might best meet your business needs!
Vegetable garden – The proper vehicle for this highly original use of the bucket truck is probably quite simple, basically requiring the boom to be long enough to reach the maximum height from which the fruit will be picked. One option to consider would be whether you want the worker to be able to operate from the bucket to move from one part of the tree to another, as such control can be done from inside or outside the bucket.
Electrical and communications industry – Electric utilities use bucket trucks to repair power lines just like workers in the telephone and cable fields. The needs of these industries would include buckets for one or two people made of non-conductive material; custom containers or compartments to store the necessary tools; booms long enough to reach the highest operating heights; and controls that adapt to the needs of workers.
There is also a need for great stability when working with power lines. Outriggers to stabilize the vehicle would probably be a real necessity here to allow workers to safely perform their tasks without worrying about any movement of the bucket or truck.
Then there is the consideration of pole placement needed to carry the utility lines along the highway. There are unique vehicles called derrick trucks that can dig the hole for the post and place it in the hole.
Salvage and other emergency operations – Firefighters use a modified bucket truck to rescue people trapped in a building or carry a firefighting hose high above the fire scene. The industry need is often for a long telescoping articulating boom that can carry one or two firefighters and their tools to great heights.
On the other hand, wildlife rescue centers also use these same trucks to rescue animals or birds trapped in tall trees. This use would mean a simpler and more efficient vehicle than that of the fire companies located in a metropolitan area.
entertainment industry – A very famous singer, the king of pop himself – the late Michael Jackson, used a bucket truck in some of his performances. Additionally, outdoor sporting events frequently use these vehicles to provide better coverage of the event from a height that allows the viewer to see the entire event and not just part of it. Each of these uses may require a specially designed vehicle to meet the needs of efficient use.
forest workers – This industry has some unique needs. In addition to the different heights, working on a tree often takes some time to get the best job done. A single engine operating both the truck and the boom could be very fuel inefficient. Therefore, a separate engine should be considered here to operate the boom while the work is in progress, allowing the truck engine to be turned off.
This is another industry where stability is very important, so it would be necessary to review the different types of stabilizers available to decide which one would be best for the primary use of this vehicle.
These are just a few of the companies and industries that rely on the versatile bucket truck to get the job done. Deciding which one is best for your industry should never be rushed. Go online and read as much as you can that is relevant to both your business and your tax needs. We hope this article has helped you know what to consider when looking for the right vehicle. Happy bucket truck hunting!