Bucket Truck Cost – Bucket trucks are vehicles that help personnel in accessing difficult-to-reach places at heights. These vehicles can lift personnel up to a height of 125 feet safely and allow them to access places that are impossible to reach with a scissor lift or a ladder.
Bucket trucks are commonly seen in metropolitan cities. Have you seen telephone companies’ linemen riding in a truck to fix something at the top of a pole? Most people will likely answer in a Yes to this question.
The vehicle used by telecom companies to fix line and wiring issues is a bucket truck, which is also called a boom truck sometimes. Local utility companies, construction firms, telecom companies, and forestry department commonly use bucket trucks to carry out their routine operations.
Since bucket trucks are used to lift people and materials to height, the companies must undertake all necessary safety measures in order to ensure the safety of their staff and other people. Some states also require certification of bucket trucks, including Washington, California, and Minnesota.
Types of Bucket Trucks
There a number of bucket truck models available in the market, each suited for work in a specific environment at a particular height. We are discussing three basic types of bucket trucks and their suitability to work in different work environments.
Articulated Over-Center Bucket Truck
In articulated over-center bucket truck, the extendable arm is located in the center of the truck. The extendable arm or articulated boom is used to lift the personnel to a specific height. The arm is made up of different pieces joined together to offer greater maneuverability, flexibility, and more efficient movement.
This type of bucket truck is commonly found in forestry, landscaping, construction, and various other industrial settings.
Articulated Non-over Center Bucket Truck
In contrast to the articulated over-center bucket trucks, these keep the bucket at a steady angle as it is raised or lowered. Articulated non-over center trucks are commonly used by utility and telecom companies to reach easily accessible places.
Telescopic Articulated Bucket Truck
Telescopic articulated bucket truck offers even greater maneuverability with its extended reach of over 70 feet. These bucket trucks have a wide range of applications in the forestry and construction industry.
Insulated Bucket Trucks
Insulated bucket trucks offer greater safety and protection against accidental contact with electrical wiring and other electricity sources. These trucks are constructed with insulating materials such as fiber glass, which prevents the conduction of electric current.
Insulated trucks are available as articulated over center, articulated non-over center, and telescopic bucket trucks. The only different is the insulation of the basket and the boom of the truck.
Cost Comparison of Bucket Trucks
There are three major considerations of buying a bucket truck – operating environment, operating height, and articulation. If you have decided to buy a bucket truck, you must determine the height and work environment you expect the bucket truck to operate in. Once you have determined the basic requirements, you should consider the Bucket Truck Cost, model, and other specifications of a bucket truck.
Operating Height – Operating height or working height is the maximum height at which you can work safely with the platform providing you a stable base. The length of the arm decides the platform height of the bucket truck. Generally, bucket trucks are of three types depending on their operating height – less than 50 feet, 50 to 60 feet, and over 60 feet.
Horizontal Reach – Horizontal reach is a term for the side reach of the platform. Some bucket trucks have a side reach of 360 degrees, while there are others that may have a restricted horizontal reach.
Transmission – A bucket truck with manual transmission is best suited for work in rough terrain. Most bucket trucks have an automatic transmission, which makes them suitable to work on smooth roads.
Fuel – Like any other vehicle, bucket truck have three fuel options: gasoline, diesel, and hybrid. Diesel powered bucket trucks are best for heavy work and gasoline powered bucket trucks are suitable for light maintenance work. Hybrid bucket trucks offer a unique combination in terms of improved fuel efficiency and productivity. These have a diesel or gasoline powered engine and an electric motor to operate the lift.
New Articulated Over-center Bucket Truck Cost
- Gasoline-powered bucket truck, operating height of 48ft., weight capacity of 400lbs – $130,000 to $140,000
- Diesel-powered bucket truck, operating height of 55ft., weight capacity of 700lbs – $140,000 to $145,000
- Diesel-powered bucket truck, operating height of 60ft, weight capacity of 400lbs – $125,000 to $130,000
- Gasoline-powered bucket truck, operating height of 37ft., weight capacity of 400lbs – $125,000 to $130,000
Cost of a New Telescopic Articulated Bucket Truck
- Gasoline-powered bucket truck, operating height of 45ft., weight capacity of 400lbs – $120,000 to $130,000
- Diesel-powered bucket truck, operating height of 44ft., weight capacity of 400lbs – $150,000 to $160,000
- Diesel-powered bucket truck, operating height of 40ft., weight capacity of 400lbs – $140,000 to $145,000
- Diesel-powered bucket truck, operating height of 35ft., weight capacity of 500lbs – $135,000 to $140,000
Cost of a New Insulated Bucket Truck
- Gasoline-powered bucket truck, operating height of 42ft., weight capacity of 400lbs – $140,000
- Gasoline-powered bucket truck, operating height of 37ft., weight capacity of 400lbs – $135,000
- Diesel-powered bucket truck, operating height of 45ft., weight capacity of 400lbs – $145,000 to $150,000
- Diesel-powered bucket truck, operating height of 47ft., weight capacity of 400lbs – $150,000 to $160,000
Renting a Bucket Truck & Bucket Truck Cost
Bucket trucks are quite expensive, yet some industries choose to invest in it because of their work requirement. Other companies that do not require bucket trucks on a day-to-day basis prefer to rent a truck whenever they need it.
A general rule of thumb is to multiple its operating height by 10 to determine the daily rent of a bucket truck. Some companies charge an extra amount of $200 to $300 as delivery charges.
The purchasing and rental cost of bucket trucks is influenced by various factors such as the model of the truck, its specifications, and other accessories such as tool box, bucket cover, wheel chocks, etc. When buying a bucket truck, the user must determine their needs and operating conditions and choose a bucket truck that best suits them.
