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Bucket Truck
Unlike its siblings, a bucket truck is a specialized and costly piece of equipment.
Truck manufacturers build a basic range of truck chassis’, and from there modify them to suit market requirements.
The requirements and logistical expertise required for most truck options are, although extensive, not exacting.
General heavy machine shop equipment is sufficient when building a simple flatbed truck, and then to take that flatbed a step further, in order to add side flaps. For a client who requires a truck with an enclosed load bed, the truck chassis goes to a coachbuilder, who manufactures the load body according to specifications, in such a way that the overall weight is kept low, while maintaining high levels of strength and flexibility.
Many modifications are possible with a basic rolling chassis, all add value to the final product, and are an asset to the completed vehicle.
One modification that is a definite value add-on, but which detracts somewhat from being able to resell the truck is the bucket truck customisation. It must be added that the truck retains its value, as it is a custom made item, but what does happen though is that it takes longer to sell.
This is a costly modification, in terms of materials, technology and labour. When ordering this option from the manufacturer, be prepared for what will seem like a thousand questions. The manufacturer will want to give you exactly what you need. There is no point in supplying a unit that is suitable for picking hops when what is actually required is a truck that will be used for spanning high voltage cables.
You need to know what the truck is for; this therefore excludes having one built for speculation purposes. When building the unit, the manufacturer will design in the variables, such as the bucket weight, the crew weight, the equipment normally required in the bucket, the height to which it needs to lift, and the extent of the lift away from the vehicle.
Using standard components as far as possible, the unit is put together. This is not simply a matter of welding a base plate onto a flat load-bed. Depending on other ancillary equipment, such as storage bins or compressors, the correct center of gravity needs to be identified, and from there the derricks, booms and gantries will be put into place. If the bucket needs to swing away from the vehicle for any particular purpose, it may even be necessary to add stabilising outriggers to the truck.
The hydraulics are fitted to provide the maximum power using a minimum of energy from the hydraulic drive unit, which could be a separate motor, the truck motor, or an electric unit coupled to the truck engine.
Some units will have controls fitted to the bucket, eliminating the need for an external operator, although all units will have duplicate controls on the truck itself.
If your business is involved in anything that requires being far above the ground, and being mobile, there is no option, you need a bucket truck. Just be sure that you have one that is suitable for the work it needs to do.
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