Bucket truck boom mounted on trailer

[varmint]

A friend bought a very servicable 52' boom with 2000# winch capacity at an auction of used utility equipment a couple of years ago. I was amazed at the number of trucks, some with equipment bins still full of goodies, being sold cheap. If you have, or can get, a required CDL to drive them on public roads, one of those trucks might be worth the money. They were selling for $3000 or so! I think most of these trucks had been in service with power companies until just before the sale. Other than some hydraulic hose issues, I don't think he's had any problems over 4 or 5 years of very occasional use. Of course, these things suck diesel like crazy. I should add that this truck has hydraulic outlets on the bucket- very handy for your hydraulic chain saw!

 

[grsthegreat]

A friend bought a very servicable 52' boom with 2000# winch capacity at an auction of used utility equipment a couple of years ago. I was amazed at the number of trucks, some with equipment bins still full of goodies, being sold cheap. If you have, or can get, a required CDL to drive them on public roads, one of those trucks might be worth the money. They were selling for $3000 or so! I think most of these trucks had been in service with power companies until just before the sale. Other than some hydraulic hose issues, I don't think he's had any problems over 4 or 5 years of very occasional use. Of course, these things suck diesel like crazy. I should add that this truck has hydraulic outlets on the bucket- very handy for your hydraulic chain saw!

Well, there are lots of them out there real cheap, and most wont pass the fed testing that is required (at least here in Idaho & Wash) to allow them to be used on high power (has to do with insullation rating or some such thing ??), and thats why there sold. There good enuf for homeowners and electricians that don't work around the "Big" stuff like Mace did. Good for parking lot lights, etc.

Then you need a commercial license...and did i mention the Insurance. I was looking to buy one about 2-3 years ago to help in shop wiring and lights. Could get the truck cheep, but my commercial policy would triple in cost. Never mind. I just rent scissor lifts as the need arises and charge to the job.

 

[Nsaan]

I have a lead on a complete back of a bucket truck. It was a f350 or f450 that has a 29 foot Electric/hydraulic bucket lift on it. The motor and cab caught fire and burned, the shop it was towed to cut it at the back of the cab, it still has everything else on the frame, the duelly axle the sway control was mounted on the rear of the truck, not the front like some i have seen so that is good. the boom has 2 sections and the pivot is centered over the axle, it is mounted on a 9-12 foot utility bed, i don't remember exactly as it has been 3 months since I saw it last. The guy wants around a grand for it. I am thinking that if I set it up with some Hydraulic outriggers and a nice set of batteries I should be good for general lighting. I have a 1999 f450 fully enclosed utility bed that I would be pulling it with. I figure that I could get a electric actuator for the brakes and be able to use the truck axle brakes. what do you guys think... I am not wanting to spend a whole lot on the unit, but i will not scrimp on safety. I figure since it is the original truck bed and was designed to be used as such, with proper outriggers it should be safe.

 

[aczlan]

I am not wanting to spend a whole lot on the unit, but i will not scrimp on safety. I figure since it is the original truck bed and was designed to be used as such, with proper outriggers it should be safe.

You may need to add a long tongue and extra weights to compensate for the missing cab, but otherwise it sounds good.

Aaron Z