Just used my bucket truck today for the first time

[holden4646]

i must say what a difference using the bucket verse climbing. I got so much done today I couldent believe it! Still getting used to the controls but man just being able to fly threw the canopy is incredible! I know there's always gonna be those trees that have to be climbed but man I was really impressed how much I cut and at the end of the day wasent exhausted!! Lol. A lot of people on here seem to hate on aerial lifts but the way I see it, if you can get in and out of a job then being equipped with the right equipment is a no brainer for me.

 

[123Craig]

True. Yes - compared to climbing it is easier - though you can still get pretty tired doing bucket work...

It's funny - you can get 'bored' with the bucket - if you've not climbed for a while - you begin to yearn for something with more to challenge the problem solving part of your brain (as well as your body); you can get lazy in your thinking as your brain begins to switch off/zone out (autopilot) - that's when things can get dangerous.

Best piece of advice given to me on bucket work; 'Lookout/up/all around for power lines - check again, and again, and again (as many times as necessary)'. Keep in mind that the uninsulated (grey) lines blend into the background of the sky/ground/everything. Beware.

I'd be a liar if I said that my ground help hasn't stopped me more than once from getting too close to a power line that I'd momentarily forgotten about/was obscured from my vision; two/three/four/ect sets of eyes are better than one - ask everyone on the ground to also be your eyes. I don't like to dwell on what the consequences could have been.

Enjoy!

 

[CutHighnLetFly]

x2 on the ground help being alert boom spotters.
and maybe have them make a habit to take a peak at your outriggers whenever your reaching way out side to side, or off the rear if you got a rear mount.
good luck man work safe

 

[Sgriff]

Keep hands and feet inside the cabin at all times while in motion!!

 

[123Craig]

x2 on the hands and feet while in motion.
x2 on ground help checking on your outriggers.

Another small tip; if you know what side of the truck (assuming you're off to one side more than the other) you're mainly working over at) and your ground help is chipping into the box at the same time - have them chip into the side of the box opposite the side you are mainly over working on - that way it will help counterbalance your weight (every little helps, depending on many other circumstances).

In the first few months I also managed to crush a 201 against a tree (I was trying to avoid a spiders web of power lines at the time). My boss wasn't happy with me, I wasn't happy with me, I also paid for a new saw. I've also seen the scabbard 'pop off' too many times while hung on the outside - so for a long time now, I hang it on the inside.

 

[CutHighnLetFly]

I've also seen the scabbard 'pop off' too many times while hung on the outside - so for a long time now, I hang it on the inside

My co worker has watched a service line pull the scabbard out of the inside before while leaving a job.

 

[123Craig]

My co worker has watched a service line pull the scabbard out of the inside before while leaving a job.

Wow - I guess that can happen too...

 

[Jeff]

have them make a habit to take a peak at your outriggers whenever your reaching way out side to side

Don't panic when they lift off the ground a little. They will definitely come up and inch or so when you're all the way in one direction, especially if you're... well, my size.

My co worker has watched a service line pull the scabbard out of the inside

Can't tell you how many times I've been booming down and had the scabbard lifted up by something (usually branches) coming up the outside of the bucket. No problem if you catch it in time.