Bucket trucks, what's good? Help.

theXman

theXman

Branched out member
Location
MD, USA
Bucket trucks, what\'s good? Help.

Hey guys.

I've never been a bucket truck person and don't know much about them. I've only barrowed them when I have a huge holly tree to shear, or really hollow tree over wires, etc...

But I can see their advantages and would like to get one one day. I was planning on getting a spider lift someday when the company can afford one, that way I would have a bucket truck, but also it can drive into tight backyards.

Let me get to my question. There is a decent truck coming up at an auction, if it goes cheap, I might decide to buy it. Tell me what you think of it, (Oh, and fast, I need to know by early Saturday morning, Feb 25th):

TECO V7A75IP C/W 2001 INTERNATIONAL 4800 4X4 S/A BUCKET TRUCK

DT466, 215 hp, Allison 5 spd, 218 in. WB, 18 ft utility bed, 80 ft boom

It only has 33,000 miles on it.

(4 wheel drive impresses me and 80 boom seems like good reach to me. I like internationals)

What do you think of Teco? Upper section of boom is fiberglass, is this considered insulated then? I don't do line clearance though.
 

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Re: Bucket trucks, what\'s good? Help.

i bought a 60' back in july. altec boom and topkick truck.
it takes the climbing out of some trees. although there is no substitution in my mind for climbing, it serves a purpose. i use mine whenever i can to preserve my energy level, and they are good when you aren't feeling so hot psysically. i find myself using them alot on fridays, if that makes any sense.
make sure you check out the service records and maybe get a mech to join you in the inspection.
good luck.
 
Re: Bucket trucks, what\'s good? Help.

this mid boom joint doesn't go past straight, is this a pain? what i mean is, it unfolds till the whole boom is completely straight, i've used one that bends farther than this.

anyone have or used this brand of boom?

i normally research things well before i buy, i'm just trying to get more info so i can put in a decent LOW bid cause i don't have enough time to fully research. I don't NEED it and I really would like to buy one of those teupen spider lifts (picture here in case you don't know them).
 

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Re: Bucket trucks, what\'s good? Help.

Hey X,

I haven't used one like the one you are looking at. However, I have had a 60 ft high ranger. And, I thought it was nice. I used it whenever I could. It made alot of jobs easier. Althought the 60 ft always seemed a little to short for alot of the jobs I wanted to use it for. So that 80ft boom you are looking at looks like it would be very nice. It would do alot of trees. I think if you got it you would like it. It will save on your body. And like you said on those trees that are hollow and dangerous they are a piece of cake now (well I guess that depends). Good luck on it. I would definatly say go with it if you can get it for a good price.
 
Re: Bucket trucks, what\'s good? Help.

thank you dhuffnmu and acushman.

comon Mark C, you guys have plenty of bucket trucks don't ya... Gimmie some imput. What, you guys work during the day?
 
Re: Bucket trucks, what\'s good? Help.

What does a used truck like this go for, with these miles?

Not at a auction, but from a dealer or private sale?

65-70K?
 
Re: Bucket trucks, what\'s good? Help.

First question I would ask myself is, how much am I going to be able to use it? Can you actually get it to the type of jobs you do, or enough of them to make it pay for its upkeep. Secondly, can you afford to maintain it, which is kind of linked to the first question!

The mid boom thing will be restricting, the "knuckle under" feature is really good for getting under branches, phone lines ect and around obstacles.

We use a 46 foot reach, which sounds small compared to what you guys are running, but you can dismantle trees that are quite a bit higher without actually being able to reach the top! And for anything that you can reach, climbing out of the bucket takes a lot of the legwork out of climbing a tall tree!

Unless it is specifically designated as electrically insulated, its not!

In the UK we have to have these inspected and certified every year, and we have had two cracked booms in three years! I think it would be well worth having any bucket truck inspected before you buy it, as the repair bill for ours has been £2500 on each occasion!
 
Re: Bucket trucks, what\'s good? Help.

David,

TECO is a brand that we had once. I don't know if I can rate it against others just from my 1 truck. I'll tell you what I think. First, TECO is no longer, so parts might be difficult to get? Ours was slower than the Hi Rangers. The boom dosen't go over center, so it isn't quite as effective in some ways as one that does because your reach is not as far. The two-man bucket would be difficult to navigate between branches, but you could replace it for $1200 or so. The 80' reach is cool, but (and this is the big but) it is pretty long. It won't be good in tight areas or inbetween trees because you won't be able to get it up through the canopy. It also will be very hard to drive around in short driveways or off road because it sticks out in the front and sits off the rear as well. That is why elevators are so effective.

Having said all of that, I believe any bucket truck will help you make money. It is a great idea to add to your company. Whether this is the one you want to invest in or not is up to you. It will be great on some jobs and frustrating on others where you thought you could get it in. In my opinion this truck is not the best possible choice unless it is a very good bargain.
 
Re: Bucket trucks, what\'s good? Help.

My 8 cents worth

I have owned Hi-rangers, asplundhs, and currantly a Altec and 2 Mat-3's. My first Bucket I ever bought an asplundh LB50, I thought this is going to be great no more climbing for me, reality they are a great for removals, but for most pruning it was a high priced elevator, ride it up and jump out. So it sat in the yard 3-4 days out of the week you just couldn't get it in to most spots. This Teco looks nice Trk I like cornbinders and the mileage is good. The 4X4 will be really handy and the 466 is a good motor. Does it have an hour meter on the boom? add 30 miles for every hour of stationary operation. 80' wow it will be a great removal machine where you have room to get it in, those booms are so long that they really will get in the way alot - it will suck for pruning other than dead tips and raising. If its fine (should have a yearly or recent inspection report on the boom (although thats another story)) You get it for ~ 50K I think you could sleep real well with that, I really don't know what that truck cost new I would venture to guess 110-120k?

On a slight tangent - Let me tell all you bucket owners out there about the MAt 3's. They are Unbelievable!! Heres how I got my first one, Mat 3 contacted me and said they wanted to give me a bucket for a week .. eh what did you say? .. a bucket for a week .. ah ok I says but you know I'm a tree guy and 'm going to take it out and work the piss out of it
(being an honest guy I added) and there is no way ... no way I am buying a new bucket this year or next, its not in the cards till then my hi ranger is doing me fine. They still gave it to me I thought they were crazy but what the hell free bucket for the week. I gotta tell ya I took that thing to my house on the week end and I did things with a bucket I never did B-4 (oops left myself wide open there), I couldn't believe it The telescoping upper boom allows you to squirt around and through limbs where you would never get conventional booms, Man finally a bucket that can prune. I ordered a 60' at the end of my demo on an 84" WB the booms are shorter than a 43 we squeeze it in places conventional 50's won’t go. I am thourally(?) convinced it is the Cadillac of all bucket trucks. My employees who run the old Altec think its a piece of S___, ( its not it's a great bucket), there only Frame of Reference is the Mat 3's which KICK ASS on any other Bucket out there, my new 70 is tits. /forum/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Whew I hate typing
 

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Re: Bucket trucks, what\'s good? Help.

hey thanks Mark and tnt for that good info. I never heard of a Mat 3. I sincerely appreciate your thoughts.

I think I'll go with the spider lift. More versitile, and if I'm going to buy something, I like to buy something good.

Auction was in Florida, i didn't learn about this truck till friday, Sat was auction day for it. I ended up not bidding, i don't know what it went for, results public in a few weeks.
 
Re: Bucket trucks, what\'s good? Help.

so, tnttree, the moral of your story is don't accept the free invite from trhe mat 3 reps. they use that as there spider web? i'm the type of person that will justify it after i try it. so, whatever you do, "don't press the shiny red button"
 
Re: Bucket trucks, what\'s good? Help.

[ QUOTE ]
so, tnttree, the moral of your story is don't accept the free invite from trhe mat 3 reps. they use that as there spider web? i'm the type of person that will justify it after i try it. so, whatever you do, "don't press the shiny red button"

[/ QUOTE ]
Well it sucked me in and made me a believer out of me, it is radicaly different from all other lifts. Ask any of the guys who have one I think they will all agree with me. If you can find them.
Ahm Tell'in you man thats a true story. If you have bucket experience and you started as a climbing arborist, the mat 3 will blow you away -- you can prune with the machine. /forum/images/graemlins/cool.gif

It will be hard for me to buy any other machine from now on unless I just want a removal machine - My Mat70's 17' squirt has awsome side reach for removals also.
 
Re: Bucket trucks, what\'s good? Help.

i believe everything you say. i know myself.....i'll buy one if i try it. and if i baught one, i would have to live in it. i wouldn't want to fall asleep in my house, if you know what i mean?!?!?!?
 
Re: Bucket trucks, what\'s good? Help.

The boss doesn't trim trees eh . . Maybe she wants to join the 60' club? if not stay in the house
 
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