Used Bucket Truck - Opinions

[TreeLogic]

http://hiltonhead.craigslist.org/cto/3666832281.html

 

[bwktreeserv]

Well....Seems like hind of a lot for how beat up it is? Also, isn't the F650 a little underpowered for a forestry bucket truck? Nothing wrong with older used truck if it structurally sound, especially the boom. I have an older Ford F800 (ex asplundh unit) with an altec boom that is great. I don't have any personal experience with Connecticut booms but I have heard mixed reviews. I do know that I wouldn't want any less power with my truck and it's an 800. take her for a test drive and run through EVERYTHING! good luck.

Ben

 

[TreeLogic]

thanks Ben. yeah, i'm a little lacking in education on forestry truck engines. i know my 1989 ford f700 ford 6.6 is good, and i've heard great things about the older internationals, but bad things on the newer ones. of course my F700 is only hauling debris and a Bandit 200XP. not sure what it'd do with a boom on top of it.

the listing shows a 7.2 CAT. any thoughts on it? and are there any older/used trucks in this price range that you'd consider "cream of the crop"? don't forget, not a lot of hills around here. they call it the "Lowcountry" for a reason. we do have some steep bridges we drive regularly though. Right lane the whole way up...

thanks again, Will

 

[twigg]

I have a cat 3116 in my loader truck and it does just fine it's all about the gears. You will feel it when you take it for a test drive.

 

[Jasonk]

Make sure the lift will pass inspection. Both safety and dielectric. Fixing those things gets very expensive very fast.

 

[Treeswinger]

That doesn't look like a splicer shifter to me???

 

[TreeLogic]

Jasonk,
Thanks. Good point. I've never owner a bucket so just wondering, what could those things cost to fix?

 

[Jasonk]

A lot! We had a used alc lift for a while. Did us well, but one year when the alc road mechanic came to perform the yearly inspection.....it needed some work. No big deal just $12,000 or so. We were on the fence about replacing the truck before, and we knew it would be difficult to recoup the investment over time so we bought new.
Your trusting your life with that boom, so A backyard mechanic to save a few bucks is prolly not the best way to go in my eyes.
Good luck with the purchase though. Our bucket is a huge asset.

 

[Jeff_Cochran]

spend 30 thousand more and buy my truck it is perfect.

 

[Gorman]

I've been warned against under cdl buckets. It looks like an under 26K unit. If you do buy it, it will have a hard time getting up a hill towing a chipper.