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Used Bucket Trucks vs New Bucket Truck
To Buy Used or To Buy New? That Is The Question! ...

Bucket Truck Safety Guide
Basic Bucket Truck Operational Steps to help you prevent any Fatal Accidents..

Planning For Disaster Relief Contracts
For a variety of businesses, providing relief from hurricanes, floods, earthquakes...

To Buy Used or To Buy New? That Is The Question!

In the market for a bucket truck?  Well, you've come to the right place to have all of your questions answered as to whether or not you should opt for a used bucket truck or a new bucket truck.  The majority of readers who will be typing "Should I buy a new or used bucket truck?" into their Google search are smaller companies who, either are just starting out and trying to build their initial fleet of bucket trucks (digger derricks, forestry trucks or "cherry" pickers, etc.), or medium to larger-sized companies looking to replace some of the old units in their fleet that have been well-maintained, but are just in the market for an upgrade or needing to expand their inventory. With this in mind, you are, without a doubt, better off purchasing a used bucket truck rather than a new one.  In these tough economic times, companies all over are finding ways to be more cost effective so as not to drown the company in mounds of debt while trying to also grow the business.  Makes sense, doesn't it?  Why spend six figures on something new, when you can spend in the mid-to low five figures on a pre-owned, reconditioned bucket truck?  Most companies that purchase new bucket trucks are the major power and light companies who have that sort of cash to drop, and...more power to them!  Let's focus here on the smaller guys.  Joe's ABC Electrical, Tom's XYZ Tree Service, etc. 
 
The best piece of advice anyone looking to purchase a used bucket truck or the like can get is:  inspect before you buy.  Plain and simple.  You wouldn't buy a personal vehicle without first test driving it, right?  Why should you do so with a bucket truck?  If you do not have access to a local used bucket truck dealer, auction house, or broker then make sure you obtain a vehicle history report by going to Carfax.  Have the dealer you're looking to purchase from provide you with the VIN number of the vehicle and take a look at the Carfax.  If the dealer refuses to provide you with that information...run.  If personal inspection of the vehicle is not an option for your company at the time you're trying to purchase, there are local inspectors that you can hire to take a look at the truck for you.  Spending a few bucks for an inspection in the beginning can save you hundreds, if not thousands, in the long-run if the truck happens to be a lemon. 

Some things that you want to take a look at during inspection of the truck:  chassis, body, interior, engine.  Check the brakes and tires, and wheel cylinders.  During an inspection of the body, make sure that all lights, front and rear, are working properly.  Inspect the body for major damage and ask about any repairs that have been made.  Open the hood of the bucket truck and inspect the engine.  Inspect for oil leaks and ensure that all hoses and belts are in good working condition.  As for the boom, operate it!  The boom, after all, is really the bread and butter of the truck, so you want to make sure that it's working properly.  Check mounting points for loose bolts, inspect the controls, outriggers, and general operation of the boom.  If the lift is insulated, ask when it was last dielectrically tested and ask for the certification results.  Inspect hydraulic lines and fittings for leaks.  Make sure that the safety features are all in tact and working properly, and that the boom operates smoothly.  

Again, sometimes your personal inspection of the truck itself is not an option.  You may be purchasing a used bucket truck from the East coast while operating your business on the West coast.  Companies such as Centec Equipment provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision when purchasing a used bucket truck. As a result, you will drive off the lot or receive your truck knowing that it will be fully functional and ready to go to work. 
We've established that it is, for the most part and most companies, a better choice to purchase a used bucket truck versus a new bucket truck, which raises the question, "Where do I purchase from?"  You have several options:  a dealer, an auction house, a broker, the internet, etc.  If you choose to purchase from a dealer, you'll want to make sure that the dealer is an reputable dealership.  By visiting the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.com, you can type in the name of any business and check out their rating, learn the reasons behind their rating, and view any complaints brought against the company and whether or not the complaints were resolved by the company.  Additionally, ask the dealer if they offer any extended warranty plans on their used bucket trucks and other equipment, but beware of gimmicks. 

Again, run far away if they refuse to disclose any information regarding their extended warranty coverage.  At Centec Equipment, we are interested in long-term relationships with our clients.  Therefore, you will be provided with honesty and professionalism from the first time you call or walk through our doors until you have taken complete ownership of your truck...and thereafter. 

Lastly, be sure to shop around.  You may save a few thousand dollars by purchasing from the auction house, but will the money you save be enough to cover any repairs that may arise?  You are purchasing something that you will be trusting your life, the lives of your employees, and your livelihood to.  Do your research, be informed, and buy wisely. 



Bucket Truck Safety

About 26 construction workers die each year from using aeriel lifts, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Of those 26, approximately 70% involve boom-supported lifts, such as bucket trucks and cherry pickers; 25% of the other deaths involve scissor lifts.  The following data table is a bit outdated, but has not changed much in numbers since:

Causes of deaths in construction by type of aerial lift, United States, 1992-99


Cause 		Boom-supported lifts Scissor lifts Unknown type of lift Total
Electrocutions 62 6 - 69
Falls 35 23 6 64
Collapses or tipovers 23 21 - 46
Caught in/between 11 - - 14
Struck by/against 6 - - 9
Other causes 5 - - 5
Total deaths 142 55 10 207

– fewer than 5 deaths
Note: Other causes include 6 fire deaths.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data 

In the accidents involving boom lifts, half of the falls involved being ejected from the bucket after being struck by other vehicles, cranes, falling objects, or when the lift suddenly jerked.  Two-thirds of the deaths resulted from collapses/tip-overs of the boom lifts when the bucket cable or boom broke, or the bucket fell suddenly; almost one-third were due to tip-overs.  As for electrocutions, over one-third involved an overhead power line contacting the lift boom or bucket.  The caught in-between deaths resulted when a worker was caught between the bucket edge and another object. 

Although bucket trucks are fairly easy to operate, one must still respect them for the powerful piece of equipment they are and take the time to train in proper operation.  Bucket trucks fall under OSHA standard guidelines for safety; therefore, all operators must be properly trained before operating a bucket truck to ensure all safety measures are adhered to.  To learn more about OSHA's guidelines for bucket truck operation, follow this link Federal OSHA Regulations for Bucket Trucks.  Below are some general safety rules when operating a bucket truck.  To view additional information, see source links at the end of this page. 

Before you even turn the key in the ignition of your bucket truck to head to a job site, a visual safety check should be performed.  Circle the vehicle itself to determine hazards and identify damage and leaks.  You should inspect the vehicles exterior, making it a point to note the following:  broken, damaged, loose or missing parts; tire bulges, cuts and pressure; oil and hudraulic leaks; weld integrity; lighting; and, check to see all required decals and stickers are on or around the boom and are legible and understandable.  

When you arrive to your worksite destination, inspect the area for such things as drop-offs, holes, bumps, and debris.  Try to locate an even patch of ground to park your bucket truck on.  Parking on uneven ground can increase the instability of your bucket truck.  Do not operate the boom if wind gusts exceed 30 mph or there is a threat of an electrical storm.  Set your vehicle's emergency brake and position the wheel chocks.  Be sure to make note of and look out for any overhead obstructions.  

To prevent falling out of the bucket, make sure the bucket floor is clear of debris and always keep your feet on the floor:  do not sit, stand, or climb on the edge of the basket.  Under no circumstances, do not place any item in the bucket for the purpose of increasing work height (i.e. ladders & step stools).  When the bucket is raised in the air, do not try to climb down.  ALWAYS wear fall protection!!

Another hazard you'll want to do your best to prevent is that of tipping over.  While raised in the bucket, do not push or pull toward anything and, once again, do not carry ladders or step stools or any other objects in the bucket.  Do not exceed the bucket's load capacity.  When the bucket is raised, do not try to move the truck to another location.  Again, park on even ground, do not operate in high winds, make sure the truck's outriggers are positioned properly, and do not use the bucket truck as a crane. 

Collisions with other vehicles, overhead obstructions, and the like are another hazard that you must take precautions to prevent.  Watch for traffic and be aware of your blind spots when driving the truck...go slow!  Watch for overhead obstructions, and travel very slow on bumpy or sloped ground and when driving near other workers or pedestrians.

To prevent electrocution hazards, maintain a safe clearance from power lines and apparatus.  No aerial platform, insulated or not, provides any electrical protection to the occupant if there is phase-to-phase or phase-to-ground contact.  Never leave your truck unattended unless the key is removed from the ignition and the truck is secured from unauthorized users.  Do not refuel your bucket truck when the engine is running, and NEVER use a damaged machine!!

When proper precautions are taken, and safety guidelines are adhered to, operation of a bucket truck is a smooth and steady process.  Make sure you know what you're doing before getting behind the wheel of the vehicle or stepping a foot into the bucket.  Do your part to protect yourself and others from unnecessary injuries, or deaths, by educating yourself in the successful, and safe, use of any bucket truck(s) or aerial lift(s) you have authorization to operate.   
Sources:


Planning For Disaster Relief Contracts

damage caused by an earthquake that hit Haiti

This picture captures only a fraction of the damage caused by an earthquake that hit Haiti's capital city of Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, January 12th, 2010. The quake measured 7.0 on the Richter scale and left damage of epic proportions in its wake, with casualties in upwards of 200,000

Everyone feels threatened by a natural disaster, but the real fear is being left unprepared.  It is essential to have a plan before a disaster strikes, but what about afterwards?  The recent earthquake in Haiti's capital city of Port-au-Prince shook the country to its core and left behind unfathomable devastation.  In the wake of such disasters, both abroad and in the United States, the need for clean-up and re-construction crews is critical to the process of rebuilding homes, businesses, and more importantly, lives. 

Planning For Disaster Relief Contracts:
For a variety of businesses, providing relief from hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters also provides a series of challenges and opportunities for growth within their own company.  Did you know contracts for these disaster relief efforts can be found online?   The Onvia Disaster Contracting Center  is a free service that lists a select number of disaster relief contracts that are currently available and are updated weekly.  In addition to this useful, free service, we hope you will keep Centec Equipment in mind while you prepare for storms throughout the country.  We appreciate the opportunity to earn your business!

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Centec Equipment LLC. Sells & Transports  Utility Equipment, Bucket Trucks, Digger Derricks, Dump Trucks, Roll Off Trucks, Crane trucks, Boom Trucks, Knuckle Boom Cranes, and more  to all Free World Including  all of the USA , 50 states & territories: Alaska [AK] Alabama [AL] Arkansas [AR] Arizona [AZ] California [CA] Colorado [CO] Connecticut [CT] Delaware [DE] Florida [FL] Georgia [GA] Hawaii [HI] Iowa [IA] Idaho [ID] Illinois [IL] Indiana [IN] Kansas [KS] Kentucky [KY] Louisiana [LA] Massachusetts [MA] Maryland [MD] Maine [ME] Michigan [MI] Minnesota [MN] Missouri [MO] Mississippi [MS] Montana [MT] North Carolina [NC] North Dakota [ND] Nebraska [NE] New Hampshire [NH] New Jersey [NJ] New Mexico [NM] Nevada [NV] New York [NY] Ohio [OH] Oklahoma [OK] Oregon [OR] Pennsylvania [PA] Puerto Rico [PR] Rhode Island [RI] South Carolina [SC] South Dakota [SD] Tennessee [TN] Texas [TX] US Virgin Islands [VI] Utah VA] Vermont [VT] Washington [WA] Wisconsin [WI] West Virginia [WV] Wyoming [WY] Canada: Alberta [AB] British Columbia [BC] Manitoba [MB] New Brunswick [NB] Newfoundland and Labrador [NL] Northwest Territories [NT] Nova Scotia [NS] Nunavut [NU] Ontario [ON] Prince Edward Island [PE] Quebec [QC] Saskatchewan [SK] Yukon [YT] Mexico [MX], Dominican Republic [DO ], Puerto Rico [PR ], Trinidad & Tobago [TT], Costa Rica [CR ], El Salvador [SV ], Guatemala [GT], Honduras [HN ], Nicaragua [NI ], Panama [PA ], Argentina [AR ], Bolivia [BO], Brazil [BR], Chile [CL] Colombia [ CO], Ecuador [ EC], Paraguay [ PY], Peru [ PE], Uruguay [ UY], Venezuela [ VE], Caribbean, Central America , South America, Europe, & more

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