Well I bought a Bucket Truck
#8446413
Yesterday at 12:54 AM
Yesterday at 12:54 AM
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Joined: Jun 2022
South Dakota
TheYouthTrapper
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Jun 2022
South Dakota
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Well, as of last night, I officially own a bucket truck. I won it around 8 pm last night in an online only auction for $4,100 in total. I went and picked it up today and brought it home. Bathed it and some needed love, and it shaped up quick. The bed was full of old wood, paint cans, the one bin door that was off of it, and a couple of batteries for the boom. My brother and I deep cleaned the interior and got rid of the year's worth of dust and a few ether cans. I ended up taking the batteries and started charging them up. One of them is taking charge, and the other one is being a little iffy. It runs, drives, stops, and the boom works entirely. A few of the boxes' floors are rusted through, but pretty easy to fix. It does need tires as they're weather checked and low on tread, but they will do for now. It does need general maintenance as it sat in the weeds for a while. Anyway, enough ranting and more info about the truck.
It's a 1993 Ford F350 7.3L Non Turbo with an automatic. It's also 2 wheel drive. It has 97,400 or so miles; it was an old utility truck for the Rapid City Transportation Department. I will get some pictures tomorrow, but I just wanted to update you guys on how my little business is going and ask a couple of questions. I also plan on using it to tow around my 7x14 dump trailer whenever needed.
What would be the best tires to put on it that won't rip up yards, but also do well if it does happen to be muddy when I have to go dump my dump trailer?
What are some things I should know about this type of truck and keep an eye on?
What kind of life should I get out of it, being that it has decently low miles?
And the last one, what can I do to it to make my life easier in terms of tree work, etc?
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Re: Well I bought a Bucket Truck
[Re: TheYouthTrapper]
#8446442
Yesterday at 05:10 AM
Yesterday at 05:10 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
williamsburg ks
danny clifton
"Grumpy Old Man"
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"Grumpy Old Man"
Joined: Dec 2006
williamsburg ks
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I dont know anything about tree work. Been around diesels some though. Even naturally aspirated the engine should last awhile. The low RPM diesels operate at means less wear per mile compared to the higher RPM gas engines require. I like 10 ply toyo tires. Tough and last awhile. When its muddy your going to leave ruts. Especially with 2wd.
Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
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Re: Well I bought a Bucket Truck
[Re: TheYouthTrapper]
#8446466
Yesterday at 06:50 AM
Yesterday at 06:50 AM
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Joined: Sep 2023
MO
Crappiekiller
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Sep 2023
MO
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Mean old Mr Gravity is very unforgiving. Get the mechanics on the lift certified as it only takes once.
The old saying, anyone can land a plane once, just some you don’t walk away from.
My dad worked for a sign company and ran a boom truck daily.
CK
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Re: Well I bought a Bucket Truck
[Re: TheYouthTrapper]
#8446486
Yesterday at 07:21 AM
Yesterday at 07:21 AM
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Joined: Jun 2022
Manitoba
Shakeyjake
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jun 2022
Manitoba
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You won’t have to worry about dielectric testing if you’re not getting contracts from a utility. Get to know the people at the utilities around and know their process for removing/trimming trees near powerlines. Harness & lanyard are a must. A local guy is in a wheelchair until he dies, for a while, he wished he’d died. A bucket escape kit is handy because it will fail you eventually. You can sure make a huge pile of cash quick with that puppy! Good luck!
Wind Blew, crap flew, out came the line crew
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Re: Well I bought a Bucket Truck
[Re: TheYouthTrapper]
#8446500
Yesterday at 07:49 AM
Yesterday at 07:49 AM
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Joined: Jan 2018
MN
Donnersurvivor
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2018
MN
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How big is the boom? You really should have that boom inspected before flying it, not sure you'll love the inspection results though.
I'll make ya a open offer, come work for me for a couple days, I run a small tree service in MN near Clearwater. I built my buisness from nothing and now I have just a bit more than that. Feel free to pm me as well if you need help, I've been run through the ringer at the school of hard knocks and could probably save you a lot of the headaches I endured.
Last edited by Donnersurvivor; Yesterday at 07:49 AM.
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Re: Well I bought a Bucket Truck
[Re: Donnersurvivor]
#8446524
Yesterday at 08:50 AM
Yesterday at 08:50 AM
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Joined: Feb 2019
ontario, canada
old243
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2019
ontario, canada
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I operated a bucket truck doing line and tree work for a long time. Our last bucket , had hydraulics at the bucket. We had hydraulic , pruners . They were wonderful. Also have your truck certified , electrical , Pressure wash the inside of your booms, they get all manner of dust , sawdust, birds nests etc. Always have a helper that can get you down ,Have an , emergency drill , to refresh both you and your helpers , mind, if you or your truck, has a problem. Use proper , stabalizing, chocks, if needed. This is basic , safety . Take it seriously, . Enjoy , your truck, it will save your back, and bring in a good income .Get to know the guys , at the local utility,s , they get lots of calls to . do tree work, They will steer work your way, old 243
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Re: Well I bought a Bucket Truck
[Re: TheYouthTrapper]
#8446526
Yesterday at 09:01 AM
Yesterday at 09:01 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Williamsport, Pa.
jk
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Williamsport, Pa.
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Donnersurvivor....That is a great offer, fellow trapper man to trapper man.....jk
Free people are not equal. Equal people are not free. What's supposed to be ain't always is. Hopper Hunter
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Re: Well I bought a Bucket Truck
[Re: TheYouthTrapper]
#8446527
Yesterday at 09:03 AM
Yesterday at 09:03 AM
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Joined: Dec 2011
MT
snowy
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2011
MT
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Get the advice from Donnersurvivor, The one thing that should be done on a yearly basis is to have it checked by a licensed aerial inspector. Your local REA or Utility company has them come in each year to check there aerial equipment. They will find the and check out every thing in detail. It is worth your dime to have this done or at least every other year. When the Coop's inspector come he can work your truck into the schedule and inspect yours.
Always USE your safety harness that is attached to the boom!!! Learn how to lower the boombucket from the ground. There is an over ride at the turret so someone can lower the boom it if the controls have an issue or truck stalls while you are in the air. Learn how to do this and show your help how this is done in case they need to get you down and the boom stored in the rest position.
Give me a fish, I will eat for a day. Teach me to fish, I will eat for a lifetime
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Re: Well I bought a Bucket Truck
[Re: Donnersurvivor]
#8447077
Yesterday at 11:59 PM
Yesterday at 11:59 PM
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Joined: Jun 2022
South Dakota
TheYouthTrapper
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Jun 2022
South Dakota
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How big is the boom? You really should have that boom inspected before flying it, not sure you'll love the inspection results though.
I'll make ya a open offer, come work for me for a couple days, I run a small tree service in MN near Clearwater. I built my buisness from nothing and now I have just a bit more than that. Feel free to pm me as well if you need help, I've been run through the ringer at the school of hard knocks and could probably save you a lot of the headaches I endured. The 2 numbers I can find are 24 ft and 17 ft, which I would assume is 17 ft of reach without the extension out and then 24ft of reach with the extension out. I'll message you about the offer.
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