Jan

25

Posted by : Bucket Trucks Blog | On : January 25, 2012

Picture of a Frestry Bucket Truck
Bucket Trucks are what you use to safely reach heights that you can’t get to with a ladder. That means all kinds of industries utilize bucket trucks in their everyday work. The most common industries you see using “cherry pickers” are electric co-ops, cable companies, sign repair, window washers, and forestry businesses.
Bucket trucks have different types of action for lifting. Some utilize a type of scissor lift where the bucket raises and lowers on a hinge. Other types of lifting action include a telescoping and articulating boom. The boom moves out and up from a single mount, sort of how the name implies.

Surely you’ve seen bucket trucks on the side of the road, working on telephone poles. They are much more common than you would think. These trucks allow much of the modern amenities we have to be installed and expanded at a fast rate. Services like telephones, electricity, cable, and internet are all widespread and available thanks to the use of bucket trucks.
Although they make higher jobs safer, bucket trucks actually are quite dangerous. Most accidents involve human error and can be avoided with the correct amount of caution. When operating a cherry picker, be sure you have the knowledge and training that is necessary. Being unprepared to operate an aerial lift can be extremely dangerous.
The next time you see a guy in a bucket working on a telephone pole, you will have a greater appreciation and understanding of what it is he is doing. People that work in bucket trucks are often called to restore power or cable during a storm or natural disaster. Keep that in mind during the next storm. Give linemen and bucket truck workers a big thanks for keeping life the way it is today… safer and more convenient.

If you need a bucket truck for sale in America, then visit our inventory page. You are sure to find exactly what you are looking for. Make sure you find a trusted dealer that has a good working history. Do you research about the company you choose. Check online to see if there have been any bad reviews about the company you are working with. Bucket Trucks Online is proud of the great feedback our customers provide…and keep providing!!

Oct

10

Posted by : Bucket Trucks Blog | On : October 10, 2011

Bucket Truck Rides

bucket truck

Bucket Trucks Rides at Public Works Open House

The hottest thing at your local carnival, open houses and harvest fests is bucket truck rides! Can you believe something as simple as being hoisted 60 or so feet in the air can be so thrilling? It is! I imagine it’s sort of like going up in an air balloon, only stopping between thirty and sixty feet up. This past weekend, The Department of Public Works in Manassas, Virginia held their 15th Annual Open House, where they featured bucket truck rides. What a great idea! Much safer than bungee jumping or the like. They must have a surplus of bucket trucks in Virginia or something…looking at the pictures they posted, it seems they had several bucket truck rides going at the same time. You can read more about the Public Works Open House by clicking on the picture above.

If you’re hosting a local harvest festival, open house, are part of a fair committee, etc., then give us a call today! Bucket truck rides are a hit, so you need to secure your bucket truck rental today! If you’re concerned about the safety issue of having folks ride up and down on bucket trucks, then rent a bucket truck to use for decorations instead of rides. Bucket trucks are great to use to hang lights, signs, etc. They easily lift you to your desired height, where it will be much easier to hang whatever it is you’re hanging without having to worry about falling off a ladder. Do some research. You’ll find using a bucket truck for decorating is much more common than you expect.

Bucket Trucks Online and Southwest Equipment are proud to bring you news related to bucket trucks and the related industry. If you have any questions, comments, requests, etc., for Southwest Equipment, feel free to contact us today! You can reach us via email, telephone, or you can leave a comment here or connect with us on Twitter Facebook and LinkedIn. We hope to hear from you soon!

We also have other great reads about using bucket trucks, that you should check out:

Ten Uses For A Bucket Truck

Using A Bucket Truck During Spring and Summer

Aug

11

Posted by : Bucket Trucks Blog | On : August 11, 2011

Delaware State Police say Verizon can no longer store its vehicles at its Troop 2 barracks in Glasgow, as the phone company has done for the first two days of a strike the company claims has gotten messy.

Representatives of Verizon and the Communications Workers of America labor union were in Chancery Court on Wednesday to discuss the company’s allegations that striking union members were disrupting business. The company was asking the court to impose limitations on the workers’ ability to demonstrate at Verizon facilities.

Even before the strike began with a contract expiration at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, Verizon had taken steps to secure two service vans and two bucket trucks by seeking protective space at the Troop 2 property on U.S. 40.

State police Sgt. Paul Shavack said Verizon got in touch before the strike to discuss storing some of its vehicles there to make sure the company could respond to emergencies. Shavack said the police agency has agreed to such an arrangement in the past and did so again.

There hasn’t actually been a Verizon strike for 11 years.

Jim Hummell, president of Communications Workers of America Local 13101, said Wednesday he received a tip that Verizon vehicles were stashed at the state police’s Troop 2 barracks and went to check it out late Tuesday night.

He said he spotted between six and eight Verizon vehicles in a public parking lot there before a trooper spotted him and asked him to leave.

Hummell said he didn’t understand why police would allow Verizon to do that, and that it appeared the police were taking sides. Verizon is free to hire its own security, he said.

“It’s just a flat-out insult,” he said.

Shavack said that after the union complained, state police executive staff discussed the matter and decided that Verizon should no longer keep the vehicles on police property.

“We’re aware of the perception,” Shavack said.

The vehicles were out doing service work during the day, and police informed Verizon not to bring them back at the end of the day, Shavack said.

Verizon spokesman Lee Gierczynski did not have anything to say on that topic.

Meanwhile, Verizon attorneys were in Chancery Court on Wednesday seeking an injunction against striking workers, who they said were behaving badly.

The filing, submitted on Tuesday, alleges striking workers blocked entrances to company facilities in Newark and Dover, and used acrylic glue on fence mechanisms and truck locks in Newark.

The company is seeking a court injunction to stop what it called obstructive and harassing behavior.

The company is requesting the court ban the strikers from picketing in groups of four or more at any one location, picketing any closer than 50 feet from an entrance and picketing any closer than 100 feet from the home of a Verizon executive.

A filing in response, by CWA Local 13100 President Diana Markowski, said whatever instructions come from a judge will be passed along to its membership. The union has instructed its members to obey the law.

“High-level” negotiations between the parties continue on a new contract.

Original article by DelawareOnline.com

verizon bucket trucks for sale in delaware

When it comes to bucket trucks for sale in Delaware, contact us at 1-800-867-9177.

Jun

17

Posted by : Bucket Trucks Blog | On : June 17, 2011

Its that time again, where we spotlight one of our quality bucket trucks for sale. This time we’re getting you familiar with this awesome Altec Chevy 42′ Bucket Truck.

bucket trucks for sale

'05 Chevrolet Altec Bucket Truck

 

This truck is priced to sell and makes for a great investment. Check out the specs:

  • 2005 Chevrolet
  • L37MR
  • C7 Cat Diesel
  • 140,586 miles
  • 25,950 GVW
  • Under CDL
  • 1,000 Lb Material Handler
  • Altec Bucket Truck
  • Auto Transmission

All for sale at $49,900.

Altec Bucket Truck for Sale

Used Bucket Trucks for Sale

bucket trucks for sale in texas

contact Southwest Equipment at 1706 N Stemmons Freeway in Lewisville, TX. You can call 1-800-867-9177.

Click here to view the rest of our inventory of quality used bucket trucks for sale.

Jun

10

Posted by : Bucket Trucks Blog | On : June 10, 2011

Do you own a bucket truck and need to customize it to fit the needs for your niche or specialty job? There are certainly plenty of accessories available that you can utilize to make your work smoother and more efficient. We will list the top 5 accessories for your bucket truck. We are going to try to stay generalized and not niche specific for readership purposes. Feel free to tell us what you think is the most important accessory for your business.

1. Water Coolers – You’ve gotta have a water cooler. It doesn’t matter if it’s hot or cold out, you need to stay hydrated at the job site. Drinking water will keep you alert, awake, and protect you from making sloppy mistakes. Pick one up for $30 – $50.

water cooler for a bucket truck

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Truck Lights – If you’ve ever worked at dusk, dawn, or in the middle of the night, you know it’s impossible to be safe unless you have the proper lighting. Natural, bright lighting helps visibility in tight spaces or darker environments. Get one that is durable and will hold up to the tough work you’ll put it through.

truck light

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Bucket heater – In most parts of the country, the winter time is the absolute worst time to work… and the busiest. Work in you bucket more comfortably with a bucket heater. These things are invaluable when working at a jobsite for extended periods. These things are worth the $200 or so that you’ll spend on them.

bucket heater

 

 

 

 

 

4. Tool Trays – Don’t go up without a tool tray. This must have accessory is pretty obvious. The big thing is to get a good quality one. The difference between good quality tool trays and cheap ones is incredible.

bucket truck tool tray

 

 

 

 

5. Bucket Cover – Keep the elements out of you bucket with a good quality bucket cover. The fiberglass ones are a bit more sturdy but the vinyl ones are easier to install. Whichever one you choose, you’ll be happy to not have to clean out your bucket before every use.

bucket cover for a bucket truck

 

 

May

18

Posted by : Bucket Trucks Blog | On : May 18, 2011

Bucket trucks are some of the most useful and efficient equipment known to man. They aid in hundreds, maybe thousands, of different jobs. Many of the jobs they work on are seasonal… So, let’s look at what we think are the top 5 uses for bucket trucks in Spring and Summer.

1. Painting – Of course Spring cleaning and making things look new is a priority for business owners and home owners. Most professional painters use bucket trucks to safely and quickly paint at heights. Call a pro painter today!

2. Sign and Light Installation/Repair – Along the lines of Spring cleaning, sign and light guys often find themselves working over time during the Spring and Summer. Severe storms often damage signs/lights during this time of year. Replacing or updating business signs is popular this time of year because people are outside more.

3. Repairing/Replacing Electric lines or poles – Electric linemen, especially those located in the North, use the Spring and Summer to repair or replace damage done to poles, lines, boxes, and other components. Working on electric lines is difficult and the conditions available in the Spring or Summer definitely help get jobs done.

4. Photography – What better time than the Spring and Summer to get up in a bucket truck and snap some photos at heights. Most photographers rent bucket trucks… remember, you have to have commercial insurance to rent a bucket truck.

5. Cleaning Gutters – More than likely, you’re going to get a storm and if you haven’t cleaned your gutters, you’re probably going to regret it. Clogged gutters are difficult to clean, add extra weight, and can cause tons of extra problems. For higher houses or buildings, professionals used bucket trucks to safely remove debris from gutters. Call a pro today.

Bucket Trucks

For more reading about what to use a bucket truck for, check out this blog post, Ten Uses For A Bucket Truck, today!

Mar

01

Posted by : Bucket Trucks Blog | On : March 1, 2011

Bucket Trucks for Sale

Used Bucket Trucks for Sale from Southwest Equipment

This list is designed to help you find the right used bucket trucks for sale. There are lots of them out there but, only a few are in great condition and at a great price. Buying bucket trucks / cherry pickers can be a difficult task if you go in unprepared so make sure to study up.

1. Buy your bucket / boom truck from a reputable bucket truck dealer. – Don’t buy equipment from car lots or other dealerships that don’t specialize in commercial trucks. The reputation the dealer has will also play a big role. Trusted utility truck dealers can be found on the web in places like blogs or forums.

2. Know what you need before you shop. – Going in unprepared will cost you. Know exactly what you need in a forestry or line truck (i.e. Material Handler, working height, GVW,etc.). Options and heights can get expensive very fast. Don’t forget about 4 wheel drive… If you work off road often, be sure to consider a 4×4 cherry picker.

3. Get knowledge on brands before you buy. – Some trucks are easier to work on or find parts for than others. With that in mind, it will cost you more to repair or service some equipment versus others. Remember, the longer your truck is in the shop, the more money you lose by not having it in service. Brands like Altec, Hi-Ranger, and ETI are the most popular and subsequently cheaper/ faster to work on.

4. Inspect the truck thoroughly before buying. – Inspect everything on your bucket truck before you buy. Cherry pickers are notorious for getting bumped, scratched, and beat up while at work. These kinds of damages can lead to rust or weakening of the body / chassis. If you don’t know what to look for, I suggest getting the dealer to have it DOT inspected and/ or certified by the manufacturer.

5. Stay on top of the news in the industry. – Being informed of all the changes in the business will give you the tools you need to know when to pull the trigger on buying a new utility/ boom truck. Knowledge is power in this industry and it will also save or cost you money depending on how much knowledge you have.

Study up and stay current with news from blogs like the Bucket Truck Blogger. These 5 steps will put you in a great position for finding quality used bucket trucks for sale. If this article helped you buy a bucket truck, send us a link or comment and tell us how it helped. Good luck buying a cherry picker to help your business grow.

Feb

21

Posted by : Bucket Trucks Blog | On : February 21, 2011

This is the newest bucket truck for sale from Southwest Equipment. 2005 Chevrolet 37′ Articulating & Telescopic Altec Bucket Truck, Under CDL, 42′ Working Height, 6.6L Duramax Diesel, Automatic Transmission, A/C. Professionally reconditioned at Southwest Equipment in Lewisville, Texas.

Altec Bucket Trucks

2005 Chevrolet Altec Bucket Truck for Sale

Truck: 2005 Chevrolet
VIN: 1GBE5C120F533029
Engine: 6.6L Duramax
Transmission: Auto
Brakes: Hydraulic
Mileage: 140,435
GVW: 19,500
Tires: 245/70R/19.5
Equipment: Altec
Model: AT37-G
Serial #: 0705DE6037
Working Height: 42′

Bucket Trucks

Reconditioned Used Bucket Trucks from Southwest Equipment

Call Southwest Equipment at 1-800-867-9177 or visit their website for their full inventory of bucket trucks for sale. Otherwise, check us out on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn via the social truck links on the right side of the page. Feeling Studious? Check out our other blog post about the bucket truck industry today!

Feb

01

Posted by : Bucket Trucks Blog | On : February 1, 2011

Power-line companies, sign & light repair guys, and tree trimming companies all are called into action during big winter storms. Ice and snow can cause serious damage to power lines, trees, and signs. Today in Dallas, TX, our ice storm has caused several delays in business and lots of damage to structures. However, we are lucky and have only experienced a small portion of inclement weather compared to what states north of us have. Read another post about Bucket Truck Rentals For Bad Weather Cleanup. Or continue reading below to find out how to rent a bucket truck from us.

If your business is in an extremely high-demand period, you can rent quality bucket trucks from us. Renting bucket trucks can save time you’d normally have to wait by getting you the truck now for your site that needs it now. If one of your owned bucket trucks frees up, then you can bring ours back. If you decide you’d like to buy ours, we have special options for people who rent first. Visit Bucket Trucks Online or Southwest Equipment to choose your bucket truck rental. You can rent for 1 day up to multiple years. All you need is commercial insurance and you’ll be on the road and getting work done more efficiently.

The quality of a bucket truck for rent from Southwest Equipment is top notch. You won’t find better rentals for less. Give them a call today and get ready for business to boom. Their toll free phone number is 1-800-867-9177.

*Bucket Trucks Online and Southwest Equipment are affiliated. Together, we provide a lot of knowledge about the bucket truck and auger/digger truck industry. Our knowledge comes from over 15 years experience in the industry. With us, you can be sure you’re getting the highest quality parts, service, pricing, knowledge and information that’s available! Call us today and find out why we’re the best bucket truck dealer in the industry.

Jan

20

Posted by : Bucket Trucks Blog | On : January 20, 2011

We have several photos of bucket trucks we’d like to show you. Start with the ones below, then go find more.

Boom_Trucks_0343a_-_1996_Ford_71_Manitex_Boom_Truck_D

Bucket_Trucks_0205_-_1999_Ford_55_Hi-Ranger_Bucket_Truck_D

Bucket_Trucks_1419b_-_2002_Freightliner_40_Altec_Bucket_Truck_D