Thanks good info On Jan 19, 2016 6:24 AM, "[email protected]" < [email protected]> wrote:
> Having had bucket trucks from almost day one, I'd recommend it. However, > make sure you get the 40ft version with a 2 arm boom > as opposed to the 36ft versions. Also, go with one that is PTO rather than > generator powered. So you'll probably need a F550 or > equivalent which require DOT and DOT medical card for the drivers. You > might find a F450 version but they are few and far > between. With have a couple that are Isuzus and they get a little better > gas mileage and have a much better turning radius but > the cab-over design makes them bouncy when driving and not all techs like > driving them. > > The only problem I have with them is that once the installers use them, > they NEVER touch the ladder again. One thing I hear a > lot is "we can't reach the roof because a car is parked in the way." My > typical response it, "Well, I installed it with a ladder. Take > the ladder off the truck and get up there that way." > > Site surveys are quick and painless with a bucket truck. Installing > cameras, putting ballast on the roof, making tower climbs > easier, cutting down trees, all sorts of things. I can't imagine like > without at least one in service. > > The downside is that repairs can get expensive. Our bucket cracked and > that would have been a $5000 repair but had a friend > that owns a company that fixes them do it for free. In that case, I would > have sold it and bought another one. > > Plan on about $20-25k for a good F550 w/40ft bucket. Smaller 36fts you can > get for as low as $12k but I feel the F550s are > worth the added expense. Depending on your terrain, you can also get them > in 4x4. > > On Mon, Jan 18, 2016 at 4:12 PM, Jason McKemie < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> That sounds like it would fall under commercial use. Might want to be >> careful where you do that and who sees it. >> >> On Mon, Jan 18, 2016 at 1:37 PM, Ryan Ray <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> For a quick site survey I have been making use of a Phantom 3. Nice and >>> easy to launch it and zip above the tree line to see what's what. Cheaper >>> than a bucket truck! >>> >>> On Mon, Jan 18, 2016 at 10:47 AM, Ken Hohhof <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> Years ago, I would use a guy for contract install work who had a bucket >>>> truck. But the bucket rarely seemed to fit or open the right way. It’s >>>> one thing if you are working on the front of a building, like tuckpointing >>>> or installing a sign. But if you want to put something on a sloped roof, >>>> the bucket never seemed to go where you could work without getting out of >>>> it, and the door always seemed to be in the wrong spot to get out onto the >>>> roof. >>>> >>>> For putting a dish on a utility pole or something like that, a bucket >>>> truck is great. Or for a quick site survey to see if a small tower would >>>> get LOS. >>>> >>>> >>>> *From:* Josh Luthman <[email protected]> >>>> *Sent:* Monday, January 18, 2016 12:12 PM >>>> *To:* [email protected] >>>> *Subject:* Re: [AFMUG] Bucket truck or vans >>>> >>>> What happens if you need to get to that equipment *NOW*. I'd be afraid >>>> you need to rent it and won't arrive until tomorrow...or worse... >>>> >>>> >>>> Josh Luthman >>>> Office: 937-552-2340 >>>> Direct: 937-552-2343 >>>> 1100 Wayne St >>>> Suite 1337 >>>> Troy, OH 45373 >>>> >>>> On Mon, Jan 18, 2016 at 1:09 PM, Nate Burke <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>>> We have a local rental shop that rent's a 60' tow behind bucket for >>>>> $300/day. We've used it for a couple business installs when it's needed. >>>>> Especially usefull for hauling ballast to a roof. Cheaper than buying a >>>>> bucket truck. >>>>> >>>>> That said, there are some times when just having a bucket would be >>>>> nice. >>>>> >>>>> On 1/18/2016 12:05 PM, Jason McKemie wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Might work good for wireless installs around there, I've had limited >>>>> use of mine for that purpose due to the likelihood of it leaving ruts in >>>>> customer's yards. >>>>> >>>>> On Monday, January 18, 2016, Jaime Solorza <[email protected]> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Yes I resisted buying one when I had ISG but that was long ago in >>>>>> a galaxy far far away.... I hit myself for that.... I can always rent >>>>>> one I >>>>>> guess. >>>>>> On Jan 18, 2016 10:55 AM, "Josh Luthman" <[email protected]> >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> 22k for both is a great deal! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Just keep in mind any install that you do with a bucket truck will >>>>>>> probably require a bucket truck. If the thing breaks you may not be >>>>>>> able >>>>>>> to reach some things. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Josh Luthman >>>>>>> Office: 937-552-2340 >>>>>>> Direct: 937-552-2343 >>>>>>> 1100 Wayne St >>>>>>> Suite 1337 >>>>>>> Troy, OH 45373 >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Mon, Jan 18, 2016 at 12:52 PM, Jaime Solorza < >>>>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Considering buying a bucket truck or van as I get older. That fall >>>>>>>> on ice in Amarillo made me realize body no longer wants me to have >>>>>>>> lightning quick cat like reflexes. My rotator cuff is still sore...my >>>>>>>> son >>>>>>>> in law has a sign business with a 36 ft boom on van and 60 ft on diesel >>>>>>>> truck. He paid 22k for both!!! here is van ...what you guys think? >>>>>>>> Great >>>>>>>> for camera installs and even cutting tree branches. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>> >>> >> >
