Insulated vs Non-Insulated Bucket Trucks: Which Do You Need? | Monster Equipment
One of the first questions on any used bucket truck is whether the aerial device is insulated. It affects what work the truck can do, what testing it needs and what it costs. Buy the wrong one and you either pay for capability you won't use or end up with a truck that can't go near the work you planned. This guide explains the difference in plain terms and shows examples of both from our lot.
Monster Equipment is a family-owned dealer at 1223 Porter Rd in Sarasota, Florida, founded in 2010. We sell reconditioned bucket trucks, cable placers, sign trucks and sign cranes to crews across the country.
*This article is general information, not legal or safety advice. Your employer's safety program, the equipment manufacturer and the applicable regulations decide what equipment can be used for any task.*
What "Insulated" Means on a Bucket Truck
An insulated aerial device has a boom section, and usually a platform or liner, designed to give a dielectric barrier between the worker and the truck. It is built and tested to a rating for work near energized lines. A non-insulated aerial device has no such rating, even if parts of the boom are fiberglass.
Two points matter:
- Insulation is a rating, not a material. A fiberglass section doesn't make a boom insulated. Only the manufacturer's rating and current test results do.
- Insulation has to be maintained. Dirt, moisture, damage and missing test records can all compromise it. Insulated aerial devices are tested periodically under industry standards such as ANSI/SAIA A92.2, and your employer's program sets the schedule.
Who Usually Needs an Insulated Unit
Insulated aerial devices are typically chosen by crews who work on or near energized overhead conductors, such as:
- electric utility line crews
- contractors working for utilities on distribution lines
- tree crews doing line clearance work
- some telecom crews working in the power space on joint-use poles
OSHA rules for electric power generation, transmission and distribution work are in 29 CFR 1910.269, and general aerial lift rules are in 29 CFR 1910.67. Which rules apply to your crew depends on the work. Check with your safety officer.
Who Can Often Use a Non-Insulated Unit
Non-insulated aerial devices are common for work that stays well away from energized lines, such as:
- sign installation and maintenance
- parking lot and building lighting away from power lines
- telecom work in the communications space, when the employer's rules allow it
- construction, facility maintenance and tree work not near lines
- municipal work like banners, cameras and signals, depending on the setup
Non-insulated units are often simpler and can cost less to buy and maintain. For the right crew, that's money better spent elsewhere.
Examples From Our Lot
The listing's specs tab shows the boom classification. Here are examples from our current bucket trucks:
Insulated: Altec AT41M on Ford F550 4x4
We list reconditioned 2019 Ford F550 4x4 trucks with Altec AT41M insulated aerial devices at a 46 ft working height, with 6.7L diesel engines and a 19,500 lb GVWR (stocks K25421 and 25409). Units like this suit crews who need an insulated boom on a non-CDL-class chassis.
Non-insulated: Altec AT200A on Ford F450
We also list reconditioned 2018 Ford F450 trucks with Altec AT200A aerial devices, non-insulated, at a 35 ft working height with 6.4L V10 gas engines (for example, stocks R02780 and R02755). These fit sign, lighting, telecom and general maintenance work away from energized lines.
Our sign trucks, sign cranes and cable placers each list their own boom classification. Check the specs tab on each listing.
What to Check When Buying a Used Insulated Unit
If you need an insulated truck, ask for more than the word "insulated."
Documentation
- The manufacturer's model and serial number for the aerial device
- The insulation rating or category from the manufacturer's data plate
- The most recent dielectric test report and its date
- Any repair history on the boom, especially fiberglass sections
Condition
- Fiberglass sections clean, without cracks, gouges or chalking
- Platform liner present and in good condition, if the unit uses one
- Hydraulic hoses routed as designed (hoses can affect insulation)
- No unauthorized modifications such as drilled holes or added metal brackets
Testing after purchase
Many employers require a new dielectric test before an insulated unit goes into service on their fleet, even if the last test is recent. Plan for that in your timeline.
Our free walkthrough of what to inspect on a used bucket truck covers the rest of the truck.
What to Check When Buying a Non-Insulated Unit
A non-insulated unit still needs a careful inspection:
- Boom, turret and pins: cracks, wear, play
- Hydraulic leaks at cylinders, hoses and the rotation system
- Upper and lower controls working smoothly
- Outriggers or stabilizers deploying and holding
- Platform, rotator and fall-protection anchor in good condition
- Annual inspection records, if available
And make sure everyone who will use the truck understands it is not for work near energized lines.
Cost and Chassis Considerations
Insulation is one variable. Also weigh:
- Working height: match it to the tallest work you do regularly.
- GVWR and CDL: under 26,001 lb GVWR is generally the threshold for a Class B CDL for a single vehicle, but FMCSA rules and your state decide. Check them for your situation.
- Fuel: diesel vs gas, based on your routes and fueling.
- 4x4 vs 4x2: off-road and right-of-way access vs on-road work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a fiberglass boom always insulated?
No. Only a manufacturer's insulation rating and current test results make an aerial device insulated. Check the data plate and test records.
Can I use a non-insulated bucket truck near power lines?
Non-insulated aerial devices aren't rated for work near energized lines. Follow OSHA rules, your employer's safety program and the manufacturer's manual.
How do I tell if a listing is insulated?
On our site, check the boom classification in the listing's specs tab, or call us and we'll confirm it with the unit's documentation.
Do insulated units need testing after I buy them?
Many employers require a dielectric test before a unit goes into service on their fleet. Check your company's program.
Do you have both types in stock?
Yes. Today we list insulated Altec AT41M units and non-insulated Altec AT200A units, among others. Inventory changes, so check the bucket trucks page.