How To Buy A Used Bucket Truck A Complete Guide
Used bucket trucks represent one of the best values in commercial equipment, if you know what to look for. This guide walks you through every step, from matching the right truck to your job specs to closing a smart deal.
What Is A Bucket Truck And Who Needs One
A bucket truck, also called an aerial work platform, cherry picker, or boom truck, is a vehicle mounted with a hydraulic lifting arm and an enclosed bucket or basket that raises workers to elevated work areas. Bucket trucks are essential in dozens of industries, including:
If your crew regularly works at height, owning rather than renting a bucket truck typically pays for itself within 12 to 24 months, depending on utilization rates.
Types Of Bucket Trucks Explained
Not all bucket trucks are the same. The right type depends on your industry, terrain, and access requirements.
| Type | How It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Telescoping (Straight) Boom | Arm extends straight up and out from a pivot point. | Utility and power line work, open terrain. |
| Articulating (Knuckle) Boom | Multiple jointed sections that bend around obstacles. | Tree service, sign work, tight urban spaces. |
| Telescoping Plus Articulating | Combines both movements for maximum reach and flexibility. | Cable placers, heavy utility work. |
| Overcenter Boom | Boom can reach past the truck centerline to the opposite side. | Sign installation, road work, one side access jobs. |
| Rear Mount Boom | Boom mounted at the rear of the chassis. | Forestry, digger derrick applications. |
| Material Handler | Combines a bucket with load handling capability. | Heavy lifting and aerial work simultaneously. |
Pro Tip
Sign and cable installation companies should look specifically at overcenter or articulating booms. Tree services typically prefer rear mount forestry units with one man insulated buckets. Utility crews doing line work need insulated, dielectric booms, so confirm the insulation rating before buying.
Key Specs To Understand Before You Buy
When evaluating any listing, these are the numbers that matter most.
Working Height
The maximum height the bucket can reach from the ground. Common ranges are 35 ft to 75 ft, with specialty units going higher. Working height is different from the boom's platform height, so always add about 6 ft for worker reach. A 40 ft working height truck will let a worker touch something 40 ft off the ground.
Side Reach, Also Called Horizontal Reach
How far the bucket extends horizontally from the truck. This is critical for working over obstacles, medians, or buildings without repositioning the truck.
Bucket Capacity, Also Called Load Rating
The maximum combined weight of workers, tools, and materials in the bucket, typically expressed in pounds. Common ratings are 300 lb for one person, and 500 to 600 lb for two persons plus tools. Always account for the full load, since OSHA citations for overloading are costly.
CDL Requirement
Trucks over 26,000 lbs GVWR require a Commercial Driver's License. Many units on a Ford F450 or F550 chassis fall under this threshold, sometimes listed as under CDL, which significantly expands your pool of eligible drivers.
Insulation Rating
If your crews work on or near energized lines, the boom must be rated for the voltage. Phase to phase voltage ratings of 46 kV and 69 kV are common for utility work. Verify the rating is current, since insulation degrades and must be retested periodically.
Chassis And Drive Type
4x2, meaning two wheel drive, is fine for paved roads and manicured right of ways. 4x4 is essential for rural terrain, unpaved job sites, and winter operation. Verify the chassis make, model year, mileage, and engine, since these affect operating cost and parts availability.
New Versus Used Making The Right Call
New bucket trucks can run $150,000 to $350,000 or more. A comparable used unit in good condition typically costs 40 to 65 percent less. Here is when each makes sense.
When To Buy Used
You need to deploy fast, operate within a budget, or want to test a configuration before committing to a new build. Refurbished units from reputable dealers offer near new reliability at a fraction of the cost.
When To Buy New
Your work requires a specific configuration not available on the used market, you need warranty coverage for a large fleet, or you are planning to finance over a longer term with lower monthly payments.
The Used Sweet Spot
Units that are 5 to 10 years old with under 100,000 miles for gas engines and 140,000 miles for diesel engines, along with documented service history, offer the best value. At this age, most major mechanical issues have been discovered and resolved, depreciation has slowed, and parts are widely available.
Step By Step Buying Process
Define Your Specs
Know your required working height, side reach, load capacity, insulation needs, and CDL situation before you start browsing. This filters out 80 percent of listings immediately.
Find A Reputable Dealer
Work with a dealer who specializes in aerial equipment, not a general used truck lot. Specialists know what to inspect, what has been refurbished, and what certifications matter.
Review The History
Request maintenance records, inspection certificates, and any prior incident or accident reports. Ask about refurbishment work completed and what was replaced.
Inspect In Person
Walk around the truck and operate the boom through its full range of motion. Look for hydraulic leaks, rust, structural damage, and worn outrigger pads.
Verify Certifications
Confirm the annual inspection is current and meets ANSI and OSHA standards. For insulated units, verify the dielectric test is within the required interval. Ask for documentation.
Negotiate And Finance
Get quotes from multiple sources if possible. Ask about extended warranty options. Explore equipment specific financing, since rates and terms differ from standard auto loans.
Financing A Used Bucket Truck
Most businesses do not pay cash for commercial equipment. The good news is that used bucket truck financing is widely available and more flexible than you might expect.
Equipment Loans
The truck serves as collateral, which keeps rates lower than unsecured business loans. Terms typically range from 36 to 72 months. A 20 percent down payment is common but not always required.
Equipment Leasing
Leasing preserves working capital and may offer tax advantages. At the end of the lease, you can purchase the equipment, renew, or upgrade. This is a good option if your needs change frequently or you want to keep fleet equipment current.
Section 179 Deduction
The IRS Section 179 deduction allows businesses to deduct the full cost of qualifying equipment purchased and placed in service during the tax year, up to the annual limit. Consult your accountant, since this can significantly reduce the effective cost of a used bucket truck purchase.
Monster Equipment Finance
Monster Equipment works with finance partners to provide options regardless of credit score. Fill out a simple credit application, and our specialists will find the best available rate and program for your situation.
Top Brands To Know
When shopping used, brand matters, not just for quality, but for parts availability, service network, and resale value.
| Brand | Known For | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Altec | Wide product range, strong utility lineage, excellent parts availability. | Utility, telecom, tree service, cable. |
| Elliott | Heavy duty sign cranes and aerial work platforms, overcenter specialty. | Sign installation, construction. |
| Versalift | Lightweight aluminum booms, strong insulation ratings. | Utility, telecom, municipality. |
| Manitex | Crane truck combination units, heavy lift capacity. | Construction, heavy industry. |
| Posi Plus | Cable placer and utility specialty units. | Cable, telecom, utility. |
| Terex (Hi Ranger) | Full range of aerial devices, well supported legacy units. | Utility, municipality, forestry. |
Monster Equipment carries units from all of the above manufacturers as well as Ford, Freightliner, International, GMC, and other leading chassis makers.
Questions About Buying A Used Bucket Truck
Prices vary widely by age, brand, working height, and condition. Smaller units with 35 to 40 ft working heights on a light chassis typically range from $30,000 to $75,000. Larger utility spec trucks with 50 to 70 ft working heights commonly run $75,000 to $150,000 or more. Refurbished units from dealers often fall in the middle of these ranges with better reliability than private party sales at the low end.
It depends on the truck's GVWR. Vehicles with a GVWR over 26,000 lbs require a Class B CDL in most states. Many units built on a Ford F450 or F550 chassis fall under this threshold and are designated under CDL. Always verify the actual GVWR of the specific vehicle before assuming no CDL is needed.
OSHA and ANSI A92.2 standards require annual inspections performed by a qualified person, plus a thorough pre use inspection before each day of operation. Insulated booms require dielectric testing at regular intervals, typically annually or after any incident. Always ask for documentation of the most recent inspection before purchasing.
Yes. Monster Equipment accepts consignments on site or off site, handling all advertising, paperwork, and sales calls at no extra charge to you. It is a streamlined way to move an unwanted unit while freeing up capital for your next purchase.
An extended warranty, such as NTP, covers major mechanical repairs beyond the standard warranty period, helping protect against unexpected out of pocket costs. Plans include roadside assistance, low deductibles, and substantial coverage caps. Monster Equipment offers extended warranty options on eligible units, generally trucks 9 years old or newer.
Ready To Find Your Next Bucket Truck
Monster Equipment has been sourcing, refurbishing, and selling quality used utility bucket trucks, sign trucks, sign cranes, and commercial equipment since 2010, backed by a team with over twenty years of combined industry experience. Browse our current inventory or call us, and we will find what you need.