Bucket Truck Guide 2025: Smart Specs That Save

Every fleet depends on them — few spec them right.

A bucket truck isn’t just an aerial lift; it’s the difference between finishing a powerline repair on time or racking up a $12K overtime bill when hydraulics fail.

These trucks are the backbone of every DPW, telecom, and utility fleet. Yet most buyers skip crucial spec details and end up with trucks that bleed time and money. As I covered in Top 7 Mistakes Fleets Make When Spec’ing Work Trucks, one wrong chassis decision can sabotage uptime for years.

Most managers focus on price and reach, but that’s not where the real cost hides. It’s in downtime, wrong insulation specs, and operators fighting poor ergonomics every single shift.

This breakdown covers how bucket trucks work, what they cost, and how to match the right build to your actual use — not to the glossy brochure.

What Is a Bucket Truck?

A bucket truck is a utility vehicle with a hydraulic boom and operator bucket that lifts workers for elevated jobs: electric line work, tree care, telecom installs, signage, or maintenance.

They replaced ladders and scaffolding because OSHA tightened fall-protection rules decades ago. Modern versions are safer, faster, and far more efficient.

Think of them as a mobile job site on wheels.

A well-spec’d 55-ft insulated unit can save at least 45 minutes per pole compared to ladder work. A mid-size DPW that replaced five aging trucks cut downtime 21 percent within six months — simply by standardizing their builds.

Types of Bucket Trucks

Bucket trucks come in multiple configurations, and each exists for a reason. Buying the wrong one guarantees you’ll pay twice — once for the truck and again for the inefficiency.

• Telescopic (Stick Boom): Straight extension, best horizontal reach, ideal for line work and streetlights.
• Articulating Telescopic (Knuckle): Combines bending joints with telescopic sections — perfect for telecom where obstacles block access.
• Overcenter Bucket Truck: Moves the boom past centerline, maximizing side reach for forestry or heavy line work.
• Non-Overcenter: Focused on vertical reach; great for tight urban lighting projects.
• Insulated Bucket Trucks: Fiberglass booms protect operators from electrocution — required for any live electrical work.
• Non-Insulated: Lower-cost, steel-boom builds for tree service or sign companies.
• Track-Mounted: Designed for swampy or off-road terrain where wheel trucks sink.

A township investing in a 60-ft overcenter insulated bucket truck paid approximately $38,000 more than for a 50-ft non-overcenter model. However, during the first winter, crews saved over 250 man-hours because they didn’t have to reposition the truck as often, greatly improving efficiency and safety.

Alternatives to Bucket Trucks

You can rent a lift, build scaffolding, or use a boom lift — but that’s trading cost for risk.

A sign contractor using ladders finishes three installs a day. With a 45-ft bucket truck, they finish seven safely and avoid comp claims.

Rentals make sense for short projects, not for recurring municipal or utility work. A rented 60-ft lift costs about $1,200 per week. After 12 weeks of use, you’ve spent what a used bucket truck costs — and still have nothing to show for it.

If you’re comparing rentals vs. ownership, check my full breakdown in How to Handle Expensive Work Truck Repairs Without Getting Burned — it shows how downtime can erase any short-term “savings.”

How Does a Bucket Truck Work?

A pump powered by the truck’s PTO pushes hydraulic fluid through cylinders that raise, rotate, and extend the boom. The operator can control it from the bucket or from the base.

Modern systems use proportional valves for smooth motion and emergency lower-controls for safety.

Hybrid electric systems are changing the game. Some models even run silent lifts for residential areas at night.

Fewer idle hours also mean longer engine life and cleaner emissions reports — something municipalities now track closely.

What Is the Reach of a Bucket Truck?

Reach varies from compact 35-ft models to 125-ft tandem-axle rigs.
In fleet specs, this is referred to as working heights — the total height from the ground to where the bucket platform can safely operate.

The sweet spot for most DPWs and utilities is 55–60 ft — high enough for traffic lights and secondary lines but still manageable under CDL.

Every extra 10 ft adds roughly $15K–$20K in cost and maintenance exposure.

Uses of a Bucket Truck

If the job requires reaching above a single-story roofline, there’s a bucket truck built for it.

• Utility companies: power-line repairs, pole changes

• Municipal DPWs: traffic signals, lighting, banners

• Tree-care firms: trimming, storm cleanup, aerial pruning

• Telecom contractors: fiber installation and splice boxes

• Sign installers: overhead signage, lighting, façades

A non-insulated 45-ft model covers about 80 percent of routine municipal needs for under $90K, while an insulated 60-ft unit runs $150K plus.

The key is matching height and insulation to the actual risk, not assumptions. For insight on chassis pairing and GVWR trade-offs, see Most Reliable Work Trucks in 2025.

What Are Bucket Trucks Called?

You’ll hear cherry picker, aerial lift, man lift, or boom truck — all referring to the same concept.

The difference: a bucket truck lifts people; a boom truck lifts material. Mix them up when quoting insurance, and you’ll overpay or violate DOT rules on operator certification.

How Much Does a Bucket Truck Cost?

Pricing depends on size, insulation, and chassis.

Add $5K–$8K for hybrid PTOs or hydraulic tool circuits. The cost of downtime dwarfs any discount — one failed boom cylinder can idle a crew and truck for a week, costing over $1,200 per day in lost billable hours.

Do Bucket Trucks Require a CDL?

Yes, if the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating exceeds 26,001 lb.

That means most Class 6 and 7 trucks. Non-CDL 19,500 lb F-550 builds fit smaller DPWs and landscapers but sacrifice reach and payload. CDL units add training costs but open higher-revenue contracts.

If you’re bidding on state or utility projects, plan for CDL — it’s often a compliance requirement, not just a preference.

Is a Boom Truck and Bucket Truck the Same?

Not quite.

A boom truck uses a hydraulic boom with a winch and cable system to lift heavy loads — think crane work. A bucket truck features a hydraulic lift with a personnel bucket or platform, designed to raise workers safely.

The confusion often comes from overlapping chassis and terminology. When spec’ing, always clarify if you need a material-handling bucket truck or a crane with a personnel basket attachment. They are not the same under OSHA or insurance guidelines.

Popular Bucket Truck Manufacturers (2025)

• Altec: broadest lineup, high resale, nationwide support

• Versalift: top choice for utilities and telecom fleets

• Elliott: hybrid crane/bucket designs for multi-purpose use

• Terex: heavy-duty municipal specs with hybrid options

• Dur-A-Lift: compact builds for lighter trucks

These are among the most trusted bucket truck manufacturers in North America, offering specialized models for every fleet size and budget. Tip: before you buy, confirm which dealer handles warranty and dielectric testing — the wrong network adds months to repair turnaround.

Maintenance and Safety Tips

Bucket trucks live hard lives — exposure, salt, vibration, and operator abuse.

A simple maintenance routine prevents most downtime:

• Inspect dielectric insulation annually

• Grease every pivot every 200 hours

• Replace hydraulic oil every 1,000 hours

• Run a 10-minute pre-trip inspection daily

• Test emergency descent monthly

Training matters too. Require new operators to pass rescue drills within 30 days of hire.

FAQ

What are the different types of bucket trucks?
Telescopic, articulating, overcenter, non-overcenter, insulated, non-insulated, material handler, and track-mounted.

What are the alternatives to bucket trucks?
Boom lifts, scissor lifts, scaffolding, and ladders — less mobile and less safe.

How does a bucket truck work?
A PTO-driven hydraulic system powers the boom, allowing smooth lift and rotation from cab or bucket controls.

What is the reach of a bucket truck?
Typical working heights range from 35 ft to 125 ft depending on chassis and boom type.

What are the uses of a bucket truck?
Used by utilities, telecom, DPWs, tree-care, and sign companies for safe elevated work.

What are bucket trucks called?
Also known as cherry pickers, aerial lifts, and boom trucks.

How much does a bucket truck cost?
New models cost $85K–$200K, depending on size, insulation, and reach; used models cost about half.

Do bucket trucks require CDL?
Yes, when the GVWR exceeds 26,001 lb; smaller 19,500 lb models are non-CDL.

Is a boom truck and bucket truck the same?
No — boom trucks lift materials; bucket trucks lift personnel.

Wrap-Up

If you spec, buy, or operate these trucks, remember: the biggest cost isn’t the sticker — it’s downtime, worker injuries, and lost productivity.

Spec for use, not for ego — because uptime, not boom length, pays the bills.

For more tactical breakdowns like this, subscribe to The Upfit Insider or read Fleet Downtime: Why Work Trucks Fail & How to Prevent It.

👉 What’s the one feature your crew can’t live without on their bucket trucks?

—
Leyhan
Founder, The Upfit Insider