How Much Does a Bucket Truck Weigh? A Detailed Analysis 

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How much does a bucket truck weigh is a question that pops up when people constantly wonder about the heavy lifting these super-duty trucks do.

How Much Does a Bucket Truck Weigh

This article discusses the gross vehicle weight ratings of the bucket truck and explores other details you need to know about this exciting vehicle, so continue reading!

What Is a Bucket Truck’s Weight?

A bucket truck’s weight varies between 10,000 pounds and 19,000 pounds. However, some bucket trucks might weigh even more than these figures, with some weighing more than 30,000 pounds. It depends on the size of the truck, its type, model and the bucket configuration. 

Often, the weight of these heavy-duty trucks is expressed using the gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR). The truck’s weight is usually a measure of the bucket’s size and material used in fabricating it. Also, those that utilize a diesel engine often weigh more. Regardless of the weight of these vehicles, operating them is straightforward, with easy hydraulic controls that allow the operator to retract or extend the arms easily. 

– Why Bucket Trucks Weigh So Much

Bucket trucks weigh so much compared to pickup trucks and vehicles of similar sizes because of the attached features. These features include the mounted boom and the bucket system. The components give the trucks extra weight to perform their functions adequately. 

Why Bucket Trucks Weigh So Much

These vehicles often lift and carry heavy materials, equipment, and even workers, for building and construction purposes, utility work, tree trimming, etc. Therefore, they need to have enough weight to support what they are lifting.

Generally, these trucks are heavier than regular trucks and vehicles of similar length, height, and width. This extra weight gives this vehicle poor fuel economy. However, it is essential for the truck’s functionalities.

What Are the Features That Affect the Weight of a Bucket Truck?

The features that affect the weight of a bucket truck include the engine type, the size and material of design for the bucket component, the vehicle’s transmission system and the drive system, among others. Also, diesel engines usually weigh a lot more than those that run on gasoline. 

– Reducing the Weight of Bucket Trucks

It is possible to reduce the weight of bucket trucks by modifying specific vehicle components. Indeed, these heavy-duty vehicles require enormous weight for improved functions and performance. However, sometimes they may appear too heavy, which is bad for fuel economy. 

Reducing the Weight of Bucket Trucks

Below are subtle ways to reduce the weight of your truck:

  • Use a lighter material for the bucket system. For example, use plastic or other durable polymers instead of steel or other alloys. 
  • Go for a smaller engine. The smaller the engine, the lighter the truck and the better fuel efficiency. 
  • Choose trucks with manual transmission systems over automatic. As we will learn, manual trucks are lighter. 

What Are the Different Bucket Truck Types?

The different bucket truck types include the telesquirt, material handler, track bucket, insulated and non-insulated eccentric and non-eccentric, articulating bucket, etc. These trucks often exist in different forms, with variations based on differences in shapes, structure, size and overall weight of the vehicle. 

These different types have varying features and perform specific and unique functions. Let’s take a detailed look at the variants of these trucks.

– Telesquirt Trucks

These trucks are sometimes referred to as Telescopic trucks. They have straight arms in a single piece with no steering knuckles, permitting only telescopic extension. 

These trucks have an extensive horizontal reach, giving them an edge over other boom lift trucks. This feature makes them quite suitable when working in restricted locations. Telecommunications companies often use these trucks. 

– Material Handler Trucks

These trucks have a design that allows them to carry a moderate quantity of materials up to high workplaces, such as construction sites.

How Much Does a Bucket Truck Weigh

They are a perfect fit for workers lifting not-so-heavy material because the vehicle is free of additional fitting or sophisticated rigging. 

– Overcenter Trucks

As the name of these trucks suggests, their booms of overcenter bucket trucks allow easy movement of the bucket beyond the truck’s center.

This gives them a broad reach since they can extend their sides way beyond the center. This feature makes them valuable when working on buildings, construction, forestry, and other utilities. 

– Non-overcenter Trucks 

These groups of trucks cannot move their buckets behind the center (middle) of the truck, ensuring they have a narrow reach. Regardless, they are excellent for working in high places. 

– Articulating Boom Truck

These bucket lift trucks have a unique design that allows them to extend their knuckle booms while possessing telescopic truck capabilities.

Reducing their tail swing against the work area will enable them to spread the bucket further, ensuring they reach extreme height. 

– Insulated Trucks

This truck is the best fit for utility workers and those that work with electric cables because of the insulation. The insulated bucket ensures to shield the workers from any risk of electrocution.

The two main components of the truck, the bucket and the boom, are designed with dielectric insulators. 

What Are the Main Considerations Before Buying a Bucket Truck?

The main consideration before buying a bucket truck is the kind of job intended for use. The vehicle you are buying must be capable of lifting your equipment consistently. Also, consider other features, such as buying an insulated one for electrical work. 

With that being said, let’s examine the factors to consider before buying these trucks. 

– Bucket Weight 

The weight of the bucket is the main criterion, as it determines what the truck can carry and its overall performance. Features that define the truck’s weight include the size of the bucket system — the bigger the bucket, the heavier the truck. 

The material of the design also affects the overall truck weight. For example, a metal, such as a steel bucket, will weigh more than a plastic or synthetic one. The engine that powers the vehicle may also determine its weight. Generally, diesel engines are usually heavier. 

– Elevation of Working Environment

The height of the working environment is another critical factor to consider. The elevation you want the bucket to reach is a strong determinant of the kind of truck you buy, lest you buy one that fails to reach the platform height. Also, the higher the elevation capabilities of this truck, the heavier it’ll be. 

– Engine Type and Size

Generally, the trucks usually come with either gasoline or diesel engine, with the gasoline engines being lighter and having better fuel economy. However, diesel engines typically possess improved capabilities, weigh more, have improved torque and are cost-intensive because of expensive maintenance. 

Engine Type and Size of a Bucket Truck

Your budget and work specifications may also determine the kind of truck you purchase. The size of the engine is another factor to consider. The larger the engine, the heavier the truck, and  a heavier truck will possess better functionalities. 

– Transmission and Drive System

The truck’s transmission is another feature that usually determines the weight, affecting overall capabilities. Like other vehicles, these trucks exist either as manual or auto transmissions. 

Often, automatic trucks are heavier than those with manual transmissions. The drive system of the vehicles affects the weight. Trucks with rear-wheel drive are usually heavier than those with front-wheel drive.  

– Horizontal Reach

The truck’s side reach may prove critical depending on the intended use. Trucks with more extensive side reach can extend the buckets to a broader area. Also, they tend to weigh more. 

– Tailgate 

The tailgate type and design material also determine the truck’s weight. The tailgate configuration of the trucks is usually the swing-away or lift-up type, with the former weighing more than the latter.

For the material, you’d expect one manufactured with metal alloy to weigh more than those manufactured with plastic or other polymers.

Conclusion

The bucket truck is a valuable piece of equipment for utilities, buildings, and construction workers.

Let’s have a quick review of everything we discussed in the article. 

  • A typical bucket truck weighs between 10,000 and 19,000 pounds. Though some may weigh far beyond that, reaching up to 30,000 pounds, it all depends on its use.
  • These trucks exist in different forms and structures. Examples include the telesquirt, material handler, overcenter, and articulating bucket trucks.
  • The most crucial detail when buying a bucket truck is the weight, as that often discerns the truck’s capabilities. Other features to look out for include the engine type, working height, side reach, tailgate, etc.
  • The expansive weight of the truck is essential for it to perform its functions.
  • You can reduce the weight of bucket trucks by modifying specific vehicle components. Using lighter bucket systems, smaller engines and choosing manual transmissions are good ways to reduce the weight of these trucks.

Now you have enough info on bucket trucks, so if you need to get one, you know the criteria to look out for to suit your requirements.

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