As the demand for efficient and safe operations continues to drive the utility industry forward, specifying bucket truck trends has significantly changed.

Investor-owned utilities now prioritize ergonomics and enhanced operator experience when selecting aerial devices for their utility fleets.

This shift in focus has led to boom designs and accessory specifications that offer greater flexibility in personnel positioning.

Before purchasing a bucket truck, it is essential to consider various factors to ensure a comprehensive understanding of how line workers will use it in the field.

By doing so, utility companies can make informed decisions that optimize productivity and safe work practices in their operations.

Let’s explore some of the factors to consider when purchasing a bucket truck and trends for specifying utility bucket trucks.

Key Considerations Before Ordering a Bucket Truck

The first thing to do is bring the right parties to the table, starting with the OEM account manager.

Input from your safety and fleet managers is essential, while people from field operations provide valuable insight into how the truck will be used day-to-day.

Any other subject matter experts from the field, who understand the job requirements for the vehicle, would also be good to invite. 

Buying a bucket truck starts with identifying:

• The crew’s needs for working height.

• Side reach.

• Material handling capacity.

• Vehicle payload capacity.

All this information also impacts the chassis selection, including single rear or tandem rear axle configuration, required horsepower, cab-to-axle length, boom length, available payload, and multiple other options.

Aerials with higher bucket heights and reach require greater gross vehicle capacity of the chassis, and many companies prefer all-wheel drive with higher horsepower engines.

Other scenarios might be stronger axles, aluminum cabs to reduce the overall weight or alternative fuel options.

Depending on the application, consider larger fuel tank capacity, horizontal or vertical exhaust configurations, or even an electric truck if one is available for the truck class size needed.

Provide this information to your OEM account manager. At Terex, we will prepare a detailed quote, which you can review with your team and clarify any details before proceeding to the next step. 

After you receive an order, we will also provide a detailed 3D drawing so you can review it again with your team to make sure that all details are captured properly.

Should You opt for OvercenterBoom Configurations?

In recent years, utilities frequently opt for overcenter boom configurations. Overcenter aerial devices are typically selected for the range of upper boom articulation they provide.

This supports distribution work practices that take place on both sides of the pole. Overcenter aerial devices have a greater range of motion, better side reach (up to five feet more in some cases), and lower access to the ground in the overcenter position.

One example of an application where this is beneficial is when the line worker needs to reach the lines on the field side of the poles while remaining set up on the roadway. They can lay the boom out flat and swing under the lines, then raise the upper boom up to reach the work, rather than work in between the lines. 

If the line worker can get in the correct position to do their work, it can accomplish the tasks assigned without multiple setups, as long as each task can be accomplished safely.

Reducing ergonomics risk when in the overcenter ground mount position allows the operator to lower the bucket close to or even on the ground.

Consider all the tools, including phase lifters, crimpers, hydraulic drills or chain saws, and components that go into the bucket with personnel or are installed on the material handling jib.

It is easier for the ground worker to hand materials off with the platform at the ground rather than lifting items over their shoulder or in the boom's stowed position.

Better ground access also makes cleaning out debris in the platform easier and aids personnel rescue.

Stacked Boom Sections to Reduce Stowed Height

Utilities also frequently look to reduce the overall stowed height of the aerial device as much as possible. 

This is dictated by the need to access tight areas, such as highway overpasses or entry through garage doors. In the past, the side-by-side boom configuration was the only option that offered low travel height.

However, with the introduction of Terex’s Optima Series, the stacked boom configuration has become more widely accepted by large utilities. This configuration delivers low travel height plus other benefits.

The stacked boom configuration weighs less on average than side-by-side booms. This increases available chassis options and increases truck bed and storage space.

Investor-owned utilities often prefer more payload capacity for stocking the truck with supplies when serving a large geographic area with crews stationed a long distance from their warehouse centers.

Equipment for Extra Reach and Height

Two other pieces of optional equipment that are frequently selected — hydraulic extended jibs and a 24-inch platform lifter — further support the goal of increasing versatility.

Material handling jibs allow the operator to lift loads to the work zone. Top-mounted jibs offer the option of hydraulic articulation and extension.

More often, the jib type that allows extension under load is selected. Roller assemblies above and below the jib allow this type of jib to extend and retract when loaded, as long as it is loaded within the capacity rating of the jib.

However, the other option is simplified/compact jibs, which provide infinite positioning through 120 degrees of articulation envelope and a load radius of 0 to 65 inches. Hydraulic extension and repositioning are possible, but not while the jib is under load.

It is also popular to add a 24-inch platform lifter. This enables the bucket to be elevated independently from the boom, effectively adding two feet of working height to the unit without repositioning the boom.

Increased access to the work area potentially reduces the twisting and straining that can cause ergonomic injuries.

Evaluating and Reducing Risks: Create a Standard Spec Document 

Each utility can have different work conditions depending on the services they provide and their service area. 

Often the safety department or standards committees play an integral role in equipment specification.

Understanding the unique factors that affect their employees’ work is central to evaluating and reducing risks to accomplish the task the crews are assigned. The environment and the tools used are a few of those influencing factors when utilities create their safe work practices.

Finally, take one last step to simplify future purchases by developing a standard spec document. You have already done the tedious work of identifying application needs, functional requirements, system requirements, safety requirements, business goals, key options, and budget.

And you have worked with the OEM account manager to evaluate the equipment and options.

Creating and sharing standard spec documents with other departments helps to maintain fleet consistency, reduces parts inventory, and ultimately improves return on investment.