To expand its offering for the forestry bucket truck industry, Versalift showcased its full line of forestry aerial lifts for the first time. As part of the company’s efforts to meet the forestry industry’s needs, Versalift acquired TrueCo Inc last year, which was renamed Versalift Forestry.

Through acquisitions and increases in human capital, Versalift is filling the gaps in both geographic coverage and in the industries that rely on bucket trucks for profitable enterprise. The American forestry industry employs more than 900,000 people and generates an annual economic output of greater than $240 Billion.

“One of our top priorities is having arbor units job-ready for customers at the spur of the moment. We stock 30-40 completed units at any time, including our most popular units: the VO-260-REV and the VO-270-Rear. One clear advantage that we have at Versalift Forestry is that we can put a 65-foot or taller aerial device on an under-CDL chassis,” said Bruce Trice, GM of Versalift Forestry and a 40-year veteran of the forestry equipment industry.

Risk Management is a concern for professionals who work in the forestry industry. There are several factors that contribute to risk exposure in arbor fleets. Among them are: 

• Inability to easily measure the weight of a forestry unit loaded with tree debris

• Tendency to use forestry equipment in unapproved ways

• Heavy wear and tear on equipment due to rugged working conditions

• Exposure to electric current during line clearing 

Versalift Forestry is mitigating each of these risks through the following ways:

• Lighter weight equipment to increased payload and decreased maintenance costs

• Detailed training programs for technicians to better understand the risks of improperly using or loading equipment

• High tensile steel components with varying degrees of thickness to add strength and decrease weight in optimal places.

• The TruGuard safety system provides the most complete dielectric protection