Your bucket truck may be a fine-tuned machine, doing all that you ask of it. But you might want to accessorize it -- let’s start with a basic necessity. Have you ever stepped into your bucket and got your boots wet? A bucket cover is a simple solution. A vinyl bucket cover will keep your bucket dry and it’s reasonably priced. You can improve the performance of a basic bucket cover with enhancements that keep rain water from pooling on top – some are foam-filled, and some have a pocket underneath for a wood slat that maintains top support. And they come in a variety of colors to fit … [Read more...]
A Bucket Truck Owner’s – Twas the Night Before Christmas
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the hydraulic house The bucket trucks were in their bays, quiet as a mouse. Their buckets and liners were hung by the upper boom with care Anticipating that a downed wire or damaged tree soon would be there. The tools and ropes were nestled all snug on the truck beds While visions of sugar-plums danced on the control heads And mamma with her saw scabbard and I with my tools Had just settled down to work on the triple valve spools. When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter It was clear that this would take much more than just a … [Read more...]
California Wildfires, Santa Ana Winds and Bucket Trucks
We’re hearing a lot recently about the raging wildfires in California and the Santa Ana winds that fan the fires. You might ask what this has to do with bucket trucks … well, once the wildfires are extinguished, California is going to have to rebuild communities – that includes the utility poles and power lines. We’re kinda partial to utility equipment vehicles here, so we can think of lots of other ways bucket trucks and digger derricks will be used in the restoration process. But, getting back to Santa Ana winds, what the heck are they? Are they named after Santa Anna, the leader of … [Read more...]
DICA … The Lineman’s Rodeo Brand
Ever have someone say, “Hey, it’s not my first rodeo?” Once you have some experience with bucket trucks and digger derricks you know there are some things worth “bringing to the rodeo” to keep everyone safe, like outrigger pads. We were doing a little research on the web and came across some new reasons why we think DICA outrigger pads are the best and discovered that DICA outrigger pads are actually used in a rodeo. Not the kind with horses and bulls, but the annual International Lineman’s Rodeo. DICA has been the official outrigger pad for the Lineman’s Rodeo for many years. … [Read more...]
Hydraulics, etc.
We were looking at activity on our website and discovered that lots of you are looking for information about hydraulics. Tiiger Pole Pullers and Cubes Bucket Truck Booms Digger Derricks Read on to learn more about utility equipment hydraulics, parts, and maintenance. Bucket Truck The boom is raised and lowered and/or extended using hydraulics. Hydraulics are needed on modern trucks because these arms are stronger, heavier, and often longer than the truck mounted platforms, aka cherry pickers, which they evolved from. What makes the system even easier is that the boom or arm … [Read more...]