In these tough economic times many industries are looking for ways to tighten their belts without crimping their plans for expansion (or in some cases merely keeping the doors open). Nowhere is this more apparent than in the electrical, data, telecommunication, construction and arborist industries where the need for quality used equipment such as bucket trucks, forestry trucks, digger derricks and other specialized utility vehicles could mean the difference between going under or keeping a business up and running.

Bucket trucks come in many shapes and sizes. And all of them are customized for specific job requirements. Although the most commonly used bucket truck are those employed by utility companies for power linemen, the diversity of options available can transform a basic chassis into any one of a number of job specific tools from a simple "cherry picker" to a 2-man platform boom crane. The bad news about bucket trucks is that the cost of purchasing a new one customized to your specifications may be out of most company's budget range. The good new about bucket trucks is that they are built to last, and purchasing a quality reconditioned, low-mileage used bucket is a savvy way to get the equipment you need at a cost that will fit into the budget.

Once you make the decision that you're in the market for a bucket truck, the hard part is finding the right dealer with the right model that suits your needs. The Internet is a good starting place. Just type in what you're looking for and any number of search engines will bring up a long list of trucks. But then what? How can you tell a sweet deal on a quality used vehicle from a potential nightmare? Well, now that you know where to look, the trick is making sure the truck meets all the safety standards, set by OSHA, for your specific needs.

Federal guidelines require that utility vehicles such as bucket trucks comply with rigorous safety standards based on the type of work that the truck will be used for. More often than not the trucks are at dealerships that are out of state and a personal inspection of a specific truck is out of the question. This is where the reputation of the dealer comes into play. Are the dealers knowledgeable in regard to your needs or are they just trying to move inventory. Some dealers, like I80, even offer video feeds and detailed photo galleries that showcase specific trucks to make your choice easier. An important question to ask is: Has the truck been carefully inspected and reconditioned? The fact that there are so many customizable options available on used utility vehicles, it is important to learn as much about a specific truck as you can before you make a purchase.

But a company that does it homework right can drive away with a vehicle that meets or even exceeds its needs at an acceptable price.