Bucket trucks are durable, reliable, and versatile machines that let you move materials from one location to another. They have a long history of use and are still used in many businesses today. 

However, just like any other machines, they will wear down over time. This is why preventative maintenance is important to keep your bucket truck running smoothly, safely, and efficiently. 

It’s important to remember that maintenance doesn’t just mean the service technicians will be working on your truck. It also means that you’ll be taking care of it yourself. But why exactly does your truck need maintenance?

Here are some good reasons why:

1. Prevents grime and corrosion buildup

The most important reason why you need maintenance on your bucket truck is to prevent grime and corrosion from building up. This is especially important if you’re using your bucket truck for demolition work, as the buckets are often filled with dirt and debris.

In addition, it’s important to keep your tires in good condition so they don’t fail at the worst time possible. You’d want to visit a bucket truck repair shop Long Island so they can provide you with tips on how to prevent corrosion. They can also perform any necessary preventative measures to keep your truck working effectively.

2. Maintains the tires and fluid levels

Maintaining the levels of oil and grease in your trucks is also something that needs to be done regularly. It’s best to check this periodically, but there are some other ways in which you can make sure they’re kept topped up. 

For example, if you’re using a generator or some other power source on site, try using it to top up their oil levels with fresh diesel every few weeks.

Due to the diverse ways that they’re used, the tires on a bucket truck are exposed to extreme conditions. This is why you should periodically check the tires on your bucket truck to ensure that they are in good shape and working properly. 

This will prevent breakdowns from occurring when you’re trying to drive them at full capacity or when there’s snow or ice on the ground at night time or during inclement weather conditions.

3. Smooth movement of moving parts

Bucket trucks need to have a smooth movement of the bucket since it’s the one that does the work. As such, it should be able to move smoothly and effortlessly. The bucket has a handle on either side which can be rotated around to adjust the height of the bucket. If these handles get stuck or jammed up with dirt or something else, then they won’t work properly.

As a result, you will have problems moving your materials around.

The wheels also need to be smooth when they roll over uneven surfaces such as grass or gravel. If they are not smooth enough, then they will dent or scuff up the surface underneath them, which makes them less effective at moving materials around.

4. Keeps the hydraulics working properly

A bucket truck’s hydraulics is one of the most important parts of its operation, as they help keep the bucket and boom working properly. These systems should be checked at least once per year and more frequently if you notice any signs of wear or tear. 

You should also inspect your hydraulic system for leaks or other problems that could affect its performance. If there are any signs of trouble, it’s best to have it fixed before it becomes a larger problem down the road.

5. Improves Safety

The biggest benefit that maintenance can provide is improved safety on the job site. Bucket trucks are often used for loading materials into trailers or onto flatbeds, which means workers need to make sure that their vehicles are safe for use every day. 

The best way to ensure this is to check all the parts of your vehicle regularly for wear or damage. You’ll also want to check all the fluids in your vehicle regularly to make sure they’re not leaking or burning out from excess heat from heavy loads or harsh weather conditions.

6. Reduces unexpected failures in the field

Many people think that a bucket truck is a machine that gets used for heavy-duty work once or twice in its lifetime. But this isn’t the case; if you don’t take care of your bucket truck when it needs it, it could break down unexpectedly, causing expensive repairs or even potential loss of life. 

It’s important to change the oil regularly (at least every 30 days), because wearing out a bearing in just one area will affect performance elsewhere. It will cause wear on other parts of the engine which can lead to more expensive repairs later on. 

You should also have your tires rotated every 50 hours of operation and inspected for wear every 500 hours of operation at a bucket truck repair shop.

7. Prevents costly repairs and extends the life of the bucket truck

A well-maintained bucket truck will save you time, money, and resources as it will last longer than a poorly maintained one. This means that you do not have to pay for expensive repairs or replacements every now and then.

The longer you keep your bucket truck in good condition, the longer it will last. In fact, most parts can be replaced over time with minimal downtime, which means you have more time to work or earn money instead of having to spend money on repairs regularly.

Final Thoughts

It is often the case that those who drive bucket trucks on a daily basis tend to overlook the fact that equipment, no matter how advanced and high-tech, still needs to be properly maintained. 

At whichever moment, unexpected breakdowns may occur. This can become rather inconvenient if you don’t have spare parts or if the parts are not readily available. As such, maintenance should be an integral part of your routine as a bucket truck operator.