Is it a Good Idea to Rent Used Bucket Trucks?

Many industries that rely regularly on bucket trucks choose to purchase their own fleet of these vehicles. For example, electric companies own a number of them because their business relies on them on a daily basis. On the other hand, there are industries that also require their use but only on an occasional basis. For example, orchard farms use these vehicles only during certain seasons and therefore turn to renting, rather than purchasing this equipment. So, a company may wonder if it is a good idea to lease used bucket trucks.

Rental Options

There are many companies that offer bucket trucks for rent. In most cases, the equipment being offered was previously part of a fleet and has since been replaced by their first owners. These vehicles are then reconditioned before they are made available to eliminate any defects or damage so the customers who use them can trust that they are safe to use.

Companies that offer used bucket trucks for rent have various lending terms so their clients can easily find a vehicle that suits their needs. The terms offered by most lending companies are daily, weekly, monthly and even yearly rates. For contract terms that reach a year, most lending companies offer flexible and lower rates to their clients. Some lending companies even offer borrow-to-own equipment. With these terms, the lessee will own the vehicle after borrowing it on contract for a certain period of time.

Rental Positives

Renting a bucket truck has advantages and disadvantages depending upon the nature of the business and how the equipment will be used. One of the biggest advantages of leasing is that it gives a company the option to use a bucket truck without having to purchase one. This set-up is ideal for a business that only requires the use of this equipment occasionally, since buying and maintaining a vehicle would be impractical if it is only used once or twice a year.

Renting is also good for businesses that are just beginning to use this type of equipment. By leasing, they can experiment with the ways this equipment could optimize their necessary work. A company that is planning to purchase a bucket truck can determine the type that is best for them by leasing various models with different specifications and using them to see which ones are right for their needs.

Renting makes this equipment available to smaller businesses that cannot afford the high cost of purchasing a brand new or used bucket truck. By leasing, terms can be chosen that will fit the way the equipment is used.

Rental Negatives

While leasing a bucket truck has its advantages, there are also a few drawbacks to this type of arrangement. Since borrowed bucket trucks are used by various renters, it would not be surprising to borrow a vehicle that has defects. Any previous user could have damaged the vehicle and it could have gone unnoticed by the leasing company. The defective vehicle could compromise the safety of the operator of the equipment. When leasing a used bucket truck, always choose a company that is known for conducting a thorough inspection of their fleet and has an excellent maintenance program. If the equipment will be used near live wires, it should be dielectrically tested at least once a year to test the effectiveness of its insulation.