Used 2013 Bucket Trucks For Sale

A used 2013 bucket truck can be a strong value point for utility, telecom, sign, lighting, and municipal fleets that need aerial access without paying late-model pricing. Also called an aerial lift truck, boom truck, or utility bucket truck, this equipment class typically combines a medium-duty chassis, enclosed utility body, PTO-driven hydraulic system, and an insulated or non-insulated boom. In the 2013 model year, common chassis include International DuraStar 4300, Freightliner M2 and FL-series, Ford F-750, and similar Class 6 through Class 7 platforms. Buyers usually start with working height, platform capacity, and boom style because those three items determine job fit faster than anything else.

For 2013 bucket trucks, working heights commonly fall in the 45 to 65 foot range, with 350 to 400 pound platform ratings being typical. Material handling versions add a jib or winch for transformers, signs, and hardware, while non-material handling units stay lighter and simpler for line inspection, streetlight service, and communications work. Continuous rotation, upper and lower boom articulation, outrigger configuration, and basket controls matter on everyday jobs because they affect setup time and how easily the operator can reach over obstacles. If dielectric work is part of the plan, the boom insulation rating, liner condition, and dielectric test history should be reviewed closely, since an insulated unit is only as good as its maintenance and certification records.

On the truck side, many 2013 units are built around diesel engines in the medium-duty range with automatic transmissions and hydraulic PTO systems. GVWR often lands at 26,000 pounds for non-CDL applications or 33,000 pounds for heavier utility body and boom combinations. A 26,000 pound GVWR truck can widen the driver pool, but heavier 33,000 pound setups usually carry more body storage, more stable outriggers, and larger aerial devices. Pay close attention to chassis hours versus PTO hours, not just odometer miles. Bucket trucks often spend long periods idling while the aerial device is operating, so engine hours, hydraulic pump condition, outrigger function, and lower and upper control response tell you more than mileage alone. Rust in utility body floors, door latches, compartment seals, subframe mounts, and outrigger boxes is common on older fleet units and can turn a low-mile truck into a higher-cost ownership experience.

A good 2013 bucket truck purchase usually comes down to service history and application match. Look for maintenance records on boom inspections, hydraulic hose replacement, PTO operation, turret wear, rotation gear condition, and any fiberglass or basket repairs. Confirm the travel height, body length, wheelbase, and axle ratings before assigning the truck to urban tree work, utility construction, or highway sign maintenance. For buyers comparing many listings, the best units are not always the lowest-hour trucks. The better choice is often the truck with a documented aerial inspection history, tight outriggers, clean hydraulic performance, and a body layout that fits the tools and material your crew actually carries.