Equipment Loans
Typically 0-20% down, terms 24-72 months. Interest rates 6-15% depending on credit. See typical rates.
Financing program
Bucket trucks cost $100,000-$200,000+ new for utilities, tree care, and telecom. Spread the cost with equipment financing. Decisions in 24-48 hours for qualified applications. New or used. Aerial lift trucks nationwide.
Yes. An aerial device and its chassis are financed together, typically on 24–72 month terms with 600+ credit and 0–20% down. New units run $100,000–$150,000 and larger material handlers $150,000–$200,000+, with used trucks from $60,000. A $150,000 bucket truck at 8% over 60 months is roughly $3,040/month. Insulated aerial devices carry dielectric test and annual inspection records, and a current certificate belongs in the file.
Bucket trucks (aerial lift trucks) provide elevated work platforms for line workers, arborists, and telecom technicians. Utilities use them for power line maintenance and repairs. Tree care companies use them for pruning, removal, and trimming. Telecom companies use them for cable and fiber installation. With prices from $100,000-$200,000+ new, paying cash ties up capital you need for crews, insurance, and growth.
Utilities, tree care, and telecom businesses operate on contract or service-based revenue. You incur costs for equipment, labor, and materials before getting paid. Seasonal demand, weather delays, and the lag between completed work and invoiced payment create cash flow gaps. Paying $150,000 or more in cash for a bucket truck can strain reserves and limit your ability to bid on new contracts or add crews.
Equipment financing spreads the cost over the truck's useful life. Lenders view bucket trucks favorably because they serve essential industries-utilities, tree care, telecom-with steady demand. Major brands (Altec, Terex, Versalift) and well-maintained units hold value. Tax benefits-Section 179 and bonus depreciation for purchases, lease payments as operating expenses-further reduce the true cost. Apply now to get matched with lenders. See forestry business financing and landscaping business financing for industry context.
A bucket truck (aerial lift truck, digger derrick, or cherry picker) is a commercial vehicle with a hydraulic or electric boom and work platform (bucket) that elevates workers to overhead heights. Bucket trucks are used for power line work, tree trimming, cable and fiber installation, and other elevated tasks. Working heights range from about 35 feet to 65+ feet depending on boom type and configuration.
Bucket trucks serve utilities (electric, gas, telecom), tree care and arborist companies, landscaping firms, and sign installers. Understanding what bucket trucks are and how they're used helps lenders assess your application-they want to see that the equipment supports revenue-generating work. Boom type (articulating vs telescopic), chassis, and working height affect suitability and cost.
Lenders view bucket truck financing favorably because aerial lift trucks hold value well and serve essential industries. Utilities, tree care, and telecom have recurring demand for maintenance and installation work. Altec, Terex, and Versalift models retain value when properly maintained. If a borrower defaults, the lender can recover a significant portion through resale. Lenders who specialize in vocational equipment understand contract revenue and industry underwriting.
Tree care companies, utilities contractors, and telecom installers are primary bucket truck buyers. Lenders may assess contract backlog, insurance, and safety records-not just static financials. Used bucket trucks 5-7 years old are commonly financed when boom and hydraulic systems are documented. Equipment financing approval timelines are typically 1-5 days for qualified applications.
Working capital loans are better suited for payroll, insurance, and operating expenses. Use working capital for day-to-day needs; use equipment financing for the bucket truck itself to secure better rates and terms tied to the asset. Compare equipment loan vs lease in detail.
Typically 0-20% down, terms 24-72 months. Interest rates 6-15% depending on credit. See typical rates.
At lease end, return the truck, purchase at fair market value, or upgrade. Loan vs lease.
SBA 7(a) and 504 loans offer longer terms (7-10+ years) and lower down payments. Approval typically 30-60+ days. Best for established tree care, utility, or telecom businesses planning fleet expansion. View SBA loans.
Bucket truck prices vary by working height, boom type, chassis, and whether you buy new or used. New bucket trucks range from roughly $100,000-$150,000 for mid-height units (35-45') to $150,000-$200,000+ for high-reach models (55-65+'). Top brands like Altec, Terex, and Versalift command premium prices. Digger derrick configurations (with auger) add cost. Chassis (medium-duty vs heavy-duty) affects total price.
Used bucket trucks typically cost 30-50% less. A 5-year-old unit might run $60,000-$120,000. Boom and hydraulic condition are critical-inspect before purchasing. Many lenders finance used bucket trucks up to 5-7 years old. Obtain a written quote from your dealer-lenders use it to structure financing. Financing used equipment guide.
Rates for bucket truck financing typically run 6–15% and terms 24-72 months, depending on credit, down payment and lender; SBA loans extend further. Typical equipment financing rates.
Monthly payments depend on loan amount, rate, and term. A $150,000 bucket truck financed at 8% over 60 months would result in roughly $3,040/month. A $100,000 unit at 9% over 48 months would run approximately $2,490/month. Strong credit, larger down payment, and shorter terms typically lower your rate. Use our financing calculator to model scenarios. Down payment requirements vary by lender and credit profile.
| Requirement | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Credit score | 600+ (680+ for best rates) |
| Down payment | 0-20% |
| Time in business | 1-2+ years |
| Revenue | Proof of business income |
| Equipment quote | Written quote from dealer/seller |
Credit: most lenders look for 600+, and because bucket truck financing is asset-backed some programs go lower when revenue and down payment are strong. Down payment: 0–20%, depending on credit. Time in business: 1–2+ years for standard programs. See credit score requirements and what lenders look at.
A bucket truck is an aerial device on a chassis, and the aerial device carries certification requirements that the chassis does not. Both go into the file.
· Manufacturer, model, working height, and whether the unit is insulated or non-insulated.
· Insulated aerial devices are tested on a defined interval. A current certificate is a safety requirement and a value question at the same time.
· Aerial devices are inspected on schedule under the applicable ANSI standard. Records should be continuous.
· They diverge widely. A truck with low miles can have a heavily used boom, and the boom is the expensive part.
· Alongside any utility, telecoms or municipal contracts you hold.
· Depends on GVWR. Many smaller units are non-CDL; larger material handlers are not.
If you hold contracts with a utility, a telecoms carrier or a municipality, include them. Contracted line, tree or signal work is durable revenue and it reads that way.
Apply before the storm and contract seasons, because that is when these trucks disappear from the market. Utility contractors, tree services and telecoms crews all expand at the same time, and a well-specified insulated unit is not an item you can source at short notice.
If the truck is being bought against an awarded utility or municipal contract, apply as soon as the award is issued. The contract does two things at once: it establishes the revenue and it specifies the working height and insulation rating the truck actually needs.
Reaching a conductor from the ground up is not a place to economise. Undersized reach means declining work you were otherwise qualified for.
For insulated units it is not optional documentation. Make the sale contingent on a current one.
The boom, turret and pedestal are where structural wear shows. Have them inspected by someone who knows aerial devices, not a general truck mechanic.
It is a different class of truck and a different price, but it removes a second machine from the job.
Lapsed inspection records reduce the truck's value and can stop work on a utility site the same day.
The mistakes here are safety mistakes before they are financial ones:
You cannot lawfully or safely do energised work with it until it is tested, and testing is at your expense.
They are independent assets bolted together. Inspect them independently.
Setup limitations decide which jobs the truck can do. Know them before you buy.
Line and tree work at height carries its own premium. Quote it before committing.
Annual and periodic inspections are ongoing costs and non-negotiable obligations.
Confirm what the lender requires by way of insurance and inspection documentation before funding, and diarize every certification date from the day you take delivery.
Cash spent on equipment is cash not available for payroll, materials or the next opportunity. Financing spreads the cost over the working life of the bucket truck and keeps reserves intact, and Section 179 and bonus depreciation reduce the after-tax cost further. Carriers feel it most sharply: fuel, insurance and maintenance are due weekly while freight bills settle in thirty to forty-five days.
Standard equipment financing approval takes 1-5 business days from application to funding. Day 1: submit application and documents. Days 2-3: lender review, possible follow-up questions. Day 4-5: approval, documentation, and funding. Funds typically go directly to the seller; you take possession once the deal closes. SBA loans add 30-60+ days.
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Obtain a written quote from your dealer. Complete one application-we submit to multiple equipment lenders. Share business financials and equipment details.
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Our team identifies lenders whose programs fit your bucket truck purchase. Utilities, tree care, telecom. New or used. We connect you with the right programs.
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Equipment financing often requires minimal docs. Decisions in 24-48 hours for many applications.
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Once approved, sign documents. Funds typically go directly to the seller. You take possession of the bucket truck. Ready to work.
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Yes. Many lenders finance used bucket trucks, typically those 5-7 years old or newer. Boom and hydraulic condition, working height, and mileage affect approval. Used equipment may require a larger down payment and shorter terms.
Most lenders look for 600 or higher. Scores of 680+ qualify for the best rates. Asset-backed financing sometimes works with 580+ when revenue and down payment are strong. Credit score requirements.
1-5 business days for equipment loans and leases. SBA loans add 30-60+ days. Having documents ready speeds the process. How fast can equipment financing be approved.
It depends. Leasing offers lower monthly payments, potential tax benefits, and easier upgrades. Buying builds equity and works if you plan to use the truck long-term. Equipment loan vs lease comparison.
Startups face tighter requirements. Most equipment lenders prefer 1-2+ years in business. New businesses may need larger down payments, shorter terms, or a co-signer. SBA loans can help. Apply and we'll match you with lenders that fit your profile.
Typical requirements: 3-6 months of business bank statements, tax returns, equipment quote from your dealer, profit and loss statement, and business formation documents. Having these ready speeds approval. What lenders look at.
Lenders finance bucket trucks of various working heights. Price and equipment specs are in the dealer quote. Higher reach units cost more and affect loan amount. Working height does not typically change approval criteria.
Explore our articles on equipment financing requirements, approval timelines, and best practices.
Applications are reviewed the same day. We match utilities, tree care, and telecom businesses with lenders who specialize in bucket truck and aerial lift financing.