Bucket trucks for KEC

[Mike Hughes]

Does anyone use a bucket truck for kitchen exhaust cleaning?

Wouldnt it be great to not have to use ladders? Safer, faster.......especially when its cold or wet?

Just wondering what you guys think of this. The trucks cost alot of money, but could it be justified?

 

[Grant]

Just an added expense, that is not really needed. Most exhaust fans are not right at the edge of the roof, and if they are, that does not mean that there is parking lot space below them. Also working from a bucket would only allow one side access to a fan where you need full access. So when you can use it, its mostly as an automatic ladder that you get out of when you reach the roof.
We use a high lift platform for some of our jobs with wall mounted exhaust fans. It makes the job safer and easier, but trailering and set-up is added time for the job.

 

[David Saulque]

To add to Grants post. Most fans on new constructions are in the center of the building and have ladder hatch systems. plus I have been told that doing PW out of a bucket isn't what it seems (safe and well being).

David

 

[Mike Hughes]

I was looking at it from the perspective of a means to get your man up on the roof...........not to actually work from it.

Just curious.

 

[David Saulque]

Mike

Just last week we have a account who has a 3 stories unit with a fan on the metal steep slope. I told the account that I would not clean the fan until he puts work platform-he said no way and we will not clean the fan. I asked a well known hood cleaner about the use of the bucket. He Indicated that they are very difficult to work out of when dealing with fans. That was that-and life goes on!

David

 

[Dave Olson]

Hello Mike,

I had this bucket truck for 14 years. When we replaced the hyd lines in the booms we added water and electrical lines. All we had to do was plug into the bottom of the boom. Worked great but took additional time to set all of it up.

Yes some of the kitchens that we did we used the bucket (40 feet) and others it was just a ladder. Still had to bring our other truck with the wash equipment though!

I bought it in 1987 because it was hard to find anyone to rent lifts from. There have been alot of companies open up since that do nothing but rent lift type equipment.

It got to where the old bucket truck was just to big for some jobs or to small for others. Kept in inside and didn't use it much for several years. When I was unable to keep in inside a building I decided it was time to find it a new home.

Sold it in 2001 for $11,000. Still a good old truck, even if it is a Ford! Sure hated to see it go!

Dave Olson