Bucket trucks, also known as cherry pickers, are an essential piece of equipment for many industries, including telecommunications, electrical work, tree trimming, and construction. But who invented the first bucket truck? The answer to that question is not as straightforward as one might think.
The concept of a truck with an extendable boom and a bucket for workers to stand in can be traced back to the early 20th century. In the 1920s, a man named James Cunningham, Sons and Company began manufacturing trucks with extendable booms and buckets for use in the electrical industry. These early bucket trucks were primarily used to reach power lines and were powered by gasoline engines.
However, it wasn’t until the 1940s that the modern bucket truck as we know it today was invented. During this time, a man named Leonard H. Buck invented a truck with an extendable boom and a bucket that could be powered by a hydraulic system. This was a significant advancement as it allowed for greater precision and control when positioning the bucket and made it easier for workers to access hard-to-reach areas.
In 1946, Leonard H. Buck founded the company “Buck Manufacturing Co.” which is now known as “Bucket Truck Manufacturing Co.”. The company manufactured and distributed the first hydraulic bucket trucks. The company’s early products were primarily used by the electrical industry and tree trimming companies.
After the invention of the hydraulic bucket truck, the use of these vehicles expanded to other industries. In the 1960s and 1970s, telecommunications companies began using bucket trucks to install and maintain telephone and cable lines. During this time, bucket truck manufacturers also began developing models that could reach greater heights, with some models now capable of reaching up to 150 feet.
Today, bucket trucks are an integral part of many industries and are used for a wide variety of tasks. The modern bucket truck is a highly specialized piece of equipment, with many models now featuring advanced safety features such as outriggers, stabilizing jacks, and automatic leveling systems.
While it is clear that Leonard H. Buck was a key figure in the development of the modern bucket truck, it is important to note that the invention of the bucket truck was the result of contributions from many individuals and companies over a period of several decades. The early bucket trucks of James Cunningham, Sons and Company laid the foundation for the development of the hydraulic bucket truck, and the work of Leonard H. Buck and other manufacturers helped to refine and improve the design of these vehicles.
In conclusion, while it is not possible to pinpoint the exact inventor of the first bucket truck, the modern bucket truck as we know it today was developed in the 1940s by Leonard H. Buck and his company “Buck Manufacturing Co.”. Since then, bucket trucks have played an important role in a wide range of industries and continue to evolve to meet the needs of workers and companies.
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Over the last 30 years we have proven in Europe that MEWPs/AWPs are the safest and most efficient way aerial height access. Since 2009 this concept is finally available here in the US. We have transformed the aerial lift industry by owning, leasing and operating a reliable fleet of MEWPs/AWPs in North America. Our fleet consists of top-of-the-line truck-mounted aerial platforms ranging from 108 feet to 336 feet and tracked spider lifts ranging from 50 feet to 165 feet.
