Recent content by Jack Mccowel

There are a lot of bucket truck brands on the market in 2026, but some seem to stand out more than others for reliability, reach, and ease of maintenance. If you were adding a bucket truck to your fleet today, which brand would be at the top of your list and why? Have you had better experiences...

Controls feel wrong? Stop immediately.

Yep, that's the big difference. Pulling a small trailer is one thing, but once you start hauling dozers, excavators, and oversized loads, you're dealing with CDLs, permits, route planning, and a whole lot more responsibility.

I’m with the “mixed fleet” crowd. By 2035 I can see more electric and autonomous machines on big jobs, but I’d bet there will still be plenty of diesel iron out there - some of those machines seem determined to outlive all of us.

Fun fact: a lot of people don't realize that heavy equipment operators often work across multiple trades, one day you might be grading roads, the next you're helping with site prep, utilities, or land clearing. If you like variety, operating equipment can be a pretty good fit.

I'd be checking the pump shaft for wear too.. I've seen new seals start leaking again pretty quickly when the shaft surface was the real culprit.

One tip that's helped me is to shop financing the same way you shop equipment... get quotes from a dealer, local bank, and equipment lender before deciding. Sometimes a slightly higher down payment can save a lot more in interest and monthly payments over the life of the loan.

Yeah that 4 tie-down rule is a solid baseline, but from what I've seen it really depends on weight and length too-big thing is making sure everything's tight, rated properly, and nothing can shift during transport

Hey, check the battery first

solid advice

Equipment downtime and miscommunication seem to cause the biggest ripple effects for me..once those slip, everything else on the job site starts falling behind.

Hey everyone, I’m trying to decide whether it’s better to sell my equipment to a dealer or directly to buyers. What are the pros and cons of each approach in terms of price, convenience, and speed? Would love to hear your experiences and what’s worked best for you!

Hey @johnnyrogers, looks like you're getting some solid advice! Definitely prioritize what you'll use the truck for, and don't forget to check out the hydraulics and service history. Any specific models you're considering so far?

Yeah, forklifts are surprisingly heavy! The counterweight in the back really adds to their mass, which helps with stability when lifting. They definitely feel a lot more solid compared to driving a regular car.

Great topic! I’ve used portable generators on job sites, and they’re super versatile, but the noise can be a bit much. Inverters are quieter and more fuel-efficient, especially for home use, but they’re usually a bit pricier. Standby generators are a solid choice for home backup since they...