Many professionals ask whether a cherry picker is the same as a bucket truck, since both machines are common types of aerial lifts that use a boom, a bucket, and similar safety features to lift workers into high places.
While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they describe different types of aerial devices with unique features, capabilities, and ideal applications.
What is the difference between a cherry picker and a bucket truck?
A cherry picker is traditionally a self-propelled type of aerial lift designed for access, maneuverability, and precision tasks.
A bucket truck, on the other hand, is a truck-mounted vehicle equipped with a hydraulic extendable arm and bucket primarily used by utility companies, forestry services, and maintenance crews that work on power lines and utility poles.
Both equipment allow operators to work safely at height, but their structure, mobility, and intended industries differ considerably.
Choosing the right type between Bucket Truck vs. Boom Lifts depends on the job, terrain, height requirements, and need for mobility or on-board tools.
What is another name for a cherry picker?
Nowadays, boom lifts are called cherry pickers into the aerial work platform types available in market. They are still known as “cherry pickers” even outside the fruit industry and they were originally designed to pick fruit from trees for farmers, but they evolved into versatile aerial solutions used across many industries.
What are the uses of cherry pickers?
Cherry pickers excel where agility and precise boom movement matter:
- Window cleaning and façade access in urban areas;
- Construction finishing tasks requiring exact platform positioning;
- Film, media, and maintenance services needing quiet, efficient lifts;
- Forestry, horticulture, and agriculture for reaching tall trees;
- Warehouses, indoor installations, and facilities requiring lifts suited for tight spaces.
Because cherry pickers are self-propelled, they offer excellent maneuverability, allowing operators to move in the opposite direction, rotate the articulated boom, or reposition the work platform without relocating a vehicle. This mobility boosts efficiency, especially on fast-paced jobs.
Unique features of cherry pickers equipment
Cherry pickers typically include:
- Smooth boom articulation for complex angles;
- Compact frames designed for narrow access areas;
- Electric options enabling indoor use without fumes;
- Safety features that protect workers throughout the lift cycle.
Their design focuses on reach and flexibility rather than raw power or on-board utilities.
How do bucket trucks differ from other aerial devices?
A bucket truck integrates an aerial work platform directly onto a truck chassis, forming a single piece of specialized equipment engineered with a hydraulic system for heavy-duty access work.
Companies in utilities, telecommunications, forestry, and construction rely heavily on equipment such as bucket trucks for their ability to travel long distances, carry tools, and operate in unprepared terrain.
Key characteristics that define bucket trucks
Bucket trucks include several unique features not found in standard boom lifts:
- A powerful hydraulic system mounted on the truck
- Larger bucket capacities suitable for tools and workers
- The ability to access utility poles, transformers, and power lines
- Compatibility with insulated bucket trucks that protect workers from electrical hazards
- Enhanced traction and stability on roadside or swampy terrain
They are also widely used for tree trimming, roadside repair, signage installation, and service work industry requiring height plus transport capability. Because the truck and boom are mounted together, travel between job sites becomes faster and more efficient.
Several types of bucket and boom trucks
Depending on the job, companies in diverse industries may choose:
- Insulated bucket trucks for electrical environments and repairs;
- Articulating booms for angled access;
- Boom truck models when lifting capability and height are both needed.
These vehicles allow operators to carry gear or tools, eliminate the need for ladders, and complete tasks safely without causing damage to surrounding structures.
Cherry Picker vs. Bucket Truck Explained
Although both lift equipment raise personnel into elevated work zones, the connection between design and application differs significantly. Bucket trucks function as vehicles built for roadside and utility operations, while cherry pickers prioritize precision lift articulation.
A cherry picker is ideal for maintenance, indoor work, facility access, and any application needing an agile work platform. A bucket truck, however, is the right type when mobility, tool-carrying capacity, and rugged outdoor performance are important factors.
Everstar’s aerial equipment lineup focuses on quality, reliable lift capabilities, and models suited to various job sites, ensuring companies select equipment aligned with real-world demands.
Choosing between different types of aerial lifts
Cherry pickers and bucket trucks share similarities as types of aerial lift, but they serve different types of industries and project needs.
Cherry pickers offer precision, versatility, and smooth articulated lift movement, making them ideal for maintenance, indoor work, and access tasks. Bucket trucks provide long-distance mobility, on-board power, tool capacity, and configurations such as insulated bucket trucks for utility environments.
Choosing the correct aerial lift machine whether for construction or maintenance assessments, directly affects efficiency, safety, and total project cost. Contractors should evaluate terrain, review height requirements, and the level of maneuverability needed.
Everstar’s technical specialists are ready to assist you with tailored recommendations and model-features specific guidance.
