Forestry & Tree Service Trucks: Bucket, Chipper, or Grapple—Which Do You Need?

Choosing the right forestry truck isn’t just about cost, but more about the fit. One day, you might need precise tree trimming over a driveway, the next, you’re hauling storm debris by the ton. The wrong truck slows crews and cuts into profits. 

Here’s what to consider:

• Bucket truck – best for tree trimming and high-reach work.
• Chipper truck – best for hauling brush, branches, and wood chips.
• Grapple/log loader truck – best for lifting heavy logs and debris cleanup.

That’s why it’s worth taking a closer look at each of these specialized builds.

Best Forestry Truck Types Compared

The forestry industry runs on specialized iron, and not every truck is built to do every job. Choosing between a bucket truck forestry build, a chipper truck, or a grapple/log loader truck depends on your company’s work mix, crew size, and disposal setup. Let’s look at the main options.

Chipper trucks (chip box + cabinets)

When you’re feeding brush into a chipper all day, a chip box paired with secure side cabinets is essential. The enclosed chip body keeps debris contained while lockable cabinets provide safe storage for saws, rigging gear, and PPE.

• Capacity: Chip boxes generally have a capacity of 10–30 cubic yards, and inventory is available for light-duty to heavy-duty chassis.
• Efficiency: Pairing the chip box with a tow-behind chipper streamlines operations—cut, feed, haul, and dump in one continuous cycle.
• Use case: Ideal for arborists handling removals in residential neighborhoods or municipal contracts with constant brush disposal needs.

Comvoy lists hundreds of chipper trucks for sale across leading manufacturers, so you can find the right build for your company without digging through biased dealer ads.

Bucket Trucks (Lift Height, Side Reach)

The classic tree service truck, also known as an arborist truck, is the bucket. These rigs are all about vertical and lateral reach. Whether you’re using a Versalift, Terex, or other trusted manufacturers, spec sheets will always highlight three things:

• Working height: Entry-level forestry bucket trucks start around 45–55 feet. Heavier-duty boom builds push past 75 feet with elevator extensions.
• Side reach: Outriggers and aerial lift design matter when trimming trees positioned over buildings, driveways, or wires.
• Cab/chassis: Specs depend on whether you’re running a lighter-duty chassis for residential work or a heavier unit built for transmission line clearance.

If you’re looking for bucket trucks, Comvoy makes it simple to filter by working height, brand, or even engine type. This helps you narrow down exactly what your crew needs.

Grapple/log loader (lift specs, cleanup)

When heavy timber is on the ground, nothing beats a grapple truck or log loader truck. These units use hydraulically controlled grapples to pick up logs, stumps, or bulky storm debris.

• Lift specs: Models vary, but most forestry equipment in this category can hoist multiple tons with boom extensions long enough to clear roadside piles.
• Cleanup role: After storms or major takedowns, grapple trucks reduce manual labor and cut turnaround time in half.
• Customers served: Municipalities and contractors who must deliver quick storm response often build these trucks into their fleet for reliability and speed.

Some arborists pair grapple trucks with standard flatbed trucks for added hauling capacity. For a deeper dive, check out our guide to trucks for tree service, where we review several models that support high-volume debris operations.

Flatbed/stake with dump insert (budget option)

Not every business can jump straight into a six-figure chipper or build forestry bucket trucks. For smaller crews or companies just building their market presence, a flatbed truck with removable sides and a dump insert is a versatile starting point.

It’s not purpose-built, but it gives you:

• Utility to haul brush, logs, or equipment.
• Flexibility to upfit with racks, toolboxes, or small crane attachments.
• Budget relief compared to specialty forestry trucks for sale.

For businesses balancing work across multiple vocations, say, running a roofing truck during summer and a forestry build in storm season, a flatbed provides flexibility until demand justifies a dedicated arborist truck.

Capacity & Payload

Payload determines whether your truck keeps pace with your crews or drags down efficiency. Forestry debris is deceptively heavy—wood chips weigh roughly 400–500 pounds per cubic yard when wet, while logs can easily exceed a ton apiece.

• Chip box sizing: The capacity of a chipper truck usually starts at 10–12 cubic yards for residential jobs and scales up to 30+ for municipal crews. The GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) must be matched to your debris density assumptions to avoid overweight violations.
• Payload math: A 14-cubic-yard chip box loaded with wet chips can hit 7,000 pounds in no time. Pair that with saws, rigging, and safety gear, and you’ll see why forestry trucks must be spec’d carefully.
• Flatbed stakes: With the right chassis, you can customize payload ratings, but remember to factor in upfits like dump inserts or small cranes, which eat into usable capacity.

Safety & Spec Essentials

Tree service is demanding, and safety has to come first. Every forestry bucket truck or grapple unit should be designed with safeguards that protect both crews and customers.

• Outriggers: Stability is non-negotiable. Aerial devices and loaders must have outriggers sized to their rated lift capacity.
• PTO (power take-off): Most forestry trucks run hydraulic systems off a PTO, so you’ll need to understand how this affects fuel use and maintenance cycles.
• Fall protection: Bucket harnesses, tie-in points, and boom-mounted anchor systems reduce risk during tree trimming.
• Wheelbase & turning: A long wheelbase supports high chip boxes but reduces maneuverability. If your company operates in tight urban areas, balance turning radius with load capacity.
• Boom specs: Both Versalift and Terex offer reliable booms with different working heights, side reach, and elevator add-ons. Picking the right boom is as much about job mix as budget.

Safety upfits may add cost, but they provide peace of mind, reduce liability, and keep crews confident while in the bucket or running ground operations.

Towing & Trailer Pairings

Not every forestry vehicle can carry everything onboard, and that’s where towing comes in. Many contractors pair a chipper truck with a tow-behind chipper, or a bucket truck with a stump grinder.

• Chippers: Typical tow-behinds weigh 3,500–7,000 pounds, depending on engine size and feed capacity.
• Stump grinders: Ranging from small walk-behinds under 1,500 pounds to heavy-duty towables over 4,500 pounds.
• Trailers: Many grapple or log loader operators haul dump trailers for overflow debris or hauling heavy logs separately.

When choosing a tree service truck, check towing capacity alongside payload. It’s a common blind spot, but a fully loaded chipper trailer can push a lighter-duty bucket into overload territory.

For smaller outfits, pairing a pest control truck or small cargo van with forestry gear isn’t practical, but for companies with mixed service offerings, keeping towing capacity in mind can help avoid missteps when expanding your fleet.

Shop Forestry-Ready Trucks on Convoy

When you’re narrowing down forestry trucks for sale, the challenge is cutting through biased ads and limited local options. That’s where Comvoy makes the difference. With 440K+ nationwide listings, you can search by vocation, body type, manufacturer, or even specific upfits.

• Looking for a chipper truck with a 20-yard box? Filter by chip box size and GVWR to match your crew’s debris volume.
• Need a bucket truck forestry build with 75+ feet of working height? Narrow listings by aerial lift specs, boom brand, or chassis class.
• Want the flexibility of flatbed trucks that can be upfit with dump inserts or small cranes? Compare side-by-side without the guesswork.

Whether you’re upgrading your fleet or making your first purchase, Comvoy helps you find forestry-ready vehicles designed to keep your crews productive and safe.

Forestry Truck FAQs

1. What’s the difference between a chipper truck and a bucket truck?

A chipper truck is designed to haul wood chips, brush, and branches. It has a large chip box and side cabinets. A bucket truck, on the other hand, uses an aerial lift and boom to elevate workers for trimming and removals. Most tree care companies eventually run both in their fleet.

2. Are grapple trucks necessary for tree service?

Not for every company, but a grapple truck or log loader truck shines when handling heavy timber or storm cleanup. If your operations include land clearing, storm response, or municipal contracts, a grapple unit saves time, reduces labor demand, and improves safety.

3. How much working height do forestry bucket trucks offer?

Standard forestry bucket trucks start around 45–55 feet. Larger boom models from Versalift, Terex, and other manufacturers can exceed 75 feet, sometimes more, with an Elevator extension. Always choose specs based on the tallest trees in your service area and the side reach your jobs require.

4. Can I use a flatbed instead of a dedicated forestry truck?

Yes, especially for smaller crews or those just building their business. A flatbed with a dump insert won’t replace a chipper box, but it provides affordable hauling capacity. Over time, as demand increases, many contractors add purpose-built arborist trucks to their lineup.