Lyons gets new truck

Cab can rise 50 feet above street for trees, lights

By Steve Metsch

The Lyons Public Works Department has a new truck to replace one that gave decades of service.

Back in January 2020, the village board approved the purchase of a new bucket truck that will allow safer removal of tree branches and replacing street lights.

Thirteen months later, the truck has been modified and has arrived. Public Works Director Ryan Grace brought it to the village hall to show officials before the Feb. 2 board meeting.

The former truck dates back to 1995.

“(The new truck) is light years ahead in technology and advancements and, most importantly, safety,” Mayor Christopher Getty said. “It’s a nice piece of equipment to see.”

Grace said the truck has a Ford F-550 chassis and was outfitted by Dur-A-Lift, so the bucket can be raised 50 feet high if needed.

Most of the village’s trucks are F-250, Grace said. The bigger size was needed to offer more stability in the base when the cab is raised high above street level, Grace said.

“We needed the height so we can service all the trees, so we went pretty big there,” Grace said. “We have trees that are 35, 40 feet plus. Typically, you don’t fully extend it even though it has that kind of reach.”

The total price was $135,000, Grace said.

Lyons Mayor Christopher Getty points out highlights on a new truck for public works. Photo by Steve Metsch.

A stainless-steel box on the back of the truck allows for collection of wood chips – created by using the wood chipper – and permits the village to send out just two workers for that job.

“In the past, we’d send two to three trucks to do the same job,” Grace said.

Getty said that “before, you’d have to send out two CDL operators, one for the boom truck and one for the dump truck.”

“This,” Grace said, “replaces the dump truck.”

Wood chips are easily dumped out using the hydraulic lift on the new truck.

The truck will be used for special projects like hanging flags on streets lights and placing banners on the village hall, Grace said. “But our main work is trees and street lights.”

Another perk is the cab itself has a door. That may not sound like much, but the old cab did not have a door, forcing workers to climb into it, which could be potentially dangerous when there’s water or ice involved, Grace said.

Desplaines Valley News

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Steve Metsch

Steve Metsch is an award winning veteran reporter who previously worked for the Daily Southtown Newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Metsch is a writer and editor at the Southwest News Newspaper group based in suburban Chicago, and a freelance writer a health magazine, the Suburban Life, the Naperville Sun, and other organizations.
Email Steve Metsch at [email protected]