Arborist Jobsite Gear

Buying guide

Beyond the climber

Climbing gear gets most of the attention, but a good jobsite runs on the gear around it. Wheel chocks and outrigger pads keep trucks and lifts stable. Bucket covers and scabbards protect equipment and tools. Fall protection keeps operators in aerial lifts connected. Each of these pieces prevents a specific problem that crews run into every week.

Organizing jobsite gear on the truck matters too. When chocks, cones, pads and first aid have a set place, setup and teardown go faster and nothing is left at the last job.

Rigging gear, chippers and stump grinders are their own topics, but the support gear around them matters just as much. Think about what slows your crew down or creates risk on a typical day, and buy gear that fixes those problems.

A wheel chock is the simplest piece of jobsite gear, and also one of the most important. Make chocking the truck the first step on every stop.

Bucket trucks and aerial lifts

Aerial lifts are a major part of tree work, especially for utility and municipal crews. Operators need a full body harness and a lanyard attached to the manufacturer's designated anchor point, plus tools that store safely in the bucket. Our bucket truck and aerial lift section covers harnesses, lanyards, scabbards and bucket accessories.

Follow the lift manufacturer's operating instructions, the applicable ANSI A92 standards and ANSI Z133 for tree work from aerial devices.

Bucket truck work brings its own hazards: overhead power lines, unstable ground and traffic. The right accessories and a disciplined setup routine help manage all three. Plan where the truck will sit, check overhead clearances and keep minimum approach distances from energized lines.

Setting up a safe site

Before work starts, a jobsite briefing should cover the work plan, hazards, drop zones, communication and emergency procedures. Set up traffic control where the work affects roads or sidewalks, following the applicable rules. Chock trucks, deploy outrigger pads on soft ground, and keep the chipper area clear.

Make sure the crew has first aid supplies and knows how to perform an aerial rescue if someone is climbing.

Fire extinguishers on every truck and chipper, plus eyewash where needed, round out a basic jobsite kit. Check them regularly and replace used or expired items.

Choosing jobsite gear

Look for gear that is built for daily use in rough conditions: composite outrigger pads that will not rot, chocks that suit your vehicle's tire size, covers that fit your bucket. Buying for the specific equipment on your trucks saves money and frustration.

Consistency helps on multi-truck crews. When every truck carries the same chocks, pads, cones and first aid kit, any crew member can set up any truck without hunting for gear. Make a checklist for each truck and review it regularly. Replace worn or damaged items before they become a problem.