one of the guys that I worked for way back when, bought an old non-running big bucket truck and cut the cab and front frame off, made a heavy hitch on it and pull it around between their farms, ( they have many) with a tractor. ---They have used this thing for 40 years this way.
They do maintain it with care and use it all the time.
The older trucks are still the better choice for being reliable. ---Problem here is that they want everything over 10 years old off the road! ---Actually after 5 years they put pressure on to start getting them off the road! ----We can't afford anything that new so it becomes a fight to keep our old ones on the road.

"A machine you build yourself is a vote for a different way of life. There are things you have to earn with your hands."