11/30/10

DirectCast Slurry-PreWet From Henderson


A Henderson MARKE dump body with the Task Force and Direct Cast spinner system onboard. Watch the Direct Cast work with pre-wetted granular material and slurry, equally well. Application is being done at roughly 25 mph. See more at http://www.henderson-mfg.com/.

11/29/10

Lightning Hybrids HyPER Assist Hydraulic Hybrid Acceleration and Braking...


Shows the Lightning Hybrids HyPER Assist Hydraulic Hybrid system in Acceleration and Braking Cycles.

For more information on Lightning Hybrid conversions, visit http://www.lightninghybrids.com/.

11/27/10

Emerging Trend: Transferring Old Van Interiors To New Vans

Work Van Interior

Fleet Managers, CFO’s and Department Managers responsible for fleet costs should know that most work van interiors can be transferred from their old vans to their new replacement vans! This will save lots of money and should be considered a viable Green Initiative for entities serious about reducing the carbon footprint. And it would seem that those involved with selling new product should be aware of this trend, as to ignore it may look as though they are either not aware of this option or just going along with manufacturers incentives to sell more new product!

Fleet Refitters is a company leading the industry in these conversions, they will become the Project Managers for the van interior trade-outs taking over the entire process, delivering the customer their new vans completely outfitted and ready to work. Fleet Refitters will travel anywhere to accomplish these conversions. They will quote the whole process in advance and plan the work for minimum disruption in the department work process as well as expedite the turnaround of the new vans.

Generally fleets will trade to the same make and model vans, but even if the new vans are a different make, the interiors are probably transferrable. If new parts are needed, Fleet Refitters will bring them with them and use them during the swap-out process. If repairs and touch up are needed, they will make sure that it is done.

The bottom line is that fleets can be Green and save big dollars! Fleet Refitters states that savings of $1415 per van is average. If a fleet is buying 50 new vans then that is a savings of over$70,000! That’s not chump change these days, and does anyone want to be the one that ignores those potential savings?

Visit www.fleetrefitters.com/ to learn more about their services.

They can be reached at: (303) 539-9388 or email: www.fleetrefitters.com/contact-us.html


Guest post by Steve Taylor. Steve is a consultant in the Truck Equipment business with over 30 years in the snowplow and truck body manufacturing business. He specializes in the design and quality/reliability field and may be reached by email at steve@truckarchitect.com. You may visit his website at http://www.truckarchitect.com/.

11/26/10

Top Fleet Glass Frail Pole System


Top Fleet are home to the Ultimate Glass Racks!
Aluminium Glass Racks & Glass Frails perfect for window installers and glaziers. See website at http://www.topfleet.co.uk/

11/24/10

Ford Transit Connect XLT Premium Wagon Debuts With Added Comfort, Convenience Features


Transit Connect XLT Premium Wagon
  • Ford Transit Connect – 2010 North American Truck of the Year – is expanding its lineup with the addition of a Transit Connect XLT Premium Wagon offering
  • Transit Connect XLT Premium Wagon offers seating for five passengers with enhanced interior appointments and visibility from integrated blind-spot mirrors, a rear view camera and flip-open rear quarter windows
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 18, 2010 – A new personal-use package for the 2011 Ford Transit Connect debuted today at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The XLT Premium Wagon offers more comfort and visibility for second-row passengers, something customers have been asking for since the small, fuel-efficient van went on sale in the United States in 2009.

“Since Transit Connect arrived here as the ‘ultimate tool’ for small business proprietors, we’ve heard requests from potential personal-use customers,” said Rob Stevens, chief nameplate engineer for Commercial Vehicles. “Buyers looking for a taller wagon with seating for five passengers and generous cargo space have shown significant interest in Transit Connect.”

XLT Premium Wagon offers enhanced second-row passenger comfort, including cargo space surface trim, wheelhouse covers and flip-open rear quarter windows for draft-free ventilation.
This personal-use package gives owners and drivers additional confidence with blind-spot sideview mirrors, rear view camera, rear cargo door windows and privacy glass.

Transit Connect was named North American Truck of the Year in January 2010, selected by journalist jurors for its unique combination of car-like ride, 135 cubic feet of cargo space, 1,600-pound payload capacity and unmatched fuel efficiency – up to an EPA-rated 26 mpg highway.

All Transit Connect models – including XLT Premium Wagon – are assembled at the Ford Otosan joint-venture production facility in Kocaeli, Turkey, and are available at North American Ford dealerships.

11/23/10

Isuzu Double In FreshBins World-First


After falling in love with Warrnambool during a family holiday, Paul Sewell decided to quit his New South Wales job and move to the Western Victorian coastal city and look at the work prospects available to him.

Paul soon discovered an untapped niche and began a bin cleaning company. Not content with traditional bin cleaning methods, several years of research has led Paul to develop an industry-first cleaning and sterilising system for domestic and commercial rubbish bins offering many benefits over the older technology.

While his FreshBins company is travelling very well serving predominantly local customers, and some areas of metropolitan Melbourne, it’s his new $4 million prototype bin cleaning Isuzu truck that has him most excited.

"After researching the industry I found that nobody in Warrnambool was cleaning bins. Initially I developed a reloading truck, an Isuzu NPR 200. But after a lot of stopping and starting to exit the truck, manually load the bins, wash them and pull them back out, I investigated an easier way," Paul said.

Many hundreds of hours of research and development later, FreshBins took delivery of an NQR 450 Premium, converting it into the first robotic bin cleaning truck in the world. The state-of-the-art unit uses three dimensional vision to aid the robotic arm to pick up a bin, which is then automatically washed before being returned to the ground. The truck performs this task while the driver remains seated.

"It doesn’t matter how the bin is positioned, or if it is lying on the ground. The arm can locate a rubbish bin at 68 possible positions, while a second sensor detects any movement around the bin such as animals or children," Paul said.

Another benefit of the FreshBins system is the huge water saving during the cleaning process – cleaning a single domestic size bin can require up to 100 litres of water.

"This contaminated water is often washed into storm water systems, wasting water and harming the environment," Paul said.

Using ozone as a steriliser, FreshBins recycles water and amazingly uses just 63 mL to clean each bin, with a secondary benefit being the removal of contaminated water and waste from the waterways.

Paul said an Isuzu truck was used for the bin cleaning prototype as it was the most compatible with the FreshBins system.

"Isuzu’s reliability is fantastic and the customer service is second to none. We are very proud and excited to be using the Isuzu product.

"Our cleaning unit is also powered by a 4JJ-1 Isuzu industrial engine which is absolutely brilliant. The engine works very well with our system. It drives the high pressure pump and all of the electrics which is great," Paul said.

Apart from Isuzu’s reliability, FreshBins took to the brand for environmental reasons.

"Isuzu is by far the market leader in low emission trucks. One of FreshBins’ corporate policies states that we are concerned about the environment, so Isuzu trucks fit the criteria well. In the long term our fleet will be completely fuelled by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), of which Isuzu has several models" Paul said.

"The new NQR 450 is absolutely brilliant. The whole cab is great – the layout, instruments and seats are absolutely fantastic. I cannot fault one single thing with it. It’s brilliant to drive and the view from the cab is unbelievable.

"We find that with the load on the back of the NQR 450, which is 7.5 tonne, it still has plenty of power. Braking is fantastic and acceleration is good. We largely do metropolitan driving. Occasionally we drive the NQR 450 on the highway which it also handles extremely well.

"I purchase my trucks at Ballarat Isuzu, where they are under a Platinum Service Agreement. Rather than hiring different contractors to service bits and pieces, our Isuzu dealer services all components of the truck, so it’s a one-stop-shop for us – it’s a lot more convenient," Paul said.

Paul believes there is great potential for the new FreshBins cleaning system both at a corporate and government level.

"Melbourne City Council has placed a law stating that bins must be cleaned on a regular basis. If a rubbish bin appears dirty an instant $1,000 fine will be given," Paul said.

"During times of drought and water restrictions there is hesitance to have bins cleaned, especially by traditional means – the new FreshBins system eliminates this problem."

See more from Isuzu Australia at http://www.isuzu.com.au/

11/22/10

Argos Boxes Clever With 25 New Isuzu's


Argos has added the first 25 Isuzu trucks to its home delivery fleet – the Japanese chassis is around 300kg lighter than the retailer’s established 7.5-tonner – with each truck fitted with an aerodynamic Bevan21 demount truck body.

According to David Rose, the retailer’s General Manager for Home Delivery, “Our preferred bodybuilder Bevan Group has been able to produce lighter bodies than we’d expected compared to our old bodies. And the new Bevan21 streamlined and curved roof design, as well as improving fuel-efficiency and reducing our carbon footprint, looks really modern and stylish. Furthermore, because we operate a demount system, our payload is improved irrespective of what type of vehicle we use with them.

“However, when they are coupled with the Isuzu chassis the payload benefit is considerably magnified. Our planned routes typically entail 33 deliveries per day – the extra carrying capacity freed up by this new combination should allow our drivers to make an extra four or five ‘drops’ per journey, which represents a very useful increase in productivity.”

When mounted on the Isuzu N75.190 7.5-tonne chassis they are used exclusively to make deliveries to the homes of Argos and Homebase customers. Aerodynamic enhancements will always deliver the biggest improvements in mpg performance if the vehicle is allocated to long, steady journeys.

But as David Rose confirms: “Despite the fact that ours is a multi-drop operation, the Bevan21 body on the Isuzu is achieving average fuel cost savings of around 4.5 per cent compared to some of the older trucks within our fleet, which is certainly beyond our expectations.”

For this latest order, the bodybuilder’s designers worked closely with the Argos team to ‘engineer out’ as much weight as possible from the bodies. A new base frame, ultra-light panels, plastic tie rails, and even pre-coloured, powder-coated extrusions and fixings – negating the need for coats of paint – were all used to trim around 200kg off what were already fairly lightweight units.

Further information about Isuzu Truck UK can be viewed on the company's website at http://www.isuzutruck.co.uk/

11/21/10

Hybrid Work Truck Introduced by Maranda

HYBRID Work Truck Introduced

Maranda, the world’s premier manufacturer of service
capsules has introduced a completely new concept
in hybrid work truck bodies and interior upfits.


Maranda, the world’s leading manufacturer of fiberglass service capsules, has introduced a completely enclosed fiberglass service body that converts a GM 1500 crew cab hybrid truck into a real work truck.

Working with major telecommunications companies Maranda has designed a combination of pickup bed service capsule and rear seat upfit that results in as much usable work space as a traditional van. This will allow environmentally concerned companies to introduce the environmentally friendly hybrid into the work truck segment of their fleet. Now your field technicians can drive a hybrid just like your sales and management team does.


The interior of the service capsule has storage for ladders, cable wire, safety cones and anything else an installer may need. The body can support standard extension ladders and any other equipment you currently use on a van or pickup.

Thinking outside the box by Francois Boisvert, Maranda’s VP of Engineering gave him the idea of removing the rear seat of the crew cab and designing an interior upfit that uses existing attaching points for the storage upfit. This space is used for sensitive equipment like converters, set tops and test equipment. Maranda uses the most advanced 3-D modeling software in the design of their products. This provides cutting-edge designs that are durable and cost effective.

Maranda Enterprises is dedicated to improving the environment by building fiberglass service capsules for all makes and models of pickup trucks. This enables fleets to convert from inefficient vans into state of the art pickups that get much better fuel economy than a traditional van and reduce the fleet’s carbon foot print. “Maranda is a company dedicated to improving the environment” stated the company’s General Manager Raphael Maranda.


Our product provides many advantages to a fleet that no other design provides. Our service capsules provide a completely sealed environment to store your tools and equipment.

Our leading model is the “M” series that gives you more storage than an extended cargo van and provides access to all tools and equipment without climbing into the vehicle. These features result in improved productivity and reduced workmans compensation claims.

The body is removable and is designed to be transferable from truck to truck in less than 30 minutes. This enables a fleet to transfer the entire work capsule from a “down” vehicle into a rental without removing the equipment stored in the body. Fleets are finally able to reduce the number of spare vehicles they need to have on hand. Several fleets plan on buying completely equipped capsules for emergency services during a hurricane of major snow storm. During these events the fleet can now simply rent pickup trucks and place the service capsules into them. This reduces capital expenditures for these types of contingencies.


The Maranda body is lightweight and is a universal fit. This means that it can be moved from a Ford to a GM and then into a Toyota as fleet decisions on their OEM of choice changes. The lightweight design can actually improve fuel economy over an empty pickup because of its aerodynamic characteristics.

Maranda produces more designs and more models of service capsules than any other company in the world. Maranda is capable of quick turnarounds and delivery of unique a turnkey solutions to any fleet. For more information please contact Dan O’Connell, Director of Sales and Marketing at 860-350-0890. See much more information and photos at http://www.vankiller.com/.

11/20/10

2011 Nissan NV at NTEA Work Truck Show


Read full article at http://bit.ly/dvfgQD - Today, Nissan unveiled the company's first foray into the North American commercial vehicle market - the 2011 Nissan NV - at a press conference during the National Truck Equipment Association's (NTEA) annual Work Truck Show in St. Louis, MO. As Nissan finalizes plans to bring its first production commercial vehicle (CV) to the North American market in late 2010, it is starting with a truly ground up design - from its rugged ladder frame to the roof rack mounting brackets on the top of the innovatively conceived and styled body. Yet the all-new Nissan NV (Nissan Van) also has the advantage of Nissan's exceptional commercial vehicle heritage, covering 75 years and more than 75 percent of the global CV market. See more at http://www.nissancommercialvehicles.com/

11/19/10

Spitzlift Demo Applications


SpitzLift crane shown in several different applications. I might recommend that you turn the music way down or off as it is the same 20 sec loop over and over. Video good, music not. Product Excellent!

11/18/10

Truck Equipment Industry Aids in Groundbreaking Tornado Data






A truck equipped with some of the best accessories in the industry has helped to achieve a feat previously unattainable in the dangerous scientific field of tornado recording. The A.R.E. 2010 GMC SIERRA “Twistex Probe” Vehicle enabled Tim Samaras, featured on Discovery Channel’s Stormchasers television program, to record “historic” tornado measurements.

Tim Samaras has been chasing tornadoes and recording valuable data for over ten years. Earlier this year, when he was hoping to build a new chase truck, Mastercraft Truck Equipment in Englewood, Colorado put together what Tim refers to as the “ultimate tornado chase vehicle.”

The truck is outfitted with a custom A.R.E. Deluxe Commercial Truck Cap and Tommy Gate G2-Series 1,500lb. capacity hydraulic liftgate. Other additions include: an Eclipse navigation system with back-up camera, Jotto Desk mobile office laptop holders, Luverne hitch steps, mega steps, and grill insert, a Warn XD 9000I Winch system, as well as numerous square sensors covering the hood and cab.

This vehicle enabled Tim and his crew to record some first-of-its-kind information about tornadoes. In order to obtain this data, Tim needed to deploy a four-hundred pound “probe” instrument, his own invention, in the path of a highly-destructive tornado while at the peak of its powers. On the 22nd of May, in South Dakota, Tim did precisely that.

“The measurements we collected that day were historic, as we measured the wind speed of the passing tornado at two different heights. This confirmed that the boundary layer (the highest rate of change wind speed) is less than two feet high,” Tim later said. “This measurement would not have been possible without a way of quickly getting the instrument off the truck--and the liftgate most certainly has risen to the challenge!”

The data collected is another step in further understanding tornadoes and will help engineers in how they design and build structures in the future. “This information--along with future deployments will be very useful for engineers to construct buildings in the Midwest to help resist these types of winds. If we can build better buildings--then we'd eventually save lives.”

The truck equipment industry can be proud this season about its contributions to the advancement of science and safety.

11/15/10

Great Brochure Display Rack Folds Up To The Size Of A Laptop


Here's another thing that I noticed at the Carter Industries space at the Nor Cal Ford Truck Club event: A very interesting brochure rack that has an aluminum frame and plexiglass that folds up and down. It folds down into about what a laptop might be in size, so is extremely handy for events like this. Just open it up, lay the brochures out and there you go. I didn't get the manufacturer, but give Carter Industries a call at 800-310-6390 and I'm sure they can get that for you. http://www.carterind.com/

11/14/10

New Contractor Body Design From Carter Industries With Knapheide Flair










Carter Industries of Union City, CA was on hand in force at the recent Nor Cal Ford Truck Club Luau/Vendor Nite event on October 21st. One of the units they had on display immediately caught my eye and I just loved it. In my opinion, Carter Industries has been the leader in progressive changes to the typical Contractor Body.

For those in other areas, in California we call it a Contractor Body when it is a flatbed with tapered headboard, HD tapered leg rack, upper tool boxes typically with open top lids like a service body, but not necessarily, short contractor style gates around the rear with a load divider at the back of the upper boxes, underbed boxes on both sides, and finally a class IV receiver and trailer plug. That combination is a typical Contractor Body and made by many different manufacturers with the same basic components and basic design.

What has made Carter Industries the leader in my opinion is that they were the first that I saw to have fold-down gates around the back and they were alone in that for at least a year. They were the first to go to a different size and shape upper bed box with a drawer and shelf in each side. This was a useful change for many and it was very popular, but the lids were heavy as they were steel. Later, they had aluminum tall upper boxes which worked a lot better. They also lead by covering the top of the cross bars on the rack with stainless steel sleeves to keep the paint from scratching off and creating rust drips. They have always used Knapheide platforms, but they order them with the little door at the tail to carry long items, which to me is sort of like a conduit box except not mounted on the rack, but under the floor of the bed. They were among the first to use composite material floors. They have led the field and all the others have essentially copied what Carter has done.

Now, they are leading again. Their newest version of the Contractor Body utilizes Knapheide upper and lower boxes for the first time. In this they have special ordered all of their upper boxes with the Master Locking option as you can see by the handle in the photos. This allows double locking, or more convenience by only locking one lock during the day. In addition, they have gone to those beautiful and lightweight aluminum gates. What a tasty touch that is! They look marvelous!

Carter has a great product here and I have only one standing complaint (not really a complaint, just a preference issue), and that is they continue to weld their racks rather than go the extra step and bolt them on. There are a number of people who like the flexibility of a Contractor Body because the upper boxes and rack are often removable (Harbor Truck and Scelzi, at least) which allows one to very quickly turn this into a flatbed for special jobs. When the rack is welded, it will always be in the way when used that way. I know you can do it Carter!

All in all, this is a hit and I predict will be very popular. Look for the others to follow suit on the aluminum gates. See all of Carter's products at http://www.carterind.com/.

11/13/10

Latest Generation Fuso Canter Truck Unveiled In Japan

 1975 Fuso Canter

2011 Fuso Canter
  • Full model change introduced for Japan market
  • Successful model with enhanced efficiency, environmental compatibility, safety, and design
  • First light-duty truck to meet Japan’s new emission regulations
Kawasaki, Japan – Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, today unveiled the latest generation of the light-duty Canter truck in Tokyo/Kawasaki, Japan. “After eight years, the all-new vehicle replaces the very successful predecessor model in Japan,” says Albert Kirchmann, CEO and President of MFTBC. “The new Canter’s vehicle concept sets new benchmarks for economy, environmental compatibility, safety, and design.”

Fuso-affiliated dealers and regional sales centers all over Japan began offering the new Canter today. Following the launch on the Japanese market, the new truck will roll out on Fuso export markets worldwide beginning in 2011.

The new Canter meets the Japan New Long-Term Emission Regulations (JP09) introduced in 2010. Boasting the lowest fuel consumption values in the light truck segment, the entire series also meets Japan’s fuel efficiency standard for trucks, which will go into effect in 2015.

The new Canter is powered by the light and highly efficient Fuso 4P10 diesel engine with low fuel consumption. This engine for the light-duty trucks segment substantially reduces emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and CO2. The new engine generation is also very economical. As demonstrated in practical testing, the optimization of the powertrain can improve fuel efficiency by between five and eight percent compared to the previous model, depending on driving conditions. In addition, the engine brake, which is now fitted as standard, reduces the wear on the brakes and cuts maintenance costs by up to 20 percent due to the decreased amount of work required.

The new Fuso Canter is fitted with the Duonic dual-clutch transmission, making it the first commercial vehicle to feature this type of transmission as standard. The Duonic dual-clutch transmission combines the advantages of automated driving with those of a manual transmission. However, it reduces fuel consumption compared to a fully automatic converter transmission and therefore also cuts emissions.

The Fuso Canter’s interior and exterior design has also been completely revamped, with improvements in the frame design, axle suspension, and brake system that make the vehicle lighter and safer than its predecessor.
The new Fuso Canter is a strategically important vehicle for Daimler Trucks worldwide.

Fuso is an integral part of Daimler Trucks. As the light-duty truck competence center for the Group, Fuso bears the responsibility for the development and production of trucks in this class. Almost half a century has passed since the initial model of the Canter was launched in March 1963. Due to its high reliability and well-established performance, the Canter is currently the best-selling vehicle for Daimler Trucks in the world.

The new Canter is already the eighth generation of this highly successful model. The environmentally-friendly vehicle particularly sets benchmarks with regard to economy. The new Canter is the result of four and one-half years of development and of long-term tests over a total of 3.2 million kilometers worldwide.

The new Canter was developed in strict conformity with the Commercial Vehicle Development System, which is standardized for all Daimler Trucks brands. In this system, vehicles to go through ten quality gates during the development process in order to ensure the high quality and reliability of the latest generation Canter truck.

Based in Kawasaki, Japan, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) is one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. In 2009, the company sold a total of about 99,500 vehicles, including light, medium and heavy-duty trucks and buses. Daimler AG owns 85 percent of MFTBC shares. MFTBC is an integral part of the Daimler Trucks division of Daimler AG.

11/12/10

Ford Transit Connect - Virtual Tour - Helping Small Businesses


How and why are small businesses using the Ford Transit Connect? Marygrove Awnings, Dan Wood Plumbing, and Viviano Flower Shop show us why they chose the Transit Connect for their small business.
Courtesy of http://www.comparefordsocial.com/ on their YouTube page compareford.

11/11/10

11/10/10

BOSS Snowplow: World's Greatest TV Show


BOSS Snowplow was just named the World's Greatest Snowplow by H2 Media, Producers of the "World's Greatest" TV Series. Here is the episode. See more about The Boss Snow Removal Equipment at http://www.bossplow.com/.

11/08/10

Royal Truck Body Creates Great Sign Display For Events





Commercial Truck Success was at the Nor Cal Ford Truck Club Luau Event on October 21st and near our booth was this Royal Truck Body display. I watched as they were installing their sign and I was very impressed. They had their engineering department create some special bars that attach nicely to the rack and fit the banner perfectly and can be installed on many different trucks for it is adjustable. It keeps the banner tight in the breeze and I love the fact that it is right there with the truck. Very professional.

I thought it might be something we all might want to copy. . . Nice work, Royal! See more from Royal Truck Body at http://www.royaltruckbody.com/.


11/07/10

2011 Ford F-150 Ecoboost Logs Heavy-Duty Work At Oregon Timber Company To Prove Out Durability




  • 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost™ “hero engine” demonstrates its best-in-class 420 lb.-ft of torque, especially its wealth of low-end torque, in Oregon by dragging logs weighing from two to almost five tons
  • This real-world application is one of a series of videos documenting the torture tests for the 3.5-liter EcoBoost truck engine, which will be available in early 2011. Go to www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/f150/2011/experiencef150 to see how the new class-leading EcoBoost truck engine performs
  • Dyno stress web documentary shows this same engine already enduring the equivalent of 150,000 miles on the dynamometer, replicating the duty cycle of the harshest-use customer
  • Up next for the 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost torture test is a 24-hour endurance challenge at Homestead-Miami Speedway towing an 11,300-pound trailer at maximum speed.


DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 1, 2010 – The 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost recently logged some tough miles in rugged Pacific Northwest country in the latest demonstration of its durability.

The new 3.5-liter EcoBoost “torture test” truck engine moved from the lab to the outdoors with a stop at a logging company in Oregon. It’s the current phase of a multi-part series of Web-based documentaries that began when this randomly selected EcoBoost engine endured the equivalent of 150,000 miles or 10 years’ use on the dynamometer, replicating the duty cycle of the harshest-use customer.

Go to www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/f150/2011/experiencef150 to see firsthand how the EcoBoost truck engine performs.

After the dyno torture testing, the engine was dropped into a new 2011 Ford F-150 to work as a log skidder for Nygaard Logging of Warrenton, Ore. Skidding is the process of moving harvested timber, after the branches have been removed, from the forest to a staging area where it is placed on a truck to be sent to a sawmill.

The 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost replaced a vehicle similar to a backhoe that “ropes” the harvested timber using high-strength cables and drags it to the staging area.

The work was performed at Clatsop State Forest, where the 2011 F-150 EcoBoost pulled logs weighing from 4,000 to 9,000 pounds. That’s where the new engine’s best-in-class torque of 420 lb.-ft. at 2,500 rpm was essential – especially low-end torque. Up to 90 percent of the EcoBoost truck engine’s peak torque is available from 1,700 rpm to 5,000 rpm – all on regular fuel.

The EcoBoost truck engine also delivers best-in-class maximum towing capability of 11,300 pounds.

“Each of these real-world tests demonstrates the durability and reliability that is designed, engineered and manufactured into our new EcoBoost truck engines – and all our truck engines,” said Eric Kuehn, chief engineer of the 2011 Ford F-150. “This work in particular demonstrates the outstanding low-end torque the EcoBoost truck engine delivers.”

11/06/10

SEMA: Cool Trucks for 2010


PickupTrucks.com's Mike Levine walks you through a half dozen of the most exciting pickups at SEMA in Las Vegas.

11/05/10

The Auto Sales Game and How To Succeed At It

"The biggest mistake that you can make is to
believe that you are working for somebody else.
Job security is gone.
The driving force of a career must come from the individual.
Remember: Jobs are owned by the company, you own your career!"

-- Earl Nightingale
 
 
Not only have I been in this position, but I've had the opportunity to see many hundreds of salespeople in the auto business at work. As a sales manager for over 25 years in the auto business, I've also had the opportunity to hire a lot of sales people. There's a saying in the auto business that they have a revolving door for salespeople for they are coming and going so frequently. It certainly is true in many dealerships, but certainly not all. Though there is a general trend among dealers, there are those dealers who see things very differently and are intent on building a solid, long-term sales staff, who operate with great autonomy. These are the differences between a job and a career.
 
I could fill one or more books on this subject, but I want to address one aspect of the sales person here: choosing to succeed, rather than hoping to succeed. That difference is everything.
 
This I know for certain: the auto business can be a very good career, but it can be a very lousy job. Those that come into it thinking they've found themselves a good job, will find otherwise. Those that decide to choose to succeed by making and executing a good plan will find themselves an excellent career.
 
So, let's pretend that someone is interested in the auto business and they claim they want to succeed at it. Here's what I would advise them to do:
 
  • Treat it as if you are in business for yourself. I think that until you make that decision, everything will be hard and frustrating. Once this decision is made, it becomes much easier. The reason is that the things that will frustrate the worker are many and the owner, few. It's all a matter of what you put your attention on. The really good news about treating it as if you're in business for yourself is that the dealer is putting up all the money! What a deal that is!
  • Avoid hanging out with the other sales people unless they are lifting you up with their enthusiasm and positive attitudes. That is probably unlikely, so not listening to them complain will help you immensely.
  • Study sales. Study your product. Never stop. I would advise you to read at least 2-3 books per month for the rest of your career. Get audiobooks if you prefer that way, but get the books. Learn everything you can learn about what you do and how you can do it better. Attend seminars. Listen to tapes or CD's from seminars. Study psychology, philosophy, and positive thinking. The last item will change your life!
  • Have a sales system. You can use Ace of Sales by Jeffrey Gitomer, ACT, or others. The dealership may have their they want you to use, but you still need to have your own. Don't worry. Soon enough you will have your own personal secretary to do all that for you. Plan for that person now. I'm serious. Sublet everything that keeps you away from what you do best and that will be talking to people about making a purchase.
  • Live by your system. Go the extra five miles. Don't rely on the dealership to do it all for you. Many dealerships only want to take it so far, but you are in business for yourself and you want to go all the way. That includes thank you cards, holiday cards, appreciation cards, newsletters and so on.
  • Get Internet Savvy. Develop your own blog like this one, get hooked up with facebook, twitter and other social media sites that can help you communicate with people 24/7. Upward Trend can help you with all of that, or you can do it yourself, but do it.
  •  Keep track and pay attention. How will you know when you improve? Keep some good statistics on your sales and sales efforts.
  • Join networking clubs and become an active member because you like what they do. If you just join to network, it will be obvious and won't work very well, but if you join for other reasons, it will pay off big for you. Find one or more organizations that you like. If the dealership is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, as most are, then go to the mixers and other events when you can and make yourself known. There are a lot of organizations that can help you succeed.
  • Learn to prospect. Make a deal with the dealership to let you do prospecting and when you begin succeeding at it, get them to allow you to have your own schedule without any floor time, so you can have a life and a career. If there is one thing the auto business is known which helps cause the revolving door, it is unreasonable work schedules. Make a goal to be off the floor as fast as you possibly can and never, ever look back. If there's one thing I hate about retail businesses of any kind, it is standing around waiting for someone to come in. What a waste of time for a career person. Let the job people have that job.
  • Follow up with everyone in one way or another, whether it is telephone, email, newsletter, whatever. Adopt the old time Chevrolet saying from the 1940's: "Never forget a customer and never let a customer forget you!" It is wonderful advice.
  • Do everything you can to support the dealership you serve and support yourself at the same time. If you sell Chevy's, don't go buy a Honda. That is blasphemy and it works against you. If you don't believe in your own product enough to own it yourself, you're fooling yourself trying to sell it. Love your product, or go sell the one you love.
  • Make it fun. If you're not doing it with joy, it won't last very long. Find ways to have fun with it and enjoy what you do.
  • Be grateful. The dealer is putting up millions of dollars for you to use almost free to make a great living. Become grateful for everything that comes into your life regardless of what it is. I tell you straight up, this will be the single most important thing that you do.
Here's some parting thoughts. The dealership will not be crazy enough to mess with a sales person who excels in sales. They will make concessions instead. They don't want to lose you. That is the exact partnership scenario you want. You want them to treat you like a valuable partner and you them.

This plan will put you on a sure success path in auto sales, or any other sales for that matter.

11/04/10

Harbor's Beautiful Trailering Body Is A Big Hit.





There are a lot of different hauler bodies around, and Harbor Truck Bodies builds one of the finest on the market, in that it is more than just a fancy looking flatbed with some tool boxes. This is a real service body with lower height tops and a unique curve in the rear to help with trailers. It has great storage capacity and that is always needed when you're a long way from home. Notice the functional little grip strut step in the last picture.

We also think that this body is one of the nicest looking trailering bodies out there. Nice job, Harbor! See more from Harbor Truck Bodies at http://www.htbi.net/, or call them at 800-433-9452.


11/03/10

Intercontinental Truck Body Builds Unique Tool Body On 6x6 Mack Truck









Intercontinental Truck Body of Conrad, Montana recently built a unique tool body for their client, Bonneville Power and is mounted on a 6x6 Mack truck. Just a few of the features include:

  • The generator is mounted on an inverted "bed slide." It hangs from the roof of the generator compartment, and can be slid out for ease of maintenance.
  • The rear bottom step is a flip-up/flip-down design, and a removable entry assist handle was added for more ingress/egress safety.
  • A custom wire aluminum wire rack was built with strength and weight in mind. An aluminum toolbox was added under the wire rack for efficient use of space.
  • Exterior tool boxes were created for access to items without entering the body.
  • Behind the Lista cabinets, Intercontinental Truck Body build a custom ladder holder, so ladders can be slid in the rear, and stored inside protected from the weather.
  • Notice also the unique rear door assembly with special lighting that is aim able depending on door opening.
Although Bonneville Power had some specs in mind, ITB's engineers worked together with the Bonneville team to make each desire become a working utility within this truck. Commercial Truck Success thinks it is an awesome mobile workshop designed to go just about anywhere and carry very heavy loads to boot. Nice job ITB!

Our thanks go to Mitch Hauer, General Sales Manager of Intercontinental Truck Body for sharing these photos and this job with all of us. See more from ITB at http://www.itbusa.com/.

11/02/10

Custom Bumper To Bumper Service Body Rack From Harbor






Our thanks to Kimberly at Harbor Truck Bodies for sending over these photos of this specialized bumper to bumper rack for a service body. It is truly unique and not to be missed going down the freeway.

See more from Harbor at http://www.htbi.net/.

11/01/10

Sno-Way Megablade Revolution with EZ Switch Wing System


Scoop Position


Straight Angle Position


No matter which way you look at it, this plow will get your attention! It’s a Megablade Revolution with the EZ Switch Wing System. This plow is made by Sno-Way Snow and Ice Control Equipment, Hartford, WI.
Designed specifically for 1 ton, and Class 4 and 5 trucks, it offers all the advantages of a reversible straight blade. With the addition of wings for extra length; you can clear more snow or pivot them for scooping. The plow features hydraulic “Down Pressure” and “Shock Killer” shock absorption. This will be the third season for this product, introduced in 2008.

Sno-Way advertises that the Megablade Scoop will move 8.1 cubic yards vs. 1.8 cu yd. for a Contractor Blade or 5.4 yd. for a Scooped V-Blade. With the right truck, this combination could substantially reduce the time to clear snow.

Find this product and all great Snow and Ice Control products made by Sno-Way at: www.snoway.com/ and find dealers at www.snoway.com/index.cfm/act/retailers.



Guest post by Steve Taylor. Steve is a consultant in the Truck Equipment business with over 30 years in the snowplow and truck body manufacturing business. He specializes in the design and quality/reliability field and may be reached by email at steve@truckarchitect.com. You may visit his website at http://www.truckarchitect.com/.