Ford Flatbed Enables Fence Company to Make Fast Work of Installing a Fence

By Steve Taylor

I spotted this fence company starting a small fence project in Tampa, FL. This company uses a F350 Chassis with a flatbed to carry its tools and materials. Looks like most of their tools are stored against the headboard. The fence materials are carried on the rear of the body, secured by straps. This truck hauls a trailer for their heavy equipment or building materials.

Notice the portable air compressor strapped down on the rear of the body. It's used for powering the nail guns and other pneumatic tools.
 

 

Here’s the completed fence, all done in about ½ day.

Guest Post by Steve Taylor: Steve specializes in lean six sigma process improvement. He focuses on consulting with landscape / snow removal contractors, truck fleets, equipment distributors and manufacturers in the work truck industry. He may be contacted at steve@truckarchitect.com and his website is http://www.upstreamsource.com/

Isuzu D-Max - Pick-up of the Year 2015

A sturdy Shire Horse or a fancy show pony, Isuzu's big-hearted D-Max pick-up is available as a no-nonsense working tool or with all the bells and whistles; the choice is yours. That is one reason why it has lifted our Pick-up of the Year award once again.

Buyers can opt for either a 4x2 or a 4x4 and select from a four-door double cab, a two-door single cab or a stretched single cab with rear-opening side access half-doors. Open the bonnet whichever model you choose and you will find a very torquey and responsive 163hp 2.5-litre diesel married to either a six-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed auto ’box. The only real gripe we have is that the gearchange could do with being slightly more short-throw.

Gross payload is listed at approximately 1.0 to 1.1 tonnes depending on the variant chosen and the 4x4s are available with a towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes. Four different specification levels are marketed with even entry-level models delivered with air-conditioning.

As if to hammer home D-Max's workhorse credentials Isuzu (UK) has been highlighting its ability to act as a platform for a variety of special conversions. They include the Brigade Response Vehicle from Pickup Systems, a compact fire appliance with a single-stage 3.5-bar pump, a 310-litre water tank and a 55m hose on an electric reel, and Cumberland Platforms UK's MEWP; Mobile Elevating Working Platform. Its telescopic boom can reach a working height of 13.2m, rotate through 360 degrees and is available with a basket capacity of 225kg; approximately equivalent to two workers and their equipment.

None of this should be taken to imply that a D-Max cannot be fun to own. Still being promoted on the Isuzu web site at the time of writing was the special edition Blade double cab 4x4, complete with a stack of extras including 18in alloys and black leather seats. Worth noting too is the new-found availability of the extended cab in premium Yukon trim.

So far as the practicalities are concerned, D-Max comes with a five-year/125,000-mile warranty. That tells you all you need to know about its dependability and durability.

When Isuzu replaced the Rodeo with D-Max it resisted the temptation to pump it up in size; it’s dwarfed by the Ford Ranger and VW Amarok. This makes it nimble — if a one-tonne pick-up can ever be called that — it doesn’t feel ‘big’ to drive and yet can handle just about anything thrown at it.

Click here for the full Award winner results.

Source:  http://www.vansa2z.com/Isuzu-D-Max-Pick-up-of-the-Year-2015

Transit Connect Work Truck Gets Elevated Platform for Storage.

One of the unique features added to this Ford Transit Connect is the elevated platform within the rear portion of the cargo area. When you think about it, this may be a very good idea for many work trucks, providing storage space for longer items underneath while maintaining space for easy access of large heavy items on the floor above above.Notice the folded up step ladder stored in this space!

Ohana Pest Control provides the Ford Transit Connect for their service technicians. These vans are equipped with a husky roof rack, and as mentioned, an elevated floor in the rear cargo area and aluminum cabinets with drawers. 

The Roof rack is often used for special projects, for example carrying insect infected plywood, etc. The aluminum cabinets and drawers provide storage for smaller items; the aluminum construction does not add as much weight to the vehicle as steel cabinets would.

The Transit Connect van is provided with sliding side doors each side, allowing storage and retrieval from either side of the vehicle.

Its also interesting how the hood is accessed on the Ford Transit Connect, I was not aware of this feature. Hint: Its behind the Ford Logo, which must be rotated out of the way!

Ohana Pest Control is located in Tampa, FL.

Guest Post by Steve Taylor: Steve specializes in lean six sigma process improvement. He focuses on consulting with landscape / snow removal contractors, truck fleets, equipment distributors and manufacturers in the work truck industry. He may be contacted at steve@truckarchitect.com and his website is http://www.upstreamsource.com/

Pest Control Truck Cap Changes the Game

Mike Soich of Knapheide Manufacturing shows off a new Knapheide and SnugTop collaboration that brings Knapheide's KnapKap truck topper program from steel only to choices of steel, aluminum and fiberglass, and all can be ordered directly through Knapheide.

In this case, Mike is showing off a Pest Control turn-key package that includes hose reel, tank, pump, lockable chemical storage, easy rear access with back up camera, HD 500 lb. capacity rack by Prime Design with hydraulic drop down assist. This one also sports the new Sortimo HD drawer unit with two drawers to show them off.

This is the Ultra Cab Hight Utility model with several options packaged for the Pest Control industry. See more of the standard and optional features of this new product from Knapheide and their partnership with SnugTop at http://www.knapheide.com

2.8L diesel still on pace for 2016 Colorado/Canyon

GM’s new midsize pickups remain relatively unchanged for 2016; 2.8L Duramax diesel still on schedule

It’s no surprise 2016 Chevrolet Colorados/GMC Canyons aren’t any different mechanically or visually  from the 2015s that marked GM’s return back to the midsize truck market.

The biggest news: a sliding rear window will be standard on the loaded 2016 GMC Canyon SLT models and optional in the SLE trim level.
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The only other news is the 2.8L Duramax diesel will be offered some time in 2016. Actual production dates have yet to be announced.


Road Test: 2015 Chevrolet Colorado A midsize pickup for those who want a smaller pickup to help cut down on operating costs while still keeping comfort, ...

GM touts the standard 200hp 2.5L I-4 has the most power and best fuel economy (27 mpg) among the midsize 2wd class, and the the 305hp 3.6L’s 26 mpg tops the 2wd V-6s.

The latter also has the highest towing capacity in the class at 7,000 pounds when “properly equipped.”

First quarter sales of the 2015 Colorado/Canyon have exceeded GM’s lofty expectations, outselling the competitors and having the least amount of time sitting on dealer lots, even beating out Ford’s F-150 in that category.

What is surprising is GM says 53-percent of the Colorado buyers are first-time Bowtie owners.

 Source: http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/2016-coloradocanyon-update/?utm_source=daily-responsive-1&utm_medium=email&utm_content=06-09-2015&utm_campaign=HWT&ust_id=e2e69cf73e

SNUGTOP at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas

Get a glance at SNUGTOP's new AEROSPORT truck cap for recent Ford F-150 model and see the SNUGPRO XL fiberglass commercial topper presented by SNUGTOP's president Hartmut Schroeder. See more at www.snugtopcommercial.com

Crosspoint Kinetics Hybrid System Doesn't Use Batteries

Joe Hughes talks with Merritt Becker with Crosspoint Kinetics about their unique hybrid system for class 3 through 7 commercial trucks. This unique system doesn't use batteries and can save up to 30% in fuel costs. In addition, this system can be transferred from one vehicle to another.

See more at http://www.crosspointkinetics.com.

Ram Expands Full Lineup to Australia

Just in case you haven't noticed, the Ram brand is growing these days and not just in the U.S. The next major conquest for the Ram Nation could be Australia.

Two announcements highlight this growth: First, a new import agreement was reached to dramatically increase the number of trucks coming into Australia. Second, SCD American Vehicles, a low-volume
Australian converter, has announced it will begin importing the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. Both of these announcements will help grow Ram's sales and put pressure on rival truckmakers.

While the EcoDiesel half-ton will be new for Australia, Ram heavy-duty models have been around for years thanks to the outfitters like SCD. Still, Australia is about to get many more of them due to the new import and conversion program.

The deal, constructed by Fiat Chrysler New Zealand, allows the limitless import of these trucks thanks to the new "Full Volume" Australian Design Rules compliance. Essentially, the deal allows Fiat Chrysler New Zealand to import as many trucks as it can sell.

The Australian auto market already features a variety of U.S. full-size trucks thanks to import and conversion operations. You can find Ford F-Series, GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Silverado and Toyota Tundra models there.

Fiat Chrysler New Zealand says it plans to offer Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks in September after they have been converted by a yet-to-be-announced Australian firm. The current deal with Fiat Chrysler New Zealand does not call for the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel; that truck will only be available through low-volume importers like SCD.

When Ram announced it was going to offer a small diesel in a half-ton, most of the focus was on American consumers and whether there was demand for it. However, others knew there would be global demand for half-ton turbo-diesels. So starting in September the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel will go Down Under along with the Ram HDs.

SCD American Vehicles will import and convert the Ram EcoDiesel, which will be sold through Dodge Trucks. SCD has been converting Ram 2500s and 3500s for almost 10 years and boasts more than 300 truck conversions.

Eddie Kocwa, director of Dodge Trucks, said the EcoDiesel is really what got Australians interested in the 1500. They see it as a way to address a need in the marketplace.

"With the 1500 size truck, the demand is very high," Kocwa said. "Currently, Australian-delivered trucks are not big enough to tow most caravans and fifth-wheelers. We also believe the tradesman will find these Rams very practical for work vehicles."

These converted trucks won't be cheap though. Kocwa said a regular-cab Ram 1500 costs around $82,000 in Australian dollars (roughly $64,500 U.S.), and prices will go up from there depending on configuration. He also said the most popular models will likely be the top-of-the-line Laramie Limited crew cabs.

Australians can also import a truck on their own and have it shipped from a U.S. dealer. Once it arrives, SCD offers a conversion and compliance package for $39,000 Australian.
In the end, importing and converting Ram pickups is a pretty expensive endeavor. But Kocwa believes the contraction of the Australian automotive industry in the past few years combined with growth in the use of recreational trailers means there is plenty of opportunity for full-size trucks to flourish.
SCD American Vehicles images

Fuso Canter with all-wheel drive makes an entry into the British rail network

•         Fuso Canter 4x4 in road and rail operation for the first time in Great Britain
• ·        Low chassis favours conversion work
• ·        Fast response in railway repair work
• ·        Excellent traction thanks to all-wheel drive

 

Stuttgart/London – The Fuso Canter 4x4 is entering a completely new area of operations in Great Britain – the British rail network. London-based Network Rail, which has been responsible for the maintenance of the railway infrastructure in Great Britain since October 2002, is for the first time using 20 specially equipped Fuso Canter 4x4 trucks for track maintenance and repairs.

For this purpose the 6.5-tonners have been additionally equipped with hydraulically lowerable railway wheels ahead of the front axle and behind the rear axle. This means that the Canter 4x4s with crew cabs are capable of carrying a full maintenance crew plus a load and equipment both on the road and on the rails.

Dual use: the Fuso Canter 4x4 was specially converted for travel by both road and rail. This increases the versatility of the vehicle and the cost efficiency of the company.

Fuso Canter 4x4 ideal for railway operations

The conversion work was carried out by the specialist bodybuilder
Gos Tool & Engineering in Blaenavon (South Wales). In addition to the railway wheels, six vehicles were equipped with a crane body to render them capable of lowering and lifting the heavy sleepers and rails during track maintenance work. The other 14 vehicles were equipped with a box body to carry all the tools required for welding work. The conversion work to the single-tyred rear axle was to a design by the British bodybuilder following a special customer request.

The Fuso Canter 6C18D 4x4 is the ideal truck for this purpose. Thanks to the low vehicle level, the additional railway wheels can be installed with relatively little adaptation work. Moreover, despite its compact exterior dimensions and the installation of a crew cab, the vehicle still has sufficient room for the respective bodies.

Maximum torque of 430 Nm from as low as 1600 rpm

The speedy arrival of the Canter 4x4s with special track maintenance bodies at the scene of operations is ensured by a 4-cylinder diesel engine with a displacement of 2998 cc³ and an output of 129 kW (175 hp) at 3500 rpm. The engine torque, which is distributed to both the front and rear axles in the 4x4, and therefore ensures excellent traction, is 430 newton metres which are already available from 1600 rpm.

The Fuso Canter 4x4 with a crane body is not only highly flexible for use on both road and rail, but also makes track maintenance work easier for repair crews.

Canter 4x4 covers the entire range of working logistics

The vehicle's speed is of lesser importance when it comes to repairs. Instead being "fast on the scene" refers to the great flexibility of the Canter 4x4. It means that roadgoing vehicles which were previously used to carry repair materials to loading points are now completely redundant. As the special Canter trucks can travel by both road and rail, they are able to cover all logistical requirements.

With the new Canter 4x4 vehicles, Network Rail is not only relieving the daily workload of its repair teams, but also benefitting from improved efficiency and lower operating costs.