Truck Equipment is now selling The Lifter, an automated manhole cover remover, manufactured by Rock Mills Enterprises. The Lifter allows the user to approach the manhole cover from inside the vehicle. Complete with roadway camera and dash monitor to spot cover, and a hand-held wireless remote to engage The Lifter, it's the perfect, safe option for lifting manhole covers. Users can operate The Lifter while safely seated in their vehicle, making it not only a safe choice, but an extremely time efficient one. It only takes one touch of the wireless remote to lower the magnet onto the manhole cover and activate it. Once this is done, the electro-magnet technology makes for a quick and easy removal of the manhole cover or drainage gate. With the push of a button, the cover is removed. The optional swing arm allows the operator to swing the cover away from the opening and replacing it without moving the vehicle. When dealing with more challenging removals, The Lifter PLUS is available as well. Some of the many benefits to using The Lifter include: The Lifter automates the process Minimize risk and the high cost of employee injury The Lifter helps make workers more efficient The Lifter can greatly benefit an aging workforce Rock Mills Enterprises is a manufacturing company in Rock Valley, Iowa. The company's mission states, "Rock Mills Enterprises are innovators in manhole cover safety and efficiency products. The company is focused on delivering high quality products and support services. "Rock Mills Enterprise business practices are rooted in building relationships based on respect, honesty, and integrity," according to its website. The company serves a wide variety of industries including municipalities, public utilities, telecommunications, government, and operation and maintenance contractors. If The Lifter is a piece of equipment that could make your life easier, contact our sales department for more information on this innovative manhole cover remover at sales@truckequipmentinc.com.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports 2.9 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses from private industry employers in 2016 - that's 2.9 cases per 100 full-time equivalent employees. Nearly one-third of these nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses were of amore serious nature and resulted in days away from work according to the same BLS report - the median number of days spent away from work for these injuries was eight days. The highest cause of these were due to sprains and tears, followed by cuts, lacerations and punctures. These numbers are steadily decreasing, and in part, that's due to better equipment and products designed to keep employees safer. Truck Equipment is continually searching for and distributing equipment from manufacturers that develop and innovate products to advance safety in the workplace. A few examples of these manufacturers include The Lifter, from Rock Mills Enterprises, featured in this quarter's Upfitter; Switch-N-Go; SwapLoader; backup cameras from Brigade, Federal Signal, and RVS Systems; and more! The Switch-N-Go system offers ground-level loading and unloading for safer work. Loading a fixed truck body truck takes longer and back-related injuries are much more likely to occur. Employees never have to lift a shovel or item into a regular-fixed body - the Switch-N-Go body is directly placed on the ground. Backup cameras and monitoring systems are a necessary item on trucks now thanks to the FMVSS rule. Truck Equipment began offering the backup camera systems many years ago, and the technology continues to improve. Manufacturers like Brigade, Federal Signal and RVS Systems provide camera systems to fit every need and every budget. Backup cameras not only help employees on the job, but also keep bystanders safe as well. Check out the article on Rock Mills Enterprises and The Lifter for more information on the magnetic manhole cover lifter, and see how it can benefit jobsite safety. We take workplace safety seriously - and we know you do too. Talk to our sales team to find out more about the equipment we offer that can accomplish a lower level of workplace injuries in your industry. Email sales@truckequipmentinc.com or call (515) 266-5189.

Sortimo North America is a partnership between Sortimo International and Knapheide. Sortimo creates the most innovative line of van shelving, accessories, partitions, packages, and storage bins and drawers, allowing the user to create a fully customized van storage system that can be changed again and again. Van interiors from Sortimo utilize rugged, yet lightweight materials, maximizing your payload. The Sortimo website includes preset packages for the HVAC/plumbing, electrician, and general service industries. However, you can build your own customized storage solution available for pretty much every van on the market. Are you in the market for a "spring cleaning" van makeover? Contact our sales team and begin customizing your own van package. Email sales@truckequipmentinc.com or call us at (515) 266-5189.

It's that time again, so we've decided to republish the article about the best practices for preparing your winter equipment for spring through fall. See below for a refresher. Snow and ice are so last season. Like much of your equipment, plows and spreaders are a seasonal and expensive necessity. Proper equipment storage and maintenance is not only essential to ensure your investment works effectively, it's also a quick process. Check out these steps and helpful tips for preparing your equipment for storage. SNOWPLOW MAINTENANCE & STORAGE Clean your snowplow. Your plow worked hard this winter season. It's probably dirty and covered with remaining salt and sand residue. While it may seem like a small step, it is crucial to wash this off. Doing so before storage ensures optimal performance the following season. Additionally, remove any rust from your plow's finish. You may also apply a wax coating to further protect the plow. Change the plow's hydraulic fluid. Ideally a plow's hydraulic fluid should be changed twice a year - once when taken out of storage and again before storage (especially if you suspect a hydraulic fluid leak). This ensures there is no corrosion promoting moisture sitting within your plow. Thoroughly look over your plow. Look for hydraulic fluid that appears after washing your plow to check for potential leaks. Visually inspect the frame for cracks, buckles or any bowing. Disconnect plow and protect electrical connections. Disconnect your plow per manufacturer instructions. Follow this up by putting dielectric grease on all electrical connectors (truck AND plow). This prevents corrosion. Put caps on or plug together all electrical connections. Grease your plow components. Use grease to protect and lubricate joints, hinges and pins. Doing so increases the protection against corrosion. Remove spring tension. While it is necessary that the springs are tightened during operation, it is unnecessary during storage. Release the tension so the coils touch one another, but not so much that they hang loosely. Move your plow to its storage location. Storing your snowplow inside keeps it dry and safe from theft and vandalism. For extra protection, you may choose to put a padlock on it. If you must store it outside, park it on concrete, asphalt or gravel and not on grass or dirt, which hold moisture and can corrode your plow. Additionally, if you store it outside, you may cover it, but don't attach a tarp too tightly (moisture will get trapped). SPREADER MAINTENANCE & STORAGE Wash it down. A simple step, but one of the most crucial for reducing rust and corrosion, is washing your spreader. Prop it on its side and hose it out, thoroughly cleaning the whole spreader. Grease your spreader. Lubricate bearings, chains, conveyors, rollers and augers with grease or oil. In addition, you should apply dielectric grease to electrical connections to prevent corrosion and ensure easy reconnection. Increase the tension (skip this step if your spreader has no belts or chains). Unlike your snowplow, tension on your spreader's belts, chains and conveyors should be tightened. Before tightening, ensure there is no deicing material or sand trapped underneath. Check the engine. Some spreaders have engines that require routine maintenance. If your spreader has an independent hydraulic system, change the fluid and check the hoses and fittings. Store your spreader. Ideally, you want a location that's dry and protected from the elements. You can learn more about spreader storage at www.snowexproducts.com.

Need your business logo on the side of your vehicle? How about a phone number, address? We can do it! Contact our sales department and add to your quote for your custom vinyl decal.

Liquids have become increasingly popular in the past few years, with studies backing the use of liquids for snow and ice management. States' Departments of Transportation using liquids strategies show a decline in accidents and operational costs, coupled with improved performance indicators. According to the SnowEx website, a 12-year study done on the interstate system in the Denver metro area saw a 14 percent decrease in snow and ice related accidents attributed to the use of anti-icing strategies. The 2014 shortage or salt supplies caused many private service providers to barely break even, after expecting a large profit margin. Because of the scarcity of salt, prices skyrocketed to upwards of five times the normal cost. In 2013, SnowEx conducted a survey to gauge interest and attitudes of liquid technologies. The results concluded that the private sector was ready to move in the direction of liquids. Results showed that 59 percent indicated "increased efficiency in handling diverse snow and ice conditions," 54 percent believed them to be "more profitable" and 38 percent thought them to be "more cost effective". In response to this survey and the rising needs for liquids, SnowEx developed the LiquiMaxx™ modular sprayers and the Brine Pro 2000 brine maker, selected as one of Landscape and Irrigation magazine's Twenty for 2015 New Product Award. Additionally, SnowEx is providing training for these products. The LiquiMaxx™ is a dedicated spray system for anti-icing jobs, durably built to withstand hard winter elements. Its modular design allows you to choose the right pieces to fit your needs. With tank capacities ranging from 300 to 1,250 gallons, they fit truck sizes from class 2 to 6. You can also switch out components when upgrading your equipment. The durable pump has a low-water shutoff that prevents it from running dry. The LiquiMaxx™ is also available with dual control that will automatically adjust the flow rate with speed input as needed, making applications easier than ever. The Brine Pro 2000 simplifies the production of brine with its user-friendly operation, automatic salinity control and easy, no-splash salt refilling. This system is compatible with low-flow water input and 220VA electrical sources that are available in most shops. Each ton of salt added to the brine maker creates approximately 870 gallons of brine in a few hours, increasing efficiency and saving money. Find out more about the LiquiMaxx™ and the Brine Pro™ on the SnowEx website at www.snowexproducts.com.

Truck Equipment, Inc. just recently completed the building of our Rhino Lining spray booth. This new service allows us to complete spray-on lining in-house. "As the brand name leader in the sprayed-on bed liner industry, consumers have come to know and trust Rhino protective coating quality, strength and durability," according to their website. Founded in 1988, Rhino Linings Corporation continues to develop high quality, proprietary polymers that continue to dominate the spray-on lining market for various industries. With fleet vehicles, Rhino Lining helps extend the life of your vehicle and save on maintenance and repair cost, reducing the downtime of your truck. Rhino Lining can be applied to vehicles in a wide variety of industries including vans, service bodies, dump bodies, to trucks, salt trucks, sweepers, etc. Utility vehicles, for example, take abuse from tools and outside elements sometimes causing costly repairs. Applying Rhino Linings coating to the bed protects it from the elements and any other damage-causing items. Truck Equipment is proud to be one of the more than 2,000 applicators worldwide. The booth construction process was precise and rigorous, meeting the high standards laid out by Rhino Linings. The state-of-the-art application equipment and the quality hallmark of ISO 9001:2008 registration affords Rhino Linings to set the standard in protective coatings and building product industries. Truck Equipment has applicators specially trained and certified by Rhino Linings to apply these protective coatings to vehicles. Check out photos and contact our sales department for your Rhino Linings needs.

In 1993, Gary Sage, the Sage Oil Vac company founder, invented the first oil vac system. The invention began taking off, and in 2001, Sage knew it was time to pursue the oil vac industry full time and opened the Sage Oil Vac headquarters in Amarillo, Texas. Truck Equipment is pleased to be a distributor for Sage Oil Vac. The attachable lube body can be built specifically for your truck type and customized with multiple tank configurations, ranging in tank sizes from 30 to 600 gallons with optional fuel storage of 500 to 2,000 gallons. These bodies utilize the Sage Oil Vac exclusive vacuum and pressure systems, and are built to last ten-plus years on the job. In order to reduce idle chassis time and overall fuel consumption, Sage Oil Vac offers a standalone compressor generator configurations. The oil exchange systems use a unique, pump-free design, allowing the user to dispense and drain oil faster using cutting-edge vacuum technology. The Sage Oil Vac method uses compressed air to create a vacuum suction within the oil tanks for a fluid exchange rate of up to 10 to 15 gallons per minute. "While our system goes against the grain of traditional pump-based technology, customers who make the switch enjoy a cleaner, more energy efficient oil change on the job," according to the Sage Oil Vac website. Sage also offers a variety of accessories to compliment your lube body. From filter stingers to drain pans to used filter receptacles, these options are perfect for customizing to fit your needs. In addition to their lube bodies, Sage Oil Vac also offers fuel and lube trailers. This is a great investment for frequent or on-site oil changes, saving time and productivity. These lube trailers can go from a smaller capacity of 80 gallons to a much larger capacity holding more than 1,000 gallons. Complete your Sage Oil Vac body or trailer with various accessories such as barrel straws, drain pans, fluid tanks, and more. Contact one of our sales specialists for more information on Sage Oil Vac and configure the perfect body for your equipment needs. Visit www.sageoilvac.com for more information on this quarter's manufacturer.

Are you in market for a used snowplow, spreader, etc.? Check with the sales team at Truck Equipment to see if we have anything in our used inventory that would fit your needs. Our stock changes often. Email sales@truckequipmentinc.com or call us at (515) 266-5189 to talk to our sales team about used inventory. Also, check out our used inventory online.

We'd like to introduce you to a little known service that Truck Equipment offers. We offer custom fabrication services that have expanded thanks to our plasma cutting table. This means you can add logos, shapes, etc. to your equipment and create custom pieces that work functionally to fit your company or personal equipment needs. View the photos and see how you can fit custom fabrication through our plasma cutter into your equipment.

Truck Equipment's 2017 Annual Snowplow Days took place on Friday, October 13th and was attended by approximately 300 people. This year's event ran from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - guests were fed lunch, received a free t-shirt and hat, and the first 100 people to register online before the event received a free insulated cooler bag. Door prize drawings occurred throughout the event and the grand prize was a YETI Tundra 45 cooler. Attendees were able to talk with Western and SnowEx representatives and received special offers and financing if a plow or spreader was purchased. Truck Equipment also performed approximately 50 free oil changes/inspections for snowplows. Interested in attending next year, but haven't signed up to receive an invitation? Visit the Snowplow Days page to sign up to receive information.

In 2015, Ford shed 750 pounds from its F-150 pickup by using more aluminum in the body than steel. Fore 2017, it has done the same with the Super Duty line. During this time, using lighter-weight materials became an industry trend. Many of our equipment manufacturers now have a lightweight material option. Are you on the fence about aluminum and/or fiberglass? Here are some benefits to using steel's lighter-weight counterparts. Serious money savers. Lightweight material such as aluminum or fiberglass are very environmentally friendly, producing far less greenhouse gas. This will save you money at the pump. In addition, the lighter-weight material is often cheaper than steel. Less driving miles. Almost 50 percent lighter than their steel counterparts, lightweight bodies are able to deliver more in fewer loads. This equals fewer drivers, fewer trucks, and more money for companies. Easy repair. Steel bodies are much more difficult to cut than aluminum or fiberglass. Additionally, old paint must be scraped off before welding. Since seeing the lightweight material trend, more shops are equipped to work with aluminum and fiberglass parts. Higher quality appearance. Aluminum/fiberglass bodies do not rust over time like steel bodies eventually do. If the bodies are properly maintained, they look much nicer. Higher resale value. Since aluminum bodies do not rust, resale value is much higher. Rusted steel bodies typically don't last as long. Environmentally friendly. With the weight and gas savings, paired with being able to have less trucks and drivers on the road, lighter bodies equals a greener planet. Truck Equipment offers several light-weight options through our reputable manufacturers, BrandFX and Knapheide. The BrandFX line of EverLast service and line bodies are made from advanced composite construction that deliver a high-strength, lightweight build. According to the website, these bodies offer numerous advantages compared to traditional steel and aluminum bodies, including a zero-corrosion and zero-oxidation construction that won't bend, dent, crack or rust. These bodies weight up to 60 percent less than traditional steel bodies, according to its website, improving fuel efficiency and reducing wear on tires, brakes and suspension systems. Visit the BrandFX website for more information at www.brandfxbody.com. Knapheide unveiled its new Aluminum Gooseneck Body at the 2017 NTEA Work Truck Show in March. A press release on the Knapheide website states, "Customers can expect the aluminum gooseneck bodies to be corrosion resistant and lightweight yet strong, translating into a durable product with maximum payload and towing capacity." Check out the Knapheide website to learn more about these bodies at www.knapheide.com.