Are you in the 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.

Truck Equipment is pleased to announce it is now a distributor for Switch-N-Go. Switch-N-Go is an interchangeable truck body system, part of Deist Industries, Inc., which was formed in 1993. In 2002, the Switch-N-Go system was introduced to the medium-duty truck industry. With the Switch-N-Go system, productivity is increased using the service-proven Switch-N-Go hoist system on one chassis you can quickly interchange different bodies several times a day with one single operator. The Switch-N-Go bodies range from dump bodies to platform bodies and storage bodies to chipper bodies. Benefits of the Switch-N-Go System: Safety: Ground-level loading and unloading ensures for safer work. Loading a fixed truck body takes longer and back-related injuries are much more likely to occur. Versatility: Now you can do it all with just one truck, creating limitless job opportunities. Economical: When compared to three permanent chassis, the Switch-N-Go has a lower cost of ownership. According to the website the Switch-N-Go bodies save more than $190,000 over a five-year period. Efficient: You can load and unload in under three minutes and get back to the next job in no time. Powerful and Safe: The rugged system can lift up to 18,000 lbs on medium-duty trucks. The body locks into place for secure transport. Drop a body and deliver another for your next job: One truck with multiple body options increases your daily productivity. Its lighter weight means greater payloads and up to 40 percent less expensive than other detachable body systems. The Switch-N-Go system is perfect for every industry, including landscaping, municipalities, waste hauling, contracting, etc. Visit www.switchngo.com for more information.

It's officially fall, and time to check your winter equipment for the upcoming winter season. It is crucial this is done during the fall and not when the first snowfall hits. Snowplows and spreaders should be inspected, cleaned and service now to save money and reduce maintenance costs later. Here are a few steps you can take to ensure your winter equipment works properly all season long. SNOWPLOW MAINTENANCE Replace all damaged or worn parts Check all fasteners: with regular usage, they may become loose, so tightening them up is necessary Check cotter pins and welds: read your owner's manual for instructions on how to do this properly Adjust trip springs: you must adjust the trip springs to confirm they are set correctly. You should be able to slide a piece of paper between the second and third springs Look the plow over for areas that may need to be greased. Greased areas may differ depending on the plow, for example, the Western PRODIGY has two areas Cutting edges should be inspected for uneven wear: the length of the cutting edge should depend on the driver's experience, ground surface type, etc. If it is worn too far, it will begin to wear on the actual blade Check electrical routing and connections for bends, rubbing or cuts: replace or adjust these prior to usage as needed Add dielectric grease to all connectors: this will prevent corrosion and attain a proper seal. If this is not done, it could be costly down the road. Check all hydraulic hoses for leaks, cracks or damages. Also, verify that they are hooked up correctly Drain and replace hydraulic fluid in the unit yearly. This will ensure the quality of the fluid is always at its best Verify all snowplow functions are working properly, including the raise, angle left, angle right and lower Ensure headlamps are providing ample illumination Test the battery and charge or replace if needed Make sure the plow mount is correct Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained as well. Ensure oil changes are performed, and the brakes, etc. are all in working condition SPREADER MAINTENANCE With the hopper spreader in the upright position, lubricate the bed chain and ensure that it is set to the proper tension by grasping the bed chain and checking for one to three inches of chain deflection. Once the spreader is in the vehicle, attach the shoot (check your manual for proper positioning). Bolt it to the frame of the vehicle. Make sure bearings are greased on the spreader and chute and lubricate before each use. Change gear oil in gear box annually to prevent buildup of moisture in the gear box. Check the drive motor chain to ensure it is lubricated and set to the proper tension. Verify there is sufficient clearance between the gear box and drive motor sprockets. Under the hood of the vehicle, verify the power cables are installed directly to the battery. Ensure the terminals are clean. Inspect the 100 amp fuse and apply dielectric grease. Inspect harnesses to ensure they are well-secured and remain away from hot or moving components. At the rear, inspect the electrical harnesses are routed free from sharp edges, heat source and moving parts. All connectors should be checked for damage or corrosion. In season, apply dielectric grease after each use. Inspect electrical connections to ensure they are tight. Test run your hopper spreader to ensure it's running properly. Visit www.westernplows.com for more information on preseason maintenance on Western equipment, and www.snowexproducts.com for information on SnowEx plows and spreaders. Happy winter preparation!

Knapheide introduced a new, proprietary taillight design. These lights are surface-mounted, integrated S/T/T, B/U and strobe, and have built in reflectivity.

Truck Equipment's 2017 Annual Snowplow Days is set for Friday, October 13th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. You won't want to miss Central Iowa's premier snow removal equipment event. Check out some of the event highlights: - FREE oil changes for plows purchased from Truck Equipment - FREE t-shirt to each attendee (while supplies last) - Special financing and other offers - Converse with representatives from Western and SnowEx - Network with industry peers - FREE lunch served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Online registration will open in the next month. If you want to ensure you get an email invitation to Snowplow Days, visit our website and sign up to receive more information. By registering for Snowplow Days online, you can skip the longer registration line the day of, and you are more likely to reserve the correct sized t-shirt. We look forward to seeing you in October.

Truck Equipment, Inc. is proud to announce it won the 2017 Johnston North America (JNA) Dealer of the Year Award during the Annual Dealer Meeting in Mooresville, North Carolina in May. The Dealer of the Year Award is presented to a dealer that meets the following criteria: - Unit sales - Parts sales - Market penetration, including deal visibility, deal capture and results/resource ratio - Participation in the JNA demo program - Dealer partner/culture, including monthly forecasting, warranty administration, and bid tab capture - Product mix of various models - Service capabilities (trained mechanics) Truck Equipment received the Regional Excellence Award in 2016.

Although not as well-known as AC generators, DC to AC power inverters are increasingly becoming the product of choice for operating conventional AC equipment where only DC power is available and where regulatory rules restrict engine idling. Ultimate Power's inverters are very reliable and efficient solid-state devices. They can power any type of equipment within their power rating and are found in a wide range of utility applications including the cable, telecommunications, gas, electric, refrigeration and municipal markets. Power inverters come in three types, including pure, modified, and quasi-sine wave forms. A power inverter converts AC to DC power by use of transformers, circuit boards and an electric oscillator that produces an electronic signal. A pure sine wave inverter has equipment that produces an electronic signal. A pure sine wave inverter has equipment that produces the cleanest, smoothest signal at 50 or 60 hertz. Pure sine wave inverters are generally more expensive than modified or quasi-sine inverters, because their signals are squarer, or rougher, more of a step wave than a smooth, oscillating wave like the pure sine. Pure sine wave inverters align with the signals, produced by all equipment currently on the market. Rechargeable tools, microwaves, computers and equipment using variable speed motors may not produce full output or run efficiently if they do not run with a pure sine wave inverter. Certain lighting, digital clocks and electric timers may also work improperly. Appliances controlling temperature may also be at risk and often you may hear a "buzz" in the line due to the rougher waves caused by harmonic distortion output. Ultimate Power's inverters offer these features and advantages over conventional engine generators: - Convenient: Simulate utility power to operate all type of loads - Safe: Requires no flammable fuels, numerous self-protection features, listed by Underwriters Laboratories. - Pollution-Free: Solid-state design requires virtually no maintenance - High-Peak: Able to start high in-rush loads like compressors and pumps without the over-sizing needed for generators - Quiet: Nearly noiseless and vibration-free - Rugged: Proven reliable operation in harsh, high-vibration environments

Truck Equipment's newest manufacturer is SpaceKap, founded in 1972 in Canada. SpaceKap is Canada's largest manufacturer of fiberglass caps for commercial and recreational use. The company's products meet the needs of general contractors, electricians and plumbers, along with professionals working in any trade looking for a versatile and transferable service unit. Theses units are built to facilitate transfer from one pickup to another, reducing your initial investment for an interior storage and offers you the chance to amortize the cost. When changing from one truck to another, you are not tied down to one model - the SpaceKap fits any full-size truck with similar bed length (6.5 or 8 feet). Models range in size and function. The COMPAK is a good solution for city/underground parking. With its cab-type design and streamlined look, it is very accessible. The full-length doors and optional single or dual slide system means you'll never have to crawl to reach your equipment. The DIABLO model reaches a height of 75 inches with a spacious interior volume of 372 cubic feet. A skylight lets natural light in during the day, while its LED light bars illuminate during the night time. Visit www.spacekap.com and check out the different models and their features. Let us know if you find one that will fit your needs and our sales team will help you put together the perfect solution.

Pete Hill, Truck Equipment's Northern Iowa Sales Representative, presented an aerial safety training to the University of Northern Iowa's (UNI) Office of Risk Management and Environmental Health and Safety in August. A Dur-A-Lift demo was onsite for hands-on training and observation.

A final OSHA regulation goes into effect on November 10, 2017 requiring crane operators to be certified in the United States. The regulation, set into motion approximately six years ago, sets standards for the way cranes are used in construction. Since the adoption of this regulation is the requirement for operators to be certified, which will be effective in November of this year. Originally, the industry was given four years for the provision, but the deadline was extended by three additional years when the industry requested changes. The 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC rule applies to cranes and derricks used in construction. The lines between construction, general industry, and maintenance are somewhat blurry. OSHA defines construction as "work for construction, alteration, and/or repair, including painting and decorating." Will you be delivering something heavy to a job site, using a crane to pick it up and move it? That's considered construction. Will you be hoisting roof trusses from a truck and setting them on the ground? That falls under general industry. A good rule of thumb? If you are unsure if your specific crane operating falls under any of these categories, it's a good idea to get certified. Certification provides a step up in the industry, allowing you to take on broader work. What does OSHA's provision mean for you? If you are a crane operator, you cannot work legally in the United States without certification by an accredited certification organization. There are a few exceptions, including cranes with a capacity at or below 2,000 pounds. If you have not begun the process, it's crucial that you begin now. Why should you get a head start? There are two exams - written and practical - and both must be passed. If you operate more than one type of crane, you may need additional exams. Scheduling your exam may take some time. The written test can be done on the computer, but due to equipment availability, the practical test often requires more time to schedule. The testing organization needs time to score the exams. If you passed, they also need time to issue certification cards. If you don't pass the first time - you must allocate time to schedule a retake. You may consider pre-exam training, which will also add time to the process. Available CCO Operator Certifications: Lattice Boom Trucks Lattice Boom Crawler Cranes Telescopic Boom Cranes - Swing and Fixed Cab Service Truck Cranes Boom Trucks Tower Cranes Overhead Cranes Articulating Cranes (Knucklebooms) Digger Derricks Dedicated Pile Drivers Foundation Drill Rigs (in development) Schedule your exam and get certified before it's too late. For more information visit www.nccco.org.

Truck Equipment holds MVP status for more than five years. You may have seen this symbol on our email signatures and various other forms of communication, but what does it mean? The National Truck Equipment Association's (NTEA) "Member Verification Program (MVP) recognizes eligible companies in the work truck industry for outstanding business practices and successful implementation of quality standards," according to the NTEA website. In order to gain MVP status, a company must first be an association member. Candidates must then provide proper documentation proving they meet or exceed a set of criteria. Once a company qualifies, MVP status is given for a three-year term. When renewing, members must document compliance again, ensuring their ongoing commitment to professionalism, industry knowledge, and high performance. NAFA Fleet Management Association began endorsing the program in 2011. Truck Equipment, Inc. has held MVP status for eight years, and must meet the following criteria requirements: Register with the National Highway Travel Safety Association (NHTSA) Must have five certification labels - final, altered, and intermediate labels Minimum of $1 million in product liability insurance with proof of adequate financial responsibility 20 percent of shop employees, up to a maximum of 15, must be certified, not just trained. Examples of certifications include ASE, Certified Welder, Certified Installer, Machine Operator, Hydraulics, etc. Company has a written safety program as required by OSHA and provide only the table of contents, a copy of a safety meeting agenda or employee sign-in for safety talk Internal quality system with four main parts: order management system, truck check-in checklist, final inspection checklist and customer delivery checklist One hour of training per employee per year (maximum 250 credit hours). Having a wide variety of training including sales, safety, installation, forklift operator, production, product training, etc. Environmental policy (optional) - for companies that bid governmental municipalities and other companies that require a sustainability policy as part of their bid packages Post-sale customer follow-up (optional) - as part of a strong customer satisfaction process, many companies have an after-sale follow-up to improve customer relations MVP recipients may be distributors/upfitters, manufacturers that upfit, and manufacturers. MVP companies are located in the United States and Canada and are represented by more than 250 companies. You can learn more about the MVP program by visiting the NTEA website.

More than 35 people from more than 15 cities in Iowa joined us and Johnston North America for the Johnston Sweeper Service School, hosted on March 29 in Ankeny, Iowa at the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Training Facility. This one-day training school began with a presentation from Johnston representative, Thomas Taylor, on the daily and weekly maintenance, discussing topics such as oil and water filter maintenance. Attendees enjoyed a catered lunch, followed by a walk-around demonstration of a VT651 Johnston Sweeper. During this time, troubleshooting issues were discussed, as well as proper maintenance and service procedures. Attendees were able to get answers to their sweeper questions; connect with their industry peers; and talk to representatives from Johnston. Survey results showed attendees were pleased with the service school and most believed they would be able to use the information given in the school in their daily work.