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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.

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.

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.

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