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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.

When the snow and ice melt at the beginning of spring, city streets and parking lots are often left with large, gaping potholes. Hot Patch Asphalt Heater is the solution for these springtime issues. This revolutionary equipment is designed to fit any truck bed and does not take away from the original use of the truck. It is user-friendly with no trailer hook up, no lights, tires to replace or LP to burn. The hydraulic shoveling platform is useful for daily duties including shoveling gravel, mulch or topsoil, and can also be used to lift heavy debris, tools, appliances and tires. Visit the asphalt heater page to learn more information about our new manufacturer.

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. Clean 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 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.

Melted snow and ice leave a dirty, gritty mess on the pavement for cities and counties. Johnston North America (JNA) street sweepers allow you to get the job done quickly and extremely efficiently. JNA is a subsidiary of Johnston Sweepers LTD., which was founded in 1904, and is the world leading manufacturer of outdoor surface cleaning equipment. Offering a wide range of options enables the user to do more than sweep, including street washing, removal of weeds, and gully emptying. Quality is something you can rely on when it comes to purchasing a JNA sweeper. The factory operates three CNC laser cutting machines, which can support the highs and lows of productions and parts demand. In 2009, Johnston installed a state-of-the-art Powder Coating Paint Plant, which ensures the highest level of durability for each component. These components are shot blasted, chemically cleaned, dried and painted during this process. Quality is measured regularly and tested parts must pass a 1000 hour scratch and salt test. With models ranging from the VT651, a sweeper incorporating thousands of customer-led design upgrades, to the compact CT201, with a small turn radius, perfect for sidewalks and other small areas, Johnston has something for everyone. No matter your sweeper needs, Johnston Sweepers are built to last and constructed for optimal performance. Visit www.johnstonnorthamerica.com for more information and contact our sales department at sales@truckequipmentinc.com to get a sweeper quote.

Truck Equipment is pleased to announce the launch of its newest service, its Mobile Service Van, a vehicle dedicated to getting your vehicle working and back on the road. After seeing our customers' needs for on-site equipment service, Truck Equipment came up with the perfecr solution. Our Mobile Service Van is a Knapheide KUV body, complete with shelving, drawers, and more. The van is equipped to assist with everything including repairs, inspections, and preventative maintenance. We understand that your fleet is a valuable, crucial part of your business and you need service that comes in under budget and on time. We also understand that your time is valuable - we want to make sure you make the most of it by coming to you for service. This is ideal for those outside of the Central Iowa region, those who are experiencing equipment issues while on the job, and for those who cannot make it to Truck Equipment for repairs or inspections. Call our service department at (515) 645-9804 and we will send one of our ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified mechanics to help you get back to work in no time.

A new Motor Vehicle Standard ensuring increased rear visibility, FMVSS 111, will phase in for altered vehicles beginning May 1, 2017, and full compliance is required by May 1, 2018. FMVSS 111 applies to multipurpose vehicles of 10,000 gross vehicle weight or less, and trucks and buses of any size. The standard sets requirements for the performance, reflective area, number, magnification, labeling, and location of the rear view mirrors, and now includes rear view camera systems. What does this mean for you and your fleet? Any vehicle completed on or after May 1, 2017 and equipped with a rear view camera already meeting the standard requirements must continue to do so after being altered. On May 1, 2018, additional FMVSS 111 requirements take effect. According to an article published by the NTEA, "these involve system hardware and electronics characteristics such as response time, linger time, deactivation, default view and durability." Image size is another factor that will be regulated under the standard. Truck Equipment will work with you to ensure any vehicle upfitting is compliant.