We are proud to announce that we have been mentioned in the December Edition of Modern Work Truck Solutions, along with our partnership with VMAC, a supplier of truck-mounted air compressors. The Modern Work Truck Solutions is a premier source for industry information and insight into the operations, maintenance, technology, and safety of light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty work trucks. Their magazine is a great way to stay up to date with the latest stories and news in the industry.
Fallsway is a proud supplier of VMAC, the leader in compressed air innovation, and has been for the last 15 years. We work with them to provide high-performing and affordable truck-mounted air compressors to our customers. Thanks to unmatched support, great products, and high-value, Fallsway and VMAC have enjoyed an extremely successful relationship.
This article in Modern Work Truck Solutions Magazine goes into detail about how VMAC and Fallsway worked together to be a solutions provider and create a great relationship with a customer. Thank you to all involved!
What do electricians, oil and gas crews, HVAC workers, construction teams, utility workers, and people from many more industries have in common? They all rely on custom-built trucks every single day to get their job done. But with all these different industries, how can each business, township, city, and department spec the ultimate work truck for their specific needs? Furthermore, what are the criteria and considerations that go into the specification process?
In this blog, we will cover everything you need to know when designing and spec’ing a work truck, including how to choose the right chassis and service body.
Application
The first step is always to consider the application of the truck. Make a list of the tasks and functions that the truck needs to be able to perform in addition to the estimated time for each task. It is crucial to visualize the truck and have an accurate picture of how your truck will be used on the job.
Questions to ask:
Is your truck primarily a mobile workshop or hauler?
How much will it be used?
How many people will be using it?
Is it used at night?
How much time does it spend on the road and how frequently does it stop? Will it need to tow anything?
Location
Building on the application, it is important to consider where the truck will be used. There are a variety of surfaces that trucks can run on, including unimproved roads, snow, mud, steep terrain, busy streets, and off-road. If you list all the locations, surfaces, climates, and conditions that will be encountered, you will be able to properly identify any special capabilities needed.
Access
The third consideration is access. A truck that is difficult to navigate and retrieve cargo from wastes time, thus lowering productivity. Access is heavily influenced by application, industry, and cargo.
Questions to ask:
Where and how will materials and people move throughout the truck body day after day?
Do drivers need access to the cargo space from the cab, curb, or back of the truck?
Will users need to enter and exit frequently?
Will materials be transferred in and out of the truck bed? If so, how?
What will you be moving? Heavy equipment, bulk material, palleted goods, or something else?
Load
Accurately determining load size plays a significant role in spec’ing the ultimate work truck, especially in selecting the right chassis. Every truck has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), the maximum operating weight/mass of a vehicle as specified by the manufacturer. It is important to consider and calculate everything that will add weight (the crew, their tools, cargo, any additional equipment, etc.). One of the most common errors made with spec’ing a work truck is getting a chassis with too small capacity. This results in costly losses in productivity and excess wear and tear on the vehicle.
Equipment
Everything needs to be accounted for; everything needs a place. List any additional equipment that will be needed on the work based on the application, such as ladder racks, hoists, or cranes. Also, make sure to layout and record any additional items that will be carried, such as liquids, spooled materials, pipes, and bulky items.
Legal Requirements
It is important to be aware of and understand all the regulations that govern vehicle operation. They vary state to state but have a huge impact on the design and specs of a work truck
Choosing The Right Partner
Even though it is mentioned last, who you complete the process with and choose as your partner is arguably the most important step in the process. There are many companies that sell and install truck bodies; however, the best ones work with you throughout the entire process to make sure you are getting the perfect chassis with a service body customized to your specific needs. Don’t spend too much time designing your work truck, let the dealers do the work! This is where Fallsway comes in. With a consultative approach to selling, we make sure to get to know you and your needs before we start providing a solution. Enjoy experienced experts that are among the best in the industry at solving problems and providing solutions. Trust Fallsway to spec your ultimate work truck!
Looking to design and spec the ultimate work truck for your operation? Just have a question? Our experts are happy to help. Contact us today!
Fallsway Equipment specializes in providing custom solutions catered to your specific needs at our state-of-the-art facility in Akron. Representing the best manufacturers in the industry, including Reading for commercial truck bodies and Whelen for lighting, along with our team that has industry-leading experience, knowledge, and resources, you are guaranteed to get exactly what you need.
Manitex Trolly Booms offer your unloading equipment needs a unique solution to any problem you may have. Incorporating top-tier lifting solutions into each model and a wide variety of lifts, we are confident we can find the right solution for you in a Manitex trolly boom.
Advantages of using a Manitex Trolly Boom include:
Single elevate cylinders that reduce weight and provide increased load clearance.
Proven pistol grip radio remote controls.
Box-type boom constructed of high strength steel for increased strength to weight ratio.
Continuous boom rotation.
Low pressure, open centered hydraulic valves increase reliability and reduce maintenance.
Pilot-operated load holding valves on all cylinders.
A wide variety of forks and lifting devices available.
Manitex trolly booms come in various model types to fit your equipment needs for the job. We offer trolly booms in the following models:
PC-20C
Maximum lift capacity of 20,000 lb.
Provide a 26’1″ overall length.
22′ with hook out and 55″ with the hook in.
Boom extension radius of 23′ 11″.
110-26E
Maximum lift capacity 11,000 lb.
Provides a 17′ 2″ overall retracted length.
25’3″ with hook out and 14″ with the hook in.
Boom Extension radius of 26′.
110-35E
Maximum lift capacity 11,000 lb.
Provides 22’3″ overall retracted length.
34’2″ with hook out and 14″ with the hook in.
Boom extension radius of 35′.
To learn more about Manitex Trolly Boom, visit our website or contact us at 330-633-6000 to speak to an unloader equipment specialists.
Truck mounted forklifts, also called piggyback forklifts, are mounted on the rear of a truck or trailer and used to load and unload from the back. These portable pieces of equipment assist drivers with material handling capabilities at sites without a loading and unloading bay. Traditionally, truck mounted forklifts are lighter and more agile compared to industrial forklifts.
Fallsway Equipment company proudly supplies two excellent brands of truck mounted forklifts, Manitou and Navigator.
Manitou offers a simple, yet effective solution to your material handling needs. Their truck mounted forklifts, TMT Series, focuses on increased efficiency and freedom from relying on customers and suppliers for loading and unloading, whether it is inside or outside.
Key features include: Telescopic boom Compact, lightweight design Unmatched versatility Sideshift technology High traction and stability
Navigator truck mounted forklifts are dynamic and used for a variety of applications. Ranging from 4,000 lbs. load capacity to 6,500 lbs., there is going to be a truck to fit your application. Navigator prides themselves in being the most reliable, practical, and user-friendly truck mounted forklift available. Thousands of hours have been used developing the Navigator series, as is apparent based on the satisfaction of their customers. Operators, mechanics, and business owners have all played a significant role in the design process of these machines.
Key featuresinclude: Highly maneuverable rear wheel steer Integrated counterweight, adding strength and capacity Dynamic with options based on application and need Engineered to be tough and reliable Time-tested, proven design
Fallsway Equipment Company is a proud supplier of Jerr-Dan Auto Recovery Vehicles. We are one of the largest suppliers of these wreckers and rollback trucks in the greater Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania area due to our state-of-the-art facility in Akron, OH that allows us to design, install, and paint units to our customer’s unique specifications.
With beginnings reaching back to 1959, Jerr-Dan continues to be a leader in the towing and auto recovery business. They succeed because of their unmatched commitment to continual innovation, creating the highest quality products, exceptional customer service, and a great distribution network. Each piece of equipment is designed and upfitted based on the needs and wants of the customer. No matter the application or the specifications, extraordinary tow support is imminent.
Jerr-Dan Wreckers
These masterfully engineered pieces of equipment effortlessly and safely handle every job, from simple breakdowns to complex and heavy retrievals. We understand wreckers need to be tough and easy to use, therefore we create a customer-oriented in every truck. Different wreckers include:
Standard Duty: Includes aluminum and steel body models handling loads of 3,500 lbs. – 6,000 lbs.
Medium Duty: 16 Ton Integrated and Independent Models are available.
Heavy Duty: Integrated Models come in 25, 35, and 50 Ton. Independent Models come in 35, 50, and 60 Ton.
Jerr-Dan Rollbacks
Whether the application requires an aluminum or steel deck, each carrier features the innovative “No-Lube” technology from Jerr-Dan, which results in valuable maintenance savings. Different rollbacks, all which ensure power, control, and safety, are:
Standard Duty: Models come in either steel or aluminum, and handles up to 6 tons.
Medium Duty: This unit comes in different deck lengths with a 7.5 or 8.5-ton capacity.
Heavy Duty/Industrial: Models cover 10 and 15-ton capacity.
Multi-Car: Carry up to 4 cars at once.
Jerr-Dan believes in durability and versatility. As a result, each wrecker and rollback is engineered for power, quality, and reliability. Learn more about the benefits of the industry leader in the towing and recovery business by contacting us today!
There is much that can go wrong when spec’ing and selecting the right service body for a work truck. It can cost you thousands of dollars from lost productivity, possible driver injury, and vehicle downtime due to improper upfits. Below are some common mistakes when spec’ing and selecting a service body.
Using Real Numbers
When designing and spec’ing a service body, it is extremely important you use the correct measurements and accurate numbers when gauging upfit needs.
Misundering the Job’s need
Often, a fleet manager may not understand the short and long-term purposes a job requires.
Overlooking Organizational Options
A common mistake upfitters often come across is under spec’ing a service body without organizational options like drawer systems, tool cubbies, bins, and other parts and accessories necessary for the job.
Short-Sighted
Don’t focus on the present, think about the future usage of the truck. The business needs may change and future job requirements may vary depending on regional laws and environmental impacts. Upfitt for impacts that may happen for any future needs.
Start considering Material Options
Not paying attention to alternative materials to what may be considered traditionally used materials while spec’ing an upfit can get you in trouble. The DOT limit has stayed the same at 10,000-pounds, so building with lightweight materials such as aluminum and steel can directly impact the payload of the vehicle in a positive way.
Attention to Safety
Never forget the importance of keeping your driver safe. Safety should be a top consideration during every step when selecting and spec’ing out a service body upfit.
Total Cost of Ownership
Ignoring the total cost of ownership may negatively affect you. Some materials may have more of an impact on factors such as fuel economy and operating costs.
Would you like more information about upfitting a work truck for your fleet? Contact one of our truck equipment specialists today at 330-633-6000!
