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Strattec Locks - One Key System! |
 What would it be like to have a service body, even with a master locking system and have only one key for every lock including the cab doors and the ignition switch? How powerful would that be? If I were unlocking all those doors every day, it would be very powerful. Now it is possible!!STRATTEC Security Corporation announces the introduction of a new, high security padlock that operates with your vehicle key. Users simply select a GM, Ford, or Chrysler compatible padlock, insert and turn their vehicle key, and the padlock will be permanently coded to their key! The user need not carry extra keys, remember a combination, or thumb through an endless ring of keys searching for the right one. In addition to 1-Key Convenience, the padlock features a rugged cover and weather-resistant lock shutter, solid zinc core, SAE hardened steel shackle, automotive-grade, 6-tumbler lock cylinder, and thousands more unique key-codes than standard padlocks. "Padlock users appreciate the simplicity of 1-key convenience" says Michael Long, STRATTEC's Director of New Market Development, "and they value the extra security of knowing only their vehicle key will open their padlock." STRATTEC estimates that its padlock is compatible with over 88% of the light trucks on the road since 1998, and is also compatible with select Sterling and International truck keys. The padlock will be available through participating STRATTEC authorized distributors, which may be found at STRATTEClock.com. Service/Utility Bodies:
Both Commercial Fleet Managers and Utility and Service-Body Truck buyers can already specify STRATTEC's single key solution for storage compartments, tool chests, and other equipment, enabling the operator to access the entire vehicle with a single key. As a component in handle hardware from several leading manufacturers, utility body makers are increasingly offering the added convenience and security of STRATTEC's codeable locks. STRATTEC currently supplies locks for Utility Truck Bodies through Caseco, BrandFX, and other upfitters, as well as through select manufacturers of Tonneau covers, Tool Boxes, and other factory authorized truck accessories. STRATTEC designs, develops, manufactures and markets automotive Security Products including mechanical locks and keys, electronically enhanced locks and keys, steering column and instrument panel ignition lock housings; and Access Control Products including latches, power sliding side door systems, power lift gate systems, power deck lid systems and related products. These products are provided to customers in North America, and on a global basis through the VAST Alliance in which STRATTEC participates with WITTE Automotive of Velbert, Germany and ADAC Automotive of Grand Rapids, Michigan. STRATTEC's history in the automotive business spans 100 years. For more information, please visit STRATTEClock.com or contact Michael Long, STRATTEC Director of New Market Development (mlong@STRATTEC.com) or Erika Garcia, STRATTEC Account Manager (ggarcia@STRATTEC.com) at 414-247-3333 |
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Dodge Sprinter Bus from Daimler Bus |
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My best friend Greg Martin recently left the auto dealership arena and is now the National Accounts Sales Manager, West for the 11 Western United States for Daimler Buses North America. I didn't know this fact, but Daimler Buses is the number one worldwide leader in bus sales--including the U.S.! They build the Orion, Setra (we got to ride in a couple of these in Chicago in March. What an awesome bus!) and now the Sprinter line of buses. Greg sells the Sprinter line of buses. Since Greg just got his first demo unit, we arranged a meeting in historic Sonoma, CA to get a closeup view of this new product. I have to say, having been on a lot of shuttle buses, this is off the chart better in every way. The 15-passenger demo had optional leather seating with individual seat belts and though I am 6' 3", it was very comfortable and feels so spacious. I could stand up without bending over and that is a welcome change. We sat inside and talked for a while and since it was a cold, rainy day, he turned the heater on and it warmed us up right away and very quietly as well. Speaking of quiet. . . this is a diesel motor, but you would be hard pressed to know that from the sound. It is amazingly quiet. The Sprinter bus comes standard with the Mercedes-Benz 3.0 Liter V-6 U.L.E.V. (Ultra Light Emissions) engine which has plenty of power, yet exceptional fuel economy. Compared to a typical gas shuttle, it saves approximately .30 for every mile driven! Add in maintenance and other savings and in 100,000 miles of service, you've saved about $56,307. That's serious savings. The next important aspect to us was ride. There is no comparison between the ride of this shuttle bus compared to the typical shuttles we've experienced. It was a very smooth ride without a lot of typical back and forth swaying. The longer wheelbase (170") makes a great difference in the ride compared to the typical 138" wheelbase on most shuttles. The entry height was very low due to the chassis design and tire/wheel size, so that makes it very easy to get in and out of. Interior headroom is 75" and since the door entrance height is 80" it makes it no problem for we tall folk. This bus comes in a number of different standard configurations for specific industries like the Hotel Shuttle which is like the one we saw with some luggage area in the rear, the Airport Shuttle, which has perimeter seating with an 80" luggage rack on the opposite wall of the entry door. Then there is the Commuter Shuttle which accommodates 16 passengers with storage deleted, and the Paratransit Shuttle which is designed to accommodate wheelchair lifts side and/or rear and is ADA compliant. What an improvement in design and execution this unit from Daimler is compared to all of the shuttle buses I have been on and they are many. It has all the right features in the same overall footprint which speaks of great engineering. Well done Daimler! You can call and talk with Greg Martin at 707-843-3260 or email him at greg.martin@dcbusna.com. |
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Transverse Compartment Is Huge Advantage! |
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When I got these photos a couple days ago from Kimberly at Harbor Truck Bodies, I just had to show them soon. It is a very rare shot of a transverse compartment with a slide out drawer. This type of compartment is so useful in many ways for many different businesses.
The shot that isn't here is a photo from the rear looking at the bed area. If it were here, you would see that since the front compartment goes all the way through the body, you lose exactly the width of the compartment in bed area, but that is a very easy trade-off in my thinking. It keeps things from getting too far forward as well so you can reach them. What would also be interesting would be a cargo bed enclosure and then you can hide the things in the back.
This particular transverse compartment goes from one side through the body to the backside of the compartment on the opposite side of the body, so the drawer only slides out one way. This makes for a nice long drawer and you still have the original functional compartment on the other side. It is available all the way through the body and have the drawer go out either side at any time and that would be pretty useful too. In this case, the long drawer comes out on the safer curbside of the truck rather than the streetside. It is probably the best scenario for that reason.
This is an 8' unit on an uplevel GM chassis and also has two different design ladder racks installed. These shots were courtesy of Greg Hoffner of Refrigeration Services Unlimited of Anaheim, CA who does Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration and Air Conditioning as well as Ice Makers. They are in Southern California and their phone number is 714-281-7359. |
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Tommy Gate's New RF Railgate. Dock 'n Load! |
 
 
I have long been a huge fan of the Tommy Aluminum Railgate since its first introduction many years ago. There has only been one objection: it was not loading dock friendly. Fortunately, most of my customer didn't need loading dock access; however, now there is a Tommy Gate Aluminum Railgate that does it all: The RF Model. The very large platform of the Aluminum Railgate was a favorite and now with the RF Model, it comes with a folding 2-piece platform, designed to allow it in the down position to back up to a dock and access the floor of the body. I like the idea of the 2-piece anyway and so I would switch to this liftgate for that alone. I just love when people have a great product and then they improve it some more! Nice going Tommy Gate! The new RF Model is available in 1600 and 2000 lb capacity, has the Closure-assist Torsion Bar feature and includes maintenance free bushings and improved wiring system. When fully unfolded the large platform measures 85"x45" or 89"x45" depending on the application. That will get the job done and then some! Call your local Tommy Gate dealer, or check out the Tommy Gate website at www.tommygate.com. Be sure to see the action videos so you can see how it operates in slow motion. Here's a short cut: Videos. You can also get more information by phone at 800-543-8428. |
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AlturnaMATS - Drive-On Ground Protection Mats |
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It is always so interesting to see great products and how they can be used to improve work. I'm very much used to seeing plywood used in the instances in the photos above, and now have learned of AlturnaMATS, The Original drive-on, ground protection mats and how superior they are to using plywood for ground protection. Plywood vs. AlturnaMATSThe advantages of AlturnaMATS over plywood are many, particularly cost savings over the long run. Plywood cracks and splinters under heavy vehicle loads. AlturnaMATS never do. There is very little tire traction with plywood. When wet, plywood becomes slippery, waterlogged, heavy and is difficult to clean of mud. AlturnaMATS are easily rinsed clean using a regular garden hose. To see cost savings, see here: savings over plywood. The AlturnaMATS are built tough with a maximum traction diamond plate tread design. These rugged mats are made of 1/2" thick polyethylene so they are virtually indestructible. They withstand vehicles weighing up to 60 tons, bend but do not break and they're guaranteed for a full six years. AlturnaMATS have been tested in record cold and heat. With AlturnaMATS, getting stuck is virtually eliminated. They are available smooth on one side or smooth on both sides, ideal for removing dirt of gravel. Easily supports 60 ton vehicles!
- Rugged 1/2" thick polyethylene
- Bold cleat design for great traction
- Build a roadway or working platform in minutes
- Leave turf smooth, even in soft conditions
- No more splintered, warped, water logged plywood
- Simply hosing down leave the mats clean
- Available in both black or white mats
- Mats can be locked together with Turn-A-Links forming a continuous roadway
- Guaranteed six years
These are used in Landscaping, Tree Care, Construction, Concrete, Utilities, Golf Courses, Cemeteries, Drilling, Manufactured Housing, Recreation Areas, Trenching to name a few.
AlturnaMATS, Inc. now markets three different ground mats:
- AlturnaMATS, featuring a bold diamond plate tread for maximum traction.
- VersaMATS, featuring a flat, slip-resistant tread on one side designed for pedestrian traffic, and the bold diamond plate tread on the other side for vehicle traffic
- Mobile Matts, featuring an "M"-shaped tread design for maximum traction with gripping studs on the bottom
These mats virtually eliminate damage to lawns and landscaped areas throughout the world. These rugged mats are the popular choice among professionals. They are easy to use, lock into place to form a continuous, solid roadway or work platform and they last for years. They are unequalled for quality and performance under the most hazardous conditions. All three mat types are available in several popular sizes.
AlturnaMats, Inc. is in Titusville, PA. To find a dealer near you, call 888-544-6287. Check out their website at www.alturnamats.com to see video of the product along with many more photos and other great information. An awesome product! |
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Quick Shots |
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TekTray from AndyMark
The Egg - Towable Cargo Carrier from Jason Industries.
Way Cool!
Can a toolbox be sexy? This one is!!
One of the prettiest trucks in the NTEA Work Truck Show
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Maxon GPSLR Slider Liftgate |
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In the last couple of years, I've noticed a different kind of liftgate based on seeing them mounted on trucks and how the liftgate was flat rather than at an angle when retracted. It looked more like it slid in there. Now I find they are called "Sliders." Makes sense to me. Here is a release from Maxon Liftgates that tells more about it: FINALLY, A SLIDER LIFT BUILT WITH MAXON INNOVATION.
The GPSLR Slidelift - level, smart, and tough.As the industry leader in liftgates, Maxon Lift Corp is proud to introduce their latest technological advancement - the GPSLR Series Liftgate. The GPSLR is a slide-type liftgate that rides level from bed to ground and features an industry first: a SmartStow™ function that enables the gate to automatically stow. Unlike most liftgates that require multiple steps when storing the gate, the GPSLR is equipped with a sophisticated solution that is unique in this industry and essential to the slide-type liftgate. Press one button to stow and SmartStow™ technology makes everything else automatic: detecting correct height, stowing securely, and locking in place. Maxon's new GPSLR offers a level-ride platform that rides level all the way to the ground. The platform design allows for ease in movement of loads because it sits completely flat on the ground. Additionally, the GPSLR features a stress-optimized lift arm design that minimizes arm deflection. The GPSLR works with all different types of rear doors and is securely stowed away during dock loading operation. "We're confident that the GPSLR with SmartStow™ technology will pave the way, and constitute the benchmark, for future slide-type liftgates", says Brent Stratton, Office of the President. Maxon Lift Corp. was founded in 1957. That same year, owner Max Lugash invented the TUK-A-WAY® liftgate, which remains the largest selling style of liftgate in North America. For more then fifty years, Maxon Lift Corp. has initiated and developed a variety of innovative products that have become truck equipment industry benchmarks. More company information can be obtained from Maxon and local Maxon sales representatives at 800-227-4116 or www.maxonlift.com. Check out the flash video that shows you how the GPSLR Slider Liftgate operates: Video |
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Here's Something Fun! |
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Unbelieveable!
Hollie Steel
Here's something else:
Just in case you haven't yet seen this:
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Fascinating Factual Statistics! |
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If you haven't yet had a chance to view this 5 minute video, I think you will be amazed. If you have seen it, perhaps it is worth another look. Mind blowing statistics will shake your preconceptions.
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Redesigned and Improved |
Check out the redesigned and improved Commercial Truck Success reference website at www.comtrk.com. New larger size, center line main menu, easier navigation. Growing daily with currently over 120 pages, over 1,000 photographs and hundreds of links to suppliers and product websites all across the country for common and not so common bodies and other applications.
Keep telling us your thoughts on making it better and we'll keep changing it for the better. It will be expanding dramatically in the next 30-90 days, so keep looking! |
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