10/17/20

Survey Results: THE MOST IMPORTANT EQUIPMENT FOR SERVICE TRUCKS


Survey respondents were asked to pick the two most important pieces of equipment on their service vehicles, out of air compressors, cranes, generators, welders, or other.

A significant portion of respondents chose “air compressor” as one of their top two most important pieces of equipment. Generators, cranes, and welders were split closely, with 32%, 31%, and 27% of respondents selecting these pieces of equipment as their top two most important. The other category includes responses such as hand tools, bucket lifts, liftgates, vacuums, and pumps.

OPERATORS/MECHANICS FAVOR AIR COMPRESSORS



Air compressors ranked even higher in popularity when segmenting the 47 Operators and Mechanics who answered the survey. 94% of these respondents chose air compressor as one of their top two most important pieces of equipment. Interestingly, Operators and Mechanics were the only segment that considered welders to be the second most important piece of equipment on their service truck.


10/15/20

WEATHERGUARDnation Brand


WEATHERGUARDNation welcomes Outdoor Channel's Chipper Jones from Major League Bowhunter, Tiffany Lakosky from Crush with Lee & Tiffany, Greg Zipadelli and Hal Shaffer from Drop Zone, Don and Kandi Kisky from Whitetail Freaks and Jana Waller from Skull Bound TV!

10/13/20

Health and Safety Tips for Commercial Van Drivers



Health and safety. It is a number one priority while at work. And for tradesmen and commercial van drivers especially, now is the time to be extra careful while on the job. Follow our health and safety guidelines to ensure your commercial van stays clean and sanitary.

Keep the Air Fresh
Ensure that the air in your cab and cargo space is constantly moving, and not staying stagnant in your vehicle for long periods of time. One product that helps with this, is a Flettner vent. Installed on the roof of the commercial van, it sucks in fresh air as you drive while forcing the stale air out. This lowers the chance of germs settling on surfaces, reducing the risk of sickness.

Put Up a Barrier for Yourself
For commercial vans designed to carry passengers or materials that may be contagious, it is a good idea to put up a barrier to protect you. Composite safety partitions for cargo vans are a great option. Their tight fit to the van walls prevent germs from seeping into the cab while you drive. For smaller passenger vans, a clear plexiglass shield offers just as much protection and also allows the driver and passengers to see and hear each other clearly.

Clean Your Work Space Regularly
Giving your commercial van a quick clean, as often as required by company guidelines or government regulations, is a good way to rid yourself of germs and bacteria. However sometimes it can be difficult to wash the things you touch the most; your seat for example. That’s why we suggest Seat Covers. Sturdy and fitted, they are also removable which means you can throw them in the washing machine as needed.

Keep Protective Equipment Close
Hand sanitizers, gloves, masks… these are essential items to be carrying around in this current time. However, these are relatively small items which means they can be easily lost in the equipment of a commercial van. The solution to this is the 3-in-1 Sanitizer Caddy. This aluminum holder mounts anywhere in your van and stores all the essential items you need when coming into contact with other people.

Here at Ranger Design, your health and safety is top priority. We have designed these products to provide you with a way to keep your commercial van sanitary while on the job. Learn more on how to better protect yourself with partitions.


Learn about all Ranger Design products at: https://rangerdesign.com/




10/11/20

How to set up your myGMC Action on Google


Use these simple steps to set up your myGMC Action on Google to send remote commands to your compatible GMC vehicle.

10/09/20

LIFTGATE GLOSSARY




Above Floor Travel
On specific rail-type models, this option allows your cargo to travel above the  floor level of the truck or trailer based upon the bed height of your application.
Bed Height
The vertical distance from ground level  to the floor surface of the vehicle.
Bed Height Range
When specifying a liftgate, the lesser  dimension refers to the bed height when the vehicle is loaded to maximum weight capacity. The greater dimension refers to the bed height when the vehicle is empty.
Below-Bed-Height Storage
Option found on many railgate models that  allow the liftgate platform to be stored so  its highest point is below the bed height  of the vehicle, thus allowing unobstructed  access to the rear of the vehicle without  having to operate the liftgate.
Cart Stops
A device used to prevent wheeled cargo from rolling off the ramp end of the  liftgate platform.
Conventional Liftgate
A liftgate that is welded or bolted to  the frame of the vehicle chassis. In the  stored or travel position, the lifting  platform is in the vertical position at the rear of the vehicle.
Dock Bumpers
Optional protective steel structures used commonly with Flipaway models that are welded below bed level at the rear of  the vehicle to protect the liftgate from damage caused by loading dock impact. May have the capacity to also house the vehicle tail lights.
Flipaway Liftgate
A liftgate that is welded to the frame of  the vehicle chassis. The loading platform is designed with two or three folding  sections. In the stored or travel position, the platform is folded and stored beneath the body floor allowing access to the cargo area without activating the lift.
Cantilever Lift
A Cantilever liftgate is a self-adjusting platform that stays level relative to the truck bed throughout the entire raise and lower cycle. Options are also available to convert the platform to a dock board or for use as a rear door.
Gravity Open, Power Close
Hydraulic close, torsion spring/gravity open.
 
Galvanization
The process of applying a protective  zinc coating to steel or iron, in order  to prevent rusting.
Load Capacity
Maximum amount of cargo weight that a  given liftgate is rated to handle during one cycle. Full rated capacity is based on the cargo being centered on the platform as close to the vehicle as possible or the weight being evenly distributed over the entire platform surface.
Mount Frame Clearance
Distance required between the rear-most  obstruction on the chassis and the end  of the vehicle body in order to mount  a liftgate.
Power Open, Power Close
Hydraulic operation of the liftgate platform during the open and closing portion of  the cycle, which allows for consistent  opening and closing speed regardless  of the climate conditions.
Power Up, Gravity Down
Hydraulic operation raises the liftgate  platform, while its own weight lowers it.
Power Up, Power Down
Hydraulic operation of the liftgate platform during the raise and lower portion of the cycle, which allows for consistent lifting  and lowering speed, regardless of the climate conditions.
Rail-Type Liftgate
Medium / Heavy / Bottle Gas / Pick-Up / Service Body / Dump Thru

Railgates have vertical tracks that weld  or bolt to the rear frame of a truck body  or trailer. The loading platform travels up  and down on these tracks through the  use of cables or chains in conjunction  with a hydraulic cylinder, or the use of  two hydraulic cylinders directly attached to the loading platform. In the travel  position, the platform stores over the rear door, although an option is available to allow storage below the door. 

• Medium Rail-Type Liftgate
–   References the lift capacity. • Heavy Rail-Type Liftgate –   References the lift capacity. • Bottle Gas (BG) Rail-Type Liftgate –   Offers design features targeted    to the bottle gas delivery industry. 

Reduced Maintenance

Standard on all Waltco liftgate models,  independently or a combination of  fiberglass-reinforced Teflon™ bearings,  slide pads and grease zerks to allow  additional protection to the major pivot points on your liftgate.

Retention Rail
Railing around the platform perimeter  that supports and restrains bottled  gas cylinders during delivery. Used on  MDLBG, PTBG, RBGL and WDVBG Bottled Gas models.
 
Sideloader Liftgate
A liftgate that is typically mounted below the side door of a truck body or trailer  and can be either frame or body mounted, depending on the application. In the stored or travel position, the platform stores under the body and is either unfolded or extended out from under the door.
Snubber Kit
A structure consisting of a steel brace and a rubber bumper pad used commonly with Flipaway models. The snubber kit stabilizes the liftgate platform while in the transit  position, minimizing potential for damage due to bouncing and/or road vibration.
Torsion Bar Assist                              
Reduces platform opening and closing forces with the use of spring loaded  counterbalanced torsion bars or rods.

Source: Waltco Liftgates - https://www.hiab.com/en-US/waltco/

10/07/20

CTech Work Truck Cabinets and Drawers


A big day for CTech as we participate in our first-ever virtual conference with the 15th Annual North American Caterpillar Dealers Procurement/Fleet Group. We've been hard at work gathering and editing footage for a feature-length commercial to show during the conference.