Utility-truck makers: take your choice
Published in: Landscape & Irrigation
Date: 11/1/2002
By: Roche, Jerry
Engine size and riding comfort are not the only considerations for buying utility trucks. Yes, they’re important–but to factor in bed size, payload weight limits, and how storage is organized before deciding to buy something off the lot or something that’s custom-made.
Certainly, there’s not a lack of manufacturers who are prepared to do your exact bidding. In alphabetical order, here are some, and what they offer:
RELATED ARTICLE: UTILITY TRUCK FABRICATORS/MANUFACTURERS
* A.G. Body
2464 W. 1500 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
(800) 345-0827
www.agbody.com
Reading bodies are built for demanding conditions with features like A60 galvannealed steel construction, and the Lectro-Life priming process. A variety of bodies are available. “Astoria” is a full line of unique, long-lasting, customized fiberglass utility bodies.
* Altec Industries
210 Inverness Center Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 991-7733
www.altec.com
Altec provides a complete line of high-quality tree-care products including aerial devices with superior side reach and wood chippers with a proven record of durability and performance. Altec says its high-productivity, low-maintenance bodies also have a long life.
* Alum-Line, Inc.
P. O. Box 59
Cresco, IA 52136
(800) 446-1407
www.alum-line.com
Alum-Line’s “Pro-Hauler” is a western-style, all-aluminum bed that is loaded with good-looking features. Choose either smooth sides or all-diamond-plate construction. Two clearance lights each side, five across rear, plus endless list of customized options.
* American Cargo
64141 U.S. 33 South
Goshen IN 46526
(800) 283-3993
www.americancargo.com
Providing the automotive industry with high-quality standard and custom truck bodies, bailment pool chassis. Bodies available for Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, others.
* Astoria Industries of Iowa
P.O. Box 715
Chariton, IA 50049
(641) 774-3456
www.astoriainc.com
Molded fiberglass side compartments are rust proof and reinforced in all stress areas. Gel-coat exterior finishes are permanently bonded to the fiberglass body. Doors are double-laminated, contoured, strong, warp-proof and tight sealing. Shelves are easily adjustable, manufactured of lightweight non-corrosive material. Every type of industry shelving option is available: plain, divided and pullout.
* Baker Equipment
Engineering
1716 Summit Ave.
Richmond, VA 23230
(800) 446-2610
www.bakerequipment.com
Since 1919, Baker has manufactured, built, distributed, or sold every type of truck and truck equipment imaginable. Line includes “Versa-Lift” aerial devices, “Posi-Plus” material handlers and aerial towers and “Baker Aichi” aerial devices, aerial towers, aerial platforms and material handler with articulating basket.
* Brown Cargo Van
807 East 29th St.
Lawrence, KS 66046
(800) 255-6827
www.bcvi.com
Customized vans are built to the customer’s specifications. The “Service Pro Body” allows you to organize and secure expensive repair tools; has adjustable interior shelving for better inventory management; has a larger payload capacity than conventional vans and pick-ups with utility bodies; provides a job site workplace that’s protected from the elements; and is available for cab-and-chassis or cutaway.
* Danzer-Morrison, Inc.
17500 York Rd.
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(800) 220-3307
www.danzermorrison.com
The company’s product line includes standard service bodies, platforms/stake bodies, aerial lift bodies, cab-over bodies and platforms, high-roof bodies, crane bodies, and body and platform accessories like back packs, underbody/tool boxes, upper structures and sliding telescopic roofs. It specially-builds bodies to fit the increasingly popular cab-over-chassis for Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Nissan and other cab-overs.
* Davis Trailer &
Truck Equipment
P.O. Box 4007
Little Rock, AR 72214
(501) 562-6295
The company manufactures dump and service truck bodies.
* DewEze Manufacturing
151 E. Hwy. 160
Harper, KS 67058
(800) 835-1042
www.deweze.com
100 Series flatbeds are durable and affordable.
* Douglass Truck Bodies
231 21st St.
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(800) 635-7641
www.douglastnickbodies.com
Manufactures custom beds, mechanic’s beds, fifth-wheel bodies, standard beds, flat beds, contractor bodies, the “Maximizer” and medium-duty bodies.
* Fibre Body Industries
P.O. Box 508
Keller, TX 76244
(817) 431-3334
The largest manufacturer of fiberglass service bodies in the world provides products to more than 200 government agencies and foreign countries. Fibre Body products reduce the weight of your fleet; provide sealability from moisture and dust; have a long-term exterior finish for fleet appearance, a life cycle of 15 to 20 years, remountability to new chassis, and rust and corrosion prevention.
* J&J Truck Bodies & Trailers
10558 Somerset Pike
Somerset, PA 15501
(800) 777-2671
www.jjbodies.com
Extra-heavy-duty dump bodies and trailers for large diesel-powered vehicles.
* Knapheide Manufacturing
P.O. Box 7140
Quincy, IL 62305
(217) 222-7131
www.knapheide.com
The company makes stake and service bodies, hydraulic hoists, miscellaneous equipment such as toolboxes and bumpers, steel service bodies and platform/stake-style truck bodies. “Contractor Body” has a double-action tailgate; 10-gauge steel construction; aerodynamic tapered bulkhead. “Service Body” is made of 14-gauge two-sided galvanneal steel immersed in electro-deposition gray epoxy prime paint
*Marathon Truck Bodies
P.O. Box 800279
Santa Clarita, CA 91380
(661) 286-1520
www.marathontruckbody.com
Its contractor’s bed truck has six utility boxes, three on each side, one on top, two under skirting. It also has an over-cab rack. Besides contractor’s beds, Marathon also makes a chipper body with dump hoist, stake dumps, stake and flat beds and pick-up conversions.
* Maxi Products
112 S. Pearl St.
Janesville, WI 34545
(800) 833-3740
www.maxidump.com
The “Maxi-Dump Chipper Body” is a dump attachment that fits into a pick-up truck bed. At 800 lb., made of 10- and 12-gauge steel, it can transport and dump 10.5 cu. yds. of material.
Omaha Standard
P.O. Box 876
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
(800) 279-2201
www.omahastd.com
Offerings include service bodies, “Eagle” dump bodies, contractor bodies, general/utility bodies, “Badger” all-purpose truck bodies, heavy-duty platforms, “Strongbox” underbody toolboxes and “Olympic” twin telescopic hoists.
* Rawson-Koenig, Inc.
2301 Central Pkwy.
Houston TX 77092
(713) 688-4414
www.rki-us.com
The company’s standard, low-profile, heavy-duty and custom truck bodies feature stainless-steel hinges, pins, paddle latches and cables. Treadplate floors are 12-gauge steel. Bodies and tailgates are 14-gauge galvanneal steel with a limited 5-year rust-perforation warranty. Shelf packages allow flexible customization. Available in a variety of compartment configurations for a variety of chassis.
* Reading Body Works
Hancock Blvd. & Gerry St.
Reading, PA
(610) 775-3301
www.readingbody.com
Reading’s new “Classic II” service body gives you convenient, secure storage for your tools and equipment. Other lines to choose from: “Aerotech Series,” platform bodies, caps, enclosed bodies, pick-up accessories, custom bodies, van accessories, crane bodies.
* Royal Truck Body
14001 Garfield Ave.
Paramount, CA 90723
(800) 834-7692
www.royaltruckbody.com
The company offers sculptured utility bodies, service and contractor bodies, stakebeds, custom and other bodies. All trucks are built on chassis by Ford, Chevrolet, or Dodge, and the bodies are designed and fabricated at the Paramount facility. All bodies are American-made for quality, and can last more than 20 years. Truck bodies can be custom-built, as necessary.
* Service Trucks International
1877 North Main Ave.
Sioux Center, IA 51250
(800) 225-8789
www.servicetrucks.com
Every unit is built as a wholly integrated body to customer requirements, with “the highest level of versatility, dependability, and quality available,” STI says. Choose from the popular standard 11-ft. service body, or individualize your purchase. Some body options: raised bottle compartment, fold-down tailgate, raised/lowered cabinet heights, receiver/pintle hitches, others.
* Stahl
3201 W. Old Lincoln Way
Wooster, OH 44691
(800) 277-8245
www.stahl.cc
Stahl makes service bodies, dump bodies, utility van bodies, stake bodies, toolboxes, cranes and truck accessories. It makes three models of service bodies, the “Grand Challenger,” “Challenger” and “Utility Service Van.” Custom designs also can be fabricated.
* Super Lawn Trucks
P.O. Box 446
Bonaire, GA 31005
(478) 923-0027
www.superlawntrucks.com
The company’s most popular model is the 16-footer that’s also available in 14-ft., 18-ft. and box sizes. Enough room for commercial mowers or about 4000 lb. of payload. Isuzu Trucks recommended. You can transport your truck to the shop near Macon, Ga., yourself, or SLT can have a professional transport company pick it up.
* Supreme Corp.
16500 County Rd. 38
(574) 642-4888
www.supremeind.com
Specializing in cab-over trucks. Models available: “Spartan Cut-away” and “Strongbox” that fit Chevy and Ford bodies; “Spartan Service Van” for Isuzu and Mitsubishi. Other popular products are steel service bodies, “Vanscaper” for landscape and lawn-care contractors, flat-bed and stake bodies.
* TruckCraft
5751 Molly Pitcher Hwy., S.
Chambersburg, PA 17201
(800) 755-3867
www.truckcraft.com
A manufacturer of truck bodies and toolboxes for professionals in landscaping, construction, maintenance, utilities, and municipalities. Truck bodies and related equipment are marketed through distributors in the U.S. and Canada. Models: aluminum and steel pick-up dumpers, de-icer spreaders, combination service/dump bodies and flat-beds.
* Tuflex Manufacturing
1406 S.W. 8th St.
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
(800) 327-9005
www.tuflexmfg.com
Specializes in fiberglass-tank beds popular among lawn-care companies that apply liquid or wettable products in high volumes.
* Utility Truck Bodies
5219 Miller Trunk Hwy.
Duluth, MN 55811
(888) 296-4126
www.unitedtruckbody.com
Manufacturer of dumb bodies, platforms, cranes, lift gates, conversion hoists. Also installs Knapheide, Astoria, Stahl service bodies.
* Warner Bodies
1699 South 8th St.
Noblesville, IN 46060
(317) 773-2100
www.warnerbodies.com
Warner Bodies builds service truck bodies for standard and mini trucks. It custom-designs its products and offers a variety of options to meet your specific needs. 11-gauge galvanneal tailgate, 1/8-inch safety tread floors and 16-gauge galvanneal shelvin–all standard features–exceed industry standards.
* Wilcox Bodies
6215 Mississauga Rd.
Mississauga, Ont., Canada L5N 1A4
(888) 294-5269
www.wilcoxbodies.com
Manufactures steel, aluminum, fiberglass and custom service and utility bodies, plus a full range of truck and van accessories.
A dependable ride.
The Broyhill TerraForce turf utility vehicle has a one-ton payload and 18-mph ground speed. With a Kohler 18-hp, V-Twin cylinder engine and multi-leaf, high-travel front suspension, the TerraForce offers one of the most dependable rides available, Broyhill says. The vehicle’s clean design and rear-accessible drive train make for simple maintenance. The heavy-gauge steel cargo box (52 by 63 inches), larger than most competing TUV’s, handles the big jobs easily.
An exceptional stand-alone utility vehicle, the Broyhill TerraForce also provides a powerful, reliable foundation for dedicated attachments including the SpraMate 160-gallon and 210-gallon sprayers.
The TerraForce features a wide variety of options including a hydraulic lift for the cargo box, remote hydraulics and PTO, a heavy-duty alternator, taillight kit, hand-vernier throtfie control, and tachometer.
Broyhill makes a complete line of turf sprayers, vacuums, line markers, utility vehicles and general grooming equipment.
Broyhill
Phone: (800) 228-1003
Style and strength.
Crysteel Manufacturing introduces the new 2-4 yard Tipper E Series, designed for landscape contractors who want both style and strength, in an easy-to-order value package.
The Tipper E Series is available in an economical base model, but custom option packages can be added to create the most versatile body for the contractor’s needs.
Crysteel Mfg. Offers a comprehensive, 5-year warranty on all dump bodies and hoists.
Crysteel Manufacturing
Phone: (800) 533-0494
Wide range of filters
Green Filter U.S.A. high-performance air filters are said to deliver improved engine output and enhanced performance, providing an average 5 percent horsepower increase over standard paper filters.
Green Filter’s unique design elements allow for improved, sustained airflow and filtration down to 5 microns. A 2-layer, woven cotton design creates a thinner, more durable filter that ensures consistent airflow over time and allows for repeated cleanings.
To prevent air leaks around the seal, Green Filter uses a rigid pleat design for a greater surface area, allowing for better air passage and improved engine power.
Green Filter uses a four-stage, handcrafted injected-molding design. All filters carry a limited lifetime warranty.
Green Filter U.S.A.
Phone: (724) 430-2050
Organizing trucks
Green Touch Industries has a variety of products designed to make mobile landscaping easier.
Three of the products help organize open and enclosed trailers, utility vehicles and trucks. They are:
* 2- and 5-gallon gas-can racks that eliminate spillage, secure cans, lock to prevent theft, and come with Blitz gas cans.
* The Fastrap wheel clamp that secures anything with wheels in seconds. It fits 8- to 27-inch diameter wheels and has a 7,000-lb. strap to keep equipment exactly where you put it.
* An adjustable line spool rack (BG037) that secures any 3- or 5-lb. line-trimmer spools to open or enclosed trailers (shown). Made of industrial-strength steel, it has an interlocking arm to prevent rollback.
* An enclosed trailer hand-tool rack (TB052) that secures up to five hand tools and one line trimmer. Using a flat pin, it locks tools in place.
Green Touch Industries
Phone:(800) 621-6919
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