Making the truck fit the job

Concrete Construction, July, 2004

For the concrete contractor, the work truck can be an extension of the office. Some may even argue that the office is an extension of the truck. But, whether it is a shiny clean foreman's truck or the scraped and dented equipment truck, having all the tools available is vital to getting the job done.

One thing is clear: There is no such thing as a typical concrete contractor's work truck. Different niches within the market have different needs, which change the layout of the work truck.

Large contractors who stay at a jobsite for months at a time and who have much of their equipment delivered don't bother with work trucks. Their trucks are primarily for moving people.

For flatwork contractors--where it's one day here and one day at the next site--a work truck is more necessary, and the size of the equipment used on the job determines the truck. If you are using ride-on power trowels, a long flatbed truck might be in order, or you might opt for a trailer Ian Blair, of North Carolina-based Blair Concrete, came to the conclusion that it would be cheaper to contract out a carrier to move his laser screed than to employ a driver (with a CDL) and buy a truck to haul it around.

The needs of the paving contractor are again different. Mobility onsite becomes an important issue.

The decorative contractor might have more need for a work truck. Again, the size and number of tools determines the truck. Decorative work uses lots of smaller hand-held and power tools that would fit well in cabinets and toolboxes on the back of a truck.

Despite all this variation, there are a few constants for outfitting a truck.

Go large

"You usually can't go wrong with a bigger truck," says Richard Dunlop, president of Dunlop Concrete Construction, Mission Viego, Calif. Simply put, it is better to have extra capacity and capability and not need it than to need it and not have it. In addition, you may be more tempted to overload an undersized truck, causing extra wear and reducing the lifespan of the vehicle. A minimum size might be three-quarter ton with four-wheel drive.

Good brakes

You might also want to consider extra-sturdy brakes and suspensions. "Everything in the concrete business is heavy," says Dunlop. That extra weight puts stress on ordinary brakes, causing you to replace them more frequently.

Don't forget the ride

Don't forget the creature comforts, like air conditioning and cruise control. Remember that a large percentage of the mileage you put on the truck will still be highway miles.

Towing capacity

Having a heavy hitch on the truck is also good in a pinch. The ability to haul a trailer with a power trowel or a large surface grinder can be very important. In fact, one contractor has taken the idea of trailers to the extreme. Rocky Geans of L.L. Geans Construction Co., South Bend, Ind., has removed all the tools from the truck, putting everything into a trailer. "Over the years, we've tried almost every type of work truck arrangement," he said. After weighing the need of space, mobility, and capacity, his company put everything in a 16-foot trailer. The trailer, which stays onsite during the job, holds all the tools along with a generator and compressor to power them. The trailer frees up the truck for other items.

When outfitting a new truck here are a few other items you can consider. For more information, circle the corresponding reader service number and mail the card.

Hydraulic power

This company, in conjunction with Dynamic Power Source, has developed a new hydraulically driven Genesis Power Source for service trucks. The truck-mounted unit, about the size of a large toolbox, can power most tools on the jobsite, including drills, saws, and power washers, and can be operated from a remote control panel at the rear of the truck. The unit also supplies clean power to a 250-amp DC welder. With this PTO-driven power source, contractors have more room in the truck for other materials. Stellar Industries, 800-321-3741, www.stellar-industries.com. Circle 7.

Onboard air compressor

The Onboard power system is a powertrain-operated compressor/generator unit that can power other auxiliary equipment, including welders, pressure washers, or pneumatic tools. The unit can be mounted under the deck of the truck for space efficiency, leaving the bed free to transport other items. It is also available in side-mount or split-shaft configurations. The system drives a positive-displacement, oil-flooded, rotary screw airend that generates the compressed air. The three models produce a wide range of capacities--up to 1000 cfm or pressures up to 205 psi. Each model is controlled by a patented electrical control module under the hood and operated by a switch in the cab. Ingersoll-Rand, 908-238-5895, www.irco.com. Circle 8.

Quick-change dump body

The Dump-Pro insert enables users to change a pickup truck to a dump truck in minutes, courtesy of the quick-change feature. The dump body is made of industrial-weight polyethylene, and the drive system uses a winch rather than costly hydraulics. The 60-degree dumping angle ensures that loads are completely emptied. When the job is done, the user releases the clamps, disconnects power, removes the hitch bolt, and slides the unit out, so that the pickup can be used for other purposes. The product, which fits most full-size pickups, comes either assembled or in kit form, with all necessary parts and mounting hardware. Standard Hamilton Co. Inc., 866-438-6777, www.dump-pro.com. Circle 9.