Power trip: our fifth annual Site Commander lights up jobsites coast to coast

Tools of the Trade, Nov-Dec, 2004 by Rick Schwolsky

Adam Grampp pulls the 2004 Site Commander onto another jobsite and watches workers drain from the upper levels to check out this year's Ultimate Work Truck and try out all the tools packed into its compartments. It's as it' they were waiting for him to arrive. And they were.

"These guys have been looking forward to the Site Commander coming for a long time," Grampp says. "A lot of them have known we were coming after tracking the tour in TOOLS OF THE TRADE and on the Site Commander Web site." Grampp is this year's tour ambassador, guiding the truck and trailer onto hundreds of jobsites coast to coast and helping Hilti regional managers demonstrate the tools and equipment at I Hilti Retail Centers in every major market in the country. "The typical jobsite crowd will be around 150 workers who come down during their break to check us out," says Grampp. "Then we'll go to the Hilti Center where we'll see 50 or 60 more."

SITE COMMANDER TURNS FIVE

This is our fifth year bringing TOOLS OF THE TRADE'S Site Commander to construction workers across the country, and it has generated the same kind of enthusiasm and excitement as it did the first year. Our goal each year is to show contractors and crews the latest in work truck features and professional construction tools that will help increase jobsite productivity and efficiency, and improve workers' performance and safety.

Again this year, we've assembled the Truck, accessories, tools, and systems from the leaders in each category that best combine to achieve these goals. Ford's 2004 F-550 Crew Cab platform is the workhorse driving the Site Commander this year. With a big 7.3 liter Powerstroke turbo diesel engine, this truck has power to spare and room to carry a full crew and all the tools it could need.

And have we got tools. Once again, our Official Tool Sponsor, Hilti, loaded the truck with a complete line of corded and cordless power tools, the company's leading fastening systems, and unique cutting, drilling, chipping, and coring systems. And this year Hilti continued to introduce its newest line of woodworking tools, using the Site Commander as a launch pad.

TEAM EFFORT

As usual, we had a long list of work to do and a short time to do it to get the Site Commander ready for its first appearance at the World of Concrete show in Orlando, Fla., last February, but we made it! With the truck finally in its work bay at our St. Louis build-out shop at Craftsmen Industries, we assembled all the parts, tools, racks, rollers, and welders that would transform the Ford F-550 chassis into the latest Site Commander. Designers and mechanics at Craftsmen worked closely with Peter Hempenstall at Reading Truck Body, Gene McBroom and Bryan Baker at A.R.E., and engineers at Cross Tread Industries and Sure Glide, integrating the Site Commander's utility body, cap, ladder rack, and roll-out storage installations. Hilti team members Steve Bishop, Leah Kelso, Paula Bell, and Tim Henry specified the tools that would be on this year's tour, and designated their placement into the compartments.

On behalf of the team of sponsors, we're proud to bring you the 2004 Site Commander--the ultimate work truck for the trades.

WATCH

FOR OUR 2004 WINNER!

The 2004 Site Commander Sweepstakes ended October 31, 2004--s0 keep an eye out to see who won the $93,739 Grand Prize in our January issue. Thanks to everyone who came out to see the Site Commander and entered the sweepstakes. We'll let you know when the 2005 Site Commander hits the road for another exciting tour and sweepstakes giveaway. To learn more about the Site Commander, visit www.thesitecommander.com

THE TRUCK

FORD F-550

This year's Site Commander s built onto a 2004 Ford F-550 Crew Cab platform and includes a 7.3-liter Powerstroke turbo diesel engine, five-speed automatic transmission, and four-wheel anti-lock braking system. This truck leads the industry in comfort, power, and space.

FORD SPECS

* Lariat Trim Package/leather seats

* 7.3-liter Powerstroke V-8 turbo diesel engine

* Electronic five speed auto transmission

* Skid plate

* Six-way power adjustable seats

* Dual diesel fuel tanks

* Adjustable accelerator and brake pedals

* Transmission power takeoff provision

* Tilt steering wheel with speed central

* Dual alternators

* SecuriLoc passive anti-theft system

* Side intrusion door beams

* Remote keyless entry

THE TOOLS

The Site Commander is equipped with a full line of Hilti tools for concrete and masonry work: high-quality tools for cutting, coring, drilling, chipping, and grinding. Hilti rotating laser levels, range meters, and electronic detectors help ensure accurate layout. And this year Hilti introduced an expanding line of woodworking tools.

HILTI TOOLS

DRILLING & DRIVING

SI 100 Impact Wrench

SF 121-A 3.0 Cordless drill/driver

SF 150-A 3.0 Cordless drill/driver

SF 180-A 3.0 Cordless drill/driver

SF 4000 Drywall screwdriver

SF 4000-A Drywall screwdriver

SMI 55 Screw magazine

SD 2500 Screwdriver