Read complete Press Release . . . → Read More: Utility Fleet Acquisition Featured on Trailer-BodyBuilders.com]]>

Utility Fleet Sales of Texas Acquires Missouri Bucket Truck Dealer.

Read complete Press Release at:  http://trailer-bodybuilders.com/chassis/utility-fleet-sales-missouri-bucket-0913/

Hino Bucket Truck

A bucket truck is a type of mobile, aerial work platform that consists of an aerial device mounted to a truck (a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo).  In some cases the aerial device is mounted onto a van, and is then referred to as a bucket van.  The aerial device consists of . . . → Read More: What is a Bucket Truck?]]>

Hino Bucket Truck

A bucket truck is a type of mobile, aerial work platform that consists of an aerial device mounted to a truck (a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo).  In some cases the aerial device is mounted onto a van, and is then referred to as a bucket van.  The aerial device consists of a fiberglass or steel platform (bucket) secured to a hydraulic or electric lifting system, which includes the lifting arm(s) (boom), and a rotating turret.  The system is designed to safely lift personnel into the air to perform work.  Some bucket trucks are also equipped with a material handling winch designed to lift materials and supplies.

15th Annual Texas Lineman’s Rodeo

Nolte Island Park in Seguin, Texas

July . . . → Read More: 15th Annual Texas Lineman’s Rodeo July 14-16, 2011]]>

15th Annual Texas Lineman’s Rodeo

Nolte Island Park in Seguin, Texas

July 14-16, 2011

Kenworth’s T700 sleeper-cab tractor and Hino’s 2012-model 338 took heavy and medium-duty honors, respectively, in the American Truck Dealers’ Commercial Truck of the Year competition for 2011.

The top commercial trucks-selected by a panel of journalists from leading trucking publications-were announced Sunday, April 17, at the 48th annual ATD Convention and Expo at the Phoenix . . . → Read More: Kenworth and Hino Win Truck of the Year Honors at ATD Convention]]>

Hino 338

Kenworth’s T700 sleeper-cab tractor and Hino’s 2012-model 338 took heavy and medium-duty honors, respectively, in the American Truck Dealers’ Commercial Truck of the Year competition for 2011.

The top commercial trucks-selected by a panel of journalists from leading trucking publications-were announced Sunday, April 17, at the 48th annual ATD Convention and Expo at the Phoenix Convention Center.

Heavy Duty Trucking’s senior editor, Tom Berg, was chief judge, and presented trophies to Kenworth and Hino executives. Jim Park, HDT’s senior equipment editor, was one of the six other judges. They and their colleagues drove, evaluated and scored 10 competitors in the two categories on March 11 at a Manheim Auto Auction site and on nearby roads outside Indianapolis.

Bill Kozek, general manager of Kenworth and vice president of parent company Paccar Inc., accepted the award on behalf of his firm’s more than 3,000 employees and its 300 dealers across the country.

The T700′s smooth ride, interior roominess and attractive styling were among the reasons it won in the heavy category, said Berg. It was powered by Paccar’s MX diesel.

Sumio Fukaya, president and CEO of Hino Motor Sales, U.S.A. and chairman of Hino Motors Manufacturing, U.S.A., said winning the award will help Hino achieve its corporate mission “to make the world a better place to live by helping people and goods get where they need to go-safely, economically and with environmental responsibility.”

The Hino 338 was set up as a short dump truck such as purchased by municipalities and construction contractors in the U.S. Berg said its comprehensive gauge and display package and outward visibility for the driver were among the truck’s attributes.

There were two other candidates in the heavy-duty category: International’s ProStar+ with MaxxForce 13 engine and Peterbilt Model 386 lightweight sleeper-cab tractor, also with the Paccar MX engine. Six other medium-duty truck entries were the Ford F650/F750 Super Duty, International TerraStar, Isuzu NPR Eco-Max, Kenworth T370 4×4 and Peterbilt Model 337 4×4.

This is the third ATD Commercial Truck of the Year competition, said Barbara Robinson, an ATD director. It recognizes one winner from the medium-duty truck category (classes 3-7) and another from the heavy-duty truck category (class 8). ”

Original equipment manufacturers enter new or significantly improved trucks each year, she said. All were judged on fitness for their intended applications, innovation, design, driver comfort and satisfaction, ease of maintenance and safety.

Hino’s 2011-model Hino 268 won the medium-duty category last year and Peterbilt’s Model 384 tractor won in the heavy duty class. In the 2009 competition, International’s LoneStar tractor won; there was no medium-duty competition that year.

About the ATD Convention

Several hundred of nation’s commercial truck dealers and their top managers are meeting in Phoenix for the annual ATD Convention and Expo, which runs April 15-18. Keynote speakers included ATD Chairman Kyle Treadway and Bill Graves, president of the American Trucking Associations. Political analyst Charlie Cook will headline the convention’s first-ever legislative and regulatory affairs session on Monday, April 18.

Truck dealers also had an opportunity to meet face-to-face with their manufacturer executives at 12 franchise meetings and with suppliers on the expo floor.

More than a dozen workshop sessions were offered for dealers and their managers to learn ways to improve their business operations.

About ATD: Founded in 1970, the ATD division of the National Automobile Dealers Association is a national trade organization representing more than 2,000 dealers selling new medium- and heavy-duty trucks.
For more information: www.atd.org.  Article originally published by www.truckinginfo.com.

Novi, Michigan – Hino Trucks unveiled today a revolutionary addition to its product lineup during the NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis. Hino will offer four models of the newly designed Class 4 and Class 5 cab over engine (COE) trucks.

In the class 4 market, Hino will offer the 155 diesel model and the . . . → Read More: Hino Trucks introduces its new class 4 and 5 cab over with the first ever U.S. Diesel-Electric Hybrid offering.]]>  

Novi, Michigan – Hino Trucks unveiled today a revolutionary addition to its product lineup during the NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis. Hino will offer four models of the newly designed Class 4 and Class 5 cab over engine (COE) trucks.

In the class 4 market, Hino will offer the 155 diesel model and the first ever U.S. class 4 diesel-electric hybrid model, the 155h. The 155 and 155h models will carry a 14,500 lb. GVW rating. In the class 5 market, Hino will offer the 195 diesel model and the first ever U.S. class 5 diesel-electric hybrid model, the 195h. The 195 and 195h models will carry a 19,500 lb. GVW rating.

“The new cab over line-up is an exciting addition to the Hino Trucks brand as we strive to provide our customers with a comprehensive offering for their trucking needs,” said Sumio Fukaya, President and CEO of Hino Trucks. “With the introduction of this new truck, Hino Trucks is making the diesel-electric hybrid a viable option in the U.S. commercial truck industry for the first time.”

All models are powered by the proven Hino J05E Series engine. The 5-liter engine is rated at 210 hp and 440 lb. ft. of torque. Utilizing Aisin’s A465, 6-speed automatic transmission, the Hino hybrid is the first to be packaged with an automatic transmission.

Both models feature an ergonomically friendly wide cab with a North American standard 33-inch frame rail width, a 56,900 PSI frame, and a standard center mounted rear fuel tank. The cab’s styling emphasizes aerodynamics and visibility with an angled windshield, narrow pillars and rounded-radius curves. Inside, the new cab uses its increased width to provide room for drivers up to 6 ft. 6 in. tall, seating for three and a versatile mobile workspace with a variety of organizational storage options. A crew cab version will also be available.

Hino and the Environment
In addition to a Diesel-Electric Hybrid option, both models meet or exceed EPA 2012 emission regulations by utilizing an optimized SCR system. With no credits required. For Hino Trucks, the ability to meet strict emissions and fuel efficiency guidelines affordably without compromising driving power and performance is important.

Hino Trucks is already well-positioned in the medium-duty market with its conventional models – the 258, 268 and 338 have a wide array of vocational applications. Hino’s hard-working trucks are distinguished by outstanding dependability, performance, and comfort.

About Hino: Hino Trucks, a Toyota Group Company, assembles, sells and services class 4-7 commercial trucks in the United States and is headquartered in Novi, Michigan. With over 160 dealers across the country, Hino Trucks is the fastest growing medium duty truck nameplate in the United States. Visit our internet home page at www.hino.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

There is a very real danger in doing business with a used bucket truck and digger derrick company that has only four or five nationwide sales people, but sells trucks from 29 different locations.  Those individual sales people have no way of thoroughly running and inspecting the units for quality control, and . . . → Read More: The Danger of Buying Used Bucket Trucks from Manufacturer Owned Dealers]]>

There is a very real danger in doing business with a used bucket truck and digger derrick company that has only four or five nationwide sales people, but sells trucks from 29 different locations.  Those individual sales people have no way of thoroughly running and inspecting the units for quality control, and rarely ever see the equipment before they sell it to you.  Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) owned dealers typically use this model.  Numerous sales points without a central Quality Control Hub can lead to inconsistent product quality and true safety concerns.

Utility Fleet is proud to offer 1 State-of-the-Art Sales and Remanufacturing Facility, and uses a massive network of repair centers and mobile technicians to service you after the sale.  We ensure that every unit is consistently inspected, serviced and meets stringent Utility Fleet guidelines for product quality and safety.  Our Sales Professionals personally lay hands on every piece of equipment sold.  You are not only talking to a team of experts in utility construction equipment, but people who also have first-hand knowledge and confidence in the specific units you’re considering.

Unlike used bucket truck companies that are owned by OEMs, Utility Fleet is not tied to a single brand of aerial device.  This gives you, the buyer, two distinct advantages when you deal with Utility Fleet:  1) Your selection of product choices is greatly expanded and 2) You can be sure that your unit is thoroughly serviced and safe to operate, regardless of the brand.

The question is, “Why don’t all bucket truck dealers use the Utility Fleet model to ensure product quality and safety?”  The answer is simple, it costs the dealer more to transport all equipment to a central location, and so our competitors take short-cuts.  But when your life and your business are on the line, we don’t cut corners.  The advantage of having one massive facility is that we can ensure that every piece of inventory is properly and consistently inspected, serviced and meets our mark of quality and safety.  Utility Fleet does use an authorized repair network of over 175 service facilities and over 350 mobile service technicians to support your product after the sale.  After all, it’s not the number of sales locations that matters, it’s the number of service centers available that really counts.  www.UtilityFleetSales.com

Article originally published by www.BucketTruckBlog.com.

58th Annual Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference (EUFMC)

June 19-22, 2011

Williamsburg Lodge & Conference Center, . . . → Read More: 58th Annual EUFMC June 19-22, 2011]]>

58th Annual Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference (EUFMC)

June 19-22, 2011

Williamsburg Lodge & Conference Center, Williamsburg, VA

www.eufmc.com

March 31st, 2011

Features free 1-year service subscription plan, 2-year product warranty, critical vehicle alerts center, fleet manager dashboard, remote power door unlock telemetry, and much more

Novi, Michigan – Hino Trucks announces “HINO INSIGHT” – the most advanced, tailored, comprehensive web-based location and telematics solution in the medium-duty commercial truck market. Hino‟s solution provides innovative GPS-based, remote . . . → Read More: Hino Trucks introduces HINO INSIGHT advanced telematics solution, powered by WebTech Wireless®]]>  

March 31st, 2011

Features free 1-year service subscription plan, 2-year product warranty, critical vehicle alerts center, fleet manager dashboard, remote power door unlock telemetry, and much more

Novi, Michigan – Hino Trucks announces “HINO INSIGHT” – the most advanced, tailored, comprehensive web-based location and telematics solution in the medium-duty commercial truck market. Hino‟s solution provides innovative GPS-based, remote fleet management capabilities to fleet operations of all sizes – driving efficiencies, safety, security, customer satisfaction and green initiatives.

Hino Trucks and their industry-leading telematics technology partner, WebTech Wireless®, have invested more than two years and over a million miles of real world testing to develop the ultimate, value-added, versatile fleet management solution. INSIGHT is more than a basic telematics package, it is a complete solution including a mix of premium and Hino exclusive services ranging from, route tracking, geofencing, advanced vehicle administration, and planned maintenance management to real-time critical Hino proprietary diagnostics alerts, custom fleet performance dashboard reporting, and remote door unlock telemetry. Additionally, Hino INSIGHT units come standard with a free 1-year service subscription plan and a 2-year Hino OEM full product warranty.

One of the unique elements to Hino INSIGHT is the „Dashboard‟ main page of the HinoInsight.com web portal, which is specifically designed for fleet managers to gain a daily snapshot of their fleets‟ critical diagnostics status and performance against established targets. The INSIGHT Dashboard allows fleet managers to simultaneously access real-time vehicle and driver-related information including key metrics such as:
• Hino proprietary diagnostics critical alerts,
• Idle time fuel savings opportunity calculator,
• Targeted fleet performance for speed, acceleration, braking, and fuel usage,
• Identification of trucks with greatest performance improvement opportunities,
• In-route/driving fuel economy versus overall fuel economy,
• Operating time utilization (drive time, idle time, and PTO time), and
• Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) tank level monitoring.

The user administration interface of Hino INSIGHT is extremely functional to accommodate the dynamic nature of fleet operations extending internally beyond the fleet manager to various functional roles such as, maintenance supervisors, logistics managers, dispatch, truck drivers, and customer service representatives, as well as externally to, authorities, insurance companies and end customers. As an example, INSIGHT includes a vastly extensive automated email scheduling system that enables for user defined groups of vehicles or drivers for selected reports, dashboards, vehicle critical and truck performance alerts, geofence/landmark parameters, and planned maintenance items, to be emailed and viewed internally or externally without having to access HinoInsight.com or purchasing computer software.

“A prime advantage of our advanced telematics solution is that from conception through final design, INSIGHT has been developed to improve customer satisfaction at all levels, maximizing opportunities for our customers to achieve sustainable competitiveness,” said Dominik Beckman, Marketing Manager of Hino Trucks. He continued, “It‟s more than simply a total operating cost reducing agent and CRM tool, Hino INSIGHT lends to safe vehicle operation and environmental righteousness, which are core elements of our mission.”

The integration of WebTech Wireless‟ fleet management solutions expertise and network of telecommunications industry leaders – Garmin, AT&T, and Google – uniquely positions INSIGHT with the incomparable versatility to accommodate the individual needs of fleets of all sizes operating in any vocation. A few of the advanced options available to INSIGHT customers include: two-way dispatch/driver communication, electronic driver logs with hours of service (HOS)reporting, real-time job management, navigation routing, security/blind spot video monitoring, axle payload weight monitoring, security alert system with emergency call center integration, seat belt and tire pressure monitoring, accelerometer accident reporting, and fully customized vocational solutions for applications such as snow plow, waste management, fuel delivery, and more.

Hino INSIGHT is currently offered for Hino‟s 2008 through 2012 model year trucks, with customized solutions available to incorporate most GVW Class 1-8 vehicles for a comprehensive fleet management solution.

About Hino: Hino Trucks, a Toyota Group Company, assembles, sells, and services Class 4-7 conventional and cab over engine commercial trucks in the United States. The headquarters are located in Novi, Michigan and boasts a network of over 160 dealers nationwide committed to achieving excellence in customer service and support. Hino Trucks is the premier medium duty nameplate in the United States with a product lineup that offers the lowest total cost of ownership, superior fuel economy, industry-leading environmental friendliness, unmatched reliability and maneuverability, and the most comprehensive bundle of standard features in the market. For more information, visit our internet home page at www.hino.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

About WebTech Wireless: WebTech Wireless Inc. (TSX: WEW) is a provider of vehicle fleet location-based services (LBS) and telematics technology. It develops, manufactures and supports end-to-end wireless solutions that improve the productivity, profitability, environmental compliance and safety of vehicle fleets. Its comprehensive suite of products and services include: automatic vehicle location (AVL), mapping, vehicle diagnostics, CO2 reporting, navigation, messaging, and mobile resource management. The Company serves customers of all sizes in the transport, government, service, insurance and OEM markets in over forty-one countries, including Fortune 500 companies. Specialized products include: Quadrant® fleet management software, InterFleet® solutions for government, and NextBus® real-time passenger information services for transit fleets. For more information, please visit www.webtechwireless.com.