Author: Kate Wade

Terex Utilities recently introduced the industry’s first all-electric bucket truck at the Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference in Williamsburg, Virginia. In addition, the company has also announced the first nine customers who will receive these new Terex Optima 55-foot aerial devices, powered by the HyPower SmartPTO by Viatec and mounted on an International Class 6/7 medium-duty electric chassis.

“Xcel Energy, which provides power to millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states, will take delivery of the first unit later this month,” said Joe Caywood, director of marketing and product management.

Nine utilities of all sizes, representing investor-owned and municipal utilities from across the U.S. and Canada, made early commitments with orders prior to EUFMC. The first 10 units will be delivered in 2022. The other utilities receiving units are Oncor Electric Co.; Central Hudson Gas & Electric; CenterPoint Energy; PNM Resources; Los Angeles Department of Water and Power; Con Edison; San Diego Gas & Electric; and SaskPower. www.terex.com/utilities/en/products/terex-green-solutions/terex-ev

DECKED has revealed CargoGlide, a heavy-duty sliding bed platform that makes loading, unloading, organizing and accessing gear for work and play more efficient. CargoGlide allows owners to store and easily retrieve heavy and bulky items like welders, compressors, heavy-duty tools, spare tires, rescue gear, boxes and more without crawling into the back of the truck.

With the pull of a lever, CargoGlide rolls forward out of the truck bed from its locked position. Extending past the end of the bed by as much as 100%, CargoGlide puts gear that would be otherwise out of reach at chest level.

More than a standalone storage solution, the CargoGlide sliding tray is designed to complement the DECKED Drawer System. Bolting CargoGlide atop the DECKED Drawer System is the ultimate solution in truck-bed utility. Owners can store heavy equipment on the CargoGlide. Beneath it, they can secure tools and smaller gear inside the Drawer System’s two full-length drawers.

DECKED CargoGlide comes in 1,000-, 1,500- and 2,200-pound payload options, with either 75% or 100% extension of the tray available. The 1,000-pound, 75% extension option is compatible with the DECKED Drawer System, enabling a truly multifaceted approach to organizing and accessing gear. https://decked.com/products/cargoglide

DICA has announced the expansion of its ground protection products and the addition of new access mats. Light-duty LibertyMats join the current ground protection mat product line. Additionally, a new access mat product line provides solutions for temporary roadways and includes the heavy-duty TuffTrak XL, a combination ground protection/access mat, and the TuffTrak XT, an overlapping and interlocking access mat that is designed to support mobile or crawler equipment.

LibertyMats have built-in handholds and a chevron traction surface ideal for lighter-duty equipment and pedestrian use. This cost-effective ground protection option is an excellent solution for applications like walkways, work platforms and storage areas.

TuffTrak XL is a multipurpose, heavy-duty ground protection and access mat designed for extra-wide applications and is capable of supporting mobile equipment on wheels or crawlers. The mats are 13 feet 6 inches wide, nearly 7 feet long and can be installed with 4-foot tines. This durable mat has a load-bearing capacity of 150 tons.

TuffTrak XT overlapping and interlocking access mats are the lightest, most durable access mats on the market. They are designed to remain rigid and do not conform to the subsurface. The internal closed-cell foam design prevents water penetration and helps make the mats buoyant, which is perfect for wetlands, marshlands, peat bogs and river deltas. https://dicausa.com

Miller Electric Mfg. LLC has announced the release of new CabEn Climate Solutions for truck cab heating and cooling. The only fully integrated cab heating and cooling systems on the market, CabEn Climate Solutions provide all-day relief from the outside environment while the truck is turned off.

Miller partnered with recognized industry leaders Bergstrom Inc. and Eberspacher to design, engineer and manufacture the systems with legendary Miller dependability. When the systems are paired with an EnPak power system, fleets and truck operators have the ultimate solution to eliminate truck engine idling.

Three new CabEn Climate Solutions are available. For work trucks that operate in both cold and hot environments, CabEn Climate Pak is a fully integrated heating and cooling solution.

For work trucks that primarily operate in cold environments, CabEn Heat warms the cab using a heater that’s powered by the truck’s diesel fuel supply. The truck’s engine never needs to run to keep technicians warm.

For work trucks that primarily operate in hot environments, the truck’s EnPak power system provides the power that CabEn Cool needs to maintain the cab at a comfortable temperature all day without the limitations of battery-operated cooling systems.

CabEn Climate Solutions utilize many existing truck HVAC components and controls, so the truck doesn’t require major modifications or additional components that take up room. www.millerwelds.com

Dejana Truck & Utility Equipment announced the launch of their brand new DuraRac R-Series Interior Van Shelving System at Work Truck Week 2022. The R-Series is the second product line in the DuraRac van shelving family and features a heavy-duty aluminum extrusion frame with a contoured design to give it exceptional strength and rigidity. Units are designed with a hardwood base with an anti-skid surface and nickel-plated steel brackets for a stronger installation and quieter ride. The all-new system will be available as the DuraRac R100 Series for compact vans and the DuraRac R200 Series for full-size vans.

The DuraRac Interior Shelving System features an all-aluminum design that is lighter and stronger than traditional racks and bins packages. Its corrosion-resistant, lightweight design lends itself to higher load capacity and longer product life. Laminated half-inch hardwood shelf bases assist in its structural integrity while keeping your tools and equipment in place while in transit. One-hundred percent configurable, the R-Series van shelving systems are the all-aluminum work truck to toolbox solution. https://dejana.com

Medium-duty fleet owners looking to invest in an alternative energy source that provides clean, affordable, reliable benefits have new technology to turn to with the Cummins B6.7 Propane. The 6.7-liter displacement engine will be built on Cummins’ recently announced fuel-agnostic B-series platform and powered with propane autogas. Backed by data and support from the Propane Education & Research Council, the new engine offers fleets a path to decarbonization without compromising on performance or range.

The new engine will provide fleet owners with diesel-like performance and durability, uptime and low total cost of ownership, with expected power ratings between 280-360 horsepower and 600-860 pound-feet of torque.

The B6.7 Propane is suited for several applications, including medium-duty truck, vocational, school bus and terminal tractor markets, making it a low-emissions solution designed to meet or exceed EPA and CARB regulations in 2024 and beyond. https://propane.com/fleet-vehicles

Bigfoot’s Guardian Pads use embedded light strips that absorb energy during daylight, then glow brightly at night. Just 20 minutes of exposure to natural light will let the strips shine for eight to 10 hours in the dark, greatly reducing tripping hazards. Guardian Pads are made of the same strong, maintenance-free custom composite material that has earned Bigfoot its name and reputation in safety throughout the heavy equipment industry. Guardian Pads can be ordered in any of the same standard sizes and capacities as other Bigfoot composite pads and are guaranteed for life. Bigfoot also works with the user to customize pads to meet any specialized needs that the job site demands. www.outriggerpads.com

The Felling Trailers’ Air Tilt model has undergone design modifications to increase operator ease of use and safety.

One of the more notable updates is the fixed approach ramp, which has been extended in length from 14 inches to 22 inches. Extending the fixed approach ramp’s length reduced the load angle by approximately 10 degrees, providing a better load angle with a more subtle breakover point. The new design also allows for the option of full-size oval recessed strobe lights.

The Air Tilt product line was first released to the trailer industry in early 2010. Initially, the model line consisted of the FT-40-2 TA and FT-50-3 TA. Over the past 10-plus years, the line has expanded to offer six models, with payload capacities ranging from 19,700 pounds to 50,000 pounds. The Air Tilt’s unique design utilizes air – powered from the tow vehicle – to tilt the trailer and optional ramps, eliminating the need for hydraulics. The air power from the tow vehicle fills two airbags (or an optional four airbags), which then raise the trailer smoothly. The airbags will then keep the deck in the tilted position to allow for loading/unloading of multiple pieces of equipment. Superior towing capability and balance were achieved by placing the axles farther back on the Air Tilt model than other tilt trailers on the market. www.felling.com

Liane Randolph, chair of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), will deliver the keynote address at the Green Truck Summit, a full-day program focused on clean energy trends for commercial vehicles held as part of Work Truck Week 2022. John Davis, creator, host and executive producer of MotorWeek, will return as emcee. New this year is a full slate of short breakout sessions in the afternoon.

Work Truck Week, North America’s largest work truck event, runs March 8-11 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. The Green Truck Summit is March 8 at the JW Marriott Indianapolis, adjacent to the convention center. Education sessions run March 8-10 and the exhibit hall is open March 9-11.

Green Truck Summit brings together government, educators, fleets and innovators to provide updates on the work truck industry’s path to zero emissions. Sessions offer operational insights for vocational truck fleet managers as well as perspectives on the evolution of commercial vehicles and advanced technology development. www.worktruckweek.com/greentrucksummit

Terex Utilities regularly distributes Tech Tips about troubleshooting, inspecting and maintaining aerial devices and digger derricks. In 2021, the Terex Utilities Services Department shared 26 new tips, making a total of 169 Tech Tips available on the company’s website. The 26 new tips were downloaded more than 1,000 times.

Each Tech Tip identifies what the service call is, the tools required and which Terex Utilities models it applies to. In many cases, photos are also provided.

The seven most downloaded Tech Tips of 2021 were #138 Troubleshooting TM Leveling with Generator Style Leveling; #148 A Popping or Cracking Noise that Appears to be Coming from the Mast or Pedestal Area; #89 Removal of Stuck/Frozen Outrigger Pins; #135 Setting HOP on General Digger Derrick; #151 Ways to Attach Non-Conductive Hoses to Pull Through a Boom; #157 Fitting Torque Chart; and #91 Planetary Slip Brake Rotation.

These and other technical support documents are available online at the Technical Support tab at www.terex.com/utilities, or users can sign up to receive email notifications at www.terex.com/utilities/en/links/preferences. www.terex.com/utilities