The recently launched Weather Guard Sliding Bed System is a heavy-duty cargo management solution designed to give contractors and fleet crews faster, safer access to tools and equipment at the tailgate. With 100% slide extension, the system brings tools and materials directly to the tailgate, reducing climbing, awkward reaching and repeated strain during loading and unloading. The sliding bed is…
John Deere is expanding its production-class equipment portfolio with the introduction of 844 and 904 X-Tier Wheel Loaders. Engineered to help high-production customers move more material while burning less fuel, the new X-Tier machines bring together advanced electrified drivetrain technology, intelligent machine controls and optional operator awareness features to deliver measurable productivit…
Acela Truck Co. has launched its next-generation Monterra II commercial truck chassis, introducing a bold new standard in performance, durability and versatility for fire, rescue, utility and vocational applications.
The Monterra II is one of the first American-made commercial truck chassis of its kind introduced to the market in decades. Purpose-built to meet the rapidly evolving demands of mode…
CM Labs Simulations recently announced its Bucket Truck Simulation Curriculum, the industry’s first and only simulation-based training offering of its kind.
Developed in collaboration with Altec and delivered through the Intellia Workforce Training System, the curriculum is now available to utility companies, contractors, unions and training institutions preparing operators for work at height.
Th…
The all-new Le Series battery-electric vehicle from Hino Trucks is available in both 25,950-pound (L6e) and 33,000-pound (L7e) GVWR configurations.
The introduction of the Le Series reflects Hino’s continued focus on supporting customers as they work to improve their environmental footprint. This series maintains the performance, durability and ownership experience that fleets expect from the com…
ChargePoint recently introduced Express Solo, the world’s fastest standalone EV charger, capable of delivering a 600-kW charging speed to a single EV.
Delivering high-power, scalable EV charging in a single compact cabinet, installation is now possible in tight spaces at lower construction costs, all while increasing charging speed. Express Solo delivers approximately 40% higher power density tha…
Headquartered in Watertown, South Dakota, Dakota Bodies is doubling the size of its manufacturing footprint in Liberty, Missouri, to support continued growth. The company is part of the ATW Truck Equipment family of brands, alongside CM Truck Beds, PJ Truck Beds and Warrior Truck Beds.
This $10 million investment will create 170 new local jobs in a new facility that features advanced laser-cuttin…
Hot Shot’s Secret has introduced Green Diamond ULV (ultralow-viscosity) automatic transmission fluid, which was developed for Ford and GM 10-speed transmissions, select European models and other ULV-specific applications. Formulated with high-quality, 100% Group III fully synthetic base oils, an advanced additive package and Hot Shot’s Secret’s FR3 Nano Technology, Green Diamond ULV is designed t…
Purpose-built and already in production, the new Kestrel work truck platform from Morgan Olson is engineered for the most demanding first response use cases. It represents a new class of compact four-wheel-drive, Class 2 commercial vehicle designed to support emergency response operations in both urban and rural environments.
Developed with direct input from fleet operators and real-world users…
Most fleet safety programs have been built around the incident review. A crash happens, followed by an investigation. Procedures are adjusted. Training is reinforced.
There is no doubt this work matters. But what can leaders do to identify and address risk before an incident occurs?
For utility fleets that have invested in telematics, one option is to dig deeper into that wealth of information. C…
As director of administration for the Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference (https://eufmc.com), Ann Brown-Hailey has guided the event through decades of growth and change while preserving its unique qualities. Utility fleet-specific educational sessions, equipment demonstrations and displays, networking opportunities and a personal touch keep attendees returning year after year.
Getting St…
Alternative fuels appeal to utility fleets largely because they release fewer emissions and typically cost less than traditional gasoline and diesel. But with numerous options available, how do fleet professionals determine the best fit for their operations?
To answer that question, UFP reached out to several subject matter experts, who shared their take on three options: hydrogen gas, renewable…
As commercial and residential development expand across the U.S., utilities must keep pace with infrastructure installations, maintenance and repairs. This work can require crews to traverse challenging terrain that traditional vehicles weren’t built to handle.
One effective solution? All-terrain utility vehicles.
“With the infrastructure growth that we’re going to have over the next few years, w…
Fleet management responsibilities have expanded in recent years as utilities have invested in advanced vehicle technology, telematics systems and more. Operator readiness, however, is frequently managed by other departments (e.g., training, safety, operations). This fragmented approach to risk potentially puts the keys to best-in-class assets in the hands of workers who are not fully prepared to…
Utility fleets are tough on equipment, sometimes in ways that can be difficult to see. A bucket truck running uneven loads on unpaved roads during storm restoration efforts, for example, will not experience wear and tear in the same way as a delivery van on a highway route. Patterns that lead to failures tend to be gradual and distributed across multiple systems.
In heavy-duty use, traditional mi…
In safety management, data is often treated as objective truth. Leaders use incident rates, near-miss reports, injury trends and predictive models to guide them as they prioritize risk and allocate organizational resources.
Yet data can quietly mislead us, particularly when bias is embedded in what we collect and our measurement and interpretation methods. Effective, ethical safety leaders contin…
Coinciding with the country’s 250th anniversary and the 100th anniversary of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the 73rd annual Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference will take place May 31 to June 3 at the Williamsburg Lodge and Conference Center in Virginia.
“Driving Safety, Sustainability & Technical Expertise” is the theme of this year’s educational program. LG&E and KU’s Peter…
There’s no shortage of innovation in fleet. The challenge isn’t finding new tools – it’s leveraging them in ways that deliver real impact.
That idea is a common thread throughout this issue of Utility Fleet Professional.
Telematics, for instance, has long promised safer, more efficient operations, but data alone won’t alter outcomes. Progress occurs as fleet leaders turn insights into action, red…
Innovative Products of America’s #5410A Alpha MUTT with ABS Slim-Line is the latest addition to the award-winning Alpha MUTT trailer tester series. Built with upfitters and mobile service applications in mind, this unique model maintains the full functionality of IPA’s industry-proven Alpha MUTT platform in a slimmer, space- and weight-saving outfit. Specifically designed for service trucks, PM c…
If you’ve ever struggled to position a standard drain pan under a truck, you know the frustration. The Ken-Tool Low Profile Truck Drain (PN 30599) is purpose-built to solve that problem, giving technicians the clearance, control and efficiency they need to get the job done right.
Designed for real-world shop conditions, this low-profile system slides easily under vehicles where traditional drains…
