DEPARTMENTS

Lightship Unveils New Class of Mobile Electric Power
Lightship, an American electric mobility and mobile energy infrastructure company, has unveiled PowerSled, launching a new commercial business focused on electric mobile power systems for infrastructure, emergency response, construction and off-grid applications. Built with the same mobile power and TrekDrive propulsion-assist technology already proven through thousands of miles of real-world ope…

CTech Launches LocOut Technology
CTech Manufacturing, a leader in high-performance mobile storage solutions, has launched LocOut Technology, a patent-pending feature designed to keep drawers securely open when working on uneven terrain.
Built for real-world mobile workspaces, LocOut helps prevent drawers from sliding shut unexpectedly on gravel pull-offs, sloped driveways, crowned roads and rugged jobsites. Engineered as an enha…

Hastings Releases Reciprocating Insulated Saw Extension
Hastings Fiber Glass Products has released a new Reciprocating Insulated Saw Extension (R.I.S.E.) designed to give lineworkers added reach, control and pruning versatility in the field.
Available as product 4006, the R.I.S.E. features a 6-foot insulated extension designed for use with a Milwaukee Hackzall (part 2719-20). The 4006 measures 81 inches overall and weighs 9 pounds.
Built with linework…

Terex, Kiley Co. Showcase America 250 Bucket Trucks
Terex Utilities and James A. Kiley Co., an authorized Terex dealer in Somerville, Massachusetts, debuted two custom-wrapped bucket trucks celebrating America’s upcoming 250th anniversary at this year’s Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference. The trucks were showcased among industry-leading utility equipment and innovations.
The two companies partnered to create the trucks as a tribute to 250…

Vermeer Expands Microtrenching Lineup
The Vermeer MTR726 microtrencher attachment cuts trenches up to 27 inches deep and 3 inches wide, giving contractors a solution for projects that require deeper fiber installation. Compatible with the RTX750 ride-on tractor, the MTR726 joins the MTR516 microtrencher, core saw and concrete reinstatement attachments in the Vermeer microtrenching lineup.
The fully shrouded cutting wheel contains deb…

Weather Guard Heavy-Duty Sliding Truck Bed System
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 Expands X-Tier Lineup
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 Unveils Next-Gen Monterra II
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 Announces Bucket Truck Simulation Curriculum
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…

Hino Introduces Medium-Duty BEV
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 Launches World’s Fastest Standalone EV Charger
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…

Dakota Bodies Invests in Expanded Facility
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…

Green Diamond ULV Transmission Fluid
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…

Kestrel Work Truck for First Response Applications
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…

Digging Deep: Leveraging Telematics Data to Strengthen Fleet Safety
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…

Women in Utility Fleet: Ann Brown-Hailey
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…

Assessing Alt-Fuel Options: Hydrogen, RNG or Renewable Diesel?
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…

Maximizing Access, Minimizing Impact
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…

Closing the Operator Readiness Gap
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…

Driving Improved Asset Reliability and Operator Safety with Predictive AI
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…



