Anyone on here run a service truck????
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catalytic
Well-known member
I don't have a truck, but I would love to hear any info / pics / advice you have about the crane. I'm just starting to learn about them -- I'd like to add one to a trailer to make machinery rigging easier.
We have an older International S1600 service truck. Only stock parts, fittings and fluids on it. Just throw whatever tools you think you may need in a canvas bag and down the road you go. If we had assigned trucks we might do it differently but since everyone uses the truck that's the way it's done 
clueless
Well-known member
trying to get mine in working order, we started with a bare 1 shelf truck,and now got oil tank,waste oil tank,shelves,and some parts and belts in it. working on hose reels,and torches this week.compressor and generator in truck already.pegboard on walls.
Having a crane is great I'm not sure about putting one on a trailer I know my old truck had a auto crane that was electric and it was ok but the new one is all hydraulic and runs off a pto on the truck and it has a wireless remote control it is great I'll try to get some pictures tomorrow for you
I miss my truck crane so bad now that I'm moved into a truck with a lift gate.
I have a craftsman 26" lower in the driver's front bin for most wrenches and screwdrivers and such. Anything with a case goes in the wide center bin like impacts, drills, torque wrenches. Long stuff in the driver's rear such as pry bars and breaker bars. The whole passenger side is parts.
I have a craftsman 26" lower in the driver's front bin for most wrenches and screwdrivers and such. Anything with a case goes in the wide center bin like impacts, drills, torque wrenches. Long stuff in the driver's rear such as pry bars and breaker bars. The whole passenger side is parts.
I work on 2nd shift, but the only full time guy on the road is on first. More often than not, if there's need for a guy to go out on 2nd, it's me. I've spent my fair share of time on the road. Our service truck is aimed mostly at doing on site maintenance.
It's a Hino 268 box truck outfitted with a big IR compressor, 500 gallon engine oil reservoir, 500 gallon waste oil reservoir, a 3/8" air reel, a 1/2" air reel, an oil reel, two work light reels, waste oil suction reel, and a pneumatic grease gun. The outer box has work lights all the way around and is outfitted with several locking cabinets; ours has one for the compressor, one for a pair of 60 quart oil pans, one for a wireless trailer tester, 2 have banks of 4 24" drawers, one is a cabinet for spent filters (with trap underneath), and one big cabinet for jacks, jackstands, and 1" impact. Inside is well lit with about 6.5' of standing room. There's parts shelves and bins, a work station about 4' long with vice and drawers. The tool drawers are pretty well loaded with everything you could possibly need for a B-Service or any light repairs I might be out doing, so I usually don't have to bring much other than a duffel bag full of my own tools.
It's a Hino 268 box truck outfitted with a big IR compressor, 500 gallon engine oil reservoir, 500 gallon waste oil reservoir, a 3/8" air reel, a 1/2" air reel, an oil reel, two work light reels, waste oil suction reel, and a pneumatic grease gun. The outer box has work lights all the way around and is outfitted with several locking cabinets; ours has one for the compressor, one for a pair of 60 quart oil pans, one for a wireless trailer tester, 2 have banks of 4 24" drawers, one is a cabinet for spent filters (with trap underneath), and one big cabinet for jacks, jackstands, and 1" impact. Inside is well lit with about 6.5' of standing room. There's parts shelves and bins, a work station about 4' long with vice and drawers. The tool drawers are pretty well loaded with everything you could possibly need for a B-Service or any light repairs I might be out doing, so I usually don't have to bring much other than a duffel bag full of my own tools.
crewchief888
Well-known member
my current truck, '06 F 550 SD PSD
obviously a little smaller than yours...
left side front 3 compartments are loaded with tools
front is wrenches (up to 1 5/8") 1/2" & 3/8" dr sockets (up to 2"), screwdrivers, nut drivers, pliers, chisels, small prybars, ratchets & ratchet heads
2nd compartment holds all my air tools, longer prybars, 3/4" dr handle, torque multiplier, hammers, longer extensions
3rd compartment is all my electrical testing eq, 1/4" dr set, boxes sets of taps/dies, threadchasers, ball joint set, tie wraps, electrical connectors
rear has a packrat storage cabinet, i keep my test fittings&guages, A/C guages, and some assorted heavier parts
rear cab on pass side has all my bottle jacks, and jumper cables
open cabinet on pass side had some assorted parts, battery tester, toolboxes with more (OEM) electrical terminals & connectors, and ECU interface boxes.
i have my laptop in the cab, along with a wireless MI-FI.
i sorta threw this truck together a couple months ago, my old truck was falling apart from underneath me, and my new truck hadnt been ordered yet.
obviously a little smaller than yours...
left side front 3 compartments are loaded with tools
front is wrenches (up to 1 5/8") 1/2" & 3/8" dr sockets (up to 2"), screwdrivers, nut drivers, pliers, chisels, small prybars, ratchets & ratchet heads
2nd compartment holds all my air tools, longer prybars, 3/4" dr handle, torque multiplier, hammers, longer extensions
3rd compartment is all my electrical testing eq, 1/4" dr set, boxes sets of taps/dies, threadchasers, ball joint set, tie wraps, electrical connectors
rear has a packrat storage cabinet, i keep my test fittings&guages, A/C guages, and some assorted heavier parts
rear cab on pass side has all my bottle jacks, and jumper cables
open cabinet on pass side had some assorted parts, battery tester, toolboxes with more (OEM) electrical terminals & connectors, and ECU interface boxes.
i have my laptop in the cab, along with a wireless MI-FI.
i sorta threw this truck together a couple months ago, my old truck was falling apart from underneath me, and my new truck hadnt been ordered yet.
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binder man
Well-known member
I work for a company building and maintaining our fleet of service trucks and rebuilding the trucks for other guys...post up a pic of your bed, it might help. I'm not a fan of Maintainer beds, to much lost space in the back corner and all the valves under the bed is a disaster in our conditions. I much prefer a autocrane body or palfinger, but I don't like palfingers boom controller..but enough of that. Post up pics of what your working with and I'll give you some ideas 
binder man
Well-known member
We'll agree to disagree! Maintainer makes a very heavy built bed but the boxes are very oddly shaped and to me lack room. We have 5 IMT,3 Autocrane, 1Maintainer a stellar, a palfinger and a Gormach...currently rebuilding a autocrane bed and adding a weld deck with 3 foot box on the passenger side. I'll snap some pictures of the palfinger we just finished. It has some neat little touches in it.
Rural53
Well-known member
How we do it in New Zealand
https://scontent-a-dfw.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/l/t1.0-9/1896947_795165603847233_7569252981896624409_n.jpg?oh=c4d93dc1767f233b392702f293bf8d37&oe=54DF40D0
https://scontent-a-dfw.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/l/t1.0-9/1896947_795165603847233_7569252981896624409_n.jpg?oh=c4d93dc1767f233b392702f293bf8d37&oe=54DF40D0
crewchief888
Well-known member
my new truck arrived this week 
2015 silverado 3500HD dually, 6.0 gasser, 4x4 11ft knaphied (SP?) KUV body
spent 1/2 a day tuesday unloading my tools and equipment from my old truck,
1/2 day wednesday trying to get half assed organized, and get my toolboxes mounted in the new body
9 hrs on thursday getting tools, equipment and parts put away with new bin locations in some resemblance of order.
4 hours at home on saturday, trying to get things secured, and get my compressor leaks fixed and plumbed up to the hose reel.
2015 silverado 3500HD dually, 6.0 gasser, 4x4 11ft knaphied (SP?) KUV body
spent 1/2 a day tuesday unloading my tools and equipment from my old truck,
1/2 day wednesday trying to get half assed organized, and get my toolboxes mounted in the new body
9 hrs on thursday getting tools, equipment and parts put away with new bin locations in some resemblance of order.
4 hours at home on saturday, trying to get things secured, and get my compressor leaks fixed and plumbed up to the hose reel.
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bobcatdan
Well-known member
That looks like my old service body. It was very handy since my truck was set up as a mini parts department. Kept everything dry and locked up. I never had a need for crane, if I did, I brought my trusty toro dingo with me. The truck has just sat unused since I left, they haven't replaced me yet.
crewchief888
Well-known member
we had 2 problems with the old bodies we had,
they were monroe 'glass bodies, and every one of them leaked. no way to keep anything from getting wet and rusted.
kinda hard to explain to a customer why the new part you're installing is covered in rust.
the cranes were a joke, after the 1st year, they all needed the hyd pump and winch motors replaced. after a couple years it was wiring harnesses.
cheap SOB's raised hell about the cost.
our location deals a LOT with track machines, and fighting with a track in the field was never fun, in '04 they switched from vans to the cab/chassis service trucks
we really dont have the option of hauling a trailer and another machine out to a job just to replace a track.
in (the GREAT state of) IL, if you are pulling a trailer with a commercial vehicle you have to have a CDL.
our service trucks arent in the transpotation business,
we have lowboy semi, all the salesman have trailers, and numerous towing companies with rolldecks.
most of our customers will pay someone else (anyone else) besides us to transport, just because of our labor rates.
so far the new truck seems to be "working out", it'll be better as soon as i get my parts inventory straightened out, and new bin locations set up.
we've been so busy the last month, we've had 2 trucks running out of our location, and the shop is packed full. the other stores havent had much field work at all.
kctyphoon
Banned
I have more **** screwed and and bolted onto this thing than I can even write. This is the before.. Maybe I can take some after pics..
One thing I can say is 4" pvc tubes are great for holding shovels,rakes,fiberglass sticks... Anything with a handle.. Another thing you can do is cut and bolt on plywood to the back of the cabinets or inside the utility bed and you can hang almost anything ( jackhammers and such). Also Home Depot sells these velco straps with hooks on the end - I have one wrapped onto the handle of the chainsaw and with an "I" bolt hanging from the top of the cabinet, I hang it vertically to save space. Another thing I have is a metal rod (like for a closet) running like 4 feet inside the bed I use to hang material, ropes, old hoists that I don't care about..
One thing I can say is 4" pvc tubes are great for holding shovels,rakes,fiberglass sticks... Anything with a handle.. Another thing you can do is cut and bolt on plywood to the back of the cabinets or inside the utility bed and you can hang almost anything ( jackhammers and such). Also Home Depot sells these velco straps with hooks on the end - I have one wrapped onto the handle of the chainsaw and with an "I" bolt hanging from the top of the cabinet, I hang it vertically to save space. Another thing I have is a metal rod (like for a closet) running like 4 feet inside the bed I use to hang material, ropes, old hoists that I don't care about..
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malibu101
Well-known member
I'll have to get some better ones tomorrow but this is all I got for now but this bed has way more room than my auto crane box
Sorry to post both pics again
BUT
2 engine drive welders on the same truck.
Good thing you have 2 hands and 2 eyes.
bobcatdan
Well-known member
we had 2 problems with the old bodies we had,
they were monroe 'glass bodies, and every one of them leaked. no way to keep anything from getting wet and rusted.
kinda hard to explain to a customer why the new part you're installing is covered in rust.
the cranes were a joke, after the 1st year, they all needed the hyd pump and winch motors replaced. after a couple years it was wiring harnesses.
cheap SOB's raised hell about the cost.
our location deals a LOT with track machines, and fighting with a track in the field was never fun, in '04 they switched from vans to the cab/chassis service trucks
we really dont have the option of hauling a trailer and another machine out to a job just to replace a track.
in (the GREAT state of) IL, if you are pulling a trailer with a commercial vehicle you have to have a CDL.
our service trucks arent in the transpotation business,
we have lowboy semi, all the salesman have trailers, and numerous towing companies with rolldecks.
most of our customers will pay someone else (anyone else) besides us to transport, just because of our labor rates.
so far the new truck seems to be "working out", it'll be better as soon as i get my parts inventory straightened out, and new bin locations set up.
we've been so busy the last month, we've had 2 trucks running out of our location, and the shop is packed full. the other stores havent had much field work at all.
For doing tracks, I'd hook up to my trailer and load the tracks and the dingo on it. Once to the site, I'd use the dingo to move the tracks to the machine without needing to get the truck right close. Being a smaller store, I did a lot of trucking with my rig from rentals and service work.
binder man
Well-known member
Sorry to post both pics again
BUT
2 engine drive welders on the same truck.
Good thing you have 2 hands and 2 eyes.
I believe you are seeing the air compressor? I only see one welder here.
kctyphoon
Banned
I'll guess generator..
Snapped-off
Well-known member
It's cool seeing that RC-40. They're made by Vanair in NW Indiana.
Used to work there.
Sorry to post both pics again
BUT
2 engine drive welders on the same truck.
Good thing you have 2 hands and 2 eyes.
It's a welder/generator is the blue miller bobcat 250 and the one toward the cab is the pto driven compressor works great use it daily
John in OH
Well-known member
I was all excited to read through this thread, but the lack of pics is a real disappointment!! If it weren't for Crewchief888 and Rual53 there would be no good pictorial suggestions at all!!
Surely more of you guys have some good service truck ideas that you can take pics of.
Surely more of you guys have some good service truck ideas that you can take pics of.
idahochevy
Active member
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2013
- Messages
- 37
I was in a Field truck for a while. However when i switched stores i had to move back in the shop. Here are a couple of pics that i have.
idahochevy
Active member
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2013
- Messages
- 37
If i remember right it was a late "A" model and it had around 5000 hrs on it. The left hand track tensioner kept on bleeding off.
sberry
Banned
Mine is a beater, 350 gas and tool old to be a daily driver. Its great at being parked in the shed. It actually runs good but the brake and steering systems are just too old. Its super reliable, could start it and drive across country today but it wouldnt be very comfy. I carry a farm plate. What is good about it, it starts and runs and when you absolutely got to heat and beat its got it.
The thing is basically an Ironworkers gang box on wheels. I had intended on a crane and the support is in, just never ran across one right and I have one on another truck which is even better.
The thing is basically an Ironworkers gang box on wheels. I had intended on a crane and the support is in, just never ran across one right and I have one on another truck which is even better.
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sberry
Banned
Everything operated from driver side. Storage on far side with nut and bolts. Right hand corner is chain and rigging and a couple shelves of steel pieces. I don't think I got real good pass side pics, chop saw, power thread and those top add ons were there, I have a lot of misc stuff, shovels, extra hose and lead, dry coveralls, some minor fluids.
Little side hutches in rear end about 3 ft but the 3 center bays are over 10 ft, can put a conduit or half pieces of steel in.
In the tailgate pic there is a rod with a "hoe" on the far end and the bay is filled with wood blocks. There are a few small pieces at the end but most are 6x6x24 or so and got enough to block a tractor up.
Little side hutches in rear end about 3 ft but the 3 center bays are over 10 ft, can put a conduit or half pieces of steel in.
In the tailgate pic there is a rod with a "hoe" on the far end and the bay is filled with wood blocks. There are a few small pieces at the end but most are 6x6x24 or so and got enough to block a tractor up.
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sberry
Banned
The boxes are drafty but don't leak from weather and everything is enclosed which makes it near invisible in traffic.
I use the air comp to blow some lines but cant recall using this since last winter on a couple service calls and don't really need it most of the time which is why cheap is good and ok. I really work out of my pickup, I am such a MgYver that I need less to do more and tossed a lot of things for a few that really do double duty and that I do use. Technology and battery tools as well as inverter really helped. Got a Miller Max 150. The cab is really stuffed, these pics are older and the truck is now shot. I should be looking at a new one, just hate to when it cost me 200 and a days labor to keep it going last year.
I would mind some help from the south here to score a good truck, I hate t cut up a new one and wouldn't mind 10 yr model I could customize. I would really like single r wheel if possible, probably have to go 1 t but,,, long cab and long box and 4x4 is good. Auto trans.
I use the air comp to blow some lines but cant recall using this since last winter on a couple service calls and don't really need it most of the time which is why cheap is good and ok. I really work out of my pickup, I am such a MgYver that I need less to do more and tossed a lot of things for a few that really do double duty and that I do use. Technology and battery tools as well as inverter really helped. Got a Miller Max 150. The cab is really stuffed, these pics are older and the truck is now shot. I should be looking at a new one, just hate to when it cost me 200 and a days labor to keep it going last year.
I would mind some help from the south here to score a good truck, I hate t cut up a new one and wouldn't mind 10 yr model I could customize. I would really like single r wheel if possible, probably have to go 1 t but,,, long cab and long box and 4x4 is good. Auto trans.
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sberry
Banned
am going to build another one but this time it will be light, on a pickup chassis but would consider a van. The only reason I don't go service body is I am going to see how much I can leave stock looking.
The layout I have in the pickup above is pretty good, nothing is perfect on the road and you got to put stuff back, its really tempting to just toss in but there simply isn't room. I was thinking of adding a topper to this with side doors so I can reach in. The box I have has a hump in the center, can shove long lumber right under it and I got a couple ways to carry pipe.
You cant travel with a scheme I have, no good way to lock up and while I have nooks to keep it mostly weather protected I park inside. Its a pain when you need the cab space so I want extended but wouldn't mind fixing a seat so I could have about 40% behind the drivers good for a cab.
The toolbox riding on the seat is super handy and works better than anything I have used but it can be in the way. Its just I don't like digging thru the rest for the most common tools and about half the time I know when I leave the cab what to take.
The layout I have in the pickup above is pretty good, nothing is perfect on the road and you got to put stuff back, its really tempting to just toss in but there simply isn't room. I was thinking of adding a topper to this with side doors so I can reach in. The box I have has a hump in the center, can shove long lumber right under it and I got a couple ways to carry pipe.
You cant travel with a scheme I have, no good way to lock up and while I have nooks to keep it mostly weather protected I park inside. Its a pain when you need the cab space so I want extended but wouldn't mind fixing a seat so I could have about 40% behind the drivers good for a cab.
The toolbox riding on the seat is super handy and works better than anything I have used but it can be in the way. Its just I don't like digging thru the rest for the most common tools and about half the time I know when I leave the cab what to take.
sberry
Banned
Battery impacting and drilling is revolutionary, its really allowed for the use of smaller trucks. So many chores we now do from a pickup where we used to drive a big truck so we had electric and air.
The nature of our work changed a little too but today could easily go back to a light trailer with a welder and comp on it for the rare occasion I need it. If I was to do it again would find a genset I could live with and use a Maxstar vs an engine drive welder.
The nature of our work changed a little too but today could easily go back to a light trailer with a welder and comp on it for the rare occasion I need it. If I was to do it again would find a genset I could live with and use a Maxstar vs an engine drive welder.
Rural53
Well-known member
Water pump technician's service vehicle.
Rural53
Well-known member
For those asking for more photos - some New Zealand style service trucks.
Light truck type
Box truck type
Smaller light truck (at offroad racing on the weekend)
Ute type
Light truck type
Box truck type
Smaller light truck (at offroad racing on the weekend)
Ute type
