9/28/17

Ford Trucks Celebrate 100 Years of Toughness and Innovation

Happy 100 years of Ford trucks!

Few things are around long enough to see a one hundredth anniversary. But thanks to the revolutionary vision of Henry Ford, his trucks are one of them.

We are celebrating a century’s worth of Ford truck models for toughness and innovation. Let us take a moment to reflect back on the legacy, from the Model TT – the first purpose-built Ford truck chassis – through modern times, which include a four decades-long reign as the best-selling pickup truck in America.

A Legend Is Born
With almost a decade of Model T production under his belt, Henry Ford answered the call from customers for a vehicle that could handle heavier loads and provide greater flexibility for work. And on July 27th, 1917, the Ford Model TT was introduced.

Using the base Model T cab and engine, the Model TT was outfitted with a longer wheelbase and a one-ton payload. To provide customers with enhanced functionality, the Model TT could be modified with third-party beds and cargo areas to enhance its utility as a delivery vehicle.

While only 209 Model TT trucks were sold that first year, Henry Ford knew he had a winner, especially in rural areas where the trucks started to find a home. As a result, we sold over 1.3 million Model TTs in a little over a decade, before it was replaced with the Model AA in 1928.

The Competition Heats Up
By 1932, with an established truck market and competitors attempting to gain a foothold, we improved our truck offerings once again with the Model BB. This iteration was even more capable than its predecessors and many went on to perform the honorable tasks of delivering mail, freight and even transporting sick and injured people to hospitals.

To War
In 1941, with over 4 million pickup trucks sold, we went to work for Uncle Sam. While the changeover to war production hurt consumer sales, we learned some new tricks in our effort to design and build the heavy-duty machines that helped U.S. forces on the battlefields of Europe and the Pacific.

The F-Series
In 1947, with the troops home and civilian life returning to normal, we put our war experience to work and began producing the next generation of trucks for our customers.

The first-generation F-Series trucks offered a wide range of capabilities, from the half-ton F-1, to the much larger F-8 cab-over truck. Through the 1950s, we upped the ante, offering pickups with more engine power, capacity and capability. During this time, we rebranded the series, introducing the F-100, F-250, F-350 and C-Series commercial trucks.

Built Ford Tough® (and Comfortable)
Throughout the 1950s, we steadily increased the capability of the F-Series lineup, raising the bar with enhanced style and amenities. Gone were the days of spartan utilitarian trucks. They were replaced with models that had two-tone paint, automatic transmissions and improved creature comforts like radios and improved heaters.

By the 1960s, Ford trucks, including an upscale Ford Ranger package, offered improved interiors, power steering and brakes, as well as a lower profile. Even F-Series advertising was tweaked to emphasize comfort as well as capability.

The 1970s, though, marked the beginning of the storied sales run., and in 1977, F-Series pulled ahead in the sales race and has left the competition in the rearview mirror ever since.

That same year, the iconic “Built Ford Tough” slogan was penned by a copywriter for a Ford truck magazine. These three words have so perfectly captured the essence of F-Series trucks and ushered in a new era for the brand. The tagline isn’t just words, it’s a promise to its owners.

Always Listening, Always Evolving
With all of our pickup offerings grounded in the Built Ford Tough®, we have also continued to evolve the F-Series to meet the rapidly changing needs of customers. Whether that be the heavy-duty capability of the Super Duty® line, or premium trim versions like the Platinum or King Ranch®, Ford trucks have something to offer nearly anyone.

Over the years, the Ford pickup truck has evolved from being just a beast of burden into a family vehicle, work companion and even off-road warrior. It has managed to stay a step or two ahead of the times.

When the price of gas became a burden on owners’ wallets, Ford was there with the EcoBoost® engine, which saved gas without sacrificing power. Indeed, the past decade has been one of incredible leaps forward in technology, which is evident in the latest generation of F-Series trucks. Available navigation and information and entertainment systems, Pro Trailer Backup Assist™, 360-degree cameras and lighter-weight high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy bodies are among a few of the innovations in Ford today’s pickups.

With over a hundred years (and counting) of toughness and innovation under our belt, we’re working hard to make sure that Ford F-Series trucks will help hardworking folks get the job done for a long, long time to come.

Source: https://social.ford.com/en_US/story/vehicle-type/truck/ford-trucks-celebrate-100-years-of-toughness-and-innovation.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=forddriveone&utm_content=4&utm_campaign=20170925_100_years_trucks_a&source=20170925_100_years_trucks_a&emailid=20170925_100_years_trucks_a

9/26/17

2018 Ford F-150: Truck Assist Technologies


See how Ford continues to push the technologies built especially for trucks and shows the new 2018 Ford F-150 doesn’t just raise the bar, it is the bar.

9/24/17

Kargo Master Van Equipment


Kargo Master offers wide varieties of van equipment, van shelving, and other van storage systems. Visit KargoMaster.com for more information

9/22/17

BOSS TGS 600 and 1100 Tailgate Spreaders


BOSS offers several different polyethylene tailgate spreaders to suit your needs. Check out the BOSS TGS 600 and 1100 tailgate spreaders in action. Visit: www.bossplow.com

9/20/17

What Spreader is Right for the Job?

No two ice removal jobs are the same, and that is why we offer multiple options to meet your specific needs. With a variety of features to back you up in your ice control efforts, confusion may arise regarding which BOSS spreader is right for you. Below is a description of the similarities and key differences between the FORGE and VBX spreaders to assist you in your decision!


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Hopper Capacity: The VBX line offers multiple hopper capacity options to fit your needs – 1.5, 2, and 3 cubic yard capacity

Enclosed Spinner Motor: With a ¾ horsepower stainless steel spinner motor, the VBX gives you all the power you need without the maintenance of a gas-powered feed system. Also, the spinner motor is weather and dust sealed to ensure performance, durability, and reliability.

Hopper Material: The double-walled Polyethylene hopper provides a spreader that is durable, corrosion resistant, and low maintenance.

Standard Tarp: The VBX comes standard with a tarp to protect your de-icing materials from snow and moisture on the job.

LCD Screen In-Cab Controller: To make your life even easier, BOSS has equipped the VBX with an in-cab LCD display controller that allows you to manage spreader functions at the touch of a button. The LCD screen is backlit for clear visibility and ease of use.

LED Work Lights: BOSS knows that many ice removable jobs take place after normal hours, so LED work lights are a standard feature that illuminate the spreader at night.

Spinner Assembly: In addition to the swing-out feature on the spinner assembly – which makes for an easy removal of excess material – the VBX allows for further spinner customization. Users can easily adjust the height of the spinner to set their desired spreading range.

Additional Accessories:
Pre-Wet Ready: New VBX purchases come standard as Pre-Wet ready spreaders. Learn more about adding a Pre-Wet System to your spreader HERE.

Pro-Lid: VBX spreaders now have the option of adding a weather-sealed, poly-hard cover to protect deicing materials. Pro-Lid retrofits to existing VBX models and is available on the VBX6500, VBX8000, and VBX9000. Learn more about adding the Pro-Lid to your VBX HERE.

FORGE 2.0
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Hopper Capacity: The FORGE 2.0 spreader is only available in one size – 2 cubic yard capacity with a minimum bed length required of 6’6.”

Enclosed Spinner Motor: The FORGE is equipped with a ½ horsepower drive motor. Like the VBX spinner motor, the FORGE motor is weather and dust sealed to ensure durability, performance, and reliability.

Hopper Material: Using heavy gauge stainless steel, the Forge provides a strong body that is less susceptible to damage and better prepared to take on the winter elements.
In-Cab Controller: The Forge features a high value in-cab controller that is backlit for clear visibility and ease of use.

Spinner Assembly: The FORGE also provides a swing out spinner assembly to allow for the emptying of old materials.

Additional Accessories
Customizable Features: BOSS allows you to customize features to fit your needs. Optional accessories include the Forge light kit, tarp, vibrator, and inverted V (pintle).

Pre-Wet Capable: The FORGE is pre-wet capable if desired. In order to add the Pre-Wet System, a Pre-Wet capable controller is required. To learn more, visit bossplow.com

Similarities
Though the VBX and FORGE 2.0 spreaders each contain unique features, BOSS has equipped both spreaders with similar features that are necessary to battle the winter elements.

Tie Down Kit: Both spreaders come standard with a tie down kit that keeps your spreader safe and secure in the bed of your truck.

Standard Top Screen: The VBX and FORGE both come standard with a top screen that prevents any large clumps of material from entering the spreader.

Dump Switch: After your ice removal job is completed, the VBX and FORGE both feature a dump switch that empties excess material effortlessly.

Inverted V Auger System: The inverted V auger system comes standard on both spreaders, and is optional on the pintle chain system. Only the auger feed system comes standard with a vibrator to assist in material movement, as the pintle feed design rarely requires this feature.

As with any purchase, taking the time to understand each product will help you select the spreader that best suits your needs. Contact your local dealer today for further questions and inquiries.
Topics: Buyer's Guide

Learn more at: http://info.bossplow.com

9/18/17

How Ford Quietly Went About Early Testing of The F-150 Cargo Box with Real Customers in the Toughest Conditions



  •     Beginning in 2011, at job sites including a Nevada gold mine and a Pennsylvania dam, as well as in servicing power lines in Appalachia, six prototype F-150 pickups with high-strength, aluminum-alloy cargo boxes were quietly tested in the hands of longtime Ford fleet customers
  •     Extreme real-world customer testing early on has helped prove durability of aluminum alloy and determine final cargo box design, ensuring the all-new Ford F-150 will be the toughest F-150 yet
  •     First time Ford has given customers advanced prototype vehicles so far ahead of production
Ford Motor Company went beyond its labs to test a key part of the all-new Ford F-150. The company embedded six prototype pickups – each with an experimental aluminum-alloy cargo box – at some of its fleet customer job sites then quietly went about evaluating the design and engineering of the next-generation pickup in the toughest conditions.

Three longstanding Ford fleet customers, unaware of Ford’s experiment, took delivery of prototype F-150s with current steel bodies and all-new, high-strength, aluminum-alloy cargo boxes in 2011. Three years later, these fleet customers and the Ford team who built the prototype trucks are convinced the new 2015 Ford F-150 will be the toughest truck the company has ever made.

“Our customers demand the highest levels of toughness and productivity – so we wanted to test the truck outside, in the harshest conditions and in the hands of real customers – with no limits,” said Larry Queener, program manager for the new F-150. “But we did not want these customers to know what was different. So, when we gave them the prototype vehicles, we told them to use the trucks like their other hard-working Ford trucks, and we would be back to follow their progress.”

Denis Kansier, F-150 prototype lead engineer, visited the customer sites every three months to check on the integrity of the vehicles and identify possible adjustments to the design of the new Ford F-150.

“This secret testing almost immediately yielded results and lessons we have rolled into the all-new F-150,” said Kansier. “For example, we made the cargo box floor thicker to improve strength, and we made modifications to the tailgate based on lessons we learned through customer usage.”

The six-vehicle fleet accumulated more than 350,000 miles in just more than two years.

Blind testing with customers

The job sites where the real-world testing was done were chosen for the tough nature of the work these fleet customers do there – from picking up and hauling heavy objects, like 40-pound pintle hitches used for heavy towing, to rolling over unforgiving off-road terrain. The customers were given two prototype vehicles each. The customers and the sites they worked on include:


  •     Barrick Gold Corporation, Elko, Nevada: The Barrick surveying team drove the vehicles through severe terrain at the company’s Bald Mountain and Cortez mines, including travel into mine pits before and after blasting. The prototype F-150 trucks are still being driven between 100 and 300 miles a day, and have accumulated more than 150,000 miles between them
  •     Walsh Construction, Holtwood, Pennsylvania and Birmingham, Alabama: Walsh Construction was selected for the severity of use at two of its work sites – first, a hydroelectric dam in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, then a highway interchange construction site in Birmingham, Alabama
  •     Regional utility company in North Carolina: One F-150 prototype was assigned to a meter reading crew that drives up steep mountain roads; the second truck was assigned to line crews that drive up overgrown paths to replace old poles and electrical lines. The meter readers removed the truck’s tailgate to improve visibility – an alteration Ford engineers responded to by incorporating height modifications into the final F-150 design. The trucks at these sites are still being driven an average of 200 miles a day

As the testing of these six F-150 prototypes ensued, drivers began to notice differences compared to typical steel truck beds. One of the differences they noticed was a lack of rust.

“They told us they noticed the boxes did not produce red surface rust when heavy use scratched through the paint,” said Kansier.

The fleet customers were informed of the modified, high-strength aluminum-alloy cargo box at the reveal of the all-new F-150 at a North American International Auto Show.

To watch the customer tough testing in action at Barrick Gold Corporation, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBuYbGXVHdE&feature=youtu.be.

Tough testing strategy

Ford’s extensive testing strategy for the new F-150 includes three phases that will allow engineers to understand how each truck stands up under an array of harsh conditions: “We Test,” which takes place in Ford labs, “They Test,” at fleet customer sites and “You Test,” in which consumers will have an opportunity to put the new truck through its paces.

In addition to testing by the three fleet customers, prototype F-150s have been tested in a number of real-world environments. Among them is Davis Dam – a durability route in a remote corner of northeast Arizona – where the F-150 climbed 13 miles pulling a maximum trailer load in 120 degree heat. In California’s Anza-Borrego State Park, an hour east of San Diego, the truck ascended a mountain of sand and rock with a 30-degree grade, sometimes reaching an altitude of 6,000 feet, 250 times over five days – all without fail.

Before the first 2015 F-150 rolled off the assembly line, the new truck was to 10 million miles of combined real-world and simulated durability testing. For a list of some of the ways Ford has torture tested the next-generation F-150, visit

https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2014/04/09/10-ways-ford-torture-tested-the-2015-F150.html.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 183,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit corporate.ford.com.

9/16/17

Knapheide KnapKap Ultra Cab High Utility, Supreme Utility Walk Around



Watch Tony Marshall, Manager of Product Strategy and Marketing, Nathan Campbell, Regional Sales Manager, and Carl Schumacher, Strategic Account Manager, as they go through features and options on the KnapKap Ultra High Cab Utility and KnapKap Supreme Utility from The Knapheide Manufacturing Company.

9/14/17

9/10/17

FORD PROVIDES MORE THAN $3.5M TO HURRICANE RELIEF; OFFERS 'TEXAS IS FAMILY' PACKAGE TO AID VICTIMS


  • Ford Motor Company, our employees and our dealers are working to help victims of Hurricane Harvey rebuild their lives
  • Ford dealers and Ford Motor Company commit to raising more than $3.5 million in hurricane relief for affected communities, first responders, dealership employees and their families
  • Ford Fund is contributing up to $500,000 to the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army and other agencies to assist with the relief effort
  • Ford is extending a special “Texas Is Family” assistance bundle for customers whose vehicles were lost or destroyed; this includes the same no-haggle, below-invoice price as Ford employees and their families receive, with payments deferred until next year
  • First responders in hurricane-affected areas are eligible to receive a special discount toward the purchase of any Ford or Lincoln vehicle
DEARBORN, MI,  – Ford Motor Company and its dealers, taking action to aid Hurricane Harvey victims, are committing millions of dollars in relief funds and offering special assistance to those who need to replace lost or destroyed vehicles.

“Our hearts go out to all of those affected by Hurricane Harvey. Texas is like family for Ford,” said Jim Hackett, Ford president and CEO. “Our teams are working day and night to help our customers, dealers and communities get back on their feet.”

Ford has launched multiple initiatives to assist in the relief efforts, including committing more than $3.5 million in relief funds. These actions include:

  • Ford Motor Company Fund is contributing $500,000 to disaster relief efforts in Texas. This includes contributions to the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Team Rubicon, Toolbank and the purchase of four Chariot Transit Vans that will also support the relief effort
  • Texas-area Ford dealers already have donated $200,000 to disaster relief organizations via the Cowboys-Texans telethon and have committed to raising more than $1 million to go toward helping dealership employees and local charities. Ford will match this effort up to a total of $1.5 million in relief to designated community relief charities
  • Ford is announcing a special customer assistance bundle, “Texas Is Family,” to assist customers with a loss claim to meet their immediate vehicle needs:
  • “Texas Is Family” customer assistance bundle
  • The same no-haggle, below-invoice price as Ford employees and their families receive
  • No payments until next year
  • Low Ford Credit APR or lease rates
  • Simple online application process
Existing customers affected by Hurricane Harvey can apply to have their payments deferred for up to two months by contacting Ford Credit or Lincoln Automotive Financial Services online, at FordCredit.com or LincolnAFS.com, by or phone at 800.723.4016 or by using the FordPass smartphone app

First responders in hurricane-affected areas are eligible to receive a special $1,000 discount (in addition to all available incentives) toward the purchase of any Ford or Lincoln vehicle
Ford has 114 dealerships in the Houston region. Currently, 101 remain open, 13 are closed and 10 (some open and some closed) have incurred extensive damage. While assessments are still under way, Ford expects dealer vehicle losses to be in the low thousands and isolated to a few dealers.

“The outpouring of support from dealers and employees who want to help is truly remarkable,” said Raj Nair, executive vice president and president of North America. “Thousands of people have suffered tremendous loss as a result of Harvey. For these people, Ford is committed to taking action to make the process of getting their lives back on track a little easier.”

ABOUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 203,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.​​

9/08/17

SpitzLift: Who We Are


The SpitzLift is the most payload efficient, material handling equipment available today.
www.spitzlift.com

9/04/17

Ford Transit: A Plumber’s Perfect Work Van


K.C. Montgomery is helping his customers find innovative ways to get the most out of their water in drought-ravaged California. He isn’t your average plumber -- and his Ford Transit isn’t your average work van: Customized shelving and storage, lots of space to load and unload and incredible on-road efficiency. See how Transit has completely changed the face of K.C.’s business.

Learn more about Monty’s Plumbing: http://ford.to/MontysPlumbing

The Ford Transit and Transit Connect offer the flexibility to fit any business like a work glove. To demonstrate, we loaned one to four very different businesses and got only one result: success. Take a look and see how the right work van can make any business move faster. Whatever your job, the Transit works. 

Learn more about Ford Transit: http://ford.to/FordTransit

9/02/17

Pickup Trucks 101: Gas Vs. Diesel

If you are in the market for a new pickup truck, you may be wondering if you should get a gas engine or a diesel engine since there are significant differences between the two. Those differences vary for mid-size, light-duty full-size and heavy-duty full-size pickups.

Which is best for you? Let's look at the differences of the two engine types, focusing not only on the engines themselves, but also on the components that are different between them.

Read the whole story at: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2017/08/pickup-trucks-101-gas-vs-diesel.html