Brighthouse Cable F450 Utility Body with a Versalift Bucket Lift

Spotted, a F450 Ford with Utility Body and a Versalift Bucket Lift used by Brighthouse Networks, a cable provider in Central Florida. 

  

Notice how the bucket sets on the rear "bed extension.' take a look at the details below. The extension provides a place for the bucket to ride soft on a "cushion tube". The extension appears to be supported by a frame extension which also has an integrated Pintle Style trailer hitch. 

See the "Cushion Tube", providing a soft ride for the Bucket

Find out more about Versalift at: http://www.versalift.com/

By: Steve Taylor


Guest Post by Steve Taylor. Steve is a consultant in lean six sigma process improvement and specializes in fleets and manufacturers in the work truck industry. He may be contacted at steve@truckarchitect.com and his website is http://www.upstreamsource.com/ 

Power Line Work Trucks

We don't give much thought to the overhead power lines, but when they need repair or replacement, there are always trucks required for the process. I shot this picture of a power line worker up in the bucket as shown above. The photo below shows the truck mounted crane and the bucket truck used to position the worker where he needed to be to perform his work. 

Below are pictures of the two International bucket trucks and a truck mounted crane.

Long reach bucket mounted on an International Tandem

Notice the heavy duty out-riggers mounted to the truck body

Long reach truck mounted crane mounted on International Tandem.
Notice the rear mounted out-riggers.

This work could not be accomplished without some heavy duty equipment. In this case, the trucks are brought to the site and readily positioned into place, the work gets done and they are gone!

What You May Not Know About Gas Cans and Pickup Bedliners - Read This First and Watch the Video!

Here's a video you should watch. The near-tragedy 

starts at about 1/3 through the video!

By Steve Taylor

I was shocked when I saw this video, I had limited knowledge of the potential for fire when a gas can was allowed to travel in and remain placed on the pick-up bed plastic bed-liner while refueling. Well, its real because here is a notice from the US NIOSH, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (US). I wanted to share it with you:


Fire Hazard from Filling Portable Gas Cans in Pickup Trucks and Cars

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 98-111
Description of Hazard

In recent incidents reported to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), fires spontaneously ignited when workers or others attempted to fill portable gasoline containers (gas cans) in the backs of pickup trucks equipped with plastic bed liners or in cars with carpeted surfaces. Serious skin burns and other injuries resulted. Similar incidents in the last few years have resulted in warning bulletins from several private and government organizations.

These fires result from the buildup of static electricity. The insulating effect of the bed liner or carpet prevents the static charge generated by gasoline flowing into the container or other sources from grounding. The discharge of this buildup to the grounded gasoline dispenser nozzle may cause a spark and ignite the gasoline. Both ungrounded metal (most hazardous) and plastic gas containers have been involved in these incidents.

Fire Hazard: Filling gas can in pickup truck with plastic bed liner.
Safe Practice: Always place gas can on ground before refueling. Touch can with gas dispenser nozzle before removing can lid. Keep gas dispenser nozzle in contact with can inlet when filling.

Recommendations For Prevention

Construction workers and others in small businesses who often work with gasoline-powered equipment commonly use portable gasoline containers. Homeowners use gasoline cans for their lawn mowers and other equipment.

•     Avoid the hazardous practice of leaving the portable gasoline containers in pickup trucks or cars when refueling!
•     Before filling, always remove the containers from the vehicle and place them on the ground at a safe distance from the vehicle (provides path to dissipate static charge to ground).
•     Touch the container with the gas dispenser nozzle before removing the container lid (provides another path to dissipate static charge to ground).
•     Keep the nozzle in contact with the container inlet when filling (to dissipate static charge buildup from flow of gasoline).

Additional measures for prevention include the following:

•     Manufacturers or retailers: Place a hazard label on all plastic liners being sold warning workers not to fill portable gas containers in the bed liner of the truck but always to place the containers on the ground before filling.
•     Gas stations: Display a warning notice near gas pumps to place all portable gas containers on the ground before filling.
•     States: Provide a warning notification to owners and users when new vehicles are licensed or when license plates are renewed.
•     Manufacturers: Build bed liners that can be grounded to the metal truck bed, thereby dissipating potential electrostatic charge.

Acknowledgments

The principal contributors to this publication are: Jerome P. Flesch, Elaine Mann, G. Kent Hatfield, Heinz Ahlers, Richard Carlson, and Rosmarie T. Hagedorn, NIOSH; Richard Yallits, City of Winnipeg, Canada Fire Department; William Rowe, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Fire Hazard from Filling Portable Gas Cans in Pickup Trucks and Cars Adobe PDF file [PDF - 239 KB]

Guest Post by Steve Taylor. Steve is a consultant in lean six sigma process improvement and specializes in fleets and manufacturers in the work truck industry. He may be contacted at steve@truckarchitect.com and his website is http://www.upstreamsource.com/

NHTSA Recall Notice 4.16.15

Please click on the following NHTSA Campaign ID links to view the recall information.

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V156
Manufacturer :	Forest River, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	FOREST RIVER / 2014
Subject :	Exterior Furnace Vent Missing
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V160
Manufacturer :	Forest River, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	FOREST RIVER / 2013-2014
Subject :	Brake Wires may Pinch, Break or Short
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V161
Manufacturer :	Jerr-Dan Corporation
Make / Model Years :	JERR-DAN / 2010
Subject :	Underlift Boom may Drift Down
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V162
Manufacturer :	General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years :	BUICK / 2015 CHEVROLET / 2015
Subject :	Missing Rim Size Information on Label/FMVSS 110
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V163
Manufacturer :	Terex South Dakota, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	TEREX / 2014-2015
Subject :	Turntable Securing Bolts may Fail
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V164
Manufacturer :	General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years :	CHEVROLET / 2013-2015
Subject :	Roof Panel May Inadvertently Auto Close/FMVSS 118
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V165
Manufacturer :	Navistar, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	IC BUS / 2015 INTERNATIONAL / 2015-2016
Subject :	Improperly Seated Brake Chamber Diaphragm
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V166
Manufacturer :	Navistar, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	IC BUS / 2015-2016
Subject :	Improperly Seated Brake Chamber Diaphragm
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V167
Manufacturer :	Navistar, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	IC BUS / 2015-2016
Subject :	Air Hose for Front Service Brake may Contact Tire
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V168
Manufacturer :	Navistar, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	IC BUS / 2015
Subject :	Air Hose for Front Service Brake may Contact Tire
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V169
Manufacturer :	Navistar, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	INTERNATIONAL / 1999-2002
Subject :	Front Driveshaft may Seize
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V170
Manufacturer :	Spartan Motors, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	SPARTAN / 2011-2016
Subject :	Fuel/Water Separator Heater Connectors may Melt
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V171
Manufacturer :	Ford Motor Company
Make / Model Years :	FORD / 2011-2013
Subject :	Interior Door Handle Return Spring may Unseat
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V172
Manufacturer :	Ford Motor Company
Make / Model Years :	LINCOLN / 2013-2015
Subject :	Vacuum Pump Relay may Overheat
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V173
Manufacturer :	KZRV, L.P.
Make / Model Years :	KZ-RV / 2012-2015
Subject :	Quad Step Rivet Failure
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V174
Manufacturer :	Pierce Manufacturing
Make / Model Years :	PIERCE / 2015
Subject :	Rear Leaf Spring Spacer Block may Fracture
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V175
Manufacturer :	Ford Motor Company
Make / Model Years :	FORD / 2011-2015
Subject :	Engine Shutdown in Emergency Vehicles
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V176
Manufacturer :	Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
Make / Model Years :	YAMAHA / 2015
Subject :	Shift Cam Segment Stopper may Fracture
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V179
Manufacturer :	Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
Make / Model Years :	FIAT / 2013-2015
Subject :	Electric Propulsion System may Shutdown
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V180
Manufacturer :	Blue Bird Body Company
Make / Model Years :	BLUE BIRD / 2015-2016
Subject :	Inverter may Fail and Cause Fire
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V181
Manufacturer :	Blue Bird Body Company
Make / Model Years :	BLUE BIRD / 2015-2016
Subject :	Inverter may Fail and Cause Fire
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V183
Manufacturer :	Motor Coach Industries
Make / Model Years :	MCI / 2007-2010
Subject :	Seat Belt may not properly Restrain Driver
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V185
Manufacturer :	Daimler Trucks North America LLC
Make / Model Years :	FREIGHTLINER / 2015 WESTERN STAR / 2015
Subject :	Improperly Seated Brake Chamber Diaphragm
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V187
Manufacturer :	Forest River, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	COACHMEN / 2015
Subject :	Abutting Wedge Incorrectly Installed
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V189
Manufacturer :	BMW of North America, LLC
Make / Model Years :	BMW / 2014-2015
Subject :	Improper Plating on Fuel Pump may Result in Stall
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V190
Manufacturer :	Airstream, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	AIRSTREAM / 2015
Subject :	Abutting Wedge Incorrectly Installed
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V191
Manufacturer :	Thor Motor Coach
Make / Model Years :	THOR / 2015
Subject :	Abutting Wedge Incorrectly Installed
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V197
Manufacturer :	Nissan North America, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	NISSAN / 2014
Subject :	Improper Plating on Fuel Pump may Result in Stall

NHTSA Recall Notice 4.6.15

Please click on the following NHTSA Campaign ID links to view the recall information.

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V148
Manufacturer :	BMW of North America, LLC
Make / Model Years :	BMW / 2015
Subject :	Air Bag Incorrect Deployment Timing/FMVSS 208
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V149
Manufacturer :	Newmar Corporation
Make / Model Years :	NEWMAR / 2014-2015
Subject :	Wiper Blades may Detach from Wiper Arms
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V150
Manufacturer :	Altec Industries Inc.
Make / Model Years :	ALTEC / 2014
Subject :	Counterbalance Valve Crack may Allow Boom Movement
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V151
Manufacturer :	Spartan Tool, LLC
Make / Model Years :	SPARTAN TOOL / 2013-2014
Subject :	Trailer Hitch Welds may Fail
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V152
Manufacturer :	Ducati North America
Make / Model Years :	DUCATI / 2010-2014
Subject :	Cable may Prevent the Throttle from Closing
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V154
Manufacturer :	Hyundai Translead
Make / Model Years :	HYUNDAI TRANSLEAD / 2014-2015
Subject :	Improperly Seated Brake Chamber Diaphragm
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V155
Manufacturer :	Eldorado National- California, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	ELDORADO / 2014
Subject :	Tie Rod Nuts may be Incorrectly Torqued
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V158
Manufacturer :	Charles Machine Works Inc
Make / Model Years :	CHARLES MACHINE / 2013-2015
Subject :	Incorrect Pre-Load on Wheel Bearings
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V159
Manufacturer :	Charles Machine Works Inc
Make / Model Years :	CHARLES MACHINE / 2002-2015
Subject :	Possible Incorrect Wheel Bearings in Axle Assembly

NHTSA Recall Notice 3.30.15

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :     15V133
Manufacturer :     Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc.
Make / Model Years :     TIFFIN / 2014
Subject :     Steering Knuckle may Fail
   
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :     15V134
Manufacturer :     Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Make / Model Years :     TOYOTA / 2012-2015
Subject :     Roof Headliner Requirements/FMVSS 201
   
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :     15V136
Manufacturer :     Blue Bird Body Company
Make / Model Years :     BLUE BIRD / 2013-2016
Subject :     Incorrect Fasteners on Seat Gusset/FMVSS 210
   
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :     15V137
Manufacturer :     Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
Make / Model Years :     MERCEDES BENZ / 2012-2015
Subject :     Rear Side Marker Illumination/FMVSS 108
   
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :     15V138
Manufacturer :     Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
Make / Model Years :     MERCEDES BENZ / 2015
Subject :     Improperly Attached Fuel Delivery Module and Wires
   
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :     15V139
Manufacturer :     Mack Trucks, Inc.
Make / Model Years :     MACK / 2012-2015
Subject :     Inadvertent Fifth Wheel Latch Release
   
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :     15V140
Manufacturer :     Kalmar Solutions, LLC
Make / Model Years :     KALMAR / 2014-2015
Subject :     Battery Ground may Disconnect and Harness may Melt
   
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :     15V141
Manufacturer :     BMW of North America, LLC
Make / Model Years :     BMW / 2005-2011
Subject :     Rear Wheel Mounting Flange may Crack
   
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :     15V143
Manufacturer :     Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Make / Model Years :     TOYOTA / 2012-2014
Subject :     Loss of Electric Drive
   
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :     15V144
Manufacturer :     Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Make / Model Years :     TOYOTA / 2014-2015
Subject :     Possible Loss of Electric Power Steering
   
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :     15V145
Manufacturer :     General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years :     CHEVROLET / 2011-2013
Subject :     On, but Unattended, Vehicle may cause CO Poisoning
   
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :     15V146
Manufacturer :     General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years :     BUICK / 2015
CHEVROLET / 2015
Subject :     Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist
   
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :     15V147
Manufacturer :     BMW of North America, LLC
Make / Model Years :     BMW / 2014-2015
Subject :     Head Protection System Air Bag Improper Inflation
   

NHTSA Recall Notice 3.23.15

Please click on the following NHTSA Campaign ID links to view the recall information.

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V132
Manufacturer :	PACCAR Incorporated
Make / Model Years :	PETERBILT / 2006-2016
Subject :	Incorrect Tire Information on Label/FMVSS 110
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V135
Manufacturer :	Winnebago Industries, Inc
Make / Model Years :	ITASCA / 2015 WINNEBAGO / 2015
Subject :	Abutting Wedge Incorrectly Installed
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V153
Manufacturer :	Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Make / Model Years :	HONDA / 2001,2004,2008
Subject :	Driver Side Air Bag Inflator may Rupture