All posts by truckmaxfl

The Volvo VHD

The Volvo VHD: Tough Trucks for the Tougher Jobs.

By
Posted in Heavy Duty Trucks, Volvo Trucks

VOLVO VHD 300 Axle Back

Whether you need tight maneuverability for straight-truck applications like concrete pumpers and mixers or a bridge-law-compliant wheelbase for an end-dump tractor, the VHD offers the versatility to meet your needs with available axle-forward and axle-back configurations.

Tough Inside and Out

The new VHD is designed to set a new standard for vocational trucks, and that includes driver environment. Volvo Truck’s latest interior enhancements are found throughout the VHD’s cab.

Uptime

Our highly-trained uptime team manages service and schedules repairs 24/7, while our fleet management solutions provide unprecedented control over your operations.

Safety

Volvo’s commitment to safety protects your business by helping drivers avoid or minimize accidents, reducing cargo loss, downtime, and accident-related insurance costs.

Driver Productivity

The new Volvo VHD combines power and advanced technology, achieving the engineering team’s original goal with the new design.

The VHD offers redesigned working and living spaces, optimized to put the driver comfortably in command, maximizing productivity.

Fuel Efficiency

Innovative technology. Optimized power. Improved aerodynamics. Learn how the VHD helps you squeeze the most profit out of every drop of fuel.

Description

This Daycab provides maximum maneuverability on the job site, available as a straight-truck or tractor in various vocational applications: Roll-Off Trucks, Concrete Mixer Trucks, Crane Trucks, Dump Trucks, Mining/Quarry Trucks, Plow Trucks, Refuse Trucks, and more.

The Volvo VHD is available as straight-truck or tractor in various vocational applications: Roll-Off Trucks, Concrete Mixer Trucks, Crane Trucks, Dump Trucks, Mining/Quarry Trucks, Plow Trucks, Refuse Trucks, and more.

Engines: Volvo D11, 325-425 hp, 1,250-1,550 lb-ft. | Volvo D13, 405-500 hp, 1,450-1,850 hp lb-ft.

Transmissions: Volvo I-Shift for Severe Duty – 12 speed, Volvo I-Shift with Crawler Gears – 13, 14 speed, Alison 3000 RDS, 4000 RDS & 4500 RDS Series.

Tougher Made Smarter

The new VHD comes with Volvo Dynamic Steering (VDS), a revolutionary Volvo innovation that greatly improves performance on a job site and on the road. VDS dramatically reduces the driver’s steering effort on rough and tight job sites. The reduction of steering feedback from the road enables drivers to navigate with ease.

The VHD’s highly flexible body builder module is designed so the interface between the truck and the body behaves reliably. It helps troubleshoot issues between the truck and the body by communicating fault codes. 

The new Volvo VHD combines power and advanced technology, achieving the engineering team’s original goal—setting a new standard for vocational trucks. With the new design, the VHD is now the best-looking vocational vehicle available, while the innovations found throughout the truck make it much more than eye candy.

Contact one of the TruckMax specialists to learn more about the all-new Volvo VHD.

Getting a Tax Deduction for Buying a commercial vehicle.

By
Posted in Truck Financing

You can get a tax benefit from buying a new or “new to you” car or truck for your business by taking a section 179 deduction. This special deduction allows you to deduct a big part of the entire cost of the vehicle in the first year you use it if you are using it primarily for business purposes. 

A section 179 deduction is a special kind of tax deduction that businesses can take to reduce expenses. You can elect to take this deduction on the cost of certain types of business property. including business vehicles, instead of (or in addition to) recovering the cost by depreciating the property.

To qualify for a section 179 deduction for a business vehicle, it must be bought and put into service during the year in which you are applying for the section 179 deduction. Being placed in service means that a business asset is ready and available for specific use in a business or for the production of income.

In addition, the vehicle:

Check out our commercial truck inventory

Want to know the details?

The most important qualification for section 179 deduction purposes is business use. You can only take a section 179 deduction for vehicles used more than 50% of the time for business purposes. The deduction is limited to the amount of use and can’t be taken on personal use.

Section 179 deductions work like depreciation. The purpose of depreciation is to spread the expense (and tax deductions) of owning a business asset like a car or truck over the life of that asset.

Normally, depreciation is deducted as an expense to the business over the life of the equipment or vehicle. But a section 179 deduction allows you to take more of the expense of the purchase in the first year.

There are two limits on the amount you can elect to deduction under section 179.

Dollar Limits. The total amount you can take as section 179 deductions for most property (including vehicles) placed in service in a specific year can’t be more than $1 million. In other words, all section 179 deductions for all business property for a year can’t be greater than $1 million. The dollar amount is adjusted each year for inflation. There is also a “phase-out” limit of $2.5 million.

in addition to the general dollar limits, the maximum section 179 expense deduction for sport utility vehicles placed in service in tax years beginning in 2019 is $25,500, based on a specific IRS description of the vehicle type.

Business Income Limit. After you apply the dollar limit, the total cost you can deduct each year – including section 179 deductions – is limited to the taxable income from your business during that year. In other words, you can’t use a section 179 deduction to cause your business to have a loss. If you can’t take all or part of a section 179 deduction in one year, you can carry it over to the next year.

The calculation for this limit is complicated and it’s different for each business. See the instructions for IRS Publication 946 for type of vehicle and further details.

How to Take the Deduction

You or your tax preparer will need to complete IRS Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization. Follow the instructions for Part I.

Key Requirements and Restrictions

Contact us to learn more about what your chances are by using Section 179 for your business.

Fleet preventive maintenance

By
Posted in Commercial Truck Service, Truck Service and Repair

Preventive maintenance (PM) is the regular and routine maintenance of commercial vehicle to keep them running, and prevent any costly unplanned downtime from unexpected equipment failure.

A successful maintenance strategy requires planning and scheduling maintenance of equipment before a problem occurs. A good preventive maintenance plan also involves keeping records of past inspections and the servicing of trucks.

Because of the complexity of maintaining a preventive maintenance schedule for a number of trucks, many companies use TruckMax Homestead to perform their required preventive maintenance tasks.

When is Preventive Maintenance Required?

The exact requirement for preventive maintenance will vary depending on the truck make and the operation it is performing. Truck industry uses standards to help determine schedules for maintenance so that commercial vehicles do not run to failure. These guidelines will also cover the type of inspection or maintenance that is needed.

Ideally, by following guidelines set down by manufacturers or standards, a PM schedule should ensure proactive maintenance rather than having to resort to reactive maintenance when something has already begun to fail.

Preventive maintenance keeps your drivers safe, reduces operational cost, and boosts productivity and manages business downtime. Keeping your truck or fleet in good working condition all-year round helps you avoid operational delays and maximize your productivity.

Following this type of predictive maintenance schedule, through tasks such as condition monitoring, requires accurate recording of inspections and servicing against an understanding of the lifespan of a particular piece of trucks. Preventive maintenance can be determined from these records.

At TruckMax Homestead, we provide all type of truck maintenance, including preventive. Our ASE certified technicians diagnose, and repair all makes and models of medium and heavy-duty trucks and yard spotters. So, you can rest assured you are in good hands. Contact one of our service advisors today and schedule your next commercial truck service.

Cable placer trucks, key tools for utility companies.

By
Posted in Bucket trucks

Cable Placer vehicles are a specialized type of equipment that enables the efficient construction and ongoing maintenance of overhead networks of cable. Cable placer trucks can be outfitted with varying features and benefits.
Cable Placers can be deployed with the boom extended and a man in the bucket, doing his job of stringing, placing, or pulling cable, even as the vehicle is moving. Every other bucket truck, by all rules and regulations, must stop, put the parking brakes on, and deploy the outriggers (if they have them) before performing its task.

Cable placers are a valuable addition to any fleet of maintenance vehicles. One important distinction about them is that cable placers are built to drive while a technician is in the bucket.

ADVANTAGES
• It’s true that the recommended speed at which the truck can move while on the job is only 2-3 miles per hour. However, the laborious task of installing overhead cables, from one utility pole to another, is much more efficient and less time-consuming when performed from a moving truck. After all, the alternative would be to park in front of each pole, deploy the aerial lift, finish the installation, retract the aerial lift, and then proceed on to the next post.
• The need for broadband access has exploded in the past few years as technology has changed how we live and interact with the world. In fact, this need has overtaken our existing infrastructure in a very short space of time. To keep up with the promise of 5G technology – lightning fast speeds, incredibly low latency, and the capacity to carry a massive number of connections simultaneously – there’s still a lot of groundwork to be done.
• Other than improvement to existing infrastructure, cable placers also play a crucial role during times of natural disasters such as hurricanes, snowstorms, and floods. Being able to repair and restore broken electricity and telecommunication lines is an urgent need for communities. Without efficient cable replacers, rehabilitation efforts would be seriously hampered.

Cable placers are in high demand during, and after, storm season. The currently inconsistent state of electrical grids in the United States and its protectorates proves the need for upgrading existing cable networks. Part of this task will be ongoing improvement of the networks, which, in many cases, requires the use of these trucks. There are more than 100 million miles of overhead data and electrical cable in the United States. As we continue to see, electrical and data infrastructure is fragile, and without it, people suffer. Communications and plenty of critical services, including medical services, first response and manufacturing, are off-line without access to data and communications networks.
Looking to know more about our cable placer trucks? Contact one of our bucket trucks specialists today.

The Stellar hooklift truck.

The Stellar hook lift trucks, a truck for every job

By
Posted in Hooklift Trucks

The Stellar Slider Series Hook lift is a body handling system. It is mounted on a chassis capable of loading, unloading, and dumping various type of bodies. It works with a wide range of lengths with the use of a hexagonal sliding jib.

Now with hydraulic adjustable hook heights, the Stellar Slider Series will handle 35.63″ (905 mm) to 61.75″ (1568mm) hook height bodies. It allow you to accommodate capacities up to 65,000 pounds (15,422kg).

The Stellar Slider series hooklift is known for its versatile design and ease of operation. All models of the Stellar Slider, feature permanently lubricated, and greaseable bushings used throughout, the Stellar patented dump/load interlock system, and an efficient low flow/high pressure hydraulic system.

Stellar Slider hooklifts provide a full-length dump frame and rollers positioned throughout the loader, instead of saddles with wear pads. All Stellar hooklifts operate using in-cab controls. This allows for precise metering of the manual hydraulic valve while offering a clear and safe view of the operation through the rear window.

  • The Slider will accommodate various length bodies and still attain the maximum rated dump angle.
  • Standard in-cab cable controls which allow for precise feathering.
  • Mechanical rear body tie-down system will match a multitude of different latch configurations.
  • All this makes our roll off trucks, the best fit for your business needs

Contact us to help you get the right truck solution.

Why Dur-A-Lift Bucket Truck?

By
Posted in Bucket trucks

Dur-A-Lift Inc. bucket trucks gets you exactly where you have to go with all of the tools you need to do the job right. Telescopic articulated bucket trucks, personnel or material handling bucket trucks; insulated or non-insulated bucket trucks; single or double person baskets. Dur-A-Lift provide you with the best bucket truck to suit your needs. In doing this we have become experts at speaking bucket truck.

We offer a wide variety of models for a variety of industries and applications. Check the picture with what we have to offer. Use it as a guide to find the right bucket truck for you. Material handling? Personnel? Telescopic? Articulated? Or both? Insulated? Non-insulated? One person basket? Two person basket? Contact us to get started on your next bucket truck.

Dur-A-Lift specializes in bucket trucks built for the electric utility, telecommunications, signage, lighting, traffic management , cable management and tree care industries.

Manitex Bucket Trucks NOW Available!

By
Posted in Mechanic Service Trucks

Manitex A62 with 62′ working height and 38′ horizontal side reach differs from competitor products in that it has reduced dimensions and a unique, quick, setup speed.

Thanks to it’s ease of use, the A62 is particularly suitable for overhead and road lighting maintenance as well as sign installation. The “X” pattern outriggers allow the A62 to be set up in a single parking space. Available on a Non-CDL truck for maximum mobility and flexibility.

Contact us or follow the link to our inventory here!

Stellar cranes lifting capacity and side reach, are key features when selecting the right truck for your business.

The Stellar Crane’s lifting capacity and side reach are key features when selecting the right truck for your business.

By
Posted in Mechanic Service Trucks

There are plenty of things to think about when you’re building a work truck with a stellar crane. Making sure your mechanic service truck is built around you is important to maximizing productivity. So how do you make sure you don’t miss anything important? Here are five key questions to ask when building your perfect truck. 

1. What are my truck size needs? 

2. Where will I be doing the work?

3. Do I need a compressor, welder, or integrated unit? 

4. Where will I put my tools, parts and other equipment? 

5. Do I have lube and fuel needs? 

Interested in building your perfect work truck? Reach out to us today and let one of our specialists help you find the right truck, and to meet your business needs.

Mechanic trucks by Stellar Industries, Inc. offer the most innovative features in the industry. Complete turnkey packages available with body systems and compressors. Raise productivity with top-of-the-line mechanics trucks that help you get the job done. A perfectly up-fitted mechanic’s truck can increase efficiency, improve organization, and add convenience to your work day. Simply put, you’ll maximize uptime. Plus, with our large selection of service bodies and cranes, it’s easy to outfit a truck body with the specific qualities you need. Weigh the pros and cons of a steel service body over an aluminum one, and browse our selection of heavy-duty, light-duty, EC series, TC series, and specialty cranes.

Here is why Dur-A-Lift baskets are better

By
Posted in Bucket trucks

For Dur-A-Lift, it’s more than just seeing how far the baskets can reach; it’s about the all around experience. Dur-A-Lift’s baskets go above and beyond, and TruckMax Homestead bucket truck experts can provide you with the main five reasons to prove it. Feel free to contact us for a test flight!

1. GROUND LEVEL ACCESS

Access the basket from ground level. There is no need to store the basket on top of the cab protector until it’s time to move to the next work site. Accomplish jobs quicker and with less people.

2. COMPARTMENT ACCESS

Easy access to all the storage compartments right from the basket. Did you forget a tool? If so, there is no need to get out and no need for an extra person. Just lower down, grab what you need and get back to what you were doing.

3. BASKET ELEVATOR

The new 22 inch hydraulically activated basket elevator allows the operator to raise the basket nearly two extra feet without repositioning the boom or jib, allowing for a greater working height when the boom elevation is limited.

4. LIFT FROM EITHER SIDE OF THE BASKET

The new top mounted jib and winch allows the operator to rotate the jib to work on either side of the rotating basket. This means more flexibility once the basket is positioned.

5. BASKET ROTATION

Dur-A-Lift’s baskets can rotate 180 degrees, giving you the most effective basket positioning on the market.

Finding the best bucket truck for your business

By
Posted in Bucket trucks

Material handling? Personnel? Telescopic? Articulated? Or both? Insulated? Non-insulated? One person basket? Two person basket?

Telescopic articulated bucket trucks; personnel or material handing bucket trucks; insulated or non-insulated bucket trucks; single or double person baskets; bucket vans and tracked lifts; overcenter and non-overcenter bucket trucks. Whatever you are looking for, our main focus is to provide you with the best bucket truck to suit your needs, and in doing this TruckMax Homestead have become experts at speaking bucket truck. Make your next bucket truck a Dur-A-Lift with us!

Start by narrowing down which series best suits your needs.

DLT2 & DPM2 – telescopic articulating, material handling or personnel aerial lift with 180º basket rotator, basket elevator and top mounted jib and winch that lifts up to 1000 pounds
DPM3 – telescopic articulating bucket truck with bottom mount, 36″ x 60″ aluminum basket, 180 degree basket rotator, and auxiliary winch that lifts up to 150 pounds
DPM – telescopic articulating, material handling or personnel aerial lift with 180º basket rotator and side mounted jib and winch that lifts up to 1000 pounds
DTAX2 – telescopic articulating aerial lift with 180º basket rotator
DTA2 – telescopic articulating aerial lift
DHT – heavy duty, telescopic aerial lift
DT – telescopic aerial lift
DVS – telescopic aerial lift for use with enclosed body (van series)
DO – articulating, overcenter aerial lift
DFSL – articulating, non-overcenter aerial lift
DAT3 – telescopic articulating, non-overcenter aerial lift built for the tree care industry
Urban Forestry Unit – (urban forestry) telescopic articulating, forestry bucket truck with chipper box
DCP – telescopic articulating cable placer unit