Driveline Repair at Levan Machine Shop

At Levan Machine & Truck Equipment you can bring your old driveline in for repairs as well as have custom built drivelines made to meet your truck's needs. PTO shafts, car driveshafts, medium and heavy duty truck driveshafts, and industrial drivelines are just some of the drivelines that are repaired in the Levan machine shop. Driveline services include shortening, retubing, balancing, and diagnosing driveline vibrations. 

Levan carries driveline repair and build parts from Spicer, Meritor, and Buyers Products Company. You can order any driveline parts from the Levan Ebay store. You can also order a custom built driveshaft by picking out the style of driveline you need, select the attachment needed at each end, and determining the proper length of the driveshaft. If you have any technical questions about a custom driveline build, someone at Levan is waiting to help you with any questions you might have including driveline critical speed calculations and driveline angle calculations. Contact Levan Machine & Truck Equipment today about your driveline repair or need. 

Aluminum Truck Bodies: Are They Better?

Air-Flo Aluminum Dump Truck Body

The first important thing to remember when discussing a work truck vehicle is that they are used in numerous industries including utility companies, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and those in construction. It is important that a truck body is able to withstand all the demands that are placed on it. This could mean getting banged up on a regular basis and battling unpleasant weather conditions. What are the benefits that aluminum truck bodies could present to anyone with a need for a work truck?

Lighter Weight

The obvious first reason anyone would opt for an aluminum truck body is for the lighter weight. Aluminum is about a third lighter than steel, and this can provide instant fuel savings.

Cheaper Custom Body Builds

Anyone that has a need for a service truck needs one that tailors to their specialty. They need tools in easy access locations, but also that are able to deter thieves. When it comes to custom building a truck body, aluminum is definitely less expensive to construct than a steel truck body as it is easier for fabrication.

Fleets Can Last Longer

Fleets have to be ran to service areas, and having a lasting material such as aluminum can help to cut costs. Aluminum is not only light weight, but it is also corrosion resistant and has reinforced strength. Also, anyone managing a fleet of aluminum truck bodies will really be able to appreciate how the drive train, tires, suspension, and break life will have a much longer life. 

Levan Machine & Truck Equipment carries several brands that make aluminum truck bodies. These include Air-Flo, TruckCraft, Bibeau, Eby, and Astoria. These truck bodies are available for dump, utility and service, grain, platform, and landscape bodies.

Truck Tarp Systems

Buyers Solid Vinyl Tarp

Levan Machine & Truck Equipment carries truck tarp systems from USTarp and Buyers Products Company. This is only part of the truck equipment offered from Levan, which includes all types of cables and control systems. Tarp systems can be either electric, manual, or spring return. They are also available in aluminum and galvanized steel as well as asphalt and mesh. There are also tarp systems for inbox spreaders and equipment.

USTarp Truck Tarp Systems

USTarp carries tarp system equipment for landscape and dump truck bodies as well as for trailers and refuse trucks. Their tarps are available in asphalt and mesh. 

Buyers Truck Tarp Systems

Buyers Mesh Tarp

Buyers carries tarp system equipment for dump truck bodies. This equipment includes electric tarp kits, mechanical crank arm tarp kits, and manual tarp kits that do not and do include the tarp. There are also many tarp kit options and accessories that include truck end trailer connectors, circuit breakers, gear motors, covers for gear motors, rotary switch kits, rocker switches, contact plates, arm kits, tarp deflectors, roller bars, and anti-sail tarp retention bow sets.   The actual Buyers's tarps for dump truck bodies are available in mesh and solid vinyl.

Buyers also has tarp hooks that can be used for any type of tarp on any type of truck body. These include binding hooks, tarp hooks, cast rope clips, and open eye snap hooks.

Platform Truck Body Equipment

At Levan Machine & Truck Equipment, as well as service truck bodies and dump truck bodies, there is also a selection of platform bodies to choose from. These come from three different truck body equipment manufacturers: Knapheide, TruckCraft, and Eby. 

Knapheide Platform Truck Bodies

Knapheide Value-Master X Platform Body

Knapheide has a wide selection of platform truck bodies to choose from. These truck bodies can aid anyone from landscapers to contractors. 

The first in their list of platform bodies is the Value-Master X Platform Bodies. This design is exactly what its name leads you to believe - the best valued platform body. It is a versatile truck body ready that has done it all. This popular platform is available in length sizes from 7' to 26'.

Next, is the Heavy Hauler Junior Platform Bodies. This body is perfect for anyone who works on a rough jobsite because it can take a beating. It can act as a hoist or non-hoist platform and has external pockets and a tie down rail to secure cargo. 

Knapheide's Cargo-Hauler Platform Body is the big brother to the Value-Master X. It has 7 gauge formed steel front and side rails that can withstand any job site. To protect against cargo, it also has 4" structural steel cross sills.  

Knapheide Heavy-Hauler Platform Body

If you have a tough truck chassis and need a platform that will be its equal, then look no further than the Heavy-Hauler Platform Bodies. This truck body has superior structural rigidity to haul the heaviest of loads. 

The next platform body is the Landscaper Body. This truck body design was made to be able to handle all the jobs that other landscape bodies cannot. It has a metering gate to allow you to haul sand, dirt, or any other loose material without spilling half of it. The access door is also 50 feet wide and opens to 180 degrees  for the best ease of access. 

Landscapers were not the only ones Knapheide was thinking about. They also designed a Contractor Body specifically for contractors. This platform body is a tough piece of equipment ready to do any type of job thrown at it. 

The last platform body from Knapheide is the Westerner Platform Body. This is a versatile truck body that perform a number of jobs and has multiple options to make it the best platform for your vocation. 

TruckCraft Platform Bodies

TruckCraft TC 500 with 12" Racksides

TruckCraft also has a wide selection of platform bodies to choose from. However, unlike Knapheide, who has mostly gauge steel platform bodies, those from TruckCraft are made of aluminum. 

The first of these platform bodies include the TC-500 Heavy Duty Aluminum Flatbed. The floor of the platform is made up of aluminum alloy plank extrusions that provide reinforcement every five inches. All material on the truck body are 6061-T6 extrusions. 

Second, is the TruckCraft STAIRLIFTER Aluminum Dumping Flats. These are heavy-duty aluminum flats that are factory assembled on a pre-painted subframe. This platform fits trucks up to 120 inches. 

TruckCraft TC-508 Aluminum Dumping Flat

Third, is the TC-503 Storm Aluminum Landscaper Body. This platform body is available in either 9' 9" or 11' 5" with either 40" or 50" height sides. There is also the option of a passesnger-side front door, tailgate with coal-chute, various barn-door configurations and roll tarp. 

Next, is the TC-505 Lynx & Lynx Plus Aluminum Tow Body. This heavy duty tow body allow you to load up to 200 lbs/sq ft on the deck. It uses 6061 T6 alloy extrusion to keep it looking good and remaining a heavy duty platform for years to come.  

The TC-508 Aluminum Dumping Flat is next. This platform body weighs less than 800 lbs and is designed to turn your truck or chassis into a working dump truck. At a 7,000 dump load capacity, you will be hard pressed to get a job to heavy for this body. 

Finally, we come to the TC-501 Hercules Extra Heavy Duty Aluminum Flatbed. This is the big brother to the TC-500 and has a load rating of 350lb/ sq ft for a level load. 

Eby Platform Bodies

Eby Standard Flatbed Truck Body

Last but not least is Eby and their aluminum platform truck bodies that have been with the idea to last. Not only does Eby make their flatbed truck bodies to last for year to come, they also make them lightweight and eco-friendly. 

The platform bodies from Eby are very straightforward. They make a Standard Flatbed Truck Body and a Heavy-Duty & Medium-Duty Flatbed Truck Body, which have lengths up to 32' and 96" and 102" widths. 

Service Truck Bodies by Knapheide and Astoria

At Levan Machine & Truck Equipment, we want to make sure that you have the very best truck body to choose from for your service truck. That is why we offer Knapheide, the nation's premier producer of service truck bodies, and Astoria, the first producer of the fiberglass service body. Both of these manufacturers offer diverse truck body styles to meet any vocation and last for many years to come.

Knapheide Service Bodies

Knapheide Standard Service body

Knapheide offers a full line of service bodies that are constructed from steel and made to withstand any Standard Service Body holds the title for "America's most popular service body." It has a rugged steel design and offers external compartments for protection and easy access. envrionment. The Knapheide

Knapheide Compact Service Body

The Compact Service Body is a smaller version of the Standard Service Body. This was made in mind for compact trucks such as a Chevy Colorados, GMC Canyons, and Ford Rangers. They may have trimmed the size down for this truck body, but the durability and functionability are still in tact.

Knapheide Line Body

The third service truck body style from Knapheide is the Line Body. This truck body was designed to meet the demanding requirements needed of a utility truck. In order to do so, Knapheide manufactured twelve basic designs of this truck, and each of them can be custom designed to meet specific requirements. 

Knapheide Crane Body

Next on the list is the Crane Body. These truck bodies have been made to withstand harsh working environments and are made versatile enough to handle just about any industry. The line comes in 30,000 ft.-lb, 38,000 ft.-lb, and 60,000 ft.-lb to handle anything from light to heavy-duty working conditions. 

Knapheide KSS Body

Project managers looking for a professional truck body style will like the KSS Knapheide service body. This truck body will look and feel like a regular truck bed, but will offer all of the benefits of a service body. It is just as rugged as the Standard Service Body, and comes in six different lengths to help meet any and all needs. 

Knapheide KSV Body

The final service truck body from Knapheide is the KSV. This body style is for those who want to use a van chassis but still have an open service body. Made from steel like all Knapheide service bodies This body also has an overhead material rack and masterlocking system. 

Astoria Service Bodies

All Astoria service bodies are made of fiberglass. This is the perfect material for anyone looking for an environmental friendly truck service body. Currently, Astoria offers three different lines of truck service bodies. 

Astoria Service King 96" Standard Body

The first line of service bodies from Astoria is the Service King Bodies. These truck bodies are built to withstand rough conditions but do not have the same weight that comes to mind from this type of service body. These come in three different sizes the 96" Standard, 108" Standard, and the 132" Standard. 

Astoria Canopy Plus System

Next is the Canopy Plus System service body line. The canopy heights on these truck bodies vary to serve nearly any job need. They also have a heavy-duty pull out drawer for equipment. The curbside of this design also has a steel holder for oxy/ acetylene tanks, smaller pullout drawers, and adjustable fiberglass shelving. 

Astoria Wingman™ Gooseneck Storage Body

The last service body style from Astoria is the Wingman™™™ ™Gooseneck Storage Bodies. This service body has been upgraded to be beneficial in practically every industry. It has the option of either a steel or aluminum floor combined with the durable yet lightweight fiberglass. Storing equipment will also be a breeze with this truck body as it has compartments up to 24 inches deep.

The Many Truck Bodies of Knapheide: Part 2

Knapheide has truck bodies that serve numerous occupations. From construction to utility work, there is a Knapheide truck body that can be added to any truck to give the best results. This is the second part in a series dedicated to the many different types of truck bodies that Knapheide offers.

Water Tanker Bodies

KWT4 Truck Body

Knapheide offers two water truck body styles - the KWT2 and KWT4. They also have the option of building a special water truck that will be made to meet the needs of your jobsite. 

The KWT2 has been built for heavy duty construction and durability. It has a 2,000 gallon water tank with an NSF approved epoxy inner coating with a with a cross baffle to prevent sloshing. There are six air spray heads that can be operated from inside the cab, and they have a 360 degree coverage. 

The KWT4 is built for longevity and has a 4,000 gallon water tank. This is a very versatile truck that can be used from anything from construction to military purposes. This truck body has the option of having sprayer heads attached to all sides of the truck to have maximum spray coverage

Forestry Truck Bodies

Forestry Truck Body

There is one forestry truck body offered at Knapheide, and it has been designed to meet the needs and requirements of the industry. The Standard Forestry Body has all of the options to handle any type of forestry job. The length of the truck body ranges from 10' to 16' and has water-based self healing undercoat. They are also made out of 14 gauge galvanneal steel with smooth side panels for advertising.

Fuel/ Lube Truck Bodies

KFLT1 Lube Truck Body

There are three lube truck body types that Knapheide offers - the KFLT1, KFLT2, and KLT1. Each body style has the option of custom configurations to better suite your truck's needs.

The KFLT1 was designed to make preventative maintenance as easy as possible. It has a 1,000 gallon diesel fuel tank to offer plenty of space for lube and was constructed out of galvanneal steel to withstand tough work sites. It also has a tank isolator system to prevent twisting, flexing, and vibration on the chassis. 

The KFLT2 is a larger designed lube truck body to hold more fuel and your tools and equipment. This design has 2,000 gallon diesel fuel tank with product tanks for both new and used oils and coolants. There is also extra underbody storage for tools and equipment. This body style also employees an isolator system to protect the truck's chassis. 

The KLT1 also has an isolator system and an underbody storage; however, this truck body style has the ability to work with a number of tank sizes. It is a great truck body for maintenance and repair jobs. 

Truck Dump Body Manufacturers

For those unaware, a dump body is truck equipment that can be added to a truck to create, well, a dump truck. Truck dump bodies are used for transporting loose material. The dump body is typically hydraulically fitted to the truck so that it rises from the front and the materials in the bed can be dumped. At Levan Machine Co. several dump truck body manufacturers are available including Knapheide, Air-Flo, TruckCraft, Eby, and Bibeau. Here is what you can expect in style and function from each manufacture.

Knapheide Dump Bodies

Knapheide Drop Side Dump Body

Currently, Knapheide offers three styles of truck dump bodies. The Drop Side Dump Body has recently been completely redesigned from top to bottom. These dump bodies are great for light duty chassis. They are capable of dumping over 8.5 tons and are available in any height, length, and other configurations to meet your needs. 

The Rigid Side Dump Body also went through a recent update. The Rigid Side is made specifically to last with a rugged heavy gauge steel construction. This dump body is also very convenient with a double acting tailgate, cheater board pockets, and tarp hooks. There is also the option of choosing between

Knapheide Rigid Side Dump Body

two different styles of understructure - "crossmemberless" western style or stacked crossmember.

The third Knapheide truck dump body style is the Heavy Drop Side Contractor Body. This body style delivers in performance and durability. It is available in 14 inch and 18 inch lengths. The Heavy Drop Side is able to perform at any job site with its strong steel frame and understructure. 

Air-Flo Dump Bodies

Air-Flo Aluminum Dump Body

Air-Flo has three basic dump body designs. The Air-Flo Aluminum Dump Body was made to withstand years of hard material hauling as well as  provide a lighter build. The aluminum offers corrosion resistance, eliminates paint expenses, and increases the dump body's value on trade-in. 

The second Air-Flo dump body style is called the Pro-Class Dump Body. This truck body has a modern and rugged design. It has dual side wall construction. The 94 inch wide body is made of 10 gauge steel throughout. There is also a single-handle latching system and an advanced scissor hoist design. 

The last of Air-Flo's dump body series is the Pro-Max Dump Body. This design also has a modern style that is combined with a 7 gauge steel body. The Pro-Max has a high capacity underbody hoist with 8 inch cylinder lift. There is also a dirt shedding top rail, rub rail, and rear corner posts.

TruckCraft Dump Bodies

TruckCraft TC-300 Service Body & Dump Body

At TruckCraft there is a mix of truck dump body designs. They have service body and dump body combinations as well as the basic dump body design. The first is the TC-300 Service Body and Dump Body. It has a pre-assembled body, base frame, and hoist. The TC-300 was engineered to handle greater hauling and storage loads. 

The TC-200 Combo/ Service Dumper is the only other combination dumper truck body. This combo design will allow anyone to convert their own truck chassis into an all aluminum service/ dump body. This design is available for both single rear wheel and dual rear wheel chassis. It also features TruckCraft's all aluminum, 7,000 pound capacity dump insert. 

TruckCraft TC-400 Zeus Aluminum Dump Body

TruckCraft also offers two one-ton dump body styles. First, is the TC-400 Zeus Aluminum Dump Body. This is for GVWR chassis up to 19,000 pounds. Built with a robust aluminum it will allow you to carry up to 500 extra pounds. The aluminum also decreases corrosion and ends paint expenses. 

The second one-ton dump body is the TC-425 Aluminum Dump Body for Isuzu. This dump body is made specifically for 14,500 GVWR chassis. It has a 50 degree dump angle and drop or rigid sides.

Eby Dump Bodies

Eby Standard General Purpose Body

Eby has general purpose dump truck bodies. Two of their featured dump body styles are the standard general purpose body and the standard contractor body. Eby dump bodies are made from alloy aluminum to be lightweight but they still remain capable of carrying heavy loads. Standard features include:

• 9', 10', 12', and 14' lengths available in 98" outside width and 89" inside width
• 3" I beam cross members on 12" centers
• 5" aluminum channel sills
• 18" forward cab shield
• Heavy duty extruded aluminum bottom side rails and posts
• Top hinged/ bottom latched tailgate
• 18" high sides, 2" board tracks on top of each side
• Heavy-duty full length rub rails
• Smooth aluminum floors
• All DOT required markers and lights, mud flaps, and splash guards

Bibeau Dump Bodies

Bibeau BFL-S Dump Body

Bibeau offers steel class dump bodies in two separate categories - class 8 trucks and class 1 to 7 trucks. Currently, they have six models for class 8 trucks and seven models for class 1 to  7 trucks that are divided into lightweight, economical, and heavy duty categories. 

Models BFL and EL-188 are in the lightweight category. The BFL models consist of the BFL-P and the BFL-S. The BFL-S is said to be the most versatile of its category. It is constructed of AR steel that allows it to withstand rugged conditions. The steel while being lightweight provides the dump body with resistance to loading and and wear.

Bibeau BMT450-P Dump Body

The Bibeau heavy-duty models consist of BMT and EL-250. The BMT models are BMT450-P and BMT450-S. The AR 450 steel is believed to be the best for sustaining consistent abuse such as with heavy duty excavating and demolition work.

The last truck class 8 group is for economical purposes and includes the M0 and M1 models. The M0 was designed for light duty applications. It is constructed of 44w grade steel except the floor centerpiece which is AR200 steel. The M1 model was designed for medium duty work and was also made of 44w and AR200 steel.

The steel dump bodies for class 1 to 7 trucks are the MS0, MS-HD, BBFL, BBMT, MS1, MSO-2, and MSOE-2. Lightweight models are the MS0 and MS-HD and the heavy duty models are MMBT and MS1. The BBFL model falls in between lightweight and heavy duty. Finally, the MSO-2 and the MSOE-2 are the economical designs. 

The Many Truck Bodies of Knapheide: Part 1

There are many different styles of truck bodies that are able to help you not only with daily personal life, but also can be very effective in many occupations. Knapheide truck bodies are available for very nearly every occupation where a truck is needed. The design and make various truck body styles that are useful to individuals in various vocations. From electricians to those carrying sand, Knapheide has a truck body for that

Dump Truck Bodies

Drop Side Dump Body

Knapheide currently has recently redesigned their line of dump body models including the drop side and rigid side dump bodies. The Knapheide drop side truck bodies are designed with small chasis in mind and are useful for hauling anything from sand to asphalt. The rigid side dump bodies were made to last. These dump bodies can withstand daily abuse with its rugged heavy gauge steel construction. Last in Knapheide's line of dump bodies is the heavy drop side design. This dump body is made with a strong steel frame and understructure. This body style works on practically any jobsite and will last for years to come.

Platform Bodies

Value-Master X Platform Body

There are seven styles of Knapheide platform bodies. The Value-Master X is the most versatile platform truck body that they offer. This truck body ranges from 7' to 26' and can handle various types of chassis. Next, is the Heavy Hauler Junior platform body, and this body has external pockets and a tie down rail to keep your cargo in place. The Cargo Hauler is the big brother to the Value-Master X. This platform body was designed to carry your heaviest cargo and withstand the abuse. Knapheide's Heavy Hauler platform body was made to work with big chassis truck and handle tough, heavy loads. The Landscaper Body was designed with the ability to do jobs that most landscaper bodies have not been able to do. The Contractor Body was made to withstand anything that may be thrown at a contractor and has all the bells and whistles to handle any job. Last is the Westerner Platform Body. This versatile platform body has different bulkhead choices and storage and stake options to perform on a wide variety of jobsites.

Service Bodies

Standard Service Truck Body

Knapheide has various service truck body styles to meet various occupations including utility services. Their Standard Service Body is held up as “America's favorite.” This service body is a combination of rugged steel construction and ample storage compartments to be versatile no matter the vocation. Next, is the Compact Service Body, which is basically the Standard Service Body in a more compact frame. After that is the Line Body service body, which have been designed for medium and heavy duty chassis. There are twelve different basic models and in two different styles – the H Series and BH-Series. The Crane Body style is a very versatile truck body that is able to withstand light to heavy duty working environments. The KSS service body style resembles a regular truck bed but has the added benefit of being for service work. Last in the Knapheide service body models is the KSV. This service body is for van chassis to give you the benefit of a van and open steel service body.

Source: Knapheide.com

How to Hire a Snow Plow Company

If you are someone that lives in a typical snow climate, it is usually wise to have a snow plow company booked before the winter season kicks in to gear. You could hire a single driver to have them available to clean the snow out of your driveway if you are a homeowner or you could hire a company if you are responsible for the streets of an entire neighborhood. Either way it is important to know what to look for when in the position of hiring a snow plow service.

Collect Several Estimates

The first step no matter if you are a homeowner, business owner, or city official it is important to contact several drivers or snow plow companies. This will allow you to ask your prepared questions to all of them and report back the differences. You will be able to compare rates and also find out who has the best reputation and gives the highest level of quality.

Prepared Questions

When contacting each company it is important to know what to ask ahead of time. You do not want to sign a contract and realize you are not having a particular service performed, but you never asked about it in the beginning.

• How often the driver or company will plow your driveway, parking lot, or streets?
• What is their procedure when snow falls?
  • Are you required to call when it snows?
  • Will they come automatically?
  • What hours do they plow?
• What (if any) are their additional costs?
  • Are salt and sand included or are they extra?
  • Is there an extra price after a heavy snow fall?
• Do they have a per inch price for each snow fall?

Contracts and Agreements

Agreements with any snow plow driver or company should always be formal. It is important to have a written agreement between the driver or company and yourself. This will protect you in case they do not handle their end of the agreement. A handshake agreement is not going to help you remove the snow from your street if the driver decides he does not want to show up that day or something happens to the company where they are unable to come out when needed.

When you have a written agreement and the company you have employed has malfunctions or are unable to remove the snow, you should receive a refund for services not performed and be able to find someone new. If you pay someone and shake on it, you are at serious danger of losing your money.

Source: How to Hire the Best Snow Plowing Service

Since 1936, Levan Machine & Truck Equipment has provided truck equipment such as snowplows, spreaders, liftgates, central hydraulic systems, and PTO's as well as performed general truck repair and maintenance to the great Reading Pennsylvania area. Levan Machine & Truck Equipment is an approved vendor for the Pennsylvania Costars municpal purchasing program (Contract #025-072) and an NTEA MVP Verified Member.

What All Beginning Snow Plow Drivers Should Know

Deciding to venture into the snow plow world if you live in an area that receives regular snow during the winter can be a way to make some extra money or a way to extend part of your business. Like any new job or project snow plowing requires some thought ahead of time. This is especially true for someone who is only starting out.

If you find yourself looking at several inches of snow on the ground, and suddenly decide that snow plowing would be a lucrative adventure, think again. No professional snow plow company or driver goes into the snow season with no preparation. That can be incredibly costly and not to mention dangerous. There is much that must happen before that first snow hits.

Step 1: Buy a Truck and Plow

The truck and plow you buy will depend largely on your area. You may already have a vehicle that you would like to use, but you will still have to find a plow that your truck or SUV can handle. This will also give you an idea if you will solely being doing driveways or if you will be able to handle moderate to large lots.

The size of the work that you would like to do will also give you an idea of the type of vehicle and type of plow you will need to acquire if you plan to buy one. SUVs are more suited towards driveways and small lots, and although some can handle heavy duty plows not all of them can.

Trucks like the Ford Heavy Duties are more suitable for handling large lots. These are also much more capable of having heavy-duty plows installed such as BOSS models.

Step 2: Do Your Homework

It is definitely important to know what your competitors are doing in order to be successful as a snow plow driver. See what the typical rate is for the size of the job and see if you are capable of matching or beating that price. Know who works for who because this will allow you to earn contracts when one of these drivers or companies decides to no longer work at a specific area. As a newbie, this will also give you a way to learn which lots and residential areas are not being covered, and you can add these places to your client list before the snow sets in.

Knowing what the competition is doing is also a way to see where they excel and where they fail. Can you offer something they cannot? Do you need to work on specific areas to be as good?

Step 3: Truck Maintenance and Safety Inspections

Depending on your state you might have to meet different inspections and have the correct type of insurance coverage. It is always a good idea to determine what paper work you will need to have covered way in advance of winter. This will keep you from meeting any legal issues.

Truck and plow maintenance is also very important. Many snow plow drivers buy a separate vehicle for their snow plow business. It is incredibly important before winter sets in to make sure your truck or SUV is going to be able to handle everything you are going to throw at it. The last thing you want your first season out is to have invested your money and be stuck with a truck that does not run.

There are some truck repair shops that offer 24/7maintenance and will help you get back on the road as quickly as possible. It is a good idea to put these places in your contacts.

Step 4: Test Run

Once you have committed to becoming a snow plow driver and you have completed all the initial steps, the next step is to know your routes. When you make a new client, drive your truck and plow to the location. This will allow you to know the layout and also how your truck will do in any tight spaces, turning, and backing up. When you know the area ahead of time, even in snow you will have much less to worry about.

Since 1936, Levan Machine & Truck Equipment has provided truck equipment such as snowplows, spreaders, liftgates, central hydraulic systems, and PTO’s, as well as general truck repair and maintenance to the greater Reading Pennsylvania area.  Levan Machine & Truck Equipment is an approved vendor for the Pennsylvania Costars municipal purchasing program (Contract #025-072).

What Are the Best Vehicles for Snow Plowing

When starting out as a snow plower, the first item you will need to start your business off on the right track is a vehicle that can have a snow plow attached to it. Individuals that have been in this business for several years will have their own preferences on what works best, but depending on what type of snow plowing you plan on doing, the type of vehicle you need could vary.

Popular Makes and Models

• Ford
• Super Duty
  • F-250
  • F-350
• Explorer
• Jeep
  • Wrangler
  • Liberty
  • Cherokee
• Dodge Ram
  • Dually 4x4 with a Cummins Turbo Diesel
• Chevrolet
  • Blazer
    • S10
    • ZR2
  • Silverado (90s)
  • Tahoe (mid to late 90s)
• GMC
  • Jimmy
  • Bronco

What to Keep in Mind for Trucks

Trucks are usually the best option if you plan to work on larger commercial lots. The preferred sizes are crew cab and long bed, 4-wheel drive automatics that weigh ¾ to 1 ton. Also, short-wheel base trucks are always the better way to go. Trucks can also be used for driveways, but those with long cabs are more prone to becoming stuck high-centered and sideways. If you plan on using a truck for driveways then a half-ton one should be fine, but not if you also plan to use it for larger lots.

When SUVs Are a Good Choice

SUVs are used by many snow plow drivers. Jeep Wranglers are actually the most praised SUV followed by Chevy Blazers and then Ford Explorers. SUVs make the perfect snow plow if you plan to focus mostly on driveways; however, they can also do just fine in small lots. If you plan on using an SUV for lots do not wait until you have several inches of snow on the ground. If you plow around ¾ inches at a time, you will not have a problem. Other than that SUVs are great for maneuvering as they can easily turn and back up in driveways, and several of them can easily handle heavy-duty snow plows.

Since 1936, Levan Machine & Truck Equipment has provided truck equipment such as snowplows, spreaders, liftgates, central hydraulic systems, and PTO’s, as well as general truck repair and maintenance to the greater Reading Pennsylvania area.  Levan Machine & Truck Equipment is an approved vendor for the Pennsylvania Costars municipal purchasing program (Contract #025-072).