How Technology Changes an Industry

Back in the early 2000's I started to work in the IT field with the utility equipment industry.  An old boss back at a previously company stated, "No one will ever buy a bucket truck from the Internet!"  Oh how times have changed!  Not only did we create a website for that company, it became one of the main sources of income by drawing in people that would have never found or heard of them otherwise.

It’s true the business world is very different now in the age of the Internet.   Although the utility equipment industry is still somewhat old school, the need and want for technology is all around.  The questions always being asked are: “How can we make it better?”  “How do we get the data to the customer in the most accurate and fastest way possible?”

These are our goals here at Versalift East.  We want to give our customers as much information as we possibly can, while still staying competitive. We have an online inventory system that keeps our website up-to-date all the time.  New equipment specifications are spelled out to give website visitors all the data they need to help in their product purchase decision- making process.

Versalift East uses video to show a unit in working order, interior details, the boom in action, etc.  All of our videos can be seen on our YouTube Channel.  We have also produced other videos such as safety and product demonstrations.

We have created this blog to give customers fresh ideas and to answer those common questions.  Employees from all departments participate with these blog articles in order to give a well rounded view of different aspects of the utility truck/equipment segment.  We have other informative segments on our website in the "Other" section of our menu on our main website.  We have industry related new articles, interesting utility equipment related photos, and section for other useful websites. 

Versalift East joined the networking social media with its page on Facebook.  If you haven't joined us on Facebook yet, we encourage you to "Like" us!  We talk about industry related topics and other events and happenings going on at Versalift East.

Our online store continues to grow, adding a way for people to be able to find parts and accessories 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Our store contains common Versalift parts such as bucket leveling shocks, replacement decals, and control panels and non-specific parts for all aerial units like saw scabbards, bucket covers, hydraulic tools, augers, winch rope, lighting and safety equipment to name just a few.  Peter and Greg in the parts department are always looking for more products to add to the store to give our customers everything they need.

The Versalift East website also has an online support feature.  If a customer has a question about a certain product or service, they can chat live to an agent right on the website.

One of our newest advances is our new Diamond Partner program, where customers who purchase a certain amount of units from Versalift East have a login and they can access all the history to their units on the website.  They have access to digital manuals, parts ordering, safety bulletins, engineering drawings, unit specifications and more.  We are very proud of this program and continue to grow its capabilities.

Versalift East will continue to move forward in technology to meet the needs of our customers.  We invite you to visit our website at www.VersaliftEast.com and see what we can offer.  Can't find what you are looking for?  Please contact us at info@versalifteast.com and we will be happy to help.

Drafting and Designing in Today’s Environment

It’s to no surprise that in the past ten years technology has advanced significantly. From computers to cell phones, technological advancements have help save lives, educate students more efficiently, and has helped business produce better products.

Drafting and Design in general has been advanced both virtually and physically. From the days of manual drafting to computer aided drafting, technology has help drafting and design produce more improved drawing that are both more detailed and easier to interpret.

In the recent years Parametric Solid Modeling (3D) has made a permanent impression in the manufacturing field. Designing in 3D has helped with getting products to market quicker, reduced material costs and helped technicians with assembling products on the shop floor.

In the past few years many companies have released their own program of 3D Parametric Solid Modeling. Some are geared towards different industries, ex: Architecture, Electrical circuit boards, Plant design to consumer product design.

Just recently Versalift East implemented SolidWorks 3D design software into their system. With both AutoCAD and Solidworks, engineers have been using both these for production design and drafting.

Many other companies that Versalift East purchases products from have been using SolidWorks for their design software. Reading Truck, Dakota, Knapheide as some to just name a few.

In a recent design, Versalift East used SolidWorks to design a flip up cone holder. By designing this in 3D it allowed the engineer to both reduce the design phase and reduce the need for multiple prototypes to ensure fit and function was correct.

3D design has even allowed the introduction of the 3D printer. A device that can create physical solid objects within a machine that produces a product right from the 3D solid model.

From a drafting board to 2D design and now 3D making its way to industry standard, many business have benefited from this.

Check back with Versalift East’s online store to purchase the flip up cone holder and many other products.  http://store.versalifteast.com/

Key To A Durable Long Lasting Finish

The first step in a high quality finish is to wash the vehicle with hot, soapy water to remove water soluble contaminants. Listed below are some of the more common things that a vehicle finish may be exposed to:

• Dirt, Mud
• Tree Sap
• Road Salt
• Bird Droppings

 

In addition to the contaminants listed above other types of materials may also be removed using the method listed above. These would include: 

• Polyglycote
• Some Waxes and Polishes

 Once all water soluble contaminants have been removed the next step in surface preparation is solvent cleaning. This step is designed to remove solvent soluble contaminants:

• Grease/Oil
• Road Tar
• Waxes and Polishes
• Silicone

  Then we prepare the body and parts for paint. Next, the body and parts are primed using a 2 part epoxy primer and finished with a polyurethane top coat. Finally the unit reassembled and detailed for delivery.

Tire Life = Money

One of the main reasons you should keep your tires properly inflated besides highway safety, is money, plain and simple. Tires aren’t cheap: In fact, they’re the second or third largest expense for most truck operators, right behind fuel and labor. So how you manage your tires can have a big impact on your company’s bottom line. 

Here’s a list of good overall tire-care tips:

• Use tire air equalizers to spot under-inflation
• Have tire pressure checked regularly
• Maintain proper inflation in all tires including the spare
• Pull tires when they reach a tread depth of 6/32nds  
• Dual tires must be the same size (since manufacturers' recommendations are different, check their manuals for tire service data)
• Align axles when mounting tires
• Have an alignment check done as part of your yearly scheduled maintenance, or as soon as you feel a pull in the steering while driving

I put air in the tire, now where did it go?

Cupped Tire Wear

Proper tire inflation is critical because it’s the air inside the tire that carries the weight of a vehicle. It also absorbs shock and keeps the tire in its proper shape so it may perform as designed. Inflation pressures also influence handling, traction, braking, load carrying capability and fuel economy.

Most tire manufacturers agree that a tire is considered “under-inflated” when the air pressure is at 80% or less than the recommended level. For every 10 degree drop or increase in temperature your tires can loose or gain up to 3 psi.

Tires flex when they roll which bends the tire’s rubber and steel cords used within the rubber on the sidewall of the tire to provide additional strength and operating characteristics. This flexing generates heat and adds to the tire wear resulting from the friction created between the road’s surface and the tread as the tire rolls along. Heat is a tire’s worst enemy. 

If a tire isn’t properly inflated, it doesn’t roll as smoothly or as easily as it was designed to. As a result, it will have an uneven, irregular “footprint” – that portion that contacts the road surface. This inconsistent shape leads to increased wear, reduced traction and performance, plus handling and ride problems.

The concentrated flexing caused by under-inflation leads to premature wear, and fatigue and failure of the steel cords. There is a direct correlation between how much a tire is under-inflated and how much faster it wears out. 

Over-inflated Tire

When overinflated, however, excessive wear occurs at the center of the tread because it will bear the majority of the vehicle’s weight. Along with making for a harsher ride, overinflated tires don’t ‘absorb’ the impact of road hazards, such as potholes, as well and increase the risk of sustaining a puncture or impact damage.

So before you go down the road, or up in the air, check your tires and their pressure. It’s for your safety and will benefit you and/or your company in the end.