The vehicles we see on the road today aren’t all the same. Some are for the personal use of getting from point A to B, while others help perform a specific type of work, also known as service vehicles. They include machines such as fire trucks and cranes. In this read, we’ll look at different service vehicles and what you need to know about them.
1. Fire Trucks
Fire trucks are among the different service vehicles you should know about. In some cases, they’re known as fire engines. The main purpose of these life-saving vehicles is to put out fires and carry the firefighters, equipment such as hoses and ladders, and the water needed to extinguish fires.
As you probably already know, they’re mostly painted red. The manufacturers of these specialty vehicles don’t just do this to make them look uniform. There’s a deeper reason. Red makes fire trucks stand out by creating a high contrast, which acts as a warning indicator in addition to the sirens.
This service vehicle typically features a chassis that holds the superstructure carrying all the main components, including the ladder, tool compartments, pump, horses, gripped steps, and the driver’s cab. You must ensure routine maintenance of a fire truck’s different parts to ensure proper functioning. Besides that, staying on top of upkeep and following the manufacturer’s guidelines will help keep the warranty valid.
If you’re not attentive, you may think that all the fire trucks you see speeding down the street or approaching from behind with flashing piercing lights and blaring horns are the same. However, that’s not the case. You can classify firefighting machines into three different categories. You have the ladder truck, tanker truck, and the pumper truck. Each serves a distinct purpose, but they’re all equally vital.
Some interesting facts about the history of fire trucks may intrigue you. Have you ever wondered how firefighters put out fires in the past, before the invention of the combustible engines and automobiles? Well, they used horses.
Instead of drawing a carriage, the horses were lined up to pull a massive steam machine that could shoot water onto fires of burning structures. The horses greatly increased the mobility of an invention that most people were already familiar with. However, the addition made it possible to organize brigades and send them to fight fires. The pioneers of the different service vehicles of the industry were from Europe, London in particular.
2. Tow Trucks
A towing truck is among the different service vehicles we see on our roads today. This specialized automobile tows or moves illegally parked or disabled vehicles. It’s sometimes referred to as a wrecker or tow truck. These trucks are available in different configurations and can be fitted with towing equipment, like a wheel lift, boom, or flatbed, to attach and move the cars securely.
There are four common types of tow trucks that you may have encountered before. The flatbed or wheel lift tow truck, the integrated tow truck, a combination of the two, or the heavy-duty tow truck. Each of these has unique characteristics and is ideal for different situations.
That’s why it’s important to understand towing capacity when picking a towing truck. A truck’s towing capacity describes the most weight it can securely tow. Knowing the limit on yours and ensuring you don’t exceed it is crucial to preventing accidents or damage to the towing vehicle.
Different components, such as the engine power, braking system, suspension, and transmission, contribute to towing capacity. To know how much your truck can tow, the best thing is to refer to the manual or the manufacturer’s specifications. Car tow truck services, which rely on the power of towing trucks, are a crucial player in the recovery and transportation of vehicles.
Proper maintenance ensures your towing truck’s durability and dependable performance. While the different types of these service vehicles may have varying upkeep requirements, certain tasks cut across. As needed, you should regularly check and replace the truck’s fluids, like the engine oil, brake, transmission, and coolant fluid.
Inspect the tires for damage, tread deterioration indicators, and proper pressure. To ensure maximum performance and safety, rotate your tires regularly and replace them as necessary. You also want to keep the towing equipment, like the wheel lift and boom, well lubricated for smooth functioning.
Remember to check all safety measures to confirm if they’re operating as intended and run maintenance on the truck’s electrical system, which includes the wiring, lights, and battery. Adhere to the manufacturer’s recommended timetable for routine upkeep procedures such as filter replacements and engine tune-ups. Operators and consumers in need of dependable towing services must be aware of the many kinds of towing trucks, their towing capacities, and the relevant safety precautions and maintenance needs.
3. Cranes
Are you curious about cranes? Well, you’re not alone. Among the different service vehicles we have today, these are among the most powerful and have contributed significantly to the modern infrastructure we enjoy. Think about it. Your favorite high-rise building with a great rooftop view that lets you see the entire city wouldn’t be possible if construction cranes didn’t exist.
Just picture what your city’s skyline might look like without these influential industry mainstays. Everything would be substantially closer to the ground. That must be why these devices have developed a reputation for being the foundation of the building industry.
You may think that cranes are a recent invention because there are more skyscrapers today than ever, but you couldn’t be more wrong. These powerful machines have been used in construction since ancient Greece. Historians say people used the first crane-like machines in 700 B.C.E. This invention was crucial to constructing most architectural marvels.
The Egyptians were another famous early civilization group using cranes extensively. Even though their amazing building perfection still leaves some experts scratching their heads, you can be sure they used cranes. Their rendition had a cylindrical drum and wooden beams fastened to a revolving base. This device also featured a rope and pulley system that, with a little assistance from animal strength, produced the required tension.
Modern cranes come in various shapes and sizes. You can now find mobile and static options for various heavy-lifting operations at construction sites. It’s almost impossible to see how this crucial invention could improve over time. However, you can trust that crane manufacturers are looking for ways to surprise us in the future.
You don’t need to be in construction to know that these specialty vehicles are quite costly. That’s why most contractors in the business opt to use crane rentals instead. They offer a much more affordable alternative to buying one, and they take away the need for you to perform maintenance, which will require you to hire a pro.
4. Forklifts
One of the most powerful and versatile among the different service vehicles we see today is the forklift. Logistics and industrial companies are the ones that mostly use it. However, they can prove useful in almost any workplace as they can safely lift things that people can’t carry, whether that involves moving heavy items on a construction site or in a warehouse. A forklift is a compact industrial vehicle featuring an adjustable lift at its front.
To lift or transfer cargo, for example, in a local concrete company facility, you place the lift underneath it. Many sectors, like warehouses and other big storage facilities, rely on lift trucks to meet their needs. The standard forklift is the most popular kind of lift truck.
A forklift gets its power from an internal combustion engine or an electric battery. With certain forklifts, the operator can remain seated while operating the machine, while other models have the operator standing up. Remember, while operating a forklift is relatively simple, you need to go through proper training
Forklift rentals are also popular in the industry, especially for those who only use them occasionally. Hire a professional trained in the work for maintenance needs. You could also invest in training the operators to perform the routine upkeep tasks if you own an industrial, logistics, or construction company.
5. Steamrollers
Steamrollers are among the different service vehicles you may see on a road crew or construction sites, especially where a paving contractor is involved. It features a tractor that drives the machine and a large, heavy cylinder that helps to smoothen roads or other paved surfaces. It does this by leveling and compacting terrain, asphalt, dirt, soil, or any other base or foundation material. Although these machines no longer get their power from steam, the name stuck.
There are different types of steamrollers in existence today. What makes each one unique is the functions and characteristics of their roller or cylinder. The smooth roller features a steel cylinder that compacts material by applying pressure. The tractor carries and supports it, but self-propelled models are the most popular.
A pneumatic wheel roller consists of a row of separated tires at the back and front of the machine. It’s mainly used on non-sticky surfaces made of non-granulated materials. You can also find a driveway construction contractor using a vibrating roller. This type features one or two smooth-surfaced drums, producing vibrations via an eccentric shaft. These vibrations help to compact materials.
Tamping rollers are also common. They have many rectangular lugs on the rollers, which are great at compacting clay soil when building roads. Contractors often use them to improve areas previously compacted using a pneumatic roller. Ideally, you want to ensure that only a trained professional maintains this heavy-duty specialty vehicle.
6. Semi Trucks
Semi-trucks, one of the different service vehicles, were originally referred to as ‘trailers,’ but since trailers lack a front set of wheels, it wasn’t truly appropriate. With time, some started referring to them as semi-trailers, while others called them trucks or truck trailers. Because a semi-truck has 18 wheels when towing a trailer, it is also frequently known as an 18-wheeler.
Tractor-trailer is another term you may encounter. Even though most names revolve around trucks, the inspiration for all of these names stemmed from the idea of fusing a truck and a trailer. Semis fall into two primary categories: sleepers and day cabs.
Despite being related, they feature different spaces and compartments. Because sleepers often contain a bedroom compartment with a single bed and storage space, companies mainly use them for long-distance trucking. Truck drivers sometimes live in their vehicles for days, only coming out to refuel or relieve themselves. If you own a sleeper, consider working with an auto window tinting company to protect the interior and driver from sun damage and ensure a comfortable temperature inside.
Day cabs differ slightly from sleepers because drivers and passengers have less room. People mostly use them for short-distance hauls and are primarily found near ports and distribution facilities since the driver must return home at the end of their shift. You’ll often spot day cabs in locations where goods are shipped.
Regarding maintaining these specialty vehicles, you must stick to a consistent and routine schedule to be effective. Timely semi truck repairs and replacements are the key to ensuring the longevity and durability of these machines. Don’t wait for minor issues to develop into more major ones that are harder to fix.
7. RVs
RVs are one of the most popular of the different service vehicles mainly used by families going on road trip vacations. However, they’re also becoming a common option for those in the ”work from anywhere” movement. You’ve probably seen a couple of them, whether in your neighborhood or when you’re out in town. They’re also known as mobile homes or recreational vehicles.
You can buy an RV if you have the finances; if not, you can always rent. If you’re worried about where you’ll go on long or short calls, most RV parks offer amenities like restrooms, among many others. If you don’t like sharing with strangers, you can always get restroom trailer rentals, especially if you’ll be there for a while.
On the same note, you can use electric bicycles for rent to take care of those short commutes to the shop and back. Most of the maintenance of these specialty vehicles is similar to that of regular vehicles, but there are some other additional requirements. While you can take the initiative and do it yourself, it’s always a good idea to let a pro handle the job.
Now you know about the different service vehicles making life easier. Each one serves a specific purpose and has unique maintenance needs. Enlist the help of a professional to ensure you address everything.
