TOOL KIT: Upfit for Efficiency

One of the most important pieces of equipment a landscape contractor has is his truck, says John Lackey, director of national account sales, Knapheide Co., Quincy, Ill. “After all, this vehicle gets him to and from the job site, along with the materials and equipment needed to get the job done,” Lackey says.
 
Many contractors invest ample amounts of time and money to customize their pickup trucks to be as functional as possible. From equipment racks to tool boxes to vinyl logos, a professional, organized vehicle will place contractors ahead of their competition and in front of prospective new clients. In addition, a properly designed body can improve a contractor’s efficiency and provide a greater professional image to the customer, Lackey says. 
 
Aaron Smith, co-founder of S&D Lawn Service, Essex, Vt., maximizes his trucks’ functionality by organizing every piece of landscape equipment in a systemized way.
 
“Everything in my trucks has a specific place and it’s placed there every single time we reload,” he says. “I can see at a glance what we have and what we need.”

ADDING UP ADD-ONS. The sky is the limit with regard to custom alterations. Small additions like wheel lockers are important to keep wheeled equipment in place, Smith says. Costing $130 to $150 a set, these prevent equipment damage that can occur during bumpy rides. Equipment racks, which vary in price from $50 for a blower rack to $150 for a trimmer rack, keep tools off the floor, maximizing space and preventing damage.
 
With truck bodies, costs vary depending on a truck’s tasks and hauling requirements, Lackey says. A non-dumping flatbed starts at about $2,000, while a drop-side dump body with maximum toolbox storage runs as high as $10,000, Lackey says. Contractors may pay $5,000 to $6,000 for a basic 2- to 3-yard dump body, and a landscape body with 40-inch high sides equipped with a dump hoist and large cross box will cost $9,000 to $10,000.

SIGN UP. Trucks act as mobile advertisements, so it pays to keep them looking professional.
 
“A contractor’s truck is a travelling billboard,” Lackey says. “A well-equipped, well-maintained, clean truck will project a successful image to customers.”
 
Smith’s trucks feature his company’s logo, name, phone number and Web site. While there are different application methods, Smith says vinyl lettering is the way to go.
 
“The lettering looks professional, and vinyl is easy to scrape off, which ups the resale value down the road,” Smith says. However, magnetic letters can be a smart investment if the truck is also driven for personal use, Smith says, adding the price of lettering varies based on application method and intricacy. LL