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Building a service truck...what do I need?
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SoILL
Posted 12/8/2009 19:15 (#956020)
Subject: Building a service truck...what do I need?


We have finally decided to build a service truck due to the fact that most of farming is done a good distance away from these days and it's always a huge pain to have to run home to get things that we need. What are some major things to make sure I have when loading a service truck up. It won't be a service body with all of the toolboxes, it's a 10' by 8' flatbed on an 8100 International truck. We are already planning on a 250-300 gal fuel tank. We have a generator/welder that will be put on there, obviously we need to get an air compressor. What am I missing besides a bunch of tools?
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farmdiskjockey
Posted 12/8/2009 19:23 (#956039 - in reply to #956020)
Subject: Re: Building a service truck...what do I need?


Byron IL		smoke wrench, (torch lol...) I think one of those mobile cranes would be pretty handy too. I've heard that they are great to have.
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marlinpain
Posted 12/8/2009 19:26 (#956042 - in reply to #956039)
Subject: Re: Building a service truck...what do I need?


45 miles south spingfield il.		Sounds stupid but blocking and coffin hoist for them good days :)
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spudsco
Posted 12/8/2009 19:35 (#956068 - in reply to #956039)
Subject: Re: Building a service truck...what do I need?


SWMN		I have a 1976 Ford service truck with side compartments, a hoist in the corner, and an under-hood 4 cylinder air compressor with a rebuilt 400 motor. In good condition for it's age- would make a good farm truck.
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JK SCLA
Posted 12/8/2009 19:27 (#956047 - in reply to #956020)
Subject: Re: Building a service truck...what do I need?


Lighting, small clean water tank for hand washing, accomodations for pinch bars/cheater pipes, air availability on both sides and the back, dual plumb your oxy acteylene bottles and put your cutting head on a whip with quick connects to use either side and keep it out the weather when not in use. Provided you put a 12v pump, put a elec cutoff at ground level for when that nozzle doesn't shut off when filling the combine and you are elsewhere.

Be damn sure to keep your grease tubes, gallons of gear oil, engine oil, and such else where besides tools or stored parts. Something will get squeezed, mashed, leaks, or just plain nasty. Put a good tow ring on the front to pull it out when stuck or to guide a 4 wheel header trailer under the shed for storage. If going with the med duty trcuk, a few companies sell the rock/mud grips like the railroad uses and hold up well.

Build your center of the back bumper to accomodate anything without swapping hitches. 2" reciever, clevis, 2" or 2 5/16, and a flat, with big holes. Be sure to place the welder where you can get to the battery and oil filter and drain.

All some little things I have learned after setting up several and that was one of my duties while at LSU in Ag eng. in the shop, the day was 1991. Since I have done 3 for myself.
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smithgrow
Posted 12/8/2009 19:30 (#956058 - in reply to #956047)
Subject: Re: Building a service truck...what do I need?



I second everything JK SCLA said....the crane is invaluable. Here is a pic of ours.....(sorry for the quality)

Edited by smithgrow 12/8/2009 19:32




(rsz_11-4_6.jpg)



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Attachments rsz_11-4_6.jpg (37KB - 1543 downloads)
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Detroit
Posted 12/8/2009 20:28 (#956211 - in reply to #956058)
Subject: Re: Building a service truck...what do I need?


Crawfordsville, Arkansas		Wish we had a crane on ours. Hopefully there's one in the future.

Ours is an old "linesman" bed. Has lots of racks inside and a collapsable roof. We don't utilize all the space like we should. We got the truck about midseason so we didnt really have time to stock it the right way. That'll be a winter project for the coming months. One thing we did was to throw a few step ladders inside. The racks we already there. I couldn't believe how many times we used them this fall. Another thing we added was a small tent. One thats just big enough to go over a power unit or well when we are out working on them in the blazing sun. Makes that job a bit more bearable. Picked that up at Walmart for $25 or so.
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irethanolman
Posted 12/8/2009 19:37 (#956075 - in reply to #956047)
Subject: Re: Building a service truck...what do I need?


Serena Il, Center of the Universe		Make accomadations for a vise and some kind of anvil. Eventually you will have to beat the h#@@ (gently persuade) something. Also have some sort of compartments for nuts bolts washers cotter pins roll pins etc. rather than a coffee can. As long as its a service truck you should have a first aid kit. I know neither you Or I will never smash a thumb, cut a finger or poke an eye out but you can never tell about the help. Also if you have room put in a good cooler. Your help will appreciate a cool drink of pop and water on a hot day.
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Lil' Hoss
Posted 12/8/2009 19:29 (#956054 - in reply to #956020)
Subject: Re: Building a service truck...what do I need?


NESD		Parts storage, a waste oil tank so that you can change oil in the field when needed, One or two of the CPL tool boxes depending on tools that you want to carry, If the truck has a wet kit on it go with a hydraulic drive compressor and put a splitter on so that you can have hydraulic outlets on the back. a fresh water tank to wash your hands, A small crane comes in really handy at times, and a microwave.

I have all of the above items except the CPL boxes in a 11 foot Maintainer body with a 8000lb crane,
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bobfeather
Posted 12/8/2009 19:36 (#956072 - in reply to #956020)
Subject: RE: Building a service truck...what do I need?


Southern Ontario		gotta have a big sturdy vise on the truck
and a couple fire extinguishers
bob
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deereman23
Posted 12/8/2009 20:37 (#956234 - in reply to #956020)
Subject: RE: Building a service truck...what do I need?



Bardstown,KY		  Here is a picture of the truck that I put together ,it has proven to be a very good investment. Todd



(2009 corn point rows and wheat 037 [640x480].JPG)



(2009 corn point rows and wheat 038 [640x480].JPG)



(2009 corn point rows and wheat 040 [640x480].JPG)



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Attachments 2009 corn point rows and wheat 037 [640x480].JPG (48KB - 1441 downloads)
Attachments 2009 corn point rows and wheat 038 [640x480].JPG (53KB - 1563 downloads)
Attachments 2009 corn point rows and wheat 040 [640x480].JPG (49KB - 1416 downloads)
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averagejoe
Posted 12/8/2009 22:38 (#956518 - in reply to #956234)
Subject: Re: Building a service truck...what do I need?


Minnesota		Where did you find the body? If anyone has a good source for good service bodies I would sure like to find one. I have a FL70 that needs one bad.
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95h
Posted 12/8/2009 21:36 (#956375 - in reply to #956020)
Subject: RE: Building a service truck...what do I need?


Kittitas Co. Wa. State

Secure place to carry your spare gas cans for your Generator/welder and air compressor. ( or plumb them into the fuel tank if you've packing diesel)

Fair sized piece of flat plate steel for those serious BFH pound it flat again situations. Or a heavy duty flat plate type step rear bumper.

Whatever type of cording,, electrical, welder, air, cutting torch, have at least 30 feet so you can reach around the equipment from 1 location.  Nothing worse than 'setting up shop' get 2/3's of the tools, cords out of the truck,, THEN find out the welder (or whatever) leads aren't long enough to reach the other side,, so you have to waste time/effort putting everything back on the truck and moving it to the other side of the machine.

Couple of Drills and bits (3/8 and 1/2 inch) 

Couple of grinders for cleaning up cuts for welding, etc..

A good sized piece of heavy tin or something NON burnable for the Gas AXE repairs !

As was said,, 3-4-5 good sized Fire Extinguishers,, nothing worse than doing a real nice repair then having the whole machine go up in smoke !!

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hey
Posted 12/8/2009 21:38 (#956382 - in reply to #956020)
Subject: RE: Building a service truck...what do I need?


This was mine till it got flooded
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Lizton farmer
Posted 12/8/2009 22:08 (#956440 - in reply to #956020)
Subject: Re: Building a service truck...what do I need?



lizton IN		One thing I have thought about is having someway of setting part boxes on and off easy. I could fill one up with spring parts and one up with fall parts. Have a forklift set them on and off. Like all the other post keep nuts bolts and the kitchen sink in. I also like the port a powers you can do a lot with them. move things back to were they go to making hydraulic hoses.
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Future Farmer11
Posted 12/8/2009 23:30 (#956609 - in reply to #956020)
Subject: Re: Building a service truck...what do I need?


SE MN		I would also recommend several lights, nothing worse then trying to work on something and you can't even see it. I thought of something else, but can't remember it right now... Thats pretty bad, I'm only 20 lol
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Ernie
Posted 12/9/2009 00:47 (#956681 - in reply to #956020)
Subject: Slickest rig I saw was



North End I-15		Walt Burlings rig . He was up here a couple years cutting . Spent a whole winter ot two building his rig. Had water for hand /eye washing / and every thing to repair a JD combine on board . Big welder /Gen set / Big Aircompressor / beautiful tool racks and sliding parts bins . Bulk oil dispenser / Fire wrench / Vice /hoist / What ever 2 winters of thinking and tinkering . It was an amazingly well thought out and built truck.
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Mike SE IL
Posted 12/9/2009 01:59 (#956721 - in reply to #956020)
Subject: The FIRST thing you need...



West Union, Illinois

SoILL - It won't be a service body with all of the toolboxes, it's a 10' by 8' flatbed on an 8100 International truck.
Make a service truck or make a flatbed.  Don't kid yourself into thinking one will work just as well as the other.  The first thing you need to do is take the flat bed off and get a service bed.

Yes, that is a bit blunt.  Are you building a service truck or a cargo truck? Because you are starting out wrong and regardless of what you add it will always be wrong.  If you want to haul stuff get a truck to haul stuff.  If you want a truck for service get a service bed.  All those toolboxes and all that storage is integral to a good service truck.

Don't try to reinvent the wheel.  Look at what guys who depend on their trucks do and what they do it with.  They don't invest the time and money in a service bed just for looks. It's like the difference between a plumber and a farmer doing plumbing. The plumber has a truck he can reach into and pull out 90% of what he needs for most jobs.

You want a real service bed?  ROC at West Union, IL (Ralph's personal cell is 812/241-8579) has one removed from a  Kodiak that was made into a grain truck.  Super service bed. I'd guess 12 - 14 ft long  Comes with a PTO mounted air compressor that will cause you to pull the truck up beside the shop and run a couple hoses through the door.  I believe it also has a 110v power inverter. Put that on your 8100 and you'll have a start on a service truck.  What you are working on is a flatbed with a fuel tank.

edit:  Oh!  You asked
What am I missing besides a bunch of tools?
  PARTS and SUPPLIES  They are probably more important than the tools!


Edited by Mike SE IL 12/9/2009 02:29
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dave morgan
Posted 12/9/2009 07:12 (#956812 - in reply to #956721)
Subject: RE: The FIRST thing you need...


Somerville, Indiana		Four square tanks, each holding 110 gallons. Engine oil, Hyd, 90W, 50W oil. Each with its own air pump and hose reel. 35 gallon barrel of grease with air greaser and hose reel. Lincoln Pipeliner, torch with extra tanks. 13 HP Honda powered aircompressor. At least one CPL toolbox. There is room between the Pipeliner and air compressor for parts. Extended rear frame with 3/8 plate, end with a 12 inch I beam for bumper with a vise on that. 3/8 plate is flush on top with 12 inch I beam to make a heavy table.
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Funacres
Posted 12/9/2009 10:14 (#957036 - in reply to #956721)
Subject: RE: 19 Pictures


Texas

Mike is absolutely right.  Get a service body first.  I have built two and wouldn't do it any other way.  When I used to run custom harvest I tried to do it out of a fancy pickup.  Big mistake.  Everytime something was needed it was always on the bottom under and wound up in cords or hoses.  A flat bed is the second biggest mistake you can make.  The first biggest mistake is not to take any tools or supplies with you at all.

My second and current service truck is built around an Auto Crane body.  It is certainly wonderful and a great way to start.  I will try to edit this post with some pictures of what I have now, but it's gona be durty 'cause I've been using it.

What would I do differently?  I started with a Ford F-550 but I would go with a larger truck next time so that I could haul palletized supplies and pull a heavy trailer too.  I added extra leaves to the rear springs but it would be nice to have more capacity much of the time.  On the plus side of the F550, it is easy to get around with and parks anywhere my pickup does.  It still goes through the drive-thru at the bank and fast food places.  (Got to have the occasional Krispy Kreme on the way out of town too!)

I have the PTO air compressor, a vented compartment for the Ox/Acy, diesel welder with the battery charger option, drawers, drawers & drawers for parts, supplies and tools, separate sealed box for spray cans and glues, hose reels for 3/8 & 1/2 inch air lines, and a hose reel for the torch hoses, hose reels for diesel, air grease gun, and lube oil.  The truck has a PTO operated crane with a remote control which is the most useful component to the whole rig.  Until I had the crane I didn't have any idea how much help it would be.  I have accomplished jobs several times using the crane that would have been impossible for me to do by myself, and some of them would have been impossible to do at all.

I would much rather have the money invested in my service truck (portable shop) than have a new tractor.  I could have a new 8430 for $150,000? or my 8400 and service truck for $150,000.   A lot of folks comment about how much my setup costs to build and I look behind them at the new $65,000 pickup, sitting in front of the new $150,000 tractor, parked in front of the nearly new 170,000 sprayer, that is blocking the view of the late model $250,000+ combine, which is all parked outside next to every kind of field tool that one can dream of and think a very inaudible.....  huh?

When you break down (and you will) and you are able to get back up and running in a few minutes or even a couple of hours, what it that advantage worth to you?  When you will perform the preventative maintainence because it is easy and convienent to do,  how much will that save you in lost time and repair costs a few days down the road?  The lack of a service truck on every full time farm is a hugh oversight.  I know because I have farmed most of my life without one while dreaming of one.  I could have had it years ago, but hey, none of the neighbors needed one!  So I looked around and tried to buy the stuff that made me look like them.  Well, I finally grew old and started to think about things from a practical point of view.  Must we always be practical?  Works better for me everytime and I'm sure it will change things for the better for anyone that re-thinks a few basics.

Now that I have stuck my neck out and offered my insights in a rather strong way, I'm sure that a few may justify not "spending" that kind of money on their farm, but when you do break down, remember to think about what I have said in this post and what a blessing a portable shop would bring to your operation. 



Edited by Funacres 12/9/2009 21:25




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plowboy
Posted 12/10/2009 00:41 (#958549 - in reply to #957036)
Subject: Re: Building a service truck...what do I need?



Brazilton KS		Like the others have already said....you haven't even started yet and you're already pretty much destined to have a mess.

Get a service bed to start with. They're everywhere, they're not that expensive, and they make them for a reason....because that's what you need when you are building a service truck!
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Ernie
Posted 12/9/2009 10:48 (#957077 - in reply to #956020)
Subject: Old Beer Delivery Truck



North End I-15		I saw made a nice service rig . Had all the goodies on a diesel Ford Chasis . The roll down sides made secure every thing . He had a real mobile fuel truck, service shop, parts depo all in one.
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rowcropper
Posted 12/9/2009 11:11 (#957118 - in reply to #957077)
Subject: Re: Building a service truck...what do I need?



SC		I think what a lot of people call a service truck is actually a shop on wheels. Daily service can be done with fuel, grease, engine and hyd. oil, a tackle box of nuts and bolts, and hand tools. I can put all that on my daily driver flatbed and still carry a pallet of chemicals or seed. I don't want to carry an extra 8000 lbs. of stuff all the time but I guess people with rolling shops also have a pickup nearby.
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Mike SE IL
Posted 12/10/2009 14:27 (#959221 - in reply to #957118)
Subject: Re: Building a service truck...what do I need?



West Union, Illinois

rowcropper - I think what a lot of people call a service truck is actually a shop on wheels. Daily service can be done with fuel, grease, engine and hyd. oil, a tackle box of nuts and bolts, and hand tools.
That is a valid point. To me service truck means portable shop.  A flat bed with tanks, and air compressor, and a few tools is more of a fuel truck, a daily maintenance rig.

So I guess getting back on topic the question is what do you expect from this truck?  When we hear service truck many of us have very different expectations.

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Ed Boysun
Posted 12/9/2009 12:20 (#957227 - in reply to #956020)
Subject: Is there a need to re-invent the wheel?



Agent Orange: Friendly fire that keeps on burning.

Trucks like this and nicer have been going in the neighborhood of $10K lately. May soften some more before spring.

http://www.ironplanet.com/jsp/s/item/238598?h=3080%2C1%2F2%2CModUserView

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plowboy
Posted 12/10/2009 22:30 (#959979 - in reply to #957227)
Subject: RE: Is there a need to re-invent the wheel?



Brazilton KS		Holy cow, Ed, that's a lot of value for what it brought.  Glad I wasn't watching because bidding on it would have required violating two rules....one against 7.3 V8's and the other against hydraulic brakes. 
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Ed Boysun
Posted 12/10/2009 23:43 (#960103 - in reply to #959979)
Subject: This one was nicer,



Agent Orange: Friendly fire that keeps on burning.

for not that much more money, if you were considering building one.

http://www.ironplanet.com/jsp/s/item/234846?h=4%2F6

No, "I didn't buy it now".

Mechanic's truck like that would be about the last thing I'd need.

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nsfarm
Posted 12/11/2009 01:29 (#960203 - in reply to #960103)
Subject: Re: Building a service truck...what do I need?


Manitoba, Canada		thats a nice rig, worth every penny, wish i seen it sooner
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purplewave
Posted 12/12/2009 17:39 (#962748 - in reply to #960203)
Subject: Re: Building a service truck...what do I need?


Here's another example of a true service truck, with a crane already rigged up:  http://www.purplewave.com/cgi-bin/mnlist.cgi?091217/1001/showall

And more of a hybrid flatbed/service truck starting point, also with a crane already rigged up:  http://www.purplewave.com/cgi-bin/mnlist.cgi?091216/3002/showall
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plowboy
Posted 12/11/2009 03:14 (#960235 - in reply to #960103)
Subject: RE: This one was nicer,



Brazilton KS

That one would be sweet. 

I guess I need to start watching IP closely.

 

Last time I watched one of their auctions it led to a combine and a sprayer showing up.  

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FactoryFarmer
Posted 12/9/2009 12:44 (#957250 - in reply to #956020)
Subject: RE: Building a service truck...what do I need?


N IL		I recommend a shovel as well to put out the field fire when using the torchLaughing
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scott-young-gun
Posted 12/10/2009 00:51 (#958556 - in reply to #957250)
Subject: Re: Building a service truck...what do I need?


37172 / 42202		kitchen sink to go along with everything else suggested above.

Edited by scott-young-gun 12/10/2009 00:52
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