One of the greatest tools of a landscaper is a hardworking, versatile vehicle that accommodates an incredible number of tasks throughout every season. A reliable truck can take you from snow removal and salt spreading to mulch dumping and branch removal. There’s no more important tool than your truck. With the winter season already upon us, it’s time to turn our eyes to the upcoming spring and the landscaping jobs it will bring.
Monroe Truck Equipment put together a guide to help ensure your truck is in tip-top shape and ready for the jobs to come.
ROTATE & ALIGN TIRES
After a long and intense season of winter driving, your tires will likely need some attention. Taking the time to align and rotate your tires will ensure they are wearing equally. This way, you will get the longest life cycle from tires, and you will be safer on the roads.
Take this opportunity to also monitor the tire tread and make sure there is no balding or major wear on the tires and that they are adequate for the months ahead. If there is too much wear and tear, now is the time to replace them. Alternatively, you can replace winter tires with all-season or summer tires at this point.
CLEAN & INSPECT UNDERCARRIAGE
The winter’s slush, snow, salt, sand, and other road treatments take a great toll on the underside of your truck. While they are paramount in creating safe roads, it can lead to long-term damage. Right before the spring and summer season, take the time to get your undercarriage power washed. Removing debris and salt from your undercarriage will make it much less vulnerable to corrosion and rust.
CHECK BATTERIES
Using your work truck through the winter season works your battery to the max, making it more likely to degrade. If there is a chance your battery life is low, take a look at the installation date. If it’s older than four years, you should get your battery professionally checked and possibly replaced.
PREPARE FOR RAIN
Windshield wipers are one of the most important, but often overlooked, tools to keep you safe on the road. Windshield wipers are used often during winter, and even more during rainy season in the spring. As an all-season landscaper, you’re using your wipers more than the average driver and therefore will need to replace them more often. The rubber will erode over time, becoming less effective. New windshield wipers will improve visibility and decrease chances of an accident related to visibility impairment.
CHECK, REPLACE, & TOP OFF FLUIDS
Now is the time to check all your fluids and see what needs topping off or replacing to make sure you are ready for a rigorous spring and summer landscaping season. Make sure to check:
- Motor oil
- Coolant
- Windshield wiper fluid
- Brake fluid
- Transmission fluid
WASH TRUCKS
Spring cleaning applies to your trucks, too. After a long winter, take the time to thoroughly wash your vehicles. Internally, vacuum and clean all floors and seats to rid your vehicle of the salt, slush, and debris of winter. Replace your floor mats if they are at the end of their life cycle. Take out any winter-only tools and replace with summer landscaping tools. Then get a thorough exterior cleaning to start the season off right.
VERSATILE TRUCKS GET THE JOB DONE
A reliable and versatile service body helps contractors expand their service package without investing in multiple trucks or spending the time or money to change applications from season to season. Outside of snow and salt, landscapers need a truck to shovel rock, bark, and dirt into and out of the body, as well as loading pallets, skid products, and more.
If you feel it’s time for an upgrade to a better truck body, many truck body manufacturers such as Monroe Truck Equipment offer commercial users and landscape contractors several highly-versatile, all-season bodies that allow them to tackle a wide range of tasks easily.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Find out more about spring preparation, visit www.monroetruck.com.
