6/29/13

A Customized Harbor Weldmaster Body For NV Energy


At Harbor Truck Bodies, we make a Welder body called a Harbor WeldMaster and it has general application; however, welders are very independent thinkers when it comes to the body they want to work out of, so there are many different variations on this theme. Our standard WeldMaster is a
standardized product and is cost effective for many. In addition to the standard features of the TradeMaster which is the basis of this product, the body comes standard with a 63" Raised Front Compartment that is vented and includes bottle brackets and rings for gas bottles. A second Raised Compartment is an available option.


The photos show a highly customized Harbor WeldMaster body modified for NV Energy and installed by Cobalt Truck Equipment, a Harbor Truck Bodies distributor in Nampa, Idaho. It includes some innovative custom accessories such as a unique 4-gas bottle pullout tray on heavy duty slides for easy loading, a pullout welding table off the bumper, and a V-notch work bench bumper. Notice the custom notches for wheel chocks and three Emberton drawers in the horizontal compartment.


6/27/13

F-150 Bumps Camry as Most 'American-Made' Vehicle


Ford's best-selling F-150 pickup bumped the Toyota Camry as the most "American-made" vehicle in the latest annual America-Made Index by our colleagues at Cars.com's Kicking Tires blog.

To even be considered for the American-Made Index, a vehicle has to have 75% North American content. Other factors in the formula include where the vehicle is built and U.S. sales -- since a low-selling vehicle may be mostly made here but creates fewer U.S. jobs. Mays says the lists doesn't include any models built exclusively outside the U.S., or models soon to be discontinued without a U.S.-built successor.

From USA Today 6.25.13

Find the complete stories at:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2013/06/25/f150-camry-american-made-sales-exports/2455527/


http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2013/06/carscom-releases-the-2013-american-made-index.html

6/25/13

Ford Skyrockets to Second Greenest Brand in the World



Ford has shot up 13 spots in a new report ranking companies on their sustainable practices. Bolstered by the popularity of products such as its EcoBoost® engines, Ford is No. 2 on Interbrand's 2013 Best Global Brands Report. Click here for more details on the ranking.



6/23/13

Ford Tests High-Tech “Brake Light” That Warns Other Drivers Even From Afar

  • Ford tests early warning car-to-car communication feature that alerts following drivers to vehicles braking ahead – even around corners and through traffic
  • Experimental technology called “Electronic Brake Light” transmits a wireless signal to illuminate a dashboard light on following vehicles
  • The technology is among 20 systems Ford tested for Safe Intelligent Mobility – Testfield Germany (simTD); the joint industry research project’s field testing period, which concluded in December last year, finds intelligent transport systems could reduce congestion and potentially improve safety
  • Specially-equipped Ford S-MAX models were used to test the technologies for simTD; Ford also tested Obstacle Warning, which alerts drivers to objects on the road, and Traffic Sign Assistant, which provides up-to-date information from traffic management centres

AACHEN, Germany, June 20, 2013 – Ford Motor Company participated in a special test of a high-tech early warning “brake light” that can warn drivers following behind even if they are around a bend or behind other traffic.

The technology is one of 20 potential future systems Ford tested as part of Safe Intelligent Mobility – Testfield Germany (simTD), a four-year joint industry research project.

In emergency braking situations, the experimental “Electronic Brake Light” transmits a wireless signal to illuminate a dashboard light in cars following behind. The study found the technology could enable drivers following behind to brake earlier and potentially mitigate or avoid a collision.

The closing presentation for the simTD project today took place in Frankfurt, Germany, with a demonstration of technologies including those tested and developed by Ford, and a summary of the findings from the research project’s field tests, which concluded in December 2012.

The simTD field tests took place in the Frankfurt region and involved 500 test drivers in 120 vehicles – including 20 Ford S-MAX models. Testers logged more than 41,000 hours and 1.6 million kilometers on public roads and an enclosed test track.

“Car-to-car and car-to-infrastructure communications represent one of the next major advancements in vehicle safety,” said Paul Mascarenas, Ford’s chief technical officer and vice president, Ford Research and Innovation. “Ford is committed to further real-world testing here and around the world with the goal of implementation in the foreseeable future.”

Ford used specially-equipped Ford S-MAX models to help test the potential of car-to-car and car-to-infrastructure communication; also testing Obstacle Warning system, which alerts to the presence, position and type of potentially hazardous objects in the road, and Traffic Sign Assistant, that remains in contact with traffic management centres for up-to-date information.

Engineers from Ford’s European Research Centre in Aachen, Germany, led the Electronic Brake Light development, testing and data analysis.

Further technologies tested for simTD included:
  • Public Traffic Management, which provides exact traffic prognosis based on comprehensive information; this includes identifying likely traffic scenarios and their impact at the point in the journey when they are encountered rather than at the point of departure   
  • In-car Internet Access, which, for example enables the driver to receive information about free parking spaces or check traffic hotspots by receiving up-to-date pictures from traffic cameras.

As a global leader in researching car-to-car and car-to-infrastructure communications, Ford is engaged in the European Commission-supported field operational tests DRIVE C2X, and in the U.S. contributing to Safety Pilot Model Deployment, a field test of more than 2,800 vehicles in cooperation with the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Collating results from these programmes supports Ford’s objective of harmonising standards for messaging and hardware globally that would enable the delivery of new technologies faster, more efficiently, and more economically.

simTD is a joint project by leading German automotive manufacturers, component suppliers,  communication companies, research institutions and public authorities. The funding for the project was approximately €53 million, of which €30 million of direct project promotional support was provided by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) together with the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

The project was further supported by infrastructure investment from the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development (BMVBS) as well as active participation from the state of Hessen. The consortium involved representatives from all major interest groups, including Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, Opel, Volkswagen, Bosch, Continental, Deutsche Telekom, regional infrastructure operators and German Research Institutions (Technische Universität München und Berlin, Universität Würzburg, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft).

Further information on simTD can be found at www.simTD.de.
# # #
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 175,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com

Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 47,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 69,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 24 manufacturing facilities (15 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and nine unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.

6/21/13

Ford F-150 Chosen as Best Light-Duty Pickup Truck by PickupTrucks.com and Popular Mechanics Magazine

  • The 2013 Ford F-150 beat five competitors, including 2014 model trucks, in head-to-head tests conducted by PickupTrucks.com and Popular Mechanics
  • F-150 recognized for its leading capability and performance
DEARBORN, Mich., June 17, 2013 – The Ford F-150 has been named winner of the 2013 Light-Duty Challenge by the editors of PickupTrucks.com and Popular Mechanics Magazine.
“In our performance-oriented competitive events, the Ford half-ton was dominating,” says Mark Williams, editor of PickupTrucks.com. “It finished in either first or second place in 11 of 13 events. If this were the Olympics, there would be a new Ford F-150 on a cereal box.”
F-150 beat out five competitors, including two of the newest entries from General Motors and the latest Ram.
Judges tested the 2013 Ford F-150 against the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2014 GMC Sierra 1500, 2013 Nissan Titan, 2013 Ram 1500 and 2013 Toyota Tundra. Trucks were put through rigorous performance tests including 0-60 mph acceleration (loaded and unloaded), braking, overall handling, towing and fuel economy.
“The results of this test show why F-Series has been the best-selling pickup truck in America for more than 30 years,” says Doug Scott, Ford truck group marketing manager. “We know our light-duty customers are looking for a pickup truck that delivers the leading combination of towing, payload, horsepower, torque and fuel economy, and this shootout proves F-150 continues to lead the pack.”
F-150 is part of the Ford F-Series lineup. Now in its 65th year, F-Series has been the best-selling truck in America for 36 consecutive years, the best-selling vehicle in America for 31 consecutive years, and the brand with the most trucks on the road with more than 250,000 miles, as certified by Polk.
The 2013 Ford F-150 features up to 11,300 pounds of towing capability and best-in-class 3,120 pounds of payload. F-150 is available with four powertrains including a 6.2-liter V8, a 5.0-liter V8, a 3.7-liter V6 and the segment-exclusive 3.5-liter EcoBoost®.
F-150 is built at Dearborn Truck Plant and Kansas City Assembly Plant.

6/19/13

Business Preferred Network




With a range of efficient solutions to choose from, sometimes it can be difficult to decide which vehicle is best for you or your business. That's where the Business Preferred Network comes in -- to help commercial truck customers find the right fit for the right job.

6/17/13

Superduty Crew Cab and the Deuce E-Tipper Displayed at Work Truck Show





The Crysteel Deuce E-Tipper combines rear and side dumping capability in one body for increased productivity. This one was shown at the Work Truck Show. It dumps to the rear for typical applications and from the side for hard to reach places in tight jobsites and for easy spreading of material.

The Deuce is also available in stainless steel for added corrosion protection from harsh environments and corrosive materials.

The power behind the Deuce is a double-acting Lo-Boy hoist on a bayonet swivel. The additional double-acting power allows the Deuce to lift larger loads--up to 11 ton capacity!

Never unhook your trailer again with the Deuce!

6/15/13

TC-503 Storm Aluminum Landscaper Body on Superduty Supercab



This very sharp Superduty Supercab is shown at the 2013 Work Truck Show. 

The ALL-ALUMINUM Dumping Landscaper Body TruckCraft TC-503 STORM is available for 60" and 84" chassis, in either 40" or 50" side-height versions. Double acting hoist is 16,600 or 17,000 lb capacity. Some available options offered include a load-bearing cabguard, passenger-side front door, tailgate with coal-chute and various barn-door configurations.

 The Ford Superduty is built for toughness and versatility.
  • Supports a large range of applications
  • Low-cab design optimizes for a wide range of back of cab upfits
  • Available in Regular Cab, SuperCab or Crew Cab

6/13/13

2014 E-Series Overview

The Ford E-Series – America’s best-selling van for more than 30 years – has been synonymous with work vans since the model’s introduction in 1961. Smart technology updates help E-Series operators master today’s mobile, 24/7 work environment. The robust E-Series chassis can tow up to a best-in-class 10,000 pounds when properly equipped, and payload tops out at 3,920 pounds. Three engine choices and three wheelbase options make it easy to match the new 2014 Ford E-Series to workplace demands.
 
At the same time, E-Series Wagon continues to offer transportation options for families and organizations with a lot of people to move, with seating for up to 15 passengers in extended versions.
 
E-Series highlights:
  • Class-exclusive connectivity of SYNC® system, which can integrate with smartphones and other devices using hands-free Bluetooth® technology for safer voice-based calling
  • Crew Chief telematics gives fleet managers real-time operating data
  • Instrument panel-mounted Navigation System with 6.5-inch touch-screen display
  • Standard audio input jack, for MP3 players
  • Seating for up to 15 passengers (E-350 Super Duty Extended)
  • Tow rating up to 10,000 pounds (E-350 Super Duty with 6.8-liter SOHC V10 engine)
  • Ford’s leading safety and security features, including:
    • AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control)
    • Driver and front passenger airbags
    • Side-intrusion door beams
    • Four-wheel Anti-Lock Braking System
    • Tire Pressure Monitoring System
    • Three-point seat belts for all seating positions

6/09/13

Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition Helps Develop Next Generation of Automotive Technicians


DEARBORN, Mich., June 5, 2013 – One hundred of the nation’s best young automotive minds will converge on the Motor City to compete for the title of top high school technicians in the country at the 64th annual Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition National Finals, June 9-11. With jobs in the auto industry on the rise – up more than 30 percent since last April according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics – the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills challenge serves as a springboard for aspiring automotive technicians to launch their careers. Along with the title, millions of dollars in scholarships and prizes will be awarded as well.
 
This year’s young auto champions will be crowned June 11 at Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., from a field of 48 male and two female students. The annual competition features top high school automotive technology students from all 50 states, with each state represented by a two-student team and their high school instructor.
 
 
 
At the National Finals, the students will have their automotive skills and knowledge put to the test with a written exam and a timed event in which they race against the clock and each other to identify glitches and repair deliberately installed “bugs” in identical 2013 Ford Explorer XLT models. The team with the best combined written and hands-on score will win the national championship.
 
The road to Dearborn began in January, when more than 13,000 high school juniors and seniors took an online exam testing their automotive technology knowledge; it will culminate with one team taking home the title of national champion.
 
In addition to scholarships and prizes, this year’s two national champions and their instructor will earn a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain hands-on experience through a weeklong job shadowing auto racing royalty – Wood Brothers Racing’s legendary No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion team and 2011 Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne. Leading up to and throughout the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona, this extraordinary job shadow experience extends from a high-tech performance garage in North Carolina to the world-famous Daytona International Speedway. It includes the following:
 
  • An immersion into the Wood Brothers Racing team as these expert auto technicians prepare for one of the biggest events on the Sprint Cup calendar – the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona July 6
  • Serving as honorary pit crew members for the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion under the guidance of crew chief Donnie Wingo
  • Mentoring by team driver Bayne at both the Wood Brothers Racing shop in Harrisburg, N.C. and also trackside at Daytona
“Each week, the other drivers and I get all the attention on the track,” said Bayne. “But really, we couldn’t even get out there and run without our crew. The guys I work with are the best in the business. It’s pretty amazing what they do and how they work all week long to keep that No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane car in top condition.
 
“The Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition is a great opportunity for thousands of students across the country who really love working on cars and want to get into the industry,” he added. “I’m excited to see these national champions because this will really help them see that while they may be young, they can work on the world’s best cars themselves. And hey, who knows, I could end up seeing these students on our pit crew one day!”
 
Founded in 1950, Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team in NASCAR. The team has won 14 Sprint Cup Series races at Daytona International Speedway, more than any other team in the sport. The Wood Brothers’ most recent trip to victory lane came at the 2011 Daytona 500, when then 20-year-old Bayne became the youngest driver ever to win NASCAR’s most prestigious race.
 
As cars continue to become more advanced, Ford is leading the way with new technologies such as all-electric vehicles, adaptive cruise control, collision warning with brake support, hands-free entertainment and communication systems. As the mechanics who service and maintain these technologies are essential to the future of the automotive industry, the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills challenge focuses on technological practices while educating the next generation of technicians in traditional mechanical principles.
 
Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills enables its participants to embark on promising careers in the automotive repair industry to help meet rising demand for well-trained technicians who can repair both computers and mechanical components in today’s advanced vehicles. Both the national and state-wide competitions are organized with the support of AAA and Ford personnel, local automotive instructors and the AAA Approved Auto Repair program, a public service AAA performs to identify quality repair facilities throughout the country. The competition awards nearly $12 million in scholarships to thousands of high school students each year, including the national title winners, allowing them to further their education in this rapidly changing industry.
 
# # #
 
About Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills
The Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills is a nationwide automotive technology competition that offers nearly $12 million in scholarships and prizes to high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing careers as automotive service technicians. More than 13,000 students from across the U.S. compete for the chance to represent their school and state in the National Finals. The competition tests students’ automotive knowledge, workmanship and problem-solving abilities. For additional information on the competition, visit http://autoskills.aaa.com/.
 
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 175,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.
 

6/07/13

Common Truck Body Types - Plumber


The Plumber Style Body is essentially Service Body with a roof on it. It is used by many different industries, not just plumbers, but plumbers made it a popular body. It is a very useful body because you can generally stand up inside the body and have storage shelves on the inside all out of side and lockable.

The service body compartments on the outside hold a lot of tools, small parts, hardware and you name it. You get the best of a van body and a service body all in one vehicle. This body can be mounted on any chassis type including the cutaway chassis, conventional and tilt cab chassis.

6/05/13

Lift the Load With a Harbor Liftgate

Whether it's use is for construction, service or the transportation - delivery industry, a liftgate is a great solution to provide safer and more efficient handling of materials. Operators complete daily tasks easier and safer using hydraulic liftgates or railgates..

Owners will be satisfied that they are providing the best solution for lifting and lowering heavy materials, pallets and equipment into the bed of the truck. Work related injuries can be reduced when properly operating this equipment.  

Harbor Truck Bodies mounts lift gates on a wide range of truck bodies, here are a few examples.


Rack Body Liftgate


Workmaster Body Liftgate


Box Truck Railgate


 Concrete Cutters Body Liftgate


Here are some links to the manufacturers of the liftgates that we sell. You will find more photos and a great deal of information to assist you. Do not hesitate to call us at number at the bottom of the page with any questions. We are here to serve!










To find out more, you may call Harbor Truck Bodies at 800-433-9452.
Also find us at http://htbi.net/

6/03/13

Warn HD Winch Bumper - Get Pull Power and Great Looks!


When you're out in the field doing work, Warn Winches can be one of the best options to have whether you're pulling yourself out of a situation or helping someone else.

When you want the ultimate front bumper for your truck, you want the WARN Heavy Duty Bumper. These units are contoured to the shape of the vehicle's grille and body and have that custom-made look. They offer excellent protection thanks to a one-piece welded design that incorporates round light ports and a concealed winch mount. The WARN Heavy Duty Bumper is for the larger capacity WARN winches, including the 16.5ti.

WARN HD BUMPERS FOR THE NEWEST FULL SIZE FORD, CHEVY AND DODGE TRUCKS. KEY FEATURES INCLUDE:

  • Bumpers available with or without tubular grille/brush guard
  • Welded, one-piece construction uses heavy 1/4" and 3/16" thick steel
  • Integrated winch mounting structure provides maximum strength. Rated for use with all WARN Heavyweight Series winches, including the 16.5ti
  • Bumpers available with or without tubular grille/brush guard
  • Brush guards constructed of large diameter, welded steel tubing
  • Welded eyelets for D-shackles (shackles sold separately)
  • Bumper design provides generous tire clearance and accommodates oversize tires
  • Bumper features integrated light ports, and includes a set of two WARN W350F Fog Lights with wireless remote. Additional light mounting holes on top of the bumper
  • Black powder coat finish with undercoat delivers maximum durability. Light texture finish blends perfectly with factory plastic accents
  • Commercial duty rated and fleet approved

ALSO: WARN HD BUMPERS FOR OLDER FULL SIZE FORD, CHEVY AND DODGE TRUCKS.

KEY FEATURES INCLUDE:
  • Bumpers available with or without tubular grille/brush guard
  • All steel construction and textured black powder-coated finish
  • Additional light mounting holes on top of the bumper
  • Reuses factory tow hooks or comes with welded eyelets for D-shackles depending on application (shackles sold separately)
  • Accommodates diesel applications and oversize tires
  • Commercial duty rated and fleet approved
  • Rated for use with all WARN large-frame winches including the 16.5ti
  • Bumpers with integrated tubular grille/brush guard includes WARN W350F Fog Lights
  • Bumpers without grille/brush guard, lights sold separately

Find out more at: http://www.warn.com/index.shtml

6/01/13

TechShop and Ford Celebrate One Year of Innovation in Metro Detroit; Benefits Emerge from Entrepreneurial Spirit

  • TechShop Detroit – a do-it-yourself workshop and fabrication studio where prospective inventors, makers and hackers can rent space to have access to high-tech equipment – celebrates its first anniversary with an event June 1
  • In the past year, Ford’s Employee Patent Incentive Program, in conjunction with TechShop, has in part led to 50 percent more patentable ideas by Ford employees
  • TechShop offers members a chance to tinker and test out new, innovative ideas with equipment on site to better enable invention
 
 
DEARBORN, Mich., June 1, 2013 – When TechShop opened in Detroit a year ago it was intended to foster additional innovation, and now it has contributed to a 50 percent increase in patentable ideas by Ford employees.
 
Last spring Ford helped bring TechShop to Detroit with assistance from Bill Coughlin, CEO of Ford Global Technologies, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company. Leading the domestic auto industry’s only intellectual property team with a licensing arm, Coughlin articulates this vision to help drive innovation at Ford and beyond.
 
“There was a time not so long ago in this business where outside ideas were not readily considered,” he says. “Since TechShop memberships were added to help enhance Ford’s invention incentive program, invention disclosures have increased by more than 50 percent.”
 
The Employee Patent Incentive Program provides Ford employee inventors with a three-month free membership to TechShop Detroit. Approximately 2,000 Ford employees have incentive memberships.
 
Ford has a portfolio of more than 17,000 issued and pending patents around the world, and – as a technology company – needs to be at the very forefront of automotive innovation. With TechShop in close proximity, Ford’s employees in Dearborn are able to easily and quickly build prototypes for almost any inventive solution they can conceive.
 
TechShop Detroit is a center for innovation – a vibrant playground for inventors, hackers and tinkerers of all stripes.
 
“We’re thrilled TechShop is helping to inspire new inventions and ideas from the employees at Ford, at such a strong pace,” says Mark Hatch, CEO of TechShop. “A full year of success in our partnership with Ford confirms our ability to deliver on our mission of helping makers and entrepreneurs of all ages build their dreams and explore new ideas.
 
“Over the last year, TechShop Detroit’s vibrant and talented community of makers have shown their innovative spirit and entrepreneurial drive, and we can’t wait to see the creative and exciting things to come,” he adds.
 
From laser cutters to computer-aided-design workstations to 3D printers, TechShop is outfitted with tools that Henry Ford couldn’t even imagine when he built his first cars more than a century ago. While much of this equipment is still well beyond the means of most tinkerers, memberships starting at $99 per month enable everyone access to the tools of innovation.
 
TechShop Detroit is located in Fairlane Business Park, a Ford Land-owned property in Allen Park, Mich. There are five other TechShops around the United States, with an additional three planned in the future.
 
# # #
 
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 175,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.
 
About Ford Land
Ford Land is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company and a full-service provider of real estate, construction and facility services. Ford Land owns a commercial office portfolio of more than five million square feet in Dearborn and Allen Park, Mich. For more information visit http://fordland.com
 
About TechShop, Inc.
Founded in October 2006, TechShop is a membership-based, do-it-yourself (DIY) workshop and fabrication studio providing access to a vibrant community of creative people and more than $1 million worth of high quality machines, tools and software. TechShop offers classes, workshops, instruction and meet-ups for people of all ages and skill levels. TechShop is based in Menlo Park, Calif., with six locations nationwide.
 
For information and course listings, visit http://www.techshop.ws, email info@techshop.ws or call 855-TECHSHOP. You can follow TechShop on Twitter at “@TechShop.” TechShop is also on Facebook as “TechShop Incorporated.”
 
The 3 Locations in California are: