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In The News

Ledwell Team
In Construction, Energy, In The News, Industry, Rental

It’s time to winterize

Ledwell Water Truck winterization

Take a moment to picture yourself on a crisp winter morning. With a cup of warm coffee by your side, you’re bundled from head to toe. In the distance, the rays of the morning sun are creeping over the limbs of a row of steadfast trees as the chirps of birds provide the signal of daybreak—flashes of light dance across the frozen lake. The beauty is mesmerizing – hypnotic even. Suddenly, you’re pulled from your winter wonderland by the realization you need to winterize your equipment! While a frozen lake might look pretty, a burst water line sure does not.

As water freezes, it expands. Because of this, your equipment has to undergo a winterizing process. If water freezes in pipes, it can damage parts of the equipment.

Ledwell Water Truck winterization

There are only a few pieces of Ledwell equipment that utilize a system that includes water. Here’s how to maintain those units through the winter:

Water Trucks:

Close the water intake valve located on the inlet side of the pump on the driver’s side.
Remove the 3” cam lock.
Open the water intake valve.
Locat the primer tank valve above the cam lock and open.
Open all drain cocks.

Note: Leave these valves open to ensure that the system is drained of all possible liquid. Do this after each use if continued throughout the winter or once after its final use of the season before storing.

Vacuum Trucks:

Locate all valves and drain cocks connected to any water system on your specific vacuum unit.
Remove any caps or loosen any drain cocks and allow the remaining water to flow from the system.
Clean any leftover residue from the system.

Note: All vacuum maintenance procedures for water systems are the same and should be performed daily to avoid residue build-up. During colder weather, this will also reduce the risk of freezing.

Make sure your equipment is suitable for the weather conditions present. As a side note, always make sure the type of hydraulic fluid used is appropriate for the climate. Colder weather might call for a lighter, synthetic, or an all-weather fluid. Allow for a warm-up period when turning equipment on.

Remember to read your operation and safety manual to ensure that you are well educated on your equipment’s needs. You can also find operation videos on our YouTube page. Be sure to subscribe to receive updates when new videos premiere.

Ledwell Team
In In The News

Making an impact on the industry

ARA Industry Impact Award recognizes Ledwell

This month, the American Rental Association announced new inductees to their hall of fame, along with a few additional awards, including the Industry Impact Award. We are proud to say that Steve Ledwell, the owner of Ledwell, is being recognized as an individual who made significant impact on the rental industry in the last two years. Please read the kind words ARA had to say:

 

This award recognizes a manufacturer supplier and/or independent manufacturer representative rental industry professional who made a significant impact on the association and/or industry during the past two years.

This year’s recipient — Steve Ledwell, owner, Ledwell Manufacturing, Texarkana, Texas — will be recognized during the ARA Industry Awards Lunch at The ARA Show™ in Orlando on Sunday, Feb. 9.

Ledwell and Ledwell Manufacturing are leading by example within their community by supporting various nonprofit organizations both financially and with the contribution of time. They also are strong advocates of workforce development and in November 2018, Texarkana College opened its new Workforce Training Center in honor of the Ledwell family. James Henry Russell, president, Texarkana College, said the Ledwell name in the community is synonymous with excellence, honor and superior work ethic.

Some of the various ways the company has supported the community include: 

The local branch of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) raffled off a tiny house this past spring to raise money for their organization. Ledwell, along with several other businesses in the community, donated time and materials to help build the house.

Watersprings Ranch, a nonprofit organization in Texarkana, Ark., helps children in need and houses almost 50 children at a time on its land. The organization’s largest legacy resides in building safe, educational and happy homes for children who have not had that in their past. Ledwell employees have donated time, resources and more to the children of this facility.

Alzheimer’s Alliance Tri-State assists Alzheimer’s patients and oversees Our Place Day Respite Center to provide help for those living with Alzheimer’s and their families. The group recently organized a function — Over the Edge — in Texarkana, Texas, that raised more than $65,000. The community came together to scale down the walls of a six-story building on the campus of a local university, Texas A&M — Texarkana. Members of the Ledwell team showed their support by participating in the downward climb, raising over $4,000 combined. 

The First Response Team of America contacted Ledwell Manufacturing in 2009. The organization had five pieces of equipment they wanted to fit on one trailer. Steve Ledwell had them bring the equipment to Texarkana and within 24 hours they were working with a team of designers, welders and fabricators to build a custom donated trailer that goes from town to town saving lives and restoring hope for countless storm survivors.

Working every day to provide solutions for our customer’s needs and providing solutions for our community is what Ledwell is about. We have learned from the best! Congrats to our fearless leader, Steve Ledwell.

Ledwell Team
In In The News

Coming on Strong – and Staying!

Letter from Buddy Ledwell in 1979

Society shifts, but some things just never change. Looking back at some of our old articles, it’s clear that pride and dedication have always been, and still are, at the heart of Ledwell. Better yet, we’ve learned to take what we know and what we do and apply it in a wide variety of industries. A trailer has use anywhere. One truck body structure might be just a single step from the next. We’re doing what we love and loving what we do – and have been for ages! Buddy Ledwell knew the right direction for Ledwell, he says so below in an article from 1978.

 

I’m proud to announce that Ledwell is back doing what we do best … building the nations’ finest truck bodies and equipment. During the early seventies we diversified into many areas and “partner” … I’m here to tell you we’re back on the horse we rode in on.

Diversification may be fine for some folks but it kept us away from the things we know and love the most … building truck bodies and equipment for the industries of agriculture, poultry, livestock, lumber, and transportation.

The 1979 year is looking great. The bays in our workshops are full and the men of Ledwell are back out in the field bringing in the information we need to develop new and improved equipment. It’s paying off and we at Ledwell are proud to be back in the thick of things.

Give us a call for literature on our new product lines … I think you’ll see why Ledwell and Son is coming on strong.

 

After all these years, it turns out he was 100% right. We thrive best in the truck body and trailer industry. We’ve managed to take this skill set and branch out further into the Vacuum, Rental, Material Handling, Construction, Energy, Fire, Waste and Governmental industries. We’ve learned to be diverse, yet stay true to ourselves.

Ledwell Team
In In The News

See you in 2020

See you at the show

2020 is right around the corner and we are excited to spend it with you! We will be traveling across the country, from Orlando to Las Vegas, and a few stops in between. We hope to see your smiling face at one of the events. To see where we will be throughout the year, check out the Events page of our site. There you will see events we are attending and places we will be. For now, here are a few upcoming shows. See you real soon!

January 28 – 30 International Production & Processing Expo

February 10 – 12 The Rental Show

March 10 – 14 ConEx

Ledwell Team
In Construction, Government, In The News

Happy Trail-ers!

Blue Ledwell Hydratail Trailer with tail in down position. Red and black Self Contained Unit sitting on front deck of trailer. Sunny blue sky with green trees in the background and light brown dirt on ground.

When it comes to hauling, Ledwell has you covered with our top-notch HydraTail Trailer lineup.

Our trailers aren’t just about getting from A to B; they offer ample space, custom designs, and versatility.

Whether you prefer HydraTilt, Interior Beam, or Perimeter Beam, each option is carefully manufactured to meet various needs.

Heavy Haul Trailer Manufacturer, Ledwell

Looking for a trailer that ticks all the boxes?

The HydraTilt Trailer is your go-to for a seamless haul, thanks to its innovative design. This trailer utilizes a hydraulic tail and hydraulic main deck hinged at the rear to attain a shallow angle of approach from the tip of the tail to the nose of the trailer to create a non-existent break over.

Need versatility?

Our Perimeter Beam HydraTail Trailer offers multiple options, including a Hydraulic Mini-Deck and a Drop-Deck for extra load height – up to 10 inches. Plus, our Knuckle Boom Trough feature ensures a snug fit for medium-sized equipment. This lowers the ride height of the excavator equipment several inches.

With Ledwell, customization is key – from tie-down options to paint colors, we’ve got you covered. Explore our HydraTail Trailers today on our website or give us a call for more information!

Ledwell Interior Beam Trailer for Sale
Ledwell Team
In Construction, Feed, In The News

Weathering the Weather – 8 Roadway Safety Tips

Winter Weather Preps for Drivers

You’re in an unfamiliar town, trying to get back home. You still have miles to go, and it’s the middle of winter.

You’re traveling down a typically busy highway, and it’s snowing heavily. Your line of vision is mere feet in front of your vehicle, and you can’t tell where the ice patches are.

Your heart pounds a little faster than usual because you depend not only on yourself but those motorists around you.

What do you do?

We don’t often think ahead and prepare for these situations as civilian drivers, but roadway safety should be the priority for a Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver.

When inclement weather strikes, preparation is everything. Not only does each state have its own rules and regulations, but we have a nationally accepted declaration of roadway safety tips in our hands.

The upcoming winter months bring unpredictable weather, like snow, ice, and heavy rain.

Every motorist’s job is to stay safe and pay attention to any roadway.

However, for a professional driver on the road, it means watching their actions and the actions of others – the job depends on it.

There are so many trucker safety articles available at your fingertips. Here’s another. Consider these eight inclement weather roadway tips, and be prepared when nature strikes this winter.

Winter Weather Preps for Drivers

Plan your trip

You must know where you’re going, which roadways you’ll be on, and the weather conditions in each area. States and cities, even twin cities, do not always provide similar weather conditions. Know where you’re going and what you’ll need to be prepared for at all times. Being in unfamiliar places can cause confusion. Coupled with that, inclement weather can be disastrous. Formulate a plan.

Service vehicle

The last thing you’ll want to do in icy, snowy, or cold, rainy weather is be stranded on the side of the road. This can cost you time, money, and business. Avoid any events that might result in malfunction while driving. Stay safe and be preemptive.

Be prepared

While traveling all over the country, especially in the middle of nowhere. Be sure to have precautionary materials with you at all times. Always have a cell phone, warning devices, snacks, water, blankets, a medical kit, and an ice-scraper. Anticipate any situation.

Reduce your speed

It is very unsafe to travel at average speeds when there is a risk of icy and slick roadways, especially if you’re on unfamiliar roads. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration suggests slowing down by ⅓ of your speed just on wet roads. Sliding is a considerable risk when it comes to any motor vehicle. Reduce your speed to limit this risk.

Use your headlights

Turning your headlights on can increase the distance you can see in front of you. It’s essential to be aware of everything around and in front of you when traveling—Alert oncoming traffic of your presence by keeping your lights on. Stay visible.

Bring tire chains

If the regulatory 4/32 inches of tread is not offering you enough traction, you’ll need tire chains to better grip the road surface. Be sure to carry the appropriate size chain and check them for any damage before using them. Ensure you are up to date on the tire chain laws in the state(s) you’ll be traveling in.

Pay attention to spacing

Be sure to keep a more considerable distance between yourself and other vehicles. Never drive beside other motorists and always slow down preemptively when you see traffic hold-ups. Doing otherwise risks skidding and accidents when any party loses control on the road. Give them space.

Watch overhead

Clearance markings aren’t always accurate when there is snow and ice present. The two can quickly reduce the clearance height, making your vehicle incapable of passing. Take things slowly when approaching bridges or other clearance zones, and be sure to know the limits of your vehicle. Be alert.

Many of these roadway tips may seem simple, but when faced with high-stress situations in high-risk areas, anyone can become entangled in their worry.

Just remain calm and truck on. Always practice safe driving, no matter the weather, and stay vigilant!

Ledwell Team
In Energy, In The News, Industry, Waste

Logistically Speaking: Liechtenstein Pumps

Ledwell Vacuum Trucks receive vacuum pumps from Liechtenstein

At Ledwell, we make every effort to deliver a superior product to our customers.

Only the best materials and parts are used to achieve this goal. Fulfilling that promise led us to a place off the beaten path where we found the perfect vacuum pumps to use on our line of vacuum equipment.

Ledwell Vacuum Truck - Rev-T for sale

Liechtenstein, a micro-state landlocked between Switzerland and Austria, is one of the most interesting places Ledwell sources parts from.

Measuring just over 62 square miles, you could fit Liechtenstein almost six times within the city limits of Dallas. Liechtenstein manufactures a large number of products used all over the world. Dietmar Kaiser, our vacuum pump vendor, is a perfect example. They ship around the globe, including Texarkana, Texas.

Dietmar Kaiser has been in business since 2003 and specializes in components and accessories for environmental equipment. Their VPC – Vacuum Pumps are highly specialized in the application of the Liquid Ring Vacuum Trucks. These unique vacuum pumps reduce gas emissions when used with certain filtration systems, including the design on the Ledwell Liquid Ring Vacuum Truck.

We’re thankful at Ledwell that we found a wonderful vacuum pump manufacturer and that our customers can continue to depend on the quality products we build, regardless of where we have to go to find the parts and pieces.

liquid ring vacuum truck ledwell
Ledwell Team
In Construction, In The News

TMA: Keeping Motorists & Workers Safe

TMA for sales by Ledwell - Crash Truck

Ledwell has thrived on building quality equipment for the past seven decades to make our customers’ lives easier. We are able to provide that same satisfaction with our new addition, the Ledwell Attenuator Truck, also known as a TMA.

Regardless of which model you choose, Scorpion or Trinity, the attenuator meets all federal and state regulations for impact. An arrow board consisting of 15 or 25 lights to direct traffic is one of the many Ledwell Attenuator Truck package options.

Ledwell Attenuator Trucks, also known as TMA or Crash Trucks, are designed to keep employees and motorists safe and secure. The controls are conveniently placed inside the cab to operate the attenuator and the arrow board.

Various options such as stake sides and cone seats are available to create a unit that best suits your needs.

Call Ledwell at 888-533-9355 to receive a quote on your next Attenuator Truck.

Manufacturer Ledwell - Crash TMA Trucks in stock for sale
Ledwell Team
In Energy, In The News, Industry

Making Traks to New Solutions

vacuum excavation truck Ledwell TrakVac
hydro excavation system from Ledwell

When it comes to your work-site equipment, one size does not fit all. In the pipeline market, rules, regulations, and other essential factors like getting from Point A to Point B play a role in what you’ll choose as your go-to unit. So many areas of the world do not allow “mechanical digging” near any underground utilities or pipelines.

Ledwell has developed a solution for these situations! The TrakVac.

The Ledwell TrakVac combines the reliability and innovation of several of our Vacuum Systems and utilizes the “Go Everywhere!” capability of the Prinoth Panther T12. This tracked vacuum unit’s specific purpose is to perform Hydro Excavation anywhere – places where an average wheeled truck can’t even begin to reach. The TrakVac functions similarly to our Blower Vacuum Truck. A high-pressure water system and 1600cfm vacuum blower come standard. With a GVWR of 55,000 pounds, the TrakVac mounted on the Prinoth Panther T12 has a ground pressure of approximately six pounds per square inch.

The Ledwell TrakVac is a self-contained unit, autonomous from the engine and fuel supply of the crawler. Geared to work alongside other tracked and heavy equipment on right-of-ways during pipeline construction and maintenance operations. 

vacuum excavation truck Ledwell TrakVac

We unveiled the TrakVac in 2019 at The Utility Expo formerly known as ICUEE in Louisville, Kentucky. A record number of utility and construction professionals were able to see our latest solution for vacuum equipment. Our goal, as always, was to provide something trusted and reliable that is capable of working in a different environment. To provide a solution to an opportunity.

Since introducing our latest vacuum unit, we have manufactured a few other pieces on Prinoth crawlers. They include our TrakTrailer, Trak Pole Trailer, and Crawler Crane.

At Ledwell, we love opportunities like this.

If you have a unique situation that requires something not yet on the market or learn more about the TrakVac, give us a call today!

Ledwell Team
In In The News, Waste

Don’t Waste Time

Ledwell serves the waste industry - recycling industry

The United States has access to an abundance of sanitation facilities, all falling into the Waste Industry. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, our waste management system recorded and collected the clean-up of around 250,000,000 tons of waste in 2015 in various ways including recycling and landfills.

The Waste Industry entails the careful collection, movement, and cleaning of a variety of materials. From your home trash cans, to oceanic pollution, this industry works diligently to remove hazards from the world around you. This includes the use of vacuum trucks, dump trucks, and a whole line of other products that are designed using intricate systems and technology for the perfect solution. In the US, this industry is split into sub industries, including Waste Collection, Waste Treatment and Disposal, Remediation and other services.

Ledwell offers equipment for any level of this type of field work. For waste collection, might we suggest our Trash Dump with a Rotobec accessory. How about a Portable Restroom Truck for Waste Treatment and Disposal? Or our Revolution Vacuum Truck for Environmental Remediation? All of the equipment mentioned have separate functions, but all offer a solution to the industry. Our vacuum systems allow the user to handle dry materials, mixes, sludge or reclaim hydrocarbons. Ledwell Dump Bodies offer easy and efficient evacuation.

If you’re not sure how Ledwell can help you, click on the tab titled “Industry.” There, you can find out more about what Ledwell offers for your industry. Give us a call today and find out what we can offer you!