Buying a used heavy-duty service truck

Given the current scarcity of new vehicle availability, it’s understandable that new heavy-duty (HD) service trucks are commanding high premiums, if you can find one. Similarly, late-model HD used service trucks with low hours and kilometres are equally sought after. So if your business needs one, here are some handy hints to consider when looking for a used HD service truck…

In the heavy-duty service truck market, there is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to service bodies; many service bodies were custom built to suit specific customer requirements.

For this reason, when it comes to purchasing a used HD service truck, it pays to research the specification of the service body to ascertain its suitability for your application, as well as the truck itself.

Keeping heavy-duty assets like excavators, bulldozers and loaders working on a mine or construction site require the right service and support vehicles to reduce operating costs, so it’s well worth researching your service truck needs thoroughly, to ensure the used vehicle you select will deliver optimal tank capacities, fuel delivery rates, operator usability and operating costs to deliver the uptime and productivity you need.

If you intend using the service truck for onsite field maintenance, then a waste oil tank to collect and store all the waste oils is a must.

Related reading:
Heavy-duty truck guide 2022
Heavy rigid truck guide 2022
How do I sell my truck for the best price?

Other considerations worth investigating include the operator ergonomics and usability, because service personnel are usually required to enter and exit the cab many times a day during their daily service routine. Meanwhile, check that the location of pumps, reels and storage areas promotes ease of use and serviceability, thereby decreasing machine maintenance time and increasing productivity and service-call uptime.

While on the subject of operator ergonomics and safety, inspect the service toolbox doors – ideally they should be constructed from lightweight aluminium, which is approximately 60 per cent lighter than traditional steel doors. The location of the pump and reel compartments should eliminate any need for working in confined spaces.

Arguably one of the most critical items on service trucks is the need for effective filtration in fluid delivery systems. Today’s diesel engines require extremely high standards of purity in their fluids. Unfortunately, while most service vehicles have filters that deliver high filtration and are easily serviced, some cheaper service bodies have filters with restricted access.

Storage space for parts, filters and tools is paramount on any service truck. While it might be handy to have an open tray, it will require and additional load restraint system. Weatherproof lockers and sliding drawers provide the ultimate safe storage solution.

Many worksites will require that service vehicles have access stairs and railings. These should be designed to the AS1657-1992 standard and provide safe and efficient access to service filter units from the top of the storage modules.

Check the location of work lights around the service body to ensure they’re suitable for your operations. ‘Nice to have’ lights include LED combination lights with high and low levels, courtesy lights in the reel compartment and storage areas, and operational HID work lights that clearly illuminate the work area (essential for night-shift workers).

On the electrical front, having 12- and 24-volt jump receptacles is more than handy. But running some wires and fitting additional LED lights to a service body is a relatively simple process if there are not enough lights on the used unit already.

Once you’ve ticked all these boxes, ensure the vehicle has the correct weight distribution across the chassis. More importantly, if you intend to drive it on the road, ensure it does not exceed the axle weight limits.

Thankfully, modern-day service truck manufacturers utilise technology to measure vehicle weight distribution to ensure the load is correctly distributed over each axle. Nevertheless, do your due diligence and measure the height, length and width of the vehicle, and take it to a weighbridge while conducting your road test.

You might be lucky enough to pick up a few premium options on a service truck fitted by the original owner. One beneficial premium option is a remote hydraulic reel retract. Apart from the ease of use, this feature significantly eliminates nozzle damage and increases the life of the hose and nozzles, because the operator can hold the nozzle while activating the remote unit.

A sonar tank level gauge system is another time-saving option. When fitted, the operator can quickly tell what all the tank levels are simply by clicking a button.

A fluid management system is helpful for the fastidious operator who likes to measure all hydrocarbons against each machine and fluids. This system significantly helps improve the traceability of your operation.

Many fitters now request a grease pressure release system, which allows the operator to release grease line pressure remotely. This feature helps eliminate injuries associated with high-pressure grease.

If you have a lot of big machinery, a truck-mounted crane will be a welcome asset. However, if the used service truck you are looking at doesn’t come with one, you only need to ensure there is enough room to retrofit one. And that’s not such a bad thing either, because a new crane will meet all the Safe Work Australia requirements and include features like a wireless remote control with E-stop and warning horn.

Are you in the market for a used heavy-duty service truck? Click here to view all the service trucks currently listed for sale on Trucksales, but in the meantime here are a few top options…

2017 IVECO ACCO 2350 service/lube truck

This IVECO ACCO 2350 presents like new in the photos and has had little use, only clocking up 7112km in five years. It features an 8500-litre diesel tank with high flow, standard flow and Safe-Fill. It has three 400-litre oil compartments, with E-Stops, ROPS and computer level monitor.

2012 Mack Granite service truck

Another unit with very low kilometres for its age. The hose reel locker has a roll-up door and there are fixed handrails on the top of the tanks for safe access. The unit is equipped with a ROPS canopy.

2012 MAN TGM 30.340

This MAN has travelled less than 26,000km with only 4570 engine hours. It is specified with an automated ZF transmission and has a new PTO-powered 90 CFM compressor. Furthermore, it’s road registered. However, the pièce de résistance is the P14000 service body on the back. It boasts nine tanks, with a 10,500-litre diesel capacity that includes high and low flow outlets with digital meter display. Other tanks include: 3 x 950-litre oil tanks, 3 x 550-litre tanks, 1 x oil tank, 1 x waste oil collection tank; 1 x AdBlue tank; 1 x 200-litre coolant tank; and 1 x 950-litre water tank.

There is 950kg bulk grease tank with two pumps, Samoa reels, hoses, and hand piece, along with a high-pressure (3/8) and bulk (3/4) dispensing grease system. The truck also features an underslung large dirty filter box and a rear tray with ladder access to roof, complete with fold-down hand rails. Certainly, a piece of equipment worthy of consideration.

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