The midlife crisis… It’s a well-known phenomenon prevalent amongst men of a certain age. Usual indicators include a receding hairline and the quintessential convertible.
Apparently, even superheroes suffer from this curious condition, I mean Clark Kent did, so it must be real!
And so the popular IFS Service Truck, fondly named after a superhero, also recently got treated to a mid-life make-over. Here are the details of Hulk’s service truck overhaul…..

Representing the “old boys” this famous truck was originally built in the heyday of rollover protection. We therefore specified it with a large rigid frame that could support the ROPs structure. Having such a staunch chassis has served the unit well and a fresh coat of paint turned new again. We even added some new graphics.

Most customers have since superseded the ROPS requirement. But for those that still require the roll-over protection, this unit was worthwhile giving the second lease on life. Nowadays we build them with a lighter superstructure. This improves handling characteristics to ensure faster response and turn around time between top-ups. The 4×4 chassis ideally suits this task.

New Control Systems courtesy of Lumier

Under the skin, however, this unit now features a comprehensively rebuilt pumping system equipped with the latest telemetry and controls. Let’s just say this rebuild has been on the cards for a couple of years, while technology wasn’t standing still. Our sister company Lumier, who has been developing the electronic control systems for as long as we have been building trucks, supplied us with the latest technology in level and pressure control. This, along with their latest generation of operator interface, allows everything to happen from the central control station. On the ground.

Literally.

Being “on the ground” cannot be over emphasised as many of our competitor’s products require the operator to actually get ON the unit to reach critical controls and do daily checks. This, however, increases the risk of slip and fall associated with clambering up and down from service platforms.

Although Hulk still looks like a brick long-drop, the heart of him is now pure telemetry, speed and power. We have replaced the archaic “blue box” Hectronic monitoring and dispense system, which served us well for so many years, with the tiny but potent Lumier Control System. This not only offers more functionality and improved operator engagement, but also weighs a fraction of the podgy Blue Box while operating at warp speed and logging every move along the way.

Further upgrades include the modern 360 lighting package and improved compressor cooling system. This, along with a thorough go-through of all the pumps and reels will ensure that Hulk packs the punch we’ve come to expect. 

Congrats to the Tankkraft team for a service truck overhaul well done. Superheroes indeed.