Parts & maintenance
Parts & maintenance for work trucks.
Hydraulics and PTO, brakes, aftertreatment, tarps and seals: service by the hour, parts by chassis and body, and where to find them.
Parts & Maintenance
Maintain by the hour, not just the mile
A vocational truck can log few miles and still wear hard: hours of PTO work, thousands of stops, mud, rock and salt. Plan maintenance around the work, keep the right parts close, and know who can fix it on the job.
Hydraulics & PTO
Pumps, cylinders, hoses and valves run hours a day on dump bodies, packers, booms and plows.
Shop tip: Service by PTO hours, sample hydraulic fluid and replace chafed hoses before they burst.
Brakes
Stop-and-go refuse routes and loaded downhill hauls wear shoes, drums and rotors far faster than highway miles.
Shop tip: Check adjustment and lining at every PM; out-of-adjustment brakes are a top roadside violation.
Aftertreatment
Low speeds, idling and PTO work keep exhaust cool, so DPFs load up and need more regenerations.
Shop tip: Track idle and regen history in telematics, and clean or replace DPFs on schedule.
Tires & wheels
Job sites, rock and curbs cut sidewalls and treads; loaded axles run near their limits.
Shop tip: Check pressure daily and spec tires and plies for on/off-road duty.
Body & equipment
Tarp systems, tailgate seals, mixer drums, packer blades, booms and plow edges.
Shop tip: Seals and tarps keep loads in the truck. See material containment above.
Chassis & cab
Off-road jolts work suspensions, frames, kingpins and mounts loose.
Shop tip: Grease on a short interval and inspect frames and crossmembers for cracks.
What wears first, by industry
| Industry | Top wear items |
|---|---|
| Construction & Dump | Tarp systems, tailgate seals, hoist cylinders, tires, suspensions |
| Concrete & Aggregate | Drum drives and rollers, water systems, chutes, brakes |
| Refuse & Recycling | Brakes, packer hydraulics, lift arms, tailgate seals |
| Utility & Telecom | Booms, outriggers, PTOs, insulated components, batteries |
| Municipal & Public Works | Plow hitches and edges, spreaders, corrosion from salt |
| Energy, Oil & Mining | Tanks, pumps, valves, tires on lease roads, air filters |
| Heavy Haul & Equipment | Drivelines, fifth wheels, trailer axles, brakes |
| Fire & Emergency | Pumps, valves, lighting, batteries, readiness checks |
| Towing & Recovery | Winches, cables, wheel lifts, booms, hydraulics |
| Logging & Forestry | Frames, bunks and stakes, tires, suspensions, air filters |
| Agriculture & Farm | Hoists, tarps, augers, tires on field roads, dust and air filters |
| Environmental & Vacuum | Vacuum pumps and blowers, PTOs, valves and seals, jetter hoses, tank corrosion |
A simple PM rhythm
Every day
- Pre-trip inspection and DVIR
- Tires, lights, brakes and air leaks
- Tarp, tailgate seal, lids and nets
- Hydraulic leaks and hose chafing
Every week
- Grease chassis and body points
- Check fluid levels and filters
- Inspect plow, boom or drum wear parts
- Review telematics fault codes
By hours or miles
- Engine and PTO service on the shorter of hours or miles
- Hydraulic fluid sample and filters
- Brake adjustment and lining check
- DPF and aftertreatment service
Every year
- FMCSA annual inspection on every truck
- Aerial device and crane inspections and testing as required
- Pre-season service for plows and spreaders
- Review parts and service contracts
Follow the chassis, body and equipment manufacturers' service intervals; this rhythm is a starting point, not a replacement.
Parts Finder & Service Network
Find parts and service for work trucks
FAQ
Parts & maintenance questions
Keeping work trucks working: hours, hydraulics, aftertreatment and inspections.
Why maintain work trucks by hours instead of miles?
A vocational truck can log few miles and still wear hard from PTO work, idling and thousands of stops. Service the engine and PTO on the shorter of hours or miles, and follow the chassis, body and equipment makers' intervals.
How do I keep a work truck's hydraulics from failing?
Check for leaks and chafed hoses every day, service pumps and filters by PTO hours, sample the hydraulic fluid at each scheduled service and replace worn hoses before they burst.
Why does the DPF on my work truck clog so often?
Low speeds, idling and PTO work keep the exhaust too cool to burn off soot, so the diesel particulate filter loads up and needs more regenerations. Track idle time and regen history in telematics, and clean or replace the DPF on schedule.
What does the annual DOT inspection cover?
Every commercial truck needs a periodic inspection at least once a year covering brakes, lights, tires and wheels, steering, suspension, frame and other safety systems, with a record kept. Aerial devices and cranes have their own inspection and testing requirements.
What wears out first on a vocational truck?
It depends on the job. Dump trucks go through tarp systems, tailgate seals and hoist cylinders; refuse trucks wear brakes, packer hydraulics and lift arms; plow trucks fight salt corrosion; vacuum trucks wear pumps, blowers and seals.
More from the resource library
Industry guides, resource kits, CDL steps and the Safety Center, all free.