Michael E. Knight Jr. didn’t know quite what to say when he was informed that the newest addition to his pumping fleet — a burgundy and white 2010 Peterbilt 367 — was chosen as Pumper’s 2010 Classy Truck of the Year.
“I’m very, very pleased. I don’t know how to describe it in words,’’ Knight said about winning the annual contest. “It’s an honor.’’
But the president of Knight’s Septic Tank Inc. in Summerville, S.C., probably shouldn’t have been too surprised by the news, given his attention to detail in the service truck speccing process and the meticulous care he gives his vehicles.
Knight’s nearly identical 2003 Peterbilt 367 was one of the 12 monthly Classy Trucks featured in Pumper in 2005, a year before the contest to pick the top truck of the year began.
You might say Knight rides his trucks hard during the day and pampers them when the work is done. A variety of trucks and equipment serve four divisions of Knight’s Companies. All equipment is housed in a 30,000-square-foot facility and maintained by mechanic Jimmy Steverson. Knight studies truck components carefully, finds what he likes during visits to the Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International and is loyal to what works for him.
“I’m very much into new equipment. That’s the reason I go to the Pumper show, to see what’s out there,’’ Knight says. “Everything I’ve got stays inside a locked building every night.’’
In addition to solid maintenance for his fleet of four vacuum trucks, Knight gives a lot of thought to the image he wants his rigs to portray when they roll down the road. He likes Peterbilt trucks not just for reliability, but for their “old-school’’ good looks as well.
When Knight orders a truck, like the ’03 and the ’10 models, he likes to load them up with retro-looking chrome components, like dual 6-inch stacks, windshield visor, showy horns and bullet lights across the roof. He keeps to the longtime company colors, but incorporates new hood graphics for the trucks — flames for the ’03 and a checkerboard flag for the ’10. The graphics are completed by Stacy Designs.
But in making them pretty, Knight doesn’t shortchange his hardworking rigs when it comes to practical options. The Classy Truck winner, purchased from 4 Rivers Peterbilt and outfitted by Presvac Systems Ltd., has a 3,700-gallon polished stainless steel tank along with a hoist, vibrator, water tank and full-opening rear hatch for easier cleaning. The truck is powered by a 430-hp Caterpillar engine tied to a 6-speed auto transmission. Ample vacuum is provided by a Fruitland 500 pump from Fruitland Tool & Mfg.
In-cab comfort is enhanced for driver Roger Mooney with air conditioning, cruise control, tilt wheel, air ride seats, power windows and locks and a navigation system.
“I stick with Peterbilt. The biggest thing is they don’t give you any problems. It’s reliability and resale; when you sell a Peterbilt, you get your money out of it,’’ Knight says. “And to me, you can’t get a better-looking truck. It has the same look it had 50 years ago and I like the old-school look.’’
While Knight says he understands the fuel-efficiency appeal of the more aerodynamic new trucks, his shorter hauls don’t require him to have the most fuel-stingy trucks. He has four places to dump in the extended Charleston region, and the drives average about 20 miles, so he chooses the truck he likes rather than the one that might get the best mileage.
Knight has stuck with the same dumping-friendly truck design for many years, paying what is currently about an extra $20,000 for the hoist/vibrator/rear-door configuration because it offers great convenience on trucks that carry a lot of heavy car wash waste. He makes up for the added cost with time saved through quicker and easier tank cleaning.
The hoist combination reduces the job of dumping car wash residue from about a half-day to five minutes, according to Knight. The company services about 15 local car washes on a monthly basis. Knight says 90 percent of area pumpers don’t want to take on the work because they don’t have this type of setup. But in addition to the car wash work, Knight says the hoist and vibrator make it easier to clean out after any job, and avoid solids buildup that reduces tank capacity, impacts fuel economy and adds wear and tear on a vehicle.
“I have a lot of friends in the business, all over, and most of them don’t have hoisted trucks,’’ Knight says. “A couple of them have bought my older trucks, and once anyone buys one with a hoist, they’ll never go back. It’s like buying a regular-cab pickup today. You don’t see them anymore. Everyone has to have an extended cab.’’
Knight’s Companies was started by Knight’s father, current CEO Michael E. “Bud’’ Knight in 1969, and includes four companies: septic tank service, redi-mix concrete, pre-cast concrete products and concrete block manufacturing. Michael E. Jr. oversees the septic service, while his brother, Pete Knight, is president of the redi-mix, precast and block companies.
The companies employ 150 workers, including Knight’s daughter, Caitlyn Knight, and stepson Ryan Hawhee. Many of the employees have been with the business for 10 years, and a few have 20 years experience.
MEET ME AT THE EXPO
I’m stoked for the 2011 Pumper & Cleaner Expo March 2-5 in Louisville and I hope you are too. Whether you’re reading this annual Expo show issue before the big event or while standing on the Kentucky Exposition Center floor, I hope to meet you during Expo week.
If you’re a veteran Expo attendee, you have a good idea why I look forward to time at the trade show. We get to see the latest in equipment the liquid waste industry has to offer. That includes everything from the biggest and best vacuum trucks to an array of new portable sanitation equipment to all the accessories contractors need to run their companies efficiently.
After two years of a lagging economy, which had to make pumpers hesitant about upgrading equipment and inventories, the economy is showing signs that we’re primed for a significant recovery. Sure, you all still face many challenges, and the road to a new prosperity might be a long one. But I imagine many contractors have trucks and accessories that are getting a little old, and manufacturers will show improved products and helpful new technologies.
Walking the show floor and attending Education Day seminars on Wednesday, March 2, will give me my best look at what’s new for the busy 2011 season. Many of you also have made plans to participate in the many learning opportunities.
When you arrive at the Kentucky Exposition Center, please visit me at the COLE Publishing editor’s booth. I’d enjoy meeting up with you and learning more about your business. Here’s looking forward to a successful Expo!
