Cookie Cutter vs Custom Lube Equipment: TPL’s Fundamental Difference

The fundamental difference between TPL and other lube truck manufacturers is the intention behind our business model. We don’t build lube equipment simply because there’s market share available, or because we acknowledge its necessity in the mining, construction, and municipal industries. Our purpose is driven by the desire to understand and identify our customer’s actual needs so their business remains profitable.

The million-dollar question: what do you really need?

Identifying your business needs includes asking questions like: What’s going to help you thrive as a business? What challenges have you faced with past or current equipment? What potential losses could you incur from a lube truck or skid that isn’t reliable and efficient? What’s your bottom-line budget?

While other companies may offer a similar set of questions, their next step looks very different from ours. Instead of taking your identified needs and trying to make them fit an existing product (often times resulting in compromise on one or more of your needs), we take your needs and start from scratch on a design that meets every single one. This is just the first step in our build process.

Better planning, better results.

After needs are identified, we begin the designing your equipment. While CAD drawings are available upon request, we’ve discovered that an old-fashioned “pen and paper” medium works best. This allows for easy adjustments and doesn’t require our customers to have specific software or even be at a desk! We simply scan the layout and send it directly to your email or cell phone for viewing/approval. This step is crucial to ensuring you get what you really need from ergonomic, function, and efficiency perspectives.

Prioritizing the details.

Once the layout is approved, our teams begin work on your equipment. In contrast to our competitors, each order is built-to-suit. Your lube truck, skid, trailer, or system installation is meticulously constructed by our four teams on-site at our location in Concord, NC. The close working environment of all teams is beneficial as it eliminates the need to freight equipment parts/pieces from one location to another, and drastically decreases build time by a few weeks.

We do offer standard layouts for our lube skids and trucks, should that layout meet your requirements; these usually have a fast turn-around time, as our teams are already familiar with their design and assembly setups. However, if your needs require a unique or adjusted layout, we strive to match our standard layout turn times to ensure you get the product as quickly as possible.
 

Thorough testing is our standard.

After your equipment build is complete, our foreman completes a 43-point in-house inspection. This includes checking the functionality of all pumps, reels, meters, hoses, tanks, tool boxes/drawers, fittings, and mounts.

Pride and Production

The last – and best – part of our process (at least from our perspective) is the delivery of our products to our customers. Whether you need it shipped across the country, picked up directly from our location, or finally get to open your service shop for business, we love to see our customers impressed by our craftsmanship and proud to do business with us.
 

Have more questions about our process or products? Send us a contact request or call us directly.

RELATED ARTICLES

Why Your Grease Pump Isn’t Working

By Cory | January 22, 2024

New year, new … grease pumps? Not necessarily! As 2024 rolls in and we all get back into our routines, it’s common to encounter equipment issues leftover from December – you know, the ones where we all said, “Eh, I’ll just handle it next year!” But now, that malfunctional grease pump is slowing – or…

Read More

Why TPL Lube Trucks Are The Most Reliable

By Cory | October 3, 2023

Reliability (noun): “performing consistently well, to a degree which the result can be depended on.” When you have a lube truck, skid, or system, reliability is a product characteristic that isn’t just expected – it’s non-negotiable. Your fluid exchange equipment needs to work reliably. But what does that mean to have a reliable lube truck? 1.      It has to…

Read More

The Four Main Components You Should Be Checking: A Parts Maintenance Guide

By Cory | August 4, 2022

As temps continue to rise across the country, summer is in full swing – often translating into increased performance demand on your teams and their equipment. While it may seem counter-productive to put extra time towards equipment maintenance, performing regular service on your PM equipment is vital to keep them running effectively and efficiently, especially…

Read More

Conex Lube Box: A Unique Bulk Fill Solution

By Cory | June 1, 2022

Parallel to lube trucks and skids, businesses sometimes need a long-term (but not permanent) on-site, bulk-fill and bulk storage solution. Something with security, large holding capacity, and the option for unique customizations like work benches and tool cabinets. For over 20 years, Taylor Pump and Lift has been offering solutions like this repurposed Conex box…

Read More

Pump-Based Lube Skids: Four Common Misconceptions

By Cory | March 17, 2022

Lube skids are used in almost every industry across the country – fueling and greasing everything from airplanes and tractor trailers, to construction and farm equipment. As a staple pieces of service equipment, it’s imperative that business owners and technicians alike are familiar with how the function and form of each lube skid component impacts…

Read More

Strategic Equipment Setup: How Your Lube Truck Reel Cabinet Affects Functionality

By Cory | October 7, 2021

Much like a house, the layout of your lube truck and reel cabinets can either hinder – or improve – your productivity. During our build process, we identify the quantity and types of lube products you need. Based on that assessment, we construct your lube truck with optimal functionality in mind. QUESTIONS TO ASKOften times,…

Read More

Construction Boom & The Need For More-Efficient Lube Solutions

By Cory | June 29, 2021

As the world continues to bounce back economically from the last two years of pandemic, the construction industry is expected to jump 4% in 2021 – totaling an additional $32B – and then another 8% in 2022, says ForConstructionPros.com. Commercial construction – which represents 30% of the total construction industry nationwide – is expected to grow…

Read More

Top 10 FAQs: Your Custom Lube Truck Build

By Cory | April 5, 2021

During our custom-building process, we often encounter a range of questions from our customers regarding their new lube truck or skid. These questions are vital to ensuring you get the correct lube equipment for your specific application, industry, and certification level. Read more about our top 10 FAQs below. 1.      I want my lube/fuel truck…

Read More

Getting Started in the Mobile Oil Change Industry: Lube Skids & Trailers

By Cory | January 20, 2021

So you want to get started in the mobile oil change industry, but you’re not sure where to begin. TPL can help you determine if this new step is right for you! With the new year behind us, many business owners and lube truck operators are looking towards opportunities in 2021 – including additional income…

Read More

What’s Causing Your Diaphragm Pump Problems?

By Cory | November 23, 2020

Diaphragm pumps are used across a variety of product applications, but all pumps are destined to experience operation issues. While these issues range in severity and type based on the product compounds, pump material, location, etc., there are a few common issues that could explain why your pump is no longer working properly.  Loss of…

Read More