Ever hear, “I can’t get my hitch off and we can’t find the key?”
That’s a call Marlin Klotz receives all too often. As equipment manager for Kiewit Texas Construction L.P., a subsidiary of leading highway/heavy civil contractor Kiewit Corp., Klotz sends crews out on paving, excavating, mining and repair jobs in the Fort Worth area.
“Our district has a fleet of 500 trucks outfitted with various equipment, depending on the job application,” Klotz said. “The hitch lock is very common, and when I get this call we usually have to go out and drill it off the truck. That creates unnecessary downtime as well as money to replace the unit.”
So what if you could purchase a receiver hitch lock that uses one of your existing keys? That’s the idea behind BOLT Locks. Manufactured by STRATTEC Security Corp., the locks feature Breakthrough One-Key Lock Technology that permanently programs the lock to work using your vehicle’s ignition key. By working with the ignition key, crews will always have their hitch key with them when they drive to a jobsite.
Klotz is currently testing the BOLT Receiver Locks to determine if he should outfit Kiewit’s fleet with the technology.
“If you key the lock to your truck, you’ll always be able to get into it, so I can see the benefits of using a product like this,” he said.
Here’s how the technology works: When drivers insert their ignition key into the BOLT lock cylinder, spring-loaded plate tumblers move up and down until they are matched exactly to that key. The first time the key is rotated, the cylinder is uniquely coded to that key. When the key is removed, the cylinder moves into the locked position. When the key is turned again, it will rotate to the unlocked position.
In addition to receiver locks, BOLT offers Toolbox Latch Retrofit Kits designed to prevent lost keys and lockouts on truck-mounted toolboxes.
“I installed the BOLT Toolbox Latch Retrofit Kit myself on a ¾ ton Dodge with UWS toolboxes,” explained Klotz. “The fit and finish are nice, and I was impressed with how smooth the lock is and how easy it was to train the lock to work with my truck’s ignition key. In most of our mechanics’ trucks, you have the ignition key, the door key and keys for the padlocks we add. That’s three keys for one truck, so I can see the convenience of having just one key.”
More important than convenience to Klotz, however, is security. BOLT’s Toolbox Latch Retrofit Kit is made from stainless steel construction and provides a leak-proof lock.
“Security is the main benefit of having all these locks working off one key, especially with our high-dollar survey equipment or our grading crews’ blade control systems,” Klotz added.
The BOLT Padlock 2.0 features a spring-loaded, chrome-plated 5/16-in. diameter hardened steel shackle inside a crush-resistant body shell. Its automotive-grade, stainless steel lock shutter keeps out weather and debris, making it ideal for items around the facility, such as fences, sheds and shop doors. The manufacturer also offers cable locks and spare tire locks.
In today’s business environment, improved security and reduced downtime are key to running a successful operation. Accessories like BOLT Locks can be an ideal solution for improving efficiency — and profitability — within your organization.
For more information, visit www.boltlock.com.
