To provide various services, the Van Wert Street Department has a variety of
equipment--including dump trucks, road grader, asphalt roller, front-end loader, backhoe, and concrete breaker.

Three of the conventional size dump trucks operate with snow blades and specially equipped salt spreaders that have an attached brine applicator. At low temperatures when salt becomes ineffective, a brine applicator can spread a calcium chloride solution to melt ice and snow more effectively.

A fourth dump truck is also a part of the hauling fleet. The back of this truck is pictured with the street sweeper unloading into it.  Years ago this truck was originally a tank truck, used at the sewage treatment plant.  As sewage treatment methods changed, it was no longer needed and was converted into a dump truck.

The two smaller low bed dump trucks have more versatile steering and truck bed access than the larger dump trucks.  In the winter the newer low bed dump truck is used to plow snow in the downtown area.  In the warmer months, it is used as a part of the street-sealing unit.   The older low bed dump truck is used for trash collection from city receptacles, as well as for asphalt patching.

A "basic" road grader is a relatively small unit capable of loosening up stone within alleys and smoothing in the holes.

A small asphalt roller is used in the larger patching projects after various utilities dig up the city streets to make repairs and improvements.

The front-end loader with a snow blower attachment is an effective snow removal device for the downtown area.  The loader is also used after a storm brings down large branches onto the street.  The unit is routinely used in relocating stone and other materials.

A backhoe is an essential part of the storm sewer maintenance program.    It is also used in material relocating projects.  A concrete breaker is used along with this unit.