Distributor Video: Crysteel Truck Equipment — Delivering Stellar Performance in Any Season

03.18.25

Since 1974, Crysteel Truck Equipment has been a trusted source for truck equipment, parts and accessories, as well as snow and ice control equipment for customers throughout Minnesota and the upper Midwest. With a reputation built on quality, reliability and expert service, Crysteel has been helping businesses, municipalities and contractors find the right solutions for their fleets for over 50 years. For more than 30 of those years, Crysteel has partnered with Stellar as a distributor, offering industry-leading hooklifts, mechanic trucks, service cranes and lube skids — all built to perform on the toughest jobsites and in the most demanding conditions.

From extreme winters to scorching summers, Crysteel customers depend on work-ready equipment that lasts. That’s why Stellar is Crysteel’s preferred partner for durability, reliability and long-term value.

Watch this video to hear Mike Uecker from Crysteel Truck Equipment share his insights on why he values being a Stellar distributor.

Built for Minnesota’s Harsh Climate

The Minnesota climate presents unique challenges for work truck equipment. The brutal cold of winter can cause mechanical failures, hydraulic issues and excessive wear on components, while summer heat and heavy workloads can put additional strain on equipment.

According to Uecker, Crysteel Truck Equipment has relied on Stellar^® products to stand up to these conditions better than the competition.

“We like using Stellar products because here in Minnesota, we’re in a challenging environment with the four different seasons, and we’ve seen other competitors not perform as well as Stellar products here,” Uecker says. “Stellar has fewer moving parts, and they’re very durable. They last in this environment.”

For work truck fleets, downtime isn’t an option. With rugged construction and trusted reliability, Stellar equipment ensures operators can keep working. Whether it’s a mechanic truck body enduring freezing winter temperatures or a hooklift hoisting heavy loads through hot summer work sites, Uecker appreciates that Stellar equipment is built to perform year-round — no matter the weather.

A Robust Stellar Lineup at Crysteel

Crysteel Truck Equipment offers a comprehensive range of Stellar products, delivering high-quality solutions for fleets in construction, government and municipal services, landscaping and tree care and beyond:

• Hooklifts — Adaptable for multiple truck bodies and attachments
• Mechanic Trucks — Mobile workstations built for tough jobsites
• Service Cranes — High-capacity lifting solutions for field service and maintenance
• Lube Skids — On-the-go fluid management for efficient maintenance
  
  

Stellar Hooklifts: A Perfect Fit for Municipal Customers

One of Crysteel’s biggest customer bases is municipalities, where efficiency, durability and versatility are key. City and county governments require equipment that can be used year-round to maximize their investment.

That’s why Crysteel frequently recommends Stellar hooklifts for municipal fleets. These hydraulic lifting systems allow a single truck chassis to accommodate multiple body attachments — making them a cost-effective solution for cities that need to switch between seasonal and year-round applications.

“We recommend a Stellar hooklift because they are very durable, they have good strength and they’re very user-friendly,” Uecker says. “The municipal side utilizes different attachments. They have a V-body option, a dump body option that can hold a spreader, and they also have anti-icing or water tanks. Pretty much anything you can think of, you can put on a skid to use with a Stellar hooklift. This allows them to utilize that truck year-round, not just for six months out of the year.”

Year-Round Productivity with Hooklifts

A single hooklift-equipped truck can handle multiple applications across municipal, construction, landscaping and waste management operations — maximizing efficiency and reducing fleet costs.

• Winter: Snow removal, salt spreaders and de-icing tanks for road maintenance
• Spring: Street sweeping, stormwater management and landscaping material transport
• Summer: Dump bodies for road repair, construction projects and bulk material hauling
• Fall: Leaf collection, debris removal and municipal waste handling

Instead of investing in multiple dedicated trucks, companies with a hooklift can swap out attachments as needed, optimizing fleet utilization while reducing maintenance costs and improving operational flexibility.

Service and Support That Keep Fleets Moving

Beyond the quality and performance of the equipment, Crysteel values Stellar’s commitment to customer service. As a Stellar dealer, Crysteel focuses on ensuring customers have the right equipment when they need it — and Stellar makes that possible with responsive support and product availability.

“As a distributor, we’re really focused on customer service, and Stellar helps us out a lot with that,” Uecker explains. “Having product available and being able to adapt to customer needs is key. The feedback we’ve received about Stellar Hooklifts and equipment is that they are very dependable, easy to use and backed by excellent service.”

When customers choose Stellar, they’re not just investing in top-quality equipment — they’re backed by a network of dedicated distributors like Crysteel who provide expert guidance, installation and ongoing support.

To find out how you can become a Stellar distributor, contact us. To find a Stellar distributor near you, use our distributor locator.