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The Davey Bulletin | March/April 2017
In the fall of 2016, Nebraska resident Jamie Bialas stumbled across a
1953 Dodge Power Wagon for sale in Wisconsin.
Emblazoned across its doors were the words "Davey
Tree Expert Co."
Bialas planned to tackle the truck's restoration for fun, so
he reached out to Davey for some history about the truck.
"I loved how it looked with the natural patina on it and
thought it would be a good candidate for a project,"
Bialas said.
Davey typically used the four-wheel drive Dodge
Power Wagon — and other similar trucks commonly
used by the U.S. military — as a
spray truck for maintaining utility
rights-of-way in remote and hilly
locations. Davey completely restored
the trucks at the Kent Shop by rebuilding the engines,
chassis components and other worn parts. Davey then
outfitted the trucks with spray tanks, pumps and hoses
before sending them out into the field.
The July 1964 Bulletin highlights one such retrofit of an
old military truck.
"As any former G.I. in his late forties who was familiar
with some of the Army trucks can testify, they were
built for service," the Bulletin states. "They are
completely stripped, rebuilt and put to work …
where the going is particularly rough."
This fortunate Dodge will see new life yet again. Bialas is hopeful
he can put a diesel engine in it or possibly turn it into a custom hot rod.
"This project will take a few years but (will) be a fun one to work
on," he said.
ARCHIVES
FROM
THE
NEW LIFE FOR AN OLD DAVEY TRUCK
A Dodge Power Wagon
outfitted by Davey for
spray work in the 1950s.
A 1953 Dodge Power Wagon once used
by Davey pictured in October 2016.
The three-quarter ton,
four-wheel drive
Power Wagon proved
effective in remote,
hilly areas.
Davey used the trucks,
some of which were used
in the military, because
of their durability.
