Owners and operators of electric heat treatment systems for pest control have long been faced with a difficult trade-off: either be limited by the house power available on location, or haul a high-power diesel generator everywhere you go. But a new alternative is gaining prominence, which provides high wattage 460V power without the need for trailers or large onboard diesel generators – the Pest Control Heat Treatment Truck from Bed Bug Heat Doctor/Prevsol with PTO driven generator system by Real Power.
A Truck Designed for Our Industry
The Pest Control Heat Treatment Truck is built on the Ford F-350 chassis cab platform and brings 60kW of power everywhere it drives.
Inside the truck, technicians have access to organized equipment storage and interior shelving with options available for standing-room height or low profile. Exterior locking utility boxes provide additional storage for cords, tools, and accessories.
The system comes stocked with six BK10-480 bed bug heaters and twelve AM3700 axial air movers, creating a powerful mobile heat treatment platform. Each heater treats roughly 450–550 square feet, allowing the system to cover large treatment areas when multiple heaters are deployed.
While the flagship truck design is based around the F-350, the systems works equally well with other Ford diesel chassis platforms, including the F-450, F-550, and F-600. The generator system can also be installed on a compatible truck you already own up to truck size Class 8.
PTO Generators: Compact and Powerful Systems for Pest Control
PTO generators use the engine of a truck and the power-take-off (PTO) of its transmission to directly produce up to 60kW of electrical power. The alternator mounts under the deck, between the frame rails, leaving the cargo area free for the heaters, fans, and cables. The result is a self-contained mobile thermal treatment rig that’s smaller, lighter, and cheaper than a vehicle with a traditional diesel generator, and far easier to operate than a towed trailer and generator setup.
Real Power generators have been in common use in the construction, utility, and EV industries for many years, and they are increasingly being adopted by pest control companies that need large amounts of power for heat treatment systems.
How the Generator System Works
A Real Power generator bolts to the frame rails of the truck and connects to the transmission’s PTO via a solid driveshaft that runs alongside the main prop shaft for the rear wheels.
When the truck is parked and the PTO switch in the cab is activated, a clutch in the PTO engages and spins the driveshaft at a constant, controlled RPM, producing 460V and 60Hz power. As the heaters switch on, the truck engine automatically increases torque and power to maintain that RPM, similar to the way a cruise control system keeps a constant speed going down the road.
When the job is finished, the PTO is disengaged and the truck is free to drive away like normal.
Each generator system has an integrated electrical power panel built into the forward exterior passenger side cabinet, which includes two 50A outlets for cables, a disconnect, power meter, hour meter, and emergency stop switch.
Maintenance and Need to Know Information
- On Diesel trucks, check the DEF levels
- Clean and check the generator air filter on the PTO
- Grease the driveshaft
Operational Advantages
Because the generator is permanently mounted to the truck, the system becomes a fully self-powered mobile heat treatment unit. This brings several operational advantages:
Speed – Deploy faster by eliminating trailer logistics and the common power struggles associated with 110V/240V equipment. With a truck-mounted PTO generator, you bring 60kW of reliable 460V power directly to the job site.
Reliability – The PTO generator system is as reliable as your truck and requires the touch of a single switch to activate.
Operational Security – The patented Real Power generator control system lets operators remove the truck keys from the ignition and lock every door of their service body while the system is connected and running.
Low Upkeep Costs – In addition to the standard maintenance on the truck, the service of the Real Power system consists of simply greasing the driveshaft and periodically checking the generator air filter.
Resistance to Theft – The generator is bolted to the underside of the frame of the truck, leaving little opportunity or incentive for theft. All equipment is stored in locked steel cabinets and the truck when parked is as secure as any other vehicle.
No Trailers – Completely eliminate the maneuverability problems, risks, liabilities, insurance, and potential theft of towed trailers.
More Than Just a Pest Control Truck
Although designed primarily for bed bug heat treatments, the PTO generator truck can also serve multiple roles in the field. Because it produces large amounts of electrical power, it can support:
- Temporary job-site heat
- Restoration and drying projects
- Emergency backup power, with the option for a building-compatible power transfer switch
- Mobile equipment operation
This versatility allows pest control companies to expand services without investing in separate equipment platforms.
The Compact and Powerful BK10-480
The BK10-480 heater is designed as a modern replacement for larger Temp Air EBB-460 460V heat units. It delivers the same 10kW of heating power using the same plugs and cables while weighing only 26 pounds and measuring only 19″ × 13″ × 17″. At one fifth the weight and one third the size, this makes transport and setup much easier for technicians.
Key Features of the Pest Control Heat Treatment Truck
- Ford Diesel F-350 Truck with Service Body
- 75kVA / 60kW 460V Generator
- Six 10kW American-made BK10-480 bed bug heaters
- Twelve sealed-motor axial fans rated up to 185°F
- Two power distribution boxes capable of running six heaters each
- Up to 900 feet of power cable, allowing treatments in high-rise buildings up to 35 stories
- Interior shelving and up to 6-foot stand-up height (if desired) in the service body
- Exterior locking utility boxes with optional remote key-FOB locking
Pricing and Customization
Complete customization is available depending on the truck chassis, storage configuration, and equipment package needed. Our truck equipment package is reasonable, versatile, lighter-weight, and competitively priced.
For details on converting your truck or building a new system, contact the Bed Bug Heat Doctor/Prevsol National Sales Representative, Jeff, at 844-364-3281.
Co-contributor: Don Smith, Division President, Real Power
