Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Ford Highlights How F-Series Shaped America

Ford recently highlighted how the F-Series has been a part of the U.S. workplace for nearly a century.

by Staff
September 10, 2015
Ford Highlights How F-Series Shaped America

A 1962 Ford F-850 truck with concrete mixer at a job site. Photo: Ford Archives

2 min to read


A 1962 Ford F-850 truck with concrete mixer at a job site. Photo: Ford Archives

Ford recently highlighted how the F-Series has been a part of the U.S. workplace for nearly a century.

Ad Loading...

One of the early landmark projects that involved the F-Series was the building of the Hoover Dam in 1931. According to Ford archives, estimates of the project included 5.5 million barrels of cement, 5 million cubic yards of concrete masonry, 15 million pounds of hydraulic equipment, 40 million pounds of electrical equipment, nearly 20 million pounds of gates and valves, and 30 million pounds of reinforcing steel.

Ad Loading...

The Alaska Road Commission used Ford trucks to help build and maintain more than 2,000 miles of road and 70,000 miles of trails. In 1939, a loaded, 2-ton Ford V-8 truck could make the 370-mile run from Valdez to Fairbanks, via gravel roads, at an average speed of over 20 mph, according to Ford records.

In 1933, Ford F-Series trucks were used in another major dam project near Glasgow, Montana, with the building of the Fort Peck Dam across the Missouri River. At the time, the Fort Peck Dam was the world's largest earthen dam, containing 123 million cubic yards of earth. During construction, Ford V-8 trucks hauled 14 million yards of earth to clear a path, according the automaker's records.

In addition to helping with the construction of the Hoover Dam, Ford F-Series trucks were used in the late 1930s on the construction of the Hoover Dam Transmission Line, which was designed to power the city of Los Angeles. Ford trucks were used as concrete mixers, were equipped with winch gear for hoisting power towers, and even as a portable service station for fueling field equipment in the high desert, according to the automaker.

Today, Ford F-Series trucks are employed across numerous industries, including waste management; street and highway construction; electric services; water, sewer, and pipeline construction; and in the crude petroleum and natural gas industry.

More Operations

Amalgamation of fleet operating costs for 2026
Operations•by Chris Brown•November 1, 2026

Managing Fleet Costs in an Era of Permanent Volatility

Fleet operating costs have risen more than 20% since 2020, raising a key question: When does extending a vehicle's service life stop making financial sense?

Read More →
An Automotive Fleet podcast thumbnail
Operations•October 29, 2026

The Next Evolution of Fleet Management: Autonomous Operations

This opening keynote session at the Fleet Forward Conference highlights the future of autonomous driving for fleets.

Read More →
A picture of a transparent catalytic converter with blue text and the Automotive Fleet logo on the top.
Operations•October 29, 2026

How to Reduce the Total Cost of Risk From Catalytic Converter Theft

A stolen catalytic converter can cost fleets far more in downtime and lost productivity than in repairs. A total-cost-of-risk approach can help fleet managers quantify their exposure and prioritize theft prevention.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
AF news recap thumbnail
Operations•by Faith Howell•October 26, 2026

Personal-Use Charges Rise as Vehicle Values Fall | AF News Recap

Personal-use charges are climbing, wholesale used-vehicle values are declining, and commercial fleet sales growth is slowing. This week, we're breaking down the latest fleet data, plus how Element Fleet Management is helping Waymo prepare for its first Canadian robotaxi market.

Read More →
A transparent blue background of a hand stamping a paper is the background of text that says "What about fleet policy exceptions?" with the Automotive Fleet logo in the bottom right corner.
Operations•by Faith Howell•October 20, 2026

Here's When You Should Make an Exception to Fleet Policy

Fleet policies are designed to create consistency, but not every driver or situation fits neatly within standard rules.

Read More →
A hand writing on an ipad with a transparent AI graphic over it
Operations•October 20, 2026

AI-Native or AI-Acquired: What Should Fleet Managers Look for in an AI Platform?

Six questions can help fleet managers look beyond AI marketing claims to evaluate integration, data access, and real-world operational performance.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Chevin 2026 Buyes Guide cover
Sponsored•October 14, 2026

A buyer's guide to fleet management software in 2027

Buying fleet management software in 2027 means looking beyond features and price. As fleet operations, technology and expectations evolve, this guide explores what today’s fleet professionals should consider when choosing a system that can deliver value now and adapt to what comes next.

Read More →
An overhead image of a freeway system with no vehicles
Sponsored•by Shelley Mika•October 13, 2026

What Will Shape the Next Era of Fleet Management?

EVs, AI, and autonomous vehicles are reshaping fleet management. Discover what’s ahead—and how fleet leaders can prepare for the next era.

Read More →
A Cox Fleet technician working on the left with the rear view of a military man saluting a flag on the right
Operations•October 8, 2026

How Fleets Can Recruit and Train Veterans for Technician Roles

Here's how the technician shortage has affected uptime for fleets, and what to do about it.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A transparent toll background with the Automotive Fleet logo and Neology logo on top.
Operations•October 5, 2026

Avis Budget Group Deploys Neology Toll Management Technology Across Major Brands

Neology’s neoFleet platform will manage toll transactions and toll-authority operations for vehicles across Avis, Budget, Payless, Budget Truck and Zipcar.

Read More →