How can everyone stay on the same page when it comes to necessary tasks?
Stuart Comments: On your way to work, I am sure you think about what you want to do today, as well as what happened yesterday. Today’s new generations – X, Y, Z, whatever – get distracted by e-mails and texting because that’s what is immediate. To make sure everyone in the shop is aware of
How can I keep on top of management costs?
Stuart says: In the parts area, about 50% of maintenance costs originate from parts. I suggest a tour, management by wandering around (MBWA), not walking away. Tour your parts room receiving area daily, look around, remove the blinders and observe and feel what is going on. You may see parts being received without being counted,
Low power: should I change the air filter?
Stuart says: For some reason, the industry is paranoid about air restriction gauges. We just like to look at air filters and change them; we like to blow them out; we like to change them at every PM or at the request of the driver; or for driver safety; or at the terminal manager’s request.
What do I need to know to get from PM to PM with fuel filters?
Stuart strongly suggests: 1. Make sure the bottom of your fuel storage tanks are free of sediment. Check them periodically and have the muck removed—properly! 2. Ensure that there are fuel filters on the dispensing pump. Change them frequently as the flow rate slows down. Gas pumps are around eight to 10 gal. per minute.
I Can’t make it between PMs with current fuel filters. Should I change brands?
Stuart comments: Clean fuel has always been crucial for injector life and smooth engine operation. But with today’s highly sophisticated fuel systems, having the cleanest fuel is not an option––it’s required––and involves very simple science. With injection pressure exceeding 30,000 PSI, the smallest amount of contamination can be a problem. ULSD fuel is more susceptible
Are PMs are taking too long? What should standard repair times be?
Stuart advises: I say "So what?" to how long a PM takes. The industry wants to manage by using standard repair times (SRTs) as a method of managing. You have to determine what is included within the PM. Consider what it is you need to do: do you require battery terminals to be cleaned, wiper
Low power: change the air filter?
Stuart says: For some reason, the industry is paranoid about air restriction gauges. We just like to look at air filters and change them; we like to blow them out; we like to change them at every PM or at the request of the driver; or for driver safety; or at the terminal manager’s request.
How should I measure after-PM repairs?
Stuart recommends: Most of the successful cost-tracking systems use VMRS coding. I personally have been using VMRS for 35-plus years. I also have stepped out of the box by adding a Reason for Repair Code (14) to track the costs after the PM inspection. Also, I want to see average inspection times per employee (because
What are the CSA 2010 fears regarding vehicle maintenance, or lack thereof?
Stuart says: Now everyone is scrambling about CSA 2010.What are we going to do? Got to have a meeting! Conference calls? In addition, if you look at the facts clearly, you’ll note some additional pressure—of which the driver and his boss are going to take the brunt. They will have to be more responsible and
Why should you keep a VCR book in the truck?
Stuart Comments: Ever look in a truck to try to find the copy of the vehicle condition report (VCR) to sign? At one dollar per minute, you could be spending big money to hunt down and sign the document required for the next driver to review and sign (DOT pre-trip). Not being able to find
What should be done with VCRs?
Stuart suggests: Review all vehicle condition reports (VCR) daily, checking for defects. The VCR should accompany the repair order, or if the shop is paperless, should flow to the supervisor after being signed by the front line supervisor. They are required to have a RO cross reference number, for example, “VCR 1234 noted on repair
What is the proper vehicle condition report (VCR) process?
Stuart suggests: Ensure that your process is working. You’ll need a VCR at the end of each tour of duty (according to FMCSA 396.11-396.13, which can be viewed at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules). Understand the requirements and make sure there is a plan for the end of each day, the end of a trip or the close of