Three tips for air system maintenance
Across North America, it’s getting to be that time of year when temperatures regularly begin to dip below freezing—and when commercial vehicle pneumatic systems need a little extra attention. With more vehicle systems incorporating the use of compressed air for non-braking functions—including automated manual transmissions (AMTs), emissions controls and advanced safety technologies—Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems
Mitchell 1 marks 10th anniversary of online truck diagnostic service
Mitchell 1, a provider of repair information solutions, is marking the 10th anniversary of its online diagnostic and repair information software for commercial trucks. Over the 10 years since releasing the Tractor-Trailer.net software for Class 7-8 trucks, the company has expanded its offerings beyond repair information, to also cover diagnostic trouble code procedures and mechanical
Quality Companies, Gauge Telematics announce partnership
Quality Companies and Gauge Telematics have announced a partnership, which the companies say will expand Quality Companies’ offerings by harnessing Gauge’s fleet management products and services. Gauge’s products include vehicle-based telematics and a software-as-a-service (SaaS)-based asset management platform. Gauge and Quality Companies will soon be announcing the release of a suite of products, including an
SmartDrive Systems enhances its video analytics platform
SmartDrive Systems has announced the latest release of its video analytics platform and safety program. Enhancements to the platform include extended recording, enhanced coaching workflow, and more access to videos. According to the company, this new version is aimed at creating a higher ROI for fleets. Unlike other solutions, accessing the new SmartDrive capabilities does
September FTR Shippers Conditions Index falls
FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) moved back into negative territory, falling three points from August to a -2.4 reading in September. The August positive reading was not expected by FTR to last, and in September, the slow but steady build in regulatory drag moved the index back into negative territory that will not reach its
Why isn’t a truck’s appearance part of the PM process?
Companies are spending thousands of dollars on graphic and designs for their equipment; some of those companies as well spend millions on television ads and internet ads. And it’s advertising space with that kind of reach isn’t cheap. Yet a lot of professional companies look at their vehicles as a rolling billboard and use decals
Heavy-duty orders up, medium-duty orders down in November
For the month of November, preliminary Classes 5-8 order data from ACT Research Co. shows that the industry booked 36,600 net orders. “Class 8 net orders rebounded to 19,500 units for the month,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst. “This follows cancellation-impacted October net orders of 13,900 units. But for cancellations, Class 8
Boyle Transportation: Improving safety and efficiency
“Safety is behind every decision we make at Boyle Transportation,” says Ben Curtis, Boyle’s fleet manager. “From our vehicles to our professional drivers and in our maintenance operation, we have a safety-first philosophy.” Headquartered in Billerica, Mass., Boyle Transportation transports security-sensitive cargo across the U.S. and Canada with a fleet of 65 tractors and 165
Inside Boyle Transport’s driver-centric training
In conjunction with a wide range of equipment and maintenance initiatives aimed at fostering and improving safety, Boyle Transportation is equally focused on its drivers. “We maintain a direct dialogue between our professional drivers and our safety and maintenance departments,” says Michael Lasko, manager of safety and quality. “In terms of technology, we have installed
Cut lighting-related CSA citations
Dept. of Transportation regulations state that any and all lights on a vehicle must be in working order. Phillips Industries notes that trailer lights function properly when they are free from damage, installed correctly and receive the proper amount of power needed to operate. A clear pathway for electricity to flow to the lights on
Using data to maximize telematics benefits
Seventy million dollars in annual savings—that’s what the U.S. Postal Service could achieve if it implements telematics across its entire fleet of roughly 215,000 vehicles, according to the USPS Office of Inspector General’s 2015 report, “The Internet of Postal Things.” The report’s title is a play on the Internet of Things (IoT), a sprawling category
Hauling innovation: Wabash National stays focused on advancing trailer technologies
Advanced aerodynamics. Lighter weight construction materials. Increased efficiency. You expect those descriptions to fit the latest and greatest tractors, but what we’re actually describing are the latest trailer advancements offered by Wabash National this past year. Skeptics who would say that the rolling white boxes attached to tractors haven’t changed much in the past several
