The one tire maintenance focus to bring you certainty in uncertain times
If there’s one thing we all need a little of right now, it’s stability. Something we can depend upon. Something that, no matter what happens, if we just focus on this one thing, everything will be okay. Lean in closer, fleet friends, because I know that one thing. Are you ready? Proper tire inflation. Now,
Push it real good: The role of pusher axles in trucking
As someone who hasn’t lived under a rock for the past 30 years, it’s fair to speculate you’re familiar with Salt-N-Pepa’s 1987 mega-hit “Push It.” And as a fleet manager, I’ll venture that whenever you hear it, there’s one component you can’t get off your mind for the rest of the day: pusher axles (if
Are pusher axles a good fit for over-the-road trucks?
Traditionally, pusher axles have been used primarily in vocational applications to distribute the vehicle weight and ensure the other axles are not overloaded. Tony Sablar, Peterbilt vocational marketing manager, says a pusher’s on-highway use has been considered limited because tractor-trailers typically won’t be overloading the other axles. However, in recent years, over-the-road applications like linehaul
Fleet Profile: TCI Trucking’s recipe for success
“It takes a forward-thinking philosophy to build success,” says Jeff Louis, president of TCI Trucking and Warehousing. “If we focus on what we do best we can address inefficiencies and create opportunities. That’s how we’ve grown our business from an intermodal company with one driver and one truck into a full service logistics provider with
Tech Tip: Be your own cable guy
When was the last time you checked the cables on your shop’s lifts? If you answered “today,” good for you! Cables are one of the things you should check before using your lift every day. In this article, we’ll explore how to maintain your lift cables or “wire ropes,” how to look for damage, and
Truck transmissions have evolved: Here’s where they’re going next
Automated manual transmission (AMT) and automatic transmission manufacturers are crushing assumptions and setting new expectations in all trucking industry applications. Automatic transmissions are getting smarter and, in the AMT world, gone are the days of clunky, reverse-engineered AMTs. Today’s AMTs are, as PACCAR Vice President Landon Sproull put it, “purpose built.” “The gearing—overall ratio and
Let’s get visible: Telematics and visibility are FE’s 2020 Truck Trend of the Year
Every December at Fleet Equipment we write a “Trend of the Year” piece summing up the year in trucking, and of course, in 2020 the mind immediately leaps to the COVID-19 pandemic. There’s no way around it: Between shutdowns, travel restrictions and affected businesses, the pandemic has shaped everything about this year, both in and
Tech Tip: Troubleshooting your two-post lift
Your lift is critical to the operation and profitability of your business. If it stops working correctly, it’s costing you money. Let’s take a look at how to troubleshoot some common issues and get your lift back to work. Remember to check your owner’s manual for details about your specific lift. Lift won’t raise If
Tech Tip: Ten tips for daily brake lathe maintenance
Like any equipment, your brake lathes need regular care and maintenance to operate at peak efficiency. Keep your brake lathe running smoothly by following these 10 daily tips. Important: Before making any inspection, adjustment or repair, disconnect the power source and lock out all moving parts to prevent injury. Always wear protective clothing and eye
Fleet Profile: Fresh Freight
It’s hard to say whether Matt Heroux chose a career in trucking, or it chose him. In one sense, trucking is in his DNA. Hailing from a family that’s been in the freight transportation industry for the past 100 years, he’s been surrounded by trucking for his entire life. Some of his earliest childhood memories,
Using technology to stay on top of trailer maintenance
The technology offerings in the trucking industry today are innumerable, so it should come as no surprise that there are several technological methods that can help improve your winter maintenance program. For example, many trailer components can have sensors attached that report data to a main telematics hub, giving you an inside look at the
Tech Tip: Eight steps for proper transmission jack maintenance
Installing a new transmission or removing the old one can be a challenge without a properly working transmission jack. These powerful, multitask lifting systems are essential in most repair shops. However, transmission jacks can only do their jobs if they are properly maintained, regularly inspected for damage and used correctly. Here are eight tips for
