Truck tire balancing clarification
As late as the 1970s, some bias ply truck tires came from the factory with balancing “pads” strategically placed inside the tire liner to at least partially correct the uneven distribution of mass around the tire. This helped reduce vibration as the truck rolled at increasing speeds on road surfaces. Of course, then suspension systems
Michelin creates national fleet service network
The new program will offer truck fleets a comprehensive service package including road service, online operating manuals and online fleet reporting. Network dealers will provide new tires and retreads, 24/7/365 service, and highly trained service technicians. After-hours road service will be coordinated through a centralized dispatch system with no dispatch fee for national account fleets.
Xtra Lease targets fuel efficiency with newest trailers
The company has ordered 6,000 new 53 ft. and longer fuel-efficient trailers equipped with aerodynamic side skirts and low rolling resistance tires. The new trailers provide added fuel efficiencies and comply with California’s Greenhouse Gas regulation, making them safe to enter and operate in that state without penalty.
New SmartWay Program developments
Recently, we were given an update on some of SmartWay’s latest activities aimed at helping its partners decrease fuel use and emissions by Cheryl Bynum, a SmartWay Program manager. First is an ongoing effort to develop its assessment and tracking tools, which will present its partners with an improved system for quantifying and benchmarking their
For Usher Transport, safety is paramount
Safety is the name of the game for all areas of the Usher Transportation operation, which hauls all types of corrosives, oxidizers, dry bulk and flammables.
The latest wheel bearing technology
What you don’t know about today’s wheel bearings can hurt you.
Managing changing tire margins
Ask almost anyone in business or management to define “margins” and they will say margins generally quantify financial success or lack thereof. Sometimes, it’s simply the difference between the cost and selling price of a product or service. Other times it’s the difference between all revenues minus all expenses. Operating margins are typically synonymous with
Wide-base wheels save fuel
According to the EPA SmartWay Partnership program data, tire rolling resistance accounts for nearly 13% of truck energy use. Most combination trucks have dual tire assemblies on the drive and trailer axles, with two sets of wheels and tires at each end of an axle. This configuration increases rolling resistance and weight, compared to single
The meaning of the SmartWay trailer mark
Any company may purchase U.S. EPA Certified SmartWay trailers. However, according to Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay, only SmartWay Transport Partners in good standing and who agree to certain conditions may apply the mark to the exterior of their EPA Certified SmartWay equipment. The organization further qualifies this position by saying that a partner that
CSA 2010 & outsourcing maintenance
With CSA 2010 hanging over everyone’s heads, outsourcing maintenance may help fleets be better prepared, notes C. Oren Summer, president & CEO of FleetNet America, Inc. He goes on to say, “The main concept is putting an emphasis on preventive maintenance inspections. This includes a variety of requirements in preparation for CSA 2010. Included in