Unpacking the requirements of the ELD Final Rule
Christmas came early for the trucking industry when the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) gift-wrapped the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Final Rule and placed it under the tree on Dec. 10, 2015. Fleet Equipment ripped open the regulation package and talked with truck technology experts who are on the ELD front lines. So let’s get
Fleet profile: Plastic Express drives for efficiency today and tomorrow
Plastics are everywhere. From automotive to construction to simple packaging, plastic products are possessed of a ubiquity almost like no other. Nearly all of the plastic around you has, at some time, been on the back of a truck. Based out of City of Industry, Calif., Plastic Express is an operation that is an almost
Smoot Brothers Transportation: Conquering CSA citations
Smoot Brothers Transportation (SBT) was founded in 1988—with one truck—by Mike and Matt Smoot. In 1991, Kenny Smoot, who is now the vice president, joined his brothers in the company. SBT has since grown to more than 50 trucks and can be seen on highways across the entire continental United States and Canada. The fleet
The truck telematics revolution
It’s hard to believe that years ago, “technology” inside a cab meant it came with a CB radio. Today, those same cabs have onboard telematics systems that relay information from the drivetrain to help keep track of fuel economy, speed, driving habits—pretty much anything related to the trip. OEMs have been paying attention to this
Heavy-duty OBD is coming
The latest onboard diagnostics will monitor emission systems on 2010 engines
Continental shows off ContiConnect digital tire monitoring platform
Continental displayed its ContiConnect digital tire monitoring platform at the North American Commercial Vehicle show. The remote tire monitoring system allows fleet managers to see tire pressure and temperature data for the entire fleet in a single web portal, every time trucks return to the fleet yard. Identifying and resolving tire issues immediately upon return
Saving time and money: What onboard telematics can do for you
According to Maria Sotra, vice president of marketing for Geotab, “Fleet managers are continuously searching for new ways to minimize operating expenses, manage total cost of ownership, and increase profitability. Geotab’s open platform fleet management solution enables businesses of all sizes to make significant improvements in the areas of safety, productivity, regulatory compliance, fleet optimization
The perfect combination: The Zen of creating the optimum downsped engine/axle/drivetrain mix
Most truck engines, today, run at around 1,450 RPM at cruising speed to provide the 200 HP needed at the wheel-end. Engine downspeeding allows the truck to operate consistently in a more efficient range, generally between 1,100 to 1,200 RPM, while maintaining the same 200 HP at the wheel end. As a result, fuel efficiency
Logging in: The ins and outs of the ELD mandate
The long-awaited final rule on Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) is expected to be published by the end of October. The rule has been undergoing review by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) since late July. Approval from the OMB is the last step before a final ELD rule can be published. We
Five truck trend takeaways from September
A look at the five biggest takeaways from the month of September in the world of heavy-duty trucks.
