The challenge of reducing service wait times
Uptime is everything to a fleet. The most important thing for an individual truck’s profitability is the amount of time it spends on the road, running its route and doing its job. When the truck needs service, it needs to be done right, but expedience is also key—fleets don’t want that asset out of commission
Reman engines: powering cost efficiency + quality
When making a major purchase, in almost every instance, there is the option for a used, refurbished or remanufactured version. It can be a great option for those looking for a more cost-focused solution. Of course, trucks are the lifeblood of any successful fleet—it’s an investment and a livelihood, and a fleet manager needs to be
Powertrain integration continues to drive efficiency
In recent years, powertrain integration has become increasingly prevalent. Fleets are focused on operational efficiency, and what could be more efficient than each major powertrain component working in concert? Today, nearly every OEM offers its own proprietary powertrain combination—Freightliner and Western Star sport Daimler’s Detroit engine, transmission and axles; Kenworth and Peterbilt are powered by
Have cameras, will travel
The sun splashes a glare across my laptop screen as the 600-MPH soaring cattle cannon crosses the country. The Kinks’ This Time Tomorrow drowns out the drumming of the engines and fuels dreams of the Fleet Equipment staff’s next adventure. The trucking industry is a market in motion. It’s true, the FE crew travels a
Mitsubishi Fuso is going electric
After a year of in-use testing demonstrated a 64% savings in operating costs compared to an equivalent diesel-powered vehicle in the same service, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America Inc. (MFTA) will debut two prototypes of its Fuso E-cell all-electric truck at The Work Truck Show 2016. One of the prototypes will be available for test drives
The added value of remanufactured engines, transmissions and axles
For fleets that are extending trade cycles, and those interested in gaining the highest possible resale value for vehicles being taken out of service, remanufactured components can be cost effective. Recently, with new truck deliveries reaching record levels, the rising number of trades has meant more used trucks on the market, making vehicles with remanufactured
Matchmaking and downspeeding
Choosing an engine, transmission and axles that are specifically matched to work together for optimum performance is a fast emerging trend. When I say “optimum performance,” I mean maximum fuel efficiency with the right horsepower engines, coupled with an automated manual transmission that shifts at exactly the right RPM, and an axle with the best
Data demystified: The continuing evolution of truck telematics
It marches ever onward, growing, adapting, evolving. The rapid progress of today’s technology is like a force of nature. Yet, for all its growing complexity, it becomes more approachable and more applicable. That was the big takeaway from the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) Management Conference and Exhibition (MC&E) held last month in Philadelphia. Data-driven technology
Five truck trend takeaways from October
A look at the five biggest takeaways from the month of October in the world of heavy-duty trucks.
Powertrain integration: Engine focus
Integration is not a new idea in the trucking industry, but the amount of efficiency OEs are pulling out of engine, transmission and axle combinations are reaching staggering new heights. One of the biggest talking points in today’s performance-packed powerplant arena is “downspeeding.” There are different levels of downspeeding and the experts at Detroit, which
