Mitigating weather woes with mapping, predictive software
One of the most important aspects of fleet management is addressing the variables that come with the territory of hauling freight and running trucks on the road. Trucks’ journeys are inherently prone to downtime, unexpected maintenance and other issues. One of the biggest variables for fleets is weather, and anyone who has driven in severe
Don’t ignore that in-line air filter
When it comes to air filters, most replaceable filters for the engine air intake, or spin-on air filters for the air brake system, are likely to be on a regular maintenance list. But what about in-line air filters for the trailer air system? Some trailer brake systems will have in-line filters designed to screen
How Fleetmaster Express is staying on top of technology, expanding its footprint
Using technology to its advantage is an operating philosophy that has served Fleetmaster Express well. Its stated goal—to remain at the forefront of technology to ensure loads are delivered timely and safely—is now even more important as the company grows and expands its service offerings and its operating footprint. Founded in 1987 with two tractor-trailers
The importance of engine lubrication
Engine lubrication is an important aspect of the overall health of your engines and trucks. Fleets may have questions about their engine oils, such as how application impacts their choice of oil and what they can do to keep the engine oil and filtration system in good shape. We talked with Kevin Adams, director of
Dealing with aftertreatment issues
If you’ve been paying attention to the most recent engine announcements, you’ll notice that the engine companies have spent a good deal of time highlighting the features of the aftertreatment system (ATS). That’s no accident—the ATS is extremely important, and the systems have advanced significantly in recent years. Before we dive into the details, here’s
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
How Melton Truck Lines improves operations, enhances safety
“We don’t make equipment decisions without taking financial considerations into account, but we always look first at the safety and driver benefits a technology may offer,” says Russ Elliott, senior vice president of operations for Melton Truck Lines. “ROI is important but it’s not generally our first concern. “It’s not getting any easier to find
Advanced engine componentry enables efficiency improvements
An engine is a sum of its components. It’s a symphony of systems working together to produce power as efficiently as possible. Each engine OEM has its own strategy for achieving as much efficiency as possible. From turbochargers to waterpumps, no component is overlooked. There are two most commonly spec’d types of turbochargers used in
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
Power outage prevention: How fleets can combat the growing problem of hotel loads
When we talk about parasitic loads, we are quick to point the finger at drivers and their expectations of home-away-from-home creature comforts. That means TVs, microwaves, refrigerators, game systems and DVD players—all of which end up putting significant strain on a truck’s battery and electrical system. However, there are other power-hungry parasitic monsters lurking within
