Asset Management Archives - Page 5 of 7 - Fleet Equipment Magazine
What can we do to keep OSHA happy?

According to Darry Stuart, there are many things you can do to keep OSHA happy when a representative walks into your shop. Presenting a clean and orderly shop is top of the list.

How can you get an accurate snapshot of what happened yesterday?

Stuart suggests: Go to your office, get a cup of coffee, turn on your radio, fire up the computer, check the sports icon, get the game scores, check your e-mails, read your calendar, sync your phone, call your girlfriend or vendor buddy, schedule a meeting, check your texts, send a few texts, talk to your

How can I keep on top of management costs?

Stuart says: In the parts area, about 50% of maintenance costs originate from parts. I suggest a tour, management by wandering around (MBWA), not walking away. Tour your parts room receiving area daily, look around, remove the blinders and observe and feel what is going on. You may see parts being received without being counted,

How can everyone stay on the same page when it comes to necessary tasks?

Stuart Comments: On your way to work, I am sure you think about what you want to do today, as well as what happened yesterday. Today’s new generations – X, Y, Z, whatever – get distracted by e-mails and texting because that’s what is immediate. To make sure everyone in the shop is aware of

The infamous white board: is it useful?

Stuart Comments: Many fleet leaders like to use a white board to manage the shop. They use it to control all activities: post a "to-do" list, as a PM scheduling board, a place to display special order parts, post notes, list the trucks in service and trucks that are out of service, add special notes

Low power: should I change the air filter?

Stuart says: For some reason, the industry is paranoid about air restriction gauges. We just like to look at air filters and change them; we like to blow them out; we like to change them at every PM or at the request of the driver; or for driver safety; or at the terminal manager’s request.

How should I measure after-PM repairs?

Stuart recommends: Most of the successful cost-tracking systems use VMRS coding. I personally have been using VMRS for 35-plus years. I also have stepped out of the box by adding a Reason for Repair Code (14) to track the costs after the PM inspection. Also, I want to see average inspection times per employee (because

Low power: change the air filter?

Stuart says: For some reason, the industry is paranoid about air restriction gauges. We just like to look at air filters and change them; we like to blow them out; we like to change them at every PM or at the request of the driver; or for driver safety; or at the terminal manager’s request.

Are PMs are taking too long? What should standard repair times be?

Stuart advises: I say "So what?" to how long a PM takes. The industry wants to manage by using standard repair times (SRTs) as a method of managing. You have to determine what is included within the PM. Consider what it is you need to do: do you require battery terminals to be cleaned, wiper

What do I need to know to get from PM to PM with fuel filters?

Stuart strongly suggests: 1. Make sure the bottom of your fuel storage tanks are free of sediment. Check them periodically and have the muck removed—properly! 2. Ensure that there are fuel filters on the dispensing pump. Change them frequently as the flow rate slows down. Gas pumps are around eight to 10 gal. per minute.

I Can’t make it between PMs with current fuel filters. Should I change brands?

Stuart comments: Clean fuel has always been crucial for injector life and smooth engine operation. But with today’s highly sophisticated fuel systems, having the cleanest fuel is not an option––it’s required––and involves very simple science. With injection pressure exceeding 30,000 PSI, the smallest amount of contamination can be a problem. ULSD fuel is more susceptible

Why should you keep a VCR book in the truck?

Stuart Comments: Ever look in a truck to try to find the copy of the vehicle condition report (VCR) to sign? At one dollar per minute, you could be spending big money to hunt down and sign the document required for the next driver to review and sign (DOT pre-trip).  Not being able to find