Zero RPMs
Excessive engine idling consumes more than 800 million gallons of diesel fuel a year.
Good looks, ENDURANCE
Vehicle colors and graphics speak volumes about a fleet; good paint systems protect tractors and trailers
Safety – Braking Systems
NHTSA calls for a 20 percent to 30 percent reduction in the required stopping distance for large trucks.
Buying new tractors with resale profit in mind
How important is resale value when writing specifications for new tractors? What premium systems and components raise the resale value of tractors?
Managing the risk of hiring entry-level technicians
Hiring an entry-level technician, technician helper or apprentice can be a risky proposition, especially if the individual has few or no credentials that enable you to make a judgment about his or her technical knowledge or interest and ability to learn.
On board filters making the grade
On board filters – air, fuel, water, lubricant – are the last lines, indeed, in many cases the only lines, of defense against fluid-borne engine problems. And, with the introduction of 2007 emissions technology, a major line of defense against environmental contamination.
Trailer Productivity: Corrosion Control
Durability. Cost. Image. Three main factors in fleet decisions about trailer specifications that are directly affected by a common enemy – corrosion. From the roofline to structural members, suspensions, axles, landing gear and upper-couplers, constant bombardment by moisture and debris – as well as exposure to road salts and other de-icing materials – makes specifying trailers for corrosion protection of utmost concern to fleet managers. Equally aware of the challenge are trailer, system and component manufacturers, who are addressing the problems caused by corrosion with new technologies and processes.
Creature comfort, no idling
With the high cost of diesel fuel and the growing number of states and municipalities that are enacting anti-idling laws, auxiliary power units (APUs) are more popular than ever.
Cooling Systems: Problems & Solutions
Some while back, Bob Deierlein, our long-time research editor, wrote an article on cooling systems. In that article, he referenced some maintenance records of a large over-the-road fleet, which indicated that a substantial percentage of the fleet’s engine problems could be traced back to the condition of the truck’s cooling system. We published that article more than 20 years ago.
Spring Time Spec suspension for trouble-free performance
Sure, today’s heavy-duty suspension systems are fairly trouble free. But, any suspension system, whether on a truck, tractor, dolly or trailer, is going to give you trouble if you try using it outside its design parameters or simply ignore routine maintenance.
PM Optimization
Optimizing preventive maintenance (PM) schedules is a fine art. No one wants to jeopardize equipment by extending oil drains or servicing other systems prematurely, but then neither does anyone want to do servicing before it is necessary.
Think Of It As A System
Although the components of high-power electrical systems in today’s heavy-duty trucks – starters, batteries, alternators and cables – are very robust and designed to operate without problems for many thousands of miles,they are, unfortunately, not trouble free.