“We’re always looking to make improvements in an already elite fleet by incorporating the most modern technology available,” says Joseph F. Egan Sr., director of maintenance at Abilene Motor Express. “The average age of our tractors, which we trade every three years, is less than 18 months. By staying one step ahead, we are fielding a fleet that is productive and efficient for the company, its drivers and our customers.”
Named for a small town in south central Virginia, Abilene Motor Express was founded by its current owners, Keith and Kolen Jones, in 1986. Originally Abilene Equipment, a storage trailer business, the Richmond-based company now offers customized truckload and LTL services throughout the continental U.S. and Canada, as well as freight brokerage and logistics services.
Sporting distinctive Irish green metallic paint and a yellow and black logo, the majority of Abilene’s fleet of more than 200 tractors, 50 refrigerated trailers and almost 900 dry vans consists mainly of 2010 Freightliner and 2011 Volvo tractors and Wabash National trailers, including reefers with Carrier Transicold refrigeration units. The fleet includes 2011 Volvo VN780 models with Volvo D13 SCR 2010 EPA emissions-certified engines; more of the new models already are on order.
“Our frequent vehicle replacement program and top-notch maintenance capabilities ensure that Abilene trucks are up and running on schedule,” Egan states. “Our entire staff works hard to make sure that we satisfy customer needs and our quality maintenance program contributes greatly to make sure the fleet stays on the road.”
New engines are performing well, Egan relates, helping to boost the fleet’s fuel efficiency improvement efforts. “We are constantly monitoring fuel economy and always looking for ways to lower our fuel consumption and costs,” he states. “For example, some of our newer tractors are equipped with either Webasto diesel fired cab heaters or auxiliary power units to reduce idle time. Overall, our efforts have meant a reduction in fuel consumption.
Father and son
A father and son-led operation, the Abilene maintenance team is headed up by the elder Egan, who has 30 years of experience in fleet maintenance, while Joseph Egan Jr. serves as maintenance assistant.
“We have one of the best maintenance facilities in the industry,” Egan says. “It’s comparable in many ways with those of the largest truck dealerships. Recently, we expanded our facility in Richmond to provide more space for parts, which helps reduce service delays, and a wash bay for tractors and trailers. This expansion supports our company’s already diligent service program, which is designed to keep tractors and trailers in top shape.”
Abilene’s 14-bay service facility, which also houses an alignment bay and an in-house tire shop, employs 20 technicians. In addition to the fleet, the operation’s staff also maintains and repairs trucks that are operated by the company’s owner operators, and provides services to a leasing division that owns yard trucks and trailers.
Open seven days a week, the Abilene shop performs most warranty work on tractors. If a breakdown occurs, it is managed internally, with one of the Egans on call at all times. The fleet, Egan notes, experiences very few road failures and runs over 19 million miles a year.
“Our highly skilled mechanics have their hands full,” Egan says. “We have a very extensive preventive maintenance program. High quality PM is important to us because our equipment can be on the road for weeks or even months at a time. With our staff, however, we’re confident that our vehicles will perform as expected. Abilene is always offering its technicians the ability to advance their knowledge with in-house training or off-site seminars.”
Technology value
The Abilene maintenance operation’s technicians make extensive use of computerized diagnostic systems. The company, in line with its belief in the value of new technology, has invested in diagnostic software, including the Volvo Premium Tech Tool, Detroit Diesel Diagnostic Link (DDDL) tool, Cummins INSITE, Meritor WABCO ABS and ZF and Eaton transmission software.
The Abilene shop is also a completely paperless operation with the help of TMT Fleet Maintenance software from TMW Systems. With the help of the asset management solution, Egan notes, it’s much easier to keep track of PM schedules, cost per mile and the cost per hour of refrigeration units. The software also helps manage the fleet’s extensive parts inventory, which is completely bar coded.
Abilene also works closely with several suppliers, Egan adds. In particular, the fleet has established many national accounts, including the Volvo MV Preferred and Daimler Pinnacle programs. Also on the list are programs from Michelin, Bridgestone, Yokohama, AmeriQuest and Chevron, to name a few.
Technology is also being applied at Abilene to streamline operations for managers and drivers and to enhance customer service. All of the fleet’s tractors, for example, are equipped with Qualcomm satellite communications systems to pinpoint progress and make any needed routing changes. The newest models sport Qualcomm Omnivision units. In addition, the 2011 units in the fleet are fitted with CarrierMate trip management systems and ReeferMate refrigeration unit communication systems from CarrierWeb.
Eliminating uncertainties
At Abilene Motor Express, Egan points out, the goal of every vehicle specification and the purpose of all maintenance programs is to eliminate uncertainties that hamper the ability to provide dependable, on-time service.
“By fielding only late-model equipment with the most modern, up-to-date technologies, we ensure our customers’ shipments are protected. By maintaining our equipment very effectively, we are maximizing our efficiency and productivity,” Egan says. “That, in turn, saves us and our customers’ time and money.”
Abilene Motor Express 2011 Tractor Specifications
Model: Volvo VNL64T and VN780
Wheelbase: 229 in.
Engine: Volvo D13
Transmission: Volvo IShift
Driveshafts: Meritor
Front Axle & Suspension:
Hendrickson
Rear Axle: Meritor
Rear Suspension: Hendrickson Air Ride
Wheel Seals: Stemco
Brakes: Meritor
ABS: Meritor WABCO
Automatic Slack Adjusters:
Meritor
Wheels: Alcoa aluminum
Tires: Bridgestone
5th Wheel: Fontaine
Air Compressor: Volvo
Air Dryer: Meritor WABCO
Air Cleaners: Baldwin
Fan Clutch: Horton
Batteries: Exide
Starter: Delco Remy
Alternator: Delco Remy
Fuel/Water Separator: Davco
Lighting: Truck-Lite
Seats: National
Fuel Tanks: Dual 150-gal.
Abilene Motor Express 2010 Tractor Specifications
Model: Freightliner
Wheelbase: 213 in.
Engine: Detroit Diesel DD13/DD15
Transmission: Eaton Fuller Auto Shift
Driveshafts: Meritor
Front Axle & Suspension:
Hendrickson
Rear Axle: Hendrickson
Wheel Seals: Stemco
Brakes: Meritor
ABS: Meritor WABCO
Automatic Slack Adjusters: Meritor
Wheels: Alcoa aluminum
Tires: Bridgestone
5th Wheel: Fontaine
Air Compressor: Bendix
Air Dryer: Meritor WABCO
Air Cleaners: Baldwin
Fan Clutch: Horton
Batteries: Exide
Starter: Delco Remy
Alternator: Leece Neville
Fuel Water Separator: Davco
Lighting: Truck-Lite
Seats: National
Fuel Tanks: dual, 100-gal.
Abilene Motor Express Trailer Specifications
Model: Wabash Duraplate
Length: 53 ft.
Landing Gear: Jost
Axles & Suspension: Meritor
Oil Seals: Stemco
Brakes: Meritor
ABS: Meritor WABCO
Automatic Slack Adjusters: Meritor
Tires: Goodyear G316
ATIS: PSI by Meritor
Lighting & Electrical: Truck-Lite LED
