Taylor Oil Co., Author at Taylor Oil Company

Quarterly Driver Training Tips

Quarterly Driver Training Tips - Is there such thing as too much driver training? Possibly. Some experts say that assigning too much training can ultimately lose its effectiveness over time. This often happens when fleets engage in monthly training assignments for their drivers, whereby they assign a block of training each month and give drivers a certain amount of time to complete it. Assigning safety training monthly across the board could be seen as counterproductive, as it’s not really an effective strategy for enhancing driver knowledge, workplace culture or fleet safety. It may be better to engage in quarterly training instead. Just dropping work and content into someone’s lap and walking away isn’t an effective form of education. There has to be some give and take. You have to be able to review what happens afterwards, make plan adjustments, fill gaps, and involve your drivers. To maximize training effectiveness, you must assess the effect over time so you can make wise decisions based on them. If the training worked great and solved a problem, that’s wonderful. But often times it doesn’t achieve much at all. How do you know the training is working if you just keep assigning work [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2022-07-21T09:39:27-05:00July 21st, 2022|Trucking Tips|Comments Off

Underground Storage Tanks: What Are the Risks?

Underground Storage Tanks: What Are the Risks? - Leaks or spills from petroleum product underground storage tanks (USTs) are bad news. They contaminate soil and groundwater, making their way to neighboring properties or surface waters. In addition, they can result in third-party injuries and property damage – not to mention natural resource damage claims. Owners and operators of USTs must comply with regulations, of course. But they should also maintain their tanks and manage finances in an effort to protect themselves against expensive environmental claims, cleanups, and tank removal costs. There are many factors that will affect the risk of a release. Those factors include tank age, tank construction, tank monitoring and maintenance effectiveness, and leak detection type. Spills often occur during delivery of oil or gas into a storage tank, when the hose is connected to the fill pipe and the product is being pumped into the tank. When someone leaves the oil in the hose after disconnection or when there has been an improper hose connection in the first place, spills can occur. They can also happen with an overfilled tank. Leaks are another risk. They most often happen underneath the dispenser island, the spill bucket, submersible [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2022-06-14T12:41:23-05:00June 14th, 2022|Fuel Tanks, Underground Storage Tanks|Comments Off

The Top 10 Reasons Why Retreads Are Better Than New Tires
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The Top 10 Reasons Why Retreads Are Better Than New Tires

Truck Tires

The Top 10 Reasons Why Retreads Are Better Than New Tires

The Top 10 Reasons Why Retreads Are Better Than New Tires - Choosing retreads for your trucks will help you protect your bottom line while getting a look at the big picture. In addition to the cost savings for you, there are many economic benefits for the entire industry and energy savings for the planet. Here’s a look at the top 10 reasons why retreads are better than new tires. 1. Reliability Studies show that retreaded tires are more reliable when compared to new tires. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) agrees that “… retreaded tires are not inherently more prone to failure than new tires.” – John Woodrooffe, Director, Transportation Vehicle Safety Analytics at University of Michigan. 2. Cost Savings Retreads cost less than new tires, saving your fleet a lot of money on your third-highest expense after labor and fuel. 3. Warranties Include Retreads New tires are made to be retreaded. Most warranty the casings over several retreads and several years. The initial investment will pay dividends every time it gives you another tire life via retreading. 4. They Wear Like New Tires The latest compounding and tread designs allow retreads to feature wear-out mileage that [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2023-02-02T14:32:38-05:00May 26th, 2022|Truck Tires|Comments Off

Top 6 Reasons to Choose a Diesel Generator
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Top 6 Reasons to Choose a Diesel Generator

Diesel Engine, Generator

Top 6 Reasons to Choose a Diesel Generator

Gasoline and diesel are the top two types of generator fuels. Both are readily available, dependable, and provide on-demand power. They also both generate low emissions. But that being said, gasoline and diesel generators have many differences, which make each one better for different applications. Whether for a prime or standby generator, here are some differences between the two and why diesel generators may be better for your power needs. 1. Fuel Efficiency Diesel generators are more efficient than gasoline because they do not burn as much fuel to produce power. They also have a high compression rate, which means they take less fuel to run. If you’re going for cost efficiency, this is a great reason to choose diesel. And if you own a business, a diesel-powered generator will lower your operating costs and boost your bottom line. 2. Safety Diesel is less flammable than gasoline, which makes it the safer option. A diesel generator is particularly good if your business deals with chemicals and combustible products, as it’s not as explosive as gas. Plus, it is less likely to accidentally ignite. And if you are thinking of storing your generator in a place where there are many [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2023-02-02T16:13:22-05:00April 20th, 2022|Diesel Engine, Generator|Comments Off

Driving With Underinflated Tires

Driving With Underinflated Tires: The harsh winters of Central New Jersey can really do a number on heavy-duty vehicles and their tire pressure. In fact, the weather can be to blame for loss of tire inflation pressure (PSI) and decreased fuel mileage. Basic tire maintenance can help truckers avoid missing deadlines due to underinflated tires. Check out what you need to know about changing temperatures and tire PSI. Changes in air temperature can impact how fast air molecules can move within the tire, causing a fluctuation of PSI. So, if you’re a trucker starting out in Florida for a delivery in New England, you will likely notice a dramatic change in PSI by the time you get there. Hot tires not only affect pressure but also the sound of a tire. In fact, warm tires after a long drive can experience a 15 percent increase in inflation pressure compared with cold tires. As the driver, it’s impossible to know the exact pressure rating of your tires by sight. You must be on the lookout for common signs of under-inflation including: The TPMS light illuminates on the dashboard You get reduced steering and handling You have longer stopping distances You [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2022-03-23T09:10:10-05:00March 23rd, 2022|Safety Tips|Comments Off

Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Training?

If you own a fleet of trucks and are responsible for training many drivers, you may assume that offering as much training as possible is the best option. After all, more is better, right? Not always. Let’s talk about: how much training is too much? Well, there is a thing as too much driver training, as it can lose its effectiveness over time. This situation typically arises when fleets are holding required monthly training assignments for their drivers. Many fleet owners are assigning a block of training each month, with a requirement that drivers must complete the training by the end of the month. It’s actually counter-productive to assign safety training for drivers every month. In fact, it’s not very effective when you want to improve driver knowledge, fleet safety, or workplace culture. Why is that? Well, you can’t just dump a bunch of info in their laps and walk away. You have to take time to review that content, adjust any plans, work on gaps, and ensure that drivers follow through. To ensure training is most effective, you have to determine the effect over time and make crucial decisions based on what you see. If the training gave [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2022-01-11T18:00:26-05:00January 11th, 2022|Training|Comments Off

Safe Driving Tips From Truck Drivers

More than 53 million Americans are expected to travel by car this holiday season, says AAA – the highest since 2005. That’s great for reconnecting with friends and family, but all that high traffic volume contributes not only to congestion but to a reduction in speeds as well. Because millions of motorists will be sharing the road with large trucks over the next couple weeks, truck drivers and motorists in smaller vehicles have to be extra diligent about keeping themselves and others safe. There are many additional challenges to traveling over the holiday and winter season, including low visibility, high winds, blowing snow and freezing temperatures. It’s important for truckers and motorists to perform a thorough pre-trip inspection and make sure they understand the driving conditions for the day before setting out. Here are some reminders for motorists about important elements of safe driving, including how you should safely operate a small passenger vehicle near a large tractor-trailer. Safety Tips Always wear your seat belt. Seat belts may not prevent accidents but they can save your life. Scrape ice and snow off your vehicle before driving. Don’t forget the roof! When you leave snow and ice on your car, [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2021-12-15T16:05:27-05:00December 15th, 2021|Safety Tips, Uncategorized|Comments Off

Getting Your CDL: The Basics For Getting Started

If you are planning to get your CDL, there are some things you need to know before getting started. First, it’s recommended that you take a CDL training program. Second, you must have the following if you plan to get your CDL or get hired as a truck driver: Clean driving record Clean criminal record Clean drug/alcohol history Healthy medical record Recent and verifiable work history Let’s go more in-depth on all of these. Driving History Most companies will want to see a three-year motor vehicle record, with no speeding tickets, careless driving, suspensions, or accidents. Just an FYI, a 15-mile-over-the-speed-limit ticket is still considered reckless driving! And a suspended license for any reason – even for not paying a ticket, failure to register your vehicle or lack of insurance – will not put you in a favorable light. Let’s say you have 20 years of clean driving, then over the last year you got two tickets for moving violations. This will still seriously affect your chances of getting hired. Don’t even think about lying on your application. You must tell potential employers about any expunged convictions. They will do their research and if you haven’t been honest, you [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2021-11-16T15:20:14-05:00November 16th, 2021|CDL|Comments Off

Top Locations For Fuel Stations When Disaster Strikes

Top Locations For Fuel Stations When Disaster Strikes - You never know when or where a natural disaster will strike, so it’s important to be prepared in knowing where you will get fuel when you need it. At these critical times, resources become scarce yet still remain vital for local communities. Not only do vehicles and generators need fuel, construction and emergency vehicles need it as well. Oil companies can do their part to set up emergency stations to provide the necessary fuel. Location selection is one of the main factors. Here are five location suggestions for fuel stations and the benefits of each. 1. Schools Local schools can be a central hub when a major disaster hits. Schools can provide outlets for resources such as food and bottled water. They’re ideal because they’re usually located in central spots around town and have plenty of parking for people who need emergency fuel. Fuel trucks can also use driveways and people can use the loops to fill up on gas and ensure the smooth flow of traffic. 2. Malls Shopping mall parking lots are great because they’re easy to control traffic and long lines of cars. The mall building can [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2021-10-21T16:40:45-05:00October 21st, 2021|Diesel Fuel|Comments Off

Generators: Gasoline or Diesel?

Gasoline and diesel are the two main options when it comes to fueling your generators. Both fuel options have their similarities: they’re both readily available and dependable, plus they generate low emissions and give you on-demand power. But these fuels also have their differences, which makes them ideal for different applications. Whether your business needs a prime or standby generator, here’s how to choose between gasoline and diesel generators so you can make the most informed decision. Fuel Consumption Diesel generators are more efficient than gasoline generators because they don't burn as much fuel to produce the required power. They also have a higher compression rate, requiring less fuel to run. This makes them tops in terms of cost-efficiency. You can reduce your operating costs and improve your bottom line with diesel generators. Safety Diesel is less flammable than gasoline, so it’s the safer bet. For instance, a diesel generator would be better for a business that routinely handles chemicals and combustible products, due to its less explosive nature and low probability of accidental ignition. Additionally, if you plan to store the generator next to heat sources, go with diesel because it has a longer shelf life than gasoline. [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2021-09-14T16:41:29-05:00September 14th, 2021|Diesel Fuel|Comments Off

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