Taylor Oil Co., Author at Taylor Oil Company

Heavy Construction Equipment Fuel Saving

Heavy construction equipment features large engines that run on fuel. As you can imagine, your fuel budgets has to be equally as large in order to accommodate this allocation. But if you’re not careful, those fuel expenses can reduce your profit margins -- fast. Good news is, you can utilize practical strategies to save on fuel and thus on money. Here are tips for reducing fuel consumption in your heavy construction equipment. 1. Maintain Your Equipment Poorly maintained equipment has to work harder to achieve the same result, which sucks up more gas. You’ll have to service your equipment regularly to boost fuel efficiency. This is why it’s critical to regularly maintain your equipment with regular cleaning, oil checks, and lubrication of all moving parts, as well as proper tire inflation. Underinflated tires have high rolling resistance, which makes your engine work harder and use more fuel. Tell your drivers and operators to regularly check the tires and inflate them. 2. Hire Skilled Operators Whether your equipment is owned by you outright or you rent it, your operators should have advanced skills and a detailed knowledge of every machine they work with. When they’re not well trained on the [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2021-08-19T13:36:18-05:00August 19th, 2021|Diesel Fuel|Comments Off

Top 5 Tips For Reducing Your Fleet’s Fuel Costs

Top 5 Tips For Reducing Your Fleet’s Fuel Costs - Fuel represents one of the biggest cost expenditures for any fleet. In fact, in many cases, it can account for up to 60 percent of the operating budget! That’s why fleet owners and managers should be seeking out ways to reduce fuel consumption and costs, while increasing their bottom line.Sure, cost of gas per gallon is out of your control, but there are plenty of other factors you can control that impact fleet fuel spend. These include anything from driver behavior to vehicle type and condition. Here are five ways to reduce your fleet's fuel costs and save cash.1. Upgrade to More Fuel-Efficient VehiclesThe best way to improve your fleet's fuel economy is to get rid of your older, underperforming, gas-guzzling, high mileage vehicles and replace them with brand new models that are more fuel-efficient with higher MPG ratings. You may even consider upgrading to vehicles that rely on alternative fuels or hybrids for overall better fuel economy.2. Perform Regular Maintenance on Your VehiclesThis is another great way to save money on fleet fuel. It’s important to schedule vehicle maintenance because it improves MPG by ensuring all components are functioning [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2021-07-23T08:14:39-05:00July 23rd, 2021|Fleet, Fuel Prices|Comments Off

Cleaner Fuels: What to Expect

Cleaner Fuels: What to Expect - As we progress through 2021, the hope is that the use of biodiesel continues to rise. Did you know? 88% lower than ULSD, a cleaner-burning diesel fuel containing less than 97 percent less sulfur than low-sulfur diesel (LSD). 85% lower than CNG (compressed natural gas). This is a fuel gas that is made from natural gas and comprised mostly of methane. 65% lower than an EV (electric vehicle) Biodiesel is something that can make a big impact immediately. The best part about biodiesel is that it doesn’t need updates to equipment or infrastructure. Rather, the biodiesel blends are simple drop-in fuels. Supply is strong enough to meet demands all across the country. Did you know that biodiesel has seen a 600 percent increase in consumption in the last decade? New Ways of Using Biodiesel Biodiesel is getting used in more innovative ways as more fleets try it out. The exploration of higher blends will continue to happen, too. It used to be that B20 (20% biodiesel, 80% ULSD) blends were the gold standard; well now, they’re going even higher, up to B100. In fact, B100 pilots are faring well, even in cold climates. There [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2021-06-04T16:07:59-05:00June 4th, 2021|Biodiesel|Comments Off

20 Years Forward: The Prediction is Diesel Still on Top

20 Years Forward: The Prediction is Diesel Still on Top - More than 90 percent of commercial vehicles are currently being powered by diesel technology. Look ahead to 20 years from now, and most trucks on the roadway will probably be powered by a combination of fuels and technology, such as by hydrogen and fuel cells, or battery-electric, or even renewable natural gas or diesel fuel. But for the foreseeable future, diesel will remain the go-to technology fueling the country’s truck fleets. Predictions According to analysts, diesel will still be tops by 2040, at least in regard to Class 8 truck fleets. Here are some takeaways: Bloomberg New Energy Finance says only 19 percent of the heavy-duty commercial truck fleet in this country will run on electricity by 2040, translating to 81 percent of heavy-duty trucks running mainly on diesel and natural gas. IHS Markit says 80 percent of commercial truck sales in this country will run on diesel by 2040. According to The Fuels Institute, diesel will comprise 65 percent of heavy-duty truck sales and 86 percent of the whole fleet by 2040. According to the International Council on Clean Transportation, only one manufacturer of a zero-emissions Class 7 and [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2021-05-18T14:24:05-05:00May 18th, 2021|Diesel Fuel|Comments Off

DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid): Tips and Best Practices

When purchasing and storing diesel exhaust fluid, known as DEF for short, it’s important to know how to use it correctly for safety. Because your business depends on diesel-powered vehicles, from tractors to dump trucks, you likely already know about DEF, which is designed to reduce the harmful emissions by diesel engines (when used properly). DEF also ensures your vehicles remain in compliance with air pollution regulations. Diesel exhaust fluid won’t undercut engine performance, unlike some emission reduction technologies. The use of DEF can significantly improve your fuel economy and horsepower production while reducing engine wear at the same time. The danger comes in when you use low-quality or contaminated DEF which can be harmful. Heed these tips and best practices when buying and storing DEF and related supplies. Only Buy the Highest Quality DEF DEF mixtures, comprised of urea and purified, deionized water, create a clear, non-flammable solution injected directly into the hot exhaust gases that come from your diesel engine, spurring a chemical chain reaction that removes nitrous oxide emissions out of the gases. If this chemical reaction is to happen properly, the DEF has to be of the purest and highest quality, as contaminants can stall [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2021-03-29T17:09:47-05:00March 18th, 2021|DEF|Comments Off

Top 5 Ways to Prepare Your Fleet for Winter

Top 5 Ways to Prepare Your Fleet for Winter - We are in the thick of winter here in the Northeast and there’s no escaping the snow, cold, sleet and ice. Winter poses many challenges and dangers on our roadways, and when you own or manage a fleet of trucks, it’s your responsibility to keep them and everyone else around them safe. Frigid temperatures can be tough on any vehicle, particularly large fleet vehicles that are driven up to 12 hours a day. Routine maintenance will prevent emergency repairs and expensive downtime. Here are some ways to prepare your fleet for winter. 1. Add Winterized Fuel The top complaints among fleet drivers include low fuel economy and vehicles that won’t start up when temps get below zero. To combat this, use winterized fuel so your trucks can operate seamlessly in temps as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also opt for an additive package to boost fuel economy and horsepower by 5%. This will ensure your fleet stays on the road for longer while cutting back on fuel costs. 2. Drain the Water Separator/Replace Filters When water is present in the fuel system, this can be very damaging [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2021-02-11T16:58:50-05:00February 11th, 2021|Fleet|Comments Off

Is Your Tank Warranty Running Out?

The typical warranty on a tank is 30 years. If you suspect the warranty on your oil tank is about to run out, what do you do? Whether you’re having issues with it or not, here are some important considerations on tank warranties. Many tanks are coming up on – or surpassing – their warranty periods throughout the country, putting tank operators in a bit of a quandary. What does this mean for you? About 36 states provide environmental remediation programs to address tank releases at no or low cost to the operators. The other 14 states offer financial relief through some type of private insurance. According to Fuels Market News, nearly 60 percent of tanks are more than 20 years old. Nearly 40 percent are between 20 and 29 years old. Tank materials and construction vary by operator, but most are comprised of fiberglass and steel. But beyond that, there isn’t much data out there as to exactly how many out-of-warranty tanks remain out there, which ones have had problems, and whether there is a correlation between tank age and useful life span. Unfortunately, this leads to a lot of guesswork, but it’s all we have right now. [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2021-01-18T14:43:39-05:00January 18th, 2021|Fuel Tanks|Comments Off

Top 10 Winter Driving Tips for Truckers

Top 10 Winter Driving Tips for Truckers - Ah, winter. The time of year where everything gets cold, snowy, slushy and icy. The roads can be particularly dangerous to drive on during this season, and truckers are at the greatest risk for accidents. Winter weather conditions have a tendency to sneak up on even the most cautious drivers, and all it takes is a second to make a tragic or costly mistake. Winter demands a heightened awareness and improved driving skills. You have to keep your eye on the prize and take the ice, snow, wind and cold in stride. With the proper planning and precautions, you can stay safe on the roadways this winter. Check out these top 10 winter driving tips for truckers. Keep an eye out for brake lights on the vehicles in front of you: Being alert is half the battle. Watch for those brake lights and adjust your braking accordingly. Allow plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front of you to accommodate for those last-minute lane changers. Be sure your lights are on and working: This should be part of your pre-drive check. Make sure your lights and high beams are in [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2020-12-14T15:11:51-05:00December 14th, 2020|Safety Tips, Trucking Tips|Comments Off

Fuel and the Total Cost of Ownership

Fuel and the Total Cost of Ownership - The fleet owners and managers of today know the importance of looking beyond the initial purchase price and taking into account the total cost of ownership (TCO) of their equipment. Residual value, repairs, maintenance and parts, along with other hard and soft costs, also should be considered when it comes to the true expense of owning a vehicle. No doubt, fuel has always been a huge part of the equation, but it’s usually been centered around the costs of fuel. Fuel impacts vehicle maintenance and performance, of course. But with more and more fleets required to hit sustainability targets, emissions must also be a considered in fleet management. Biodiesel helps lower a fleet’s total cost of ownership (TCO) in many ways, such as through the easement of maintenance issues, increasing performance and cutting back on emissions. Meeting Goals of Sustainability Sustainability when it comes to biodiesel’s environmental benefits should be considered as part of the total cost of ownership, even though it traditionally hasn’t been. This is important, as clean air regulations are rising. Many private and public sector organizations are starting to adopt sustainability plans, so whether your fleet has [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2020-11-17T09:55:54-05:00November 17th, 2020|Diesel Fuel|Comments Off

3 Money Saving Fuel Industry Tips

3 Money-Saving Fuel Industry Tips - There are a lot of common money-wasting practices in the fuel industry that can be prevented or minimized with a few tips, found here: 1. Meter Loss Fuel is a product most people never see. After all, this liquid is delivered from a truck via a hose to another vehicle after being converted from cubic inches to dollars and gallons. You can’t see how much is coming out, and aside from a fuel gage that shows Empty or Full, there’s no exact confirmation as to numeric values associated with the fill up you just received. Consider this when it comes to understanding how the metering/dispensing process works. Fuel is dispensed and metered in cubic inches, then it is converted to gallons and dollars 231 cubic inches are found in one gallon of liquid (1,155 cubic inches in five gallons of liquid) Federal guidelines say meters/totalizers to be “off” by as much as + or – six cubic inches per five gallons of product dispensed The amount of slack allowed in a meter is ½%: o six cu. in. / 1,155 cu. in. = 0.0052 o 0.0052 x 100 = 0.52% or ½% The [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2020-10-14T09:20:18-05:00October 14th, 2020|Fuel Tips|Comments Off

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