Taylor Oil Co., Author at Taylor Oil Company

Fall Driving Fleet Safety Tips

Fall Driving Fleet Safety Tips - Well, it’s that time of year again: the leaves are changing, pumpkins are out, and the weather is getting cooler. Fall is nearly here, and with it, new dangers are present on the roadways. Here are some tips to think about and hazards to watch out for as we head into autumn. Heed the Leaves More and more leaves will fall onto the roadways, covering up traffic lines, pavement markings and even hazardous pot holes. When it rains, as fall is prone to do in New Jersey, wet leaves could make your vehicle slip and slide, causing an accident. Take extra precaution when you see the road covered with a rainbow of yellows, reds and oranges. Be on the Lookout for Deer The fall happens to be breeding season for deer, so you’ll be seeing a lot of them on the sides of the roads. More than likely, one of them will dart out in front of you at some point, sometimes in groups. Heed these tips: Keep your eyes open. If you spot a deer on the side of the road, slow down. Chances are, there’s more than one. Brake, don’t swerve. Swerving [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2020-09-18T09:52:03-05:00September 18th, 2020|Safety Tips|Comments Off

The Need For Higher-Value Diesel Fuel

The Need For Higher-Value Diesel Fuel - If you’ve ever been to a diesel station before, you’ve seen the dark patch of stained concrete underneath the fuel pump. This is common, as the diesel fuel often overflows as it’s being pumped into the tank. That’s because diesel often foams up, just like when you pour soda into a glass too fast. On a case by case basis, it doesn’t seem like a big waste – it’s just a few ounces of fuel, right? But when you think about how often this happens all across the country, you’ll realize how it adds up. Not to mention -- after foaming happens, it takes a while for the fuel to settle back down, which means your tank isn’t really full after all. Take that soda-fizz-in-a-glass example. If you are a fleet operator responsible for dozens of trucks on the road, you know this waste results in unnecessary downtime for the whole fleet and higher costs in the long run. Foaming diesel is just one issue commercial truckers may be oblivious to in their daily operations. In fact, it could be contributing to the degrading quality of diesel fuel. However, it’s entirely preventable. [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2020-08-12T09:21:13-05:00August 12th, 2020|Diesel Fuel|Comments Off

Suspending the Federal Excise Tax through 2021 for Heavy Duty Commercial Truck Purchases

Suspending the Federal Excise Tax through 2021 for Heavy Duty Commercial Truck Purchases - As policymakers begin debating future economic stimulus packages as part of COVID-19 recovery plans, they believe suspending the federal excise tax (FET) through the year 2021 for purchases of new heavy-duty commercial truck purchases will bring immediate and recognizable results. They also believe it will work toward restoring and expanding domestic manufacturing jobs, increasing productivity of truckers and reducing emissions for communities all over the country. Since the pandemic first began here in earnest in March, the important role of the nation’s trucking industry cannot be ignored. The men, women and trucks on the roadways have been working round the clock to stock grocery store shelves and deliver necessary medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE). A Much-Needed Boost Now, elected officials are presented with a big opportunity to give the trucking industry a much-needed boost by suspending the FET through 2021, which adds an average of $22,000 to the cost of a single new class-8 big rig. Consequently, this drives the price tag up exponentially, putting this type of purchase out of reach for many fleets and truckers who already operate on slim profit [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2020-07-18T09:35:16-05:00July 18th, 2020|Goverment|Comments Off

4 Quick Summer Trucking Tips

4 Quick Summer Trucking Tips - Summer is just about upon us and the temps are getting hotter. While we all crave the warmth and sunshine after a cold winter and chilly spring, this is a good time to go over some tips to stay safe while trucking during the dog days of summer. Here are four quick summer trucking tips to keep yourself and other motorists safe on the roadways. 1. Check Your Brakes Time to do a once-over of your truck. Did you know that temperature can have a huge impact on your brakes? It’s true. When temperatures soar, brake fading is a possibility. This is when you lose friction in your brakes because the components can’t adequately absorb the heat any longer. As a result, this condition paves the way for increased stopping distances and decreased brake life performance. Routine maintenance, especially on your brakes, ensures conditions such as brake fading won’t happen. 2. Properly Inflate Your Tires The summer heat can cause tire blowouts. With the rise in temperatures, tires tend to inflate. When those inflated tires get into contact with the hot road, this added friction, along with high speeds, can spell disaster – [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2020-06-16T13:34:35-05:00June 16th, 2020|Trucking Tips|Comments Off

Top 3 Tire Pressure Tips for Fleets

Top 3 Tire Pressure Tips for Fleets - One thing is for sure when it comes to maintaining your fleet’s tires: tire inflation is a major concern. Not only does inflation pressure affect the safety of the truck and driver, it also impacts fuel economy and retreadability. It can be difficult to keep on top of the tire pressure, so here are some tips to keep in mind. First off, keep in mind that pre-trip and post-trip checks will maximize tire life and keep your costs under control. After drivers and fuel, tires have always been a fleet’s highest operating cost. Heed these tips to reduce costs and improve driver retention. 1. Use Calibrated Gauges Typical shop gauges can be off, as they get dropped frequently and aren’t maintained. As a result, psi readings can be off by 2 to 15 psi. You must test each gauge and recalibrate it every month against a master. You may find you’ve been inflating tires to the wrong level all along. Set up a psi testing station with master gauge in your shop, and make it somewhere everyone can see it and have access to it. Drivers can simply swap out their [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2020-05-13T10:00:45-05:00May 13th, 2020|Safety Tips|Comments Off

Fleet Procedures for COVID-19
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Fleet Procedures for COVID-19

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Fleet Procedures for COVID-19

Fleet Procedures for COVID-19 - Our fleets are on the front lines of the current global pandemic, COVID-19. We are on the roads 24/7 making mobile oil and gas deliveries to keep the Northeast moving. OSHA’s General Duty Clause requires employers to provide a workplace free from hazards that could cause death or serious physical harm. COVID-19 certainly falls under this. For many employees and business owners, the company vehicle is their workplace. If you are a fleet manager, you know you must do your part to lower the risk of potential infections among those using your fleet and those with whom your drivers interact. Spread mainly via person-to-person contact, this virus can also be caught by touching infected surfaces, such as company vehicles, then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes. Tips for Fleet Safety Drivers and fleet managers: Wipe down frequently-touched vehicle surfaces with a sanitizer and/or disinfectant, such as steering wheel, radio, gear shifter, armrest, door handles and power window buttons. Drivers: Sanitize equipment, such as scanners, handheld computers, toolboxes, and cart handles that may be used to haul equipment. Keep in mind, alcohol- or ammonia-based cleaners may damage the interior dashboard, seats, and in-cab touch screen [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2020-04-16T15:34:26-05:00April 16th, 2020|Uncategorized|Comments Off

Fleets and Mental Health Awareness

Fleets and Mental Health Awareness - Truck drivers tend to carry the image of being tough and resistant to emotional stress, but this perception isn’t always true. And it certainly doesn’t allow for open discussions about mental health in the trucking industry. Yet it’s important to do away with the stigma of mental illness in this industry. As such, many fleet truckers and their employers are working hard to change that image, paying more attention to mental health and its influences on the workers’ well-being and work performance.With suicides up among truckers, it’s more important than ever to shed light on this situation and provide much-needed support. Death by suicide is just one small part of the wider more complex topic of mental health. With more than 17 million American adults experiencing depression, this is one of the most common mental disorders.In truckers, this number is nearly double, according to Transport Topics. This is particularly alarming because depression is associated with suicide, and suicide is now one of the top 10 leading causes of death in this country.Suicide RatesThe suicide rate is higher within certain groups and professions. Narrowing this down, transportation has the fourth-highest rate among working-age adults in [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2020-03-23T15:17:42-05:00March 23rd, 2020|Fleet|Comments Off

Onsite Fuel Tanks Can Simplify Fuel Management: Things to Consider

Onsite Fuel Tanks Can Simplify Fuel Management: Things to Consider - There are many factors to consider when it comes to on-site fuel storage, from the benefits of fuel monitoring to cleaning and maintenance costs. And don’t forget about tank transportation, theft prevention and much more. As the source of 98 percent of energy consumed at the average jobsite, diesel is a universal expense for any contractor. As the construction industry continues to grow and change, businesses are forced to find newer, more efficient ways to manage their assets, including fuel storage. Thankfully, on-site tanks are able to simplify fuel management. Check out these things to think about when it comes to a fuel tank purchase on location. Mobility and Capacity The size of the tank directly correlates with how stationary or mobile it will be. Some tanks hold less than 150 gallons, while other containers can hold up to 25,000 gallons. It’s important to start off knowing how much fuel you are using now and how mobile your fuel supply has to be. Not surprisingly, smaller tanks are easier to transport, usually DOT-approved trailer-mounted tanks holding between 200 and 1,000 gallons. These are well-suited to delivering fuel to [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2020-02-25T10:34:38-05:00February 25th, 2020|Fuel Tanks|Comments Off

Safety Throughout the Year

Safety Throughout the Year - As the owner of a fleet of vehicles, whether construction or transportation or something in between, you know the importance of safety – all the year through. But as 2019 comes to a close, it’s especially important to give ourselves reminders of why safety is critical when it comes to managing your fleet. With the holidays comes more traffic on the roadways, which means you must focus on creating safer roadways for everyone out there. Think about creating a safety culture of sorts at your company to place a big priority on staying safe, both for your drivers and for everyone else on the road. It should be a way of life. Make that your New Year’s resolution as a responsible fleet owner! Guaranteed, you will see the ripple effects extend far beyond what you thought could be possible. Here are a few ideas for you to implement. Create a Safety Program with Rewards Rewarding people is always a nice incentive, a great motivator if you will. Safety should be at the core of who you are and what you deliver. Train your employees to put safety at #1. To move this along, reward members [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2019-12-22T17:35:34-05:00December 22nd, 2019|Safety Tips|Comments Off

Did You Know? Biodiesel Can be Used Year Round

Did You Know? Biodiesel Can be Used Year Round - With chilly fall temperatures now upon us, now’s the perfect time to begin preparing your fleet’s fuel for winter operations. One of the myths of wintertime fuel is that biodiesel cannot be used in cold weather. However, the truth is that biodiesel blends can be used year round, everywhere ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) is used. All diesel fuels need the proper maintenance to ensure optimal winter performance. Biodiesel is no different. Explaining Cold Flow Regardless of what fuel you use, it’s vital to make sure cold flow properties are adequate for your climate during winter. There are two important cold flow measurements necessary for standard No. 2 diesel fuel and biodiesel: Cloud point (CP): This is the temperature at which wax or gel crystals first show up in the fuel, giving it a cloudy or hazy appearance. Cold filter plugging point (CFPP): This is the temperature at which larger crystals form and begin to clog up the fuel filter. In general, CFPP indicates the lowest temperature for optimal vehicle operation. To guard against engine power loss, the CFPP must stay below wintertime low temperatures. Cold flow properties for diesel [...]

By Taylor Oil Co.|2019-11-21T10:25:41-05:00November 21st, 2019|Biodiesel|Comments Off

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