Summertime Tips for Truckers

Summertime Tips for Truckers  - With summer comes warmer temperatures and more people on the roadways taking trips. This is a great time of year but also dangerous as we contend with soaring temps and increased traffic. Here are some ways truckers can stay safe this summer. 1.      Check the Brakes You may not realize it, but the temperature can have a big impact on your brakes. Brake fading can happen when the temperature outside gets hot. This is due to the loss of friction because brake components are no longer able to absorb the heat, which leads to increased stopping distances and decreased brake life performance. Routine maintenance is a must to ensure brake fading doesn’t occur. 2.      Keep Your Tires Inflated Properly The summer heat can cause tire blowouts. That’s because tires tend to inflate with rising temperatures. When those inflated tires make contact with hot surfaces such as asphalt pavement, that friction, combined with high speeds, can result in blowouts. Make sure your tires are properly inflated, especially in summer. Regular maintenance of your tires will also extend their useful life. 3.      Protect Yourself From the Sun Many truckers don’t realize the level of sun exposure [...]

Summertime Tips for Truckers2019-06-20T16:43:41-05:00

Top Truck Driver Safety Tips

Top Truck Driver Safety Tips - The American Trucking Association and its Share the Road highway safety program encourage drivers of all kinds to pay close attention when going through work zones. Maintaining safety on the nation’s roadways is of paramount importance. This year’s National Work Zone Awareness Week took place April 8 through 12, with a theme of “Drive Like You Work Here.” Share the Road professional truck drivers, with millions of accident-free miles under their belts, offer these safe-driving tips to keep both motorists and workers safe during the spring and summer construction seasons. Work Zone Safety Tips Heed these tips when driving through or near construction or work zones. Be on alert for changes: Speed limits are often reduced in work zones. In addition, traffic lanes and patterns may change, and people will be working on the road or on the shoulder. Have patience and consideration: Work zone crew members are working hard to make sure the roads are efficient and safe. Keep this in mind when sitting in traffic near a work zone. It’s their job to keep you safe, not aggravate you and make you late for work. Slow down: Speeding is a top cause of work zone [...]

Top Truck Driver Safety Tips2019-05-14T08:40:44-05:00

Top 5 Trucking Trends

 Top 5 Trucking Trends - If you are in the trucking industry, you will want to keep a close eye on these top trends for the remainder of 2019.1. Driver Shortage and WagesThe driver shortage is still the top challenge as reported by fleet owners. Some fleets are reporting that more than a third of their trucks were empty at any given time last year. One company said of the 800 drivers they interviewed over the past year, they only hired two – and neither one of them showed up to work, according to Trucking Info.Driver wages are expected to increase this year, with driver pay conditions being more favorable today for drivers than a year ago.2. The EconomyThe economic outlook is not as great as it was one year ago. It’s the second longest economic expansion in our history. Good news is, there is enough momentum to take us through the first half of the year. After that, there are definitely some economic indicators that seem troublesome, such as the stock and housing markets, tax cuts in favor of buybacks rather than capital investment, tariffs and trade wars, etc. In general, experts are predicting a slowdown as we head into [...]

Top 5 Trucking Trends2019-04-11T13:08:20-05:00

Heavy Equipment Motor Oil Misconceptions

Heavy Equipment Motor Oil Misconceptions - There may be a lot of information out there on the best oil selection and maintenance practices for your fleet, but much of that info is untrue. With so many common myths still plaguing the construction industry, we are here to set the record straight, particularly when it comes to heavy-duty diesel engine oils and lubricants. Myth #1: Don’t Switch Oils There’s a belief out there that if you start with one oil you should stick with it no matter what. That’s not true. Some people feel that when changing brands of oil, an increase in oil consumption occurs. However, many things contribute to the increase of oil consumption; switching oil brands halfway through just isn’t one of them. Oil consumption and pressure are affected by many factors, including: Filter condition Contaminant loading Engine component condition Oil contamination levels Incorrect readings of oil pressure or levels That being said, when switching brands, some engine manufacturers say that for a short period of time, there may be a harmless increase in elements such as aluminum, copper, potassium, and lead. Always consult with your engine manufacturer and oil provider to find out more about these temporary [...]

Heavy Equipment Motor Oil Misconceptions2024-09-09T04:09:15-05:00

Construction Site Fuel Spill Containment Tips

Oil and fuel spills can have devastating impact on the environment as well as human health and safety. The best approach is prevention; however, when a spill does happen, it’s important to contain it immediately so its impact is minimized. From slips and trips to toxic scalds and burns, spills pose a great risk to employees, contractors and visitors. When left unchecked, spills can seep into waterways and soak into ground water, leading to contamination of drinking water, and threats to plant and wildlife as well as human health. Heed these tips to prevent extensive spreading and environmental damage until trained spill control professionals can arrive on the scene: Train your workers to employ proper spill prevention practices when working with oil and fuel sources. Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure safe handling of materials. Post a visible worksite map that shows the location of oil and fuel sources. Make sure employees know in advance which spill situations they can safely contain and which ones are not safe to handle. Along with storage instructions and supervision, give workers product recommendations --  spill pads, rugs, and booms. Oil spills spread 100 times faster in wet weather than dry; you [...]

Construction Site Fuel Spill Containment Tips2019-02-16T10:15:17-05:00

Preventing Your Fleet from Diesel Fuel Gelling This Winter

Preventing Your Fleet from Diesel Fuel Gelling This Winter - Gelling is nothing you want to happen to your machines in the cold. Diesel fuel gelling is when the paraffin wax starts to thicken and turn into a cloudy mixture when the temperatures begin to fall. This problem can get so bad that the wax can clog fuel filters and solidify, making it difficult or impossible for the fuel to flow. Your engine becomes useless and you can’t be productive. You lose money and maybe even some customers during all that downtime. This phenomenon can occur when temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit; however, the exact temperature at which this can happen does vary by fuel batch. Don’t want to risk it? Heed these tips to prevent your diesel fuel from gelling in your fleet this winter. Heated Storage The best way to prevent gelling is to control the temperature of the facility in which the engine is stored. When the engine runs, the fuel moves and flows freely, with little opportunity to solidify. If you can, store your vehicles and equipment in a heated garage or climate-controlled structure. We realize this isn’t always possible for large construction fleets, which [...]

Preventing Your Fleet from Diesel Fuel Gelling This Winter2024-09-09T02:52:48-05:00

Engine Oil Tips for Fleets

Engine Oil Tips for Fleets - Engine oils for heavy equipment have evolved over the years in keeping up with Tier 4 diesel engine technology. The best oil will help your fleet machinery and equipment work in tip-top condition. With winter coming, this is even more imperative. Demands on heavy-duty diesel engine oils have been changing with revolutions in engine technology and fuel formulations. About 25 years ago, fuel sulfur levels were at 5,000 ppm, as this substance went through the piston rings and into the crankcase to form sulfuric acid. Additives in the oil were applied in an effort to neutralize that acid. However, with depletion of additives, oil changes had to be made. On top of that, sulfur levels dropped and soot control issues cropped up, leading to a change in the way manufacturers set up and calibrated diesel engines. As a result, fuel soot formed in the crankcase, leading to the need for draining. With the introduction of modern emissions equipment, the crankcase environment improved. But now oil oxidation is a concern. Viscosity Engine oil must form a protective film, which guards against metal-on-metal contact. There are many measures of viscosity, but the two most common are: [...]

Engine Oil Tips for Fleets2024-09-09T04:10:19-05:00

Guidelines for the Set-Up and Maintenance of Onsite Fuel for Above Ground Storage Tanks

Guidelines for the Set-Up and Maintenance of Onsite Fuel for Aboveground Storage Tanks - There are many benefits to monitoring your own diesel fuel on site, especially if you have a heavy-equipment fleet. You could get pretty deep discounts when you buy fuel in bulk, plus you don’t have to wait on fuel delivery services to top off your trucks, generators, and machines. That being said, installing and maintaining bulk fuel tanks means you have to comply with many federal, state and local regulations. And when you begin dispensing your own fuel, you are responsible for making sure it is free from water and contamination. Proper storage-tank design and maintenance is critical in this circumstance. Tank Design For construction fleets, above ground storage tanks (ASTs) are an ideal option because they can be easily inspected and painted. They are less likely to have leaks and can also be safely relocated to different areas of your property if the need arises. On the other hand, it’s possible that vehicles can back into them, causing damage, plus they are vulnerable to weather extremes such as high winds and flooding. On top of that, they are also vulnerable to theft and vandalism. You [...]

Guidelines for the Set-Up and Maintenance of Onsite Fuel for Above Ground Storage Tanks2024-09-09T05:33:57-05:00

Winter is Around the Corner: Prepare the Fleet

Winter is Around the Corner: Prepare the Fleet - Frigid temperatures and harsh winter conditions can be very unforgiving on fleet vehicles that must operate up to 12 hours a day. But by engaging in routine maintenance, you as a fleet manager can avoid emergency repairs and expensive downtime during the coldest months of the year.Before the snow falls and temperatures dip, take these steps to prepare your vehicles for the season:Utilize winterized fuel: The two most common cold-weather complaints among fleet owners? A decrease in fuel economy and vehicles that don’t start up when temperatures go below zero. Seasonally-enhanced fuels can help you stay productive even in negative 30° Fahrenheit temps, with a cold filter plugging point (CFPP) of negative 55° Fahrenheit. By adding additives, you can also boost your horsepower and fuel economy by five percent.Drain the water separator and replace filters: Water in your fuel system is never good, as it can damage fuel pumps and injectors in below-zero temperatures. As a result, this can lead to cold engine startup issues that many people assume is “fuel gelling.” However, what’s probably happening is that water is turning to ice within the fuel storage tanks and filtration systems, plugging [...]

Winter is Around the Corner: Prepare the Fleet2018-10-18T17:37:45-05:00

Using a Premium Diesel Fuel Can Increase Efficiency and Longevity

Using a Premium Diesel Fuel Can Increase Efficiency and Longevity - There are many benefits to using a premium grade diesel for your equipment and trucks. From increased longevity to better lubrication, here we’ll go over the main advantages to using the best diesel fuel. Whether your fleet operation is large or small, what kind of fuel you use is one of the most vital decisions you will make for your business. Is switching to a premium diesel the right move for you? Premium diesel has: Better Lubricity Lubrication reduces friction in your engines. Diesel lubricants in particular cut down on the friction and wear and tear of the fuel pump and injection parts. It stands to reason that all those engine parts are under a lot of pressure for most of the day, so if you have more lubrication, your machines will run smoother, giving you better productivity, less downtime and fewer repairs. A Higher Cetane Number Cetane is a measurement of the fuel’s ignition delay. Basically this is how fast the air and fuel mixture combusts within the engine. Higher cetane translates to a shorter delay and higher ignition quality, resulting in quicker start-ups, and reduced wear and [...]

Using a Premium Diesel Fuel Can Increase Efficiency and Longevity2018-09-27T09:19:00-05:00
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