Simple Steps to Clean a Diesel Engine

If you own equipment, machinery, or a truck that runs on diesel, keeping the engine clean is essential. A neglected engine collects dirt, grease, and grime, which can lead to overheating, reduced efficiency, and even long-term damage.There’s an old myth that diesel engines shouldn’t be cleaned. That’s not true. Regular cleaning extends the lifespan of your equipment and prevents costly repairs.Below, we’ll walk you through the right way to clean your diesel engine, the best degreasers to use, and what to avoid.Why Cleaning Your Diesel Engine is ImportantDiesel engines are built to handle tough conditions, but that doesn’t mean they should be ignored. Over time, dirt, oil, and road grime can:Trap heat and cause overheatingClog air filters and reduce performanceCause corrosion of metal partsMake it harder to spot leaks or maintenance issuesBy keeping your engine clean, you improve its efficiency, prevent damage, and make inspections easier.Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Diesel EngineCleaning your diesel engine isn’t complicated, but it does require the right approach. Follow these steps to do it safely and effectively.1. Remove Loose Dirt and DebrisUse a stiff-bristle brush to manually remove dirt, leaves, and debris trapped under the hood and around the grill.Check air intake areas and [...]

Simple Steps to Clean a Diesel Engine2025-02-19T22:31:19-05:00

Truck Fleet Management Strategy: Minimizing Downtime is the Tip of the Iceberg

Truck Fleet Management Strategy: Minimizing Downtime is the Tip of the Iceberg - When determining a strong truck fleet management strategy, your first thought may go directly to minimizing downtime. This is an easy go-to strategy, which is certainly valid, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg. There are many other components of a good strategy that can help you save money, time and stress. It’s no secret that truck fleet management presents several challenges, including: Minimize vehicle downtime Avoid unnecessary expenses Stay on top of ever-changing compliance requirements But perhaps the biggest challenge of all is lacking the expertise necessary to adequately manage all aspects of your fleet, including sourcing the proper equipment with the proper specifications for the proper application. Attempting to solve these problems through the use of multiple vendors and systems only serves to make matters worse. Now you have too many balls up in the air, and you may lose one. In order to manage your truck fleet in the most efficient way, you have to implement a comprehensive strategy that encompasses the unique needs of your fleet on top of your company’s objectives. In essence, you need a wide breadth of skills that [...]

Truck Fleet Management Strategy: Minimizing Downtime is the Tip of the Iceberg2019-09-20T13:32:49-05:00

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 Wages The 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 Economy The 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 [...]

Top 5 Trucking Trends2019-08-22T16:42:02-05:00

Marine Fuel and Oil Spills: What to Do

Marine Fuel and Oil Spills: What to Do - Oil spills endanger public health, poison the drinking water, devastate natural resources, and disrupt the economy. But as we have become more dependent upon oil-based products, the risk for spills goes up. Oil and fuel from boats contain toxic components that come with harmful physical effects and can pose threats to public health and the environment, says the EPA. As a boater of any kind, fuel spills are likely always on your mind. If you spill fuel or oil into the water, what steps would you take to mitigate the situation? Here are some helpful tips if this happens to you. #1: Identify the cause and source of the spill. If you can, stop it at the source immediately. #2: Notify the marina or fuel dock right away because they may have oil absorbent pads and booms to contain any spills that may occur. Dispose of used absorbent materials properly as hazardous waste. #3: If the spill produces a sheen on the water, notify the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802. Give them the following information: Location of the incident Cause or source of the spill Type and amount [...]

Marine Fuel and Oil Spills: What to Do2019-07-18T14:31:26-05:00

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 StorageThe 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 spend a majority of their [...]

Preventing Your Fleet from Diesel Fuel Gelling This Winter2026-02-20T09:13:52-05:00
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