They exist within virtually any fleet, but finding them is difficult. And few, if any, identify themselves as being one. The high-risk driver is a threat to the fleet they represent and in most cases, they started as good drivers who developed bad habits…
North American truckers have enjoyed a decades-long love affair with their spec’ sheets. At one time, everything from wheel seals to brake linings, U-joints, and pinion gears were on the table. One former OEM CEO told me in private that his company offered more…
A stunning US$3.7-billion acquisition of Meritor Feb. 22 put the exclamation point on what has been a transformative year for Cummins. The independent engine maker, once synonymous with diesel power, faced increasing pressure over the last decade as truck OEMs aggressively pursued vertical integration,…
If you feel coolants are a confounding and challenging piece of your fleet’s maintenance program to master, you’re not alone. “Coolants are the least understood truck fluid,” says Brad Jordan, technical services manager for coolants with Shell Lubricants. But coolants are too important to…
When your job takes you to great heights, falls and accidents could be your downfall. Literally. Trucks with buckets and cranes are designed to offer access far above the ground, after all. Safety procedures, training, and some good old common sense will ensure those…
Truck maintenance facilities are home to many fluids and lubricants, each presenting an opportunity for a costly mix-up. Putting the wrong oil into an engine, used coolant into a reservoir, or allowing contaminants to enter a diesel exhaust fluid storage tote will all create…
Half the fun of learning about hauling flatbeds is learning the lingo. There are all sorts of names for the same piece of equipment, and these vary depending on where you are in Canada. Westerners have different names for flatbeds and cargo securement equipment…
As the underlying technology rapidly develops, a growing number of fleets are taking advantage of augmented reality and online training tools to train technicians quickly and efficiently. Saving time and money is an obvious benefit, along with streamlining procedures and ensuring maintenance standards and…
Truck engines are designed with an operating range in mind, a band of engine rpm where they operate at peak fuel efficiency for the work they’re doing. That “sweet spot” varies across different makes and models. A Detroit DD15 will be slightly different from…
If you want to know the rising importance of sustainable business practices in trucking, look no further than the questions from shippers. Billy Rae Rattray, the environmental coordinator at Day & Ross, knows he has seen a rapid rise in requests for proposals that…