Fuel Consumption of New Heavy-Duty Vehicles Can Be Reduced by More than One-Third by 2025

Fuel consumption of new heavy-duty vehicles could be reduced by more than a third by 2025, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, if the next phase of greenhouse gas/fuel economy standards pushes improvements in areas such as trailer aerodynamics and waste-heat energy recovery.

Heavy-duty vehicles consume 2.9 million barrels per day of petroleum fuels in the United States today, ACEEE notes. In 2011, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency adopted standards to reduce the fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of heavy-duty vehicles in model years 2014–2018. These "phase 1" standards will reduce new heavy-duty vehicle fuel consumption by 15%, on average, producing savings of half a million barrels of oil per day by 2035.

The agencies are now working on the next phase of the standards, which will apply to vehicles in later model years. A proposed rule is not expected until late 2014, but ACEEE outlines its take on the opportunities in a new fact sheet, "Further Fuel Efficiency Gains for Heavy-Duty Vehicles."

The first phase, going into effect with the 2014 model year, took a component-by-component approach rather than a full-vehicle approach, and as a result missed major fuel efficiency opportunities, ACEEE contends. For instance, they did not capture potential gains from advanced transmissions and hybrid technologies, and excluded trailers. The standards for “vocational vehicles” (for example, delivery trucks, refuse trucks, and buses) reflected improvements in engines and tires only.

For the next phase, ACEEE says the agencies should treat vehicles as systems, rather than as collections of components, in setting the standards. That will help spur the development of better transmissions, driveline efficiency, powertrain integration, and hybridization. Aerodynamic trailers should be integrated with tractors. The standards should draw into the market advanced technologies such as the engine ’bottoming cycle,’ which has been  demonstrated in the Department of Energy’s SuperTruck program, and hybrids should be integral to the vocational vehicle technology package.

For instance, the paper notes, heavy-duty tractor-trailers could see a 21% to 34% improvement. Engine downsizing and reusing waste heat energy through a “bottoming cycle” will provide large fuel savings \. A bottoming cycle converts heat energy captured from the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop and the exhaust stream into mechanical energy, which is then either fed back to the shaft for mechanical power or converted to electricity and used for electrical loads. Major savings are available from further improvements to aerodynamics and tires, especially on trailers and through the integration of tractor and trailer.

The ACEEE analysis, which draws from a 2010 National Academy of Sciences report and the agencies’ work on the phase 1 rule, shows that for new heavy-duty vehicles as a whole, strong Phase 2 standards could reduce fuel consumption to 26% below phase 1 levels, which results in a 37% overall reduction from pre-phase 1 levels.

From  Trucking Info  http://www.truckinginfo.com

Safety First for Truck Tires

Safety is the most crucial aspect when it comes to tires on any vehicle. Especially for heavy load vehicles, such as trucks and buses, safety concerns are more than other vehicles like car, bikes etc. as you know, most of the provinces in the United States are busy with transporting essential goods from one place to another and all this is done with the help of trucks. Trucks carry heavy loaded goods from one place to another; therefore the tires of every truck should be the best quality in terms of quality. There are many tire dealers and retail stores that provide variety of brands in car tires, bus tires and tires for other vehicles, but if you want tires only for a specific vehicle like truck, then you should specifically look for store.

Make sure to compare few truck tire stores so that you can make the difference and find out the best store from where you get the best deal. Generally, some stores offer heavy discount on tire brands. You can also look for used tires that are in good condition and have not been used much. This will not only help save your money but you get an advanced experienced of purchasing the right truck tire MN from the market. Well, trucks can be one of the most stylized part of a truck but it is not only about adding shine and beauty to your tires, you have to choose the right truck tire MN to ensure safety as the right set of wheels installed on the truck will only add great performance and surety of safety instead of beauty and shine.

The first and the foremost part that needs consideration is your truck for which you are willing to purchase truck tire MN, because until and unless you aren't aware of your truck, you cannot choose the right set of tires for it. After you pick the right tires, it is important to provide proper care, service and maintenance to the truck as well as tires in order to maintain their proper level of performance. Regular maintenance will not only provide good performance but will also help your truck tire MN look nice, clean and shiny. A failing truck can seriously harm your entire truck parts, so be protected by choosing the right truck tires MN and provide proper maintenance as long as you can.

When you visit any truck tire store, you will be asked with what kind of truck you drive and for which type of truck, you need truck tires as there are lots of truck tires available in the market today with different kinds of application like emergency vehicle, long haul truck, mixed service truck, pickup/delivery truck, school bus or utility vehicle. Besides considering all these applications, it is important to consider the wheel position where the tire will be placed. Although, there various tires for all positions but to obtain the right performance make sure to choose the tire that is specially designed for the particular purpose.

Mason Dalmonico is the author of this article on Truck Tires Minnesota.
Find more information about SUV Tires Minneapolis here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mason_Dalmonico

Can you avoid truck repair?

Truck repair is avoidable to an extent. If you regularly service and maintain your truck you can avoid truck repair and the associated tension and loss while enjoying the benefits of increased mileage. You are practically spending more than half of the time you are awake in the truck and it is with you passively helping you, making your livelihood. It's working doubly hard as you do, five days a week, all day, in stop-and-go traffic, in the heat, cold, rain, snow, ice, etc., It's high time you stop and pay it back or it's going to leave you stranded.

Truck repair is essentially a demanding expense in your business. As long as you have the owner's manual it is going to come handy telling you categorically when to take it for a service maintenance. In its absence how often should you change fluids, check brakes, etc.? Unfortunately, there is not a single answer. There are several variables to consider - the climatic condition your truck is subjected to, the fuel used, the age of your truck, etc., and of course its type.

Another crucial question is how often you are taking care of its service maintenance. Are you doing it yourself or having it done by a technician? Either way, you will have to be proactive in keeping a time log in terms of the service maintenance frequency.

Preventive Maintenance

The adage "prevention is better than cure" will apply squarely for your truck maintenance.

Best Practice Daily Checks

• Regardless of the age and type of the truck you are running, many of the basics are the same. Make it a habit to do a visual check of your truck. This is just to make sure it's clean and sparkling.

• Next, you should do a basic safety check by checking the lights (including hazards), tire condition and air pressure. It is crucial to check fluid levels daily, engine oil, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and transmission fluid. Get your brake line inspected, spark plugs inspected and filters replaced regularly. These can warn you about bigger repair problems beforehand.

• Look underneath your high-mileage truck for signs of fluid leaks, they shouldn't be ignored. If left unattended to they can turn into expensive truck repair jobs.

• Listen for unusual sounds, such as thumps, bangs or pings. These could be warning signs that your truck needs serious attention. Keeping track of any new noises and info on when they started may help your mechanic to diagnose the problem.

Best Practices for increased mileage

• Tire pressure is critical! It is a proven fact that you can improve your gas mileage by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. This will also ward off unexpected flats and blowouts.

• Performing regular tune-ups on you truck will keep your truck's engine running at top speed.

• Stick to a certain mechanic who knows the history of your truck.

• Another most important system to the "health" of your engine is the lubrication system; clean oil in your truck is like healthy blood in a human body so change it every three months.

Therefore, it is better to learn how to maintain your high-mileage truck to keep repair bills at a minimum and enjoy increased mileage. The concept is quite simple - maintain the truck before it becomes too late and breaks down. Remember, a stitch in time saves nine. Regular truck maintenance multiplies profits and reduces truck repair instances.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Alen

Flatbed Trucks Are Outstanding Work Trucks

If you ever owned a landscaping business or a fencing company, you know how valuable a flat bed truck can be. These trucks can have anywhere from a 12 to 20 foot bed in the back and are used for hauling wood, plants and anything else you need to get the job done.

Many people put rails on the sides and the back of the bed so they increase the hauling capacity as well as make it safer for transportation. Be careful not to stack too much up though as you don't want to get a fine from the police, or even worse have something fall off and strike another moving vehicle.

The gas mileage on these trucks can be a little rough. Expect to get anywhere from 6 to 15 miles a gallon for a flatbed as they don't get the best mileage numbers especially when they are weighted down with a heavy load. Many of these trucks are now diesel and that may help you save a few dollars compared to regular unleaded gasoline.

The hauling capacity of a flatbed truck is vastly superior to a typical pickup truck. You can fit so much more on the back bed and this makes you way more efficient. No longer do you need to make 2-3 trips to haul the same amout of material from point A to point B, you can do it all at once with a flatbed truck.

Look for used flatbed trucks to save money. You will probably have to get one with over 100,000 miles, but it's worth of it because new these trucks can cost upwards of $40,000. A used truck might require a little more maintenance, but you can also find one for $8,000 to $10,000 and that can save you a ton of money.

Enjoy great ways to save and don't hesitate to look for a used pickup truck instead of a brand new one. You can save over $20,000 by going for a used truck, learn how at http://www.usedpickuptruck.org

By Chad R Fisher

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chad_R_Fisher

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PAI COMPLETE ENGINE & PARTS Cat International Mack Cummings Detroit Diesel IN-FRAME - OVERHAUL KITS Oil Coolers Turbo's Main Bearing Sets Camshafts Injectors Sensors Pumps Gasket Sets Cam Bushings Flywheels EGR Coolers NEW & USED TRANSMISSION KITS P.T.O. Drive Line Complete Converters EC Units Clutches

SERVICES Lift Gate Repair Trailer Door Repair Roll-Up Door Repair Motorhome Repair Welding & Fabrication Complete Trailer Repair EC Units Repaired Wood Decking Complete Rewire Equipment Repair LED Lights Installed

Regular Fleet Maintenance Means Substantial Cost Savings

Regular fleet maintenance means having to spend less money on unforeseen problems in your vehicles.
 
Let's look at the figures for proof. If you have a fleet of 100 vehicles with one out for repairs each week because its problems went unnoticed (since it wasn't part of a regular fleet maintenance schedule) and these unnoticed repairs costs you $500 for repairs. At this rate, 52 vehicles out per year will end up costing you $26,000 each year.
 
But if you purchase a quality fleet maintenance software package and you therefore maintain and inspect your fleet's vehicles regularly, resulting in a decline in unscheduled repairs of even just 10 percent, you would save $2,600 a year. Find that you have a 25 percent decline in unscheduled repairs and you'd save $6,500; 50 percent would see you saving $13,000 a year. (If your repair costs are higher than $500, then a corresponding decline in unexpected repairs would be even greater). Additionally, these vehicles would be "available for use during these times and could be generating revenue instead of additional expense.
 
Regular fleet maintenance also extends the life of your vehicles, which means you possibly could replace your vehicles in 10 years instead of 6. This would save a substantial amount of money for each vehicle you're able to run longer.
 
When you purchase and implement a Fleet Maintenance system, you will undoubtedly find that your labor costs decline because your managers will know exactly when to schedule mechanics for peak efficiency.
 
Speaking of efficiency, a good fleet maintenance software program also allows you to track fuel usage and mileage figures for each vehicle in your fleet. You'll be able to track the number of miles between each vehicle's refueling. You will know which vehicle gets the best mileage, which driver can squeeze the most fuel from the vehicle, and which routes cost you the most in fuel.
 
You can track when tires are placed on a vehicle and log when they are repaired or replaced. This will allow you to ascertain which brand is best for your needs. A savings of two cents per mile on a fleet that does a million miles a year will save a mere $20,000.
 
Of course, implementing a fleet maintenance software program comes at considerable cost. The software purchase itself will run several thousand dollars. The "cost" of getting your staff up to speed also will exact a toll on your accounting sheets -- but just for a short while - the break even point with software programs such as this usually arrive fairly quickly.
 
Purchasing a state-of-the-art fleet maintenance software program will help your company become even more efficient and well run organization. The ROI you'll receive from your purchase will more than pay for your investment. You, your superiors, your mechanics, your drivers, your accountants and your customers will be very glad you purchased a fleet maintenance system.
 
By Larry Turley

Larry Turley has 29 years in the trucking maintenance [http://www.rtafleet.com] industry. His experience has allowed him to create a comprehensive fleet management software system [http://www.rtafleet.com/products/software.shtml], allowing fleet managers to save time and money managing their vehicles.
 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Turley

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Prevent Your Commercial Dump Trucks From Breaking Down!

The effective operation of commercial dump trucks depends to a large extent on whether preventive maintenance is set up for each vehicle and properly carried out at the appropriate intervals. Preventive maintenance is undoubtedly one of the best ways to cut costs and minimize breakdowns by trying to avoid any costly repairs, especially while on a job.

Preventive maintenance helps you protect the financial investment you have in your vehicle as well as allows you to keep your commitments to your customers. Your clients will not stay with you very long if you cannot keep your commitments to them and deliver your service on time.

Following is a list of preventive maintenance tips to help you keep your commercial dump trucks operational and providing service to your customers. A thorough basic inspection that is done on a regular basis will alert you to any potential problems and allow for inexpensive replacement of a part rather than complex and expensive repairs caused when a part breaks down while the vehicle is operational. This should be done on a regular basis, both before extended usage and after prolonged usage.

•Tires - Check for overall tread wear as well as tire pressure. If you have dual tires, be sure to check the inner tire as well as the outer tire.

•Fuel - This may seem a little redundant - of course you would check your fuel to make sure you have enough! Were you aware that lower quantities of fuel cause engine deterioration? Make sure to use a better quality fuel and consider a lubricant to boost the capacity.

•Wipers - You have to be able to see out the front of the cab so make sure your wipers are functional as well as not too worn to be of value.

•Coolants - This level should be maintained at a proper balance. If the level varies to any extent, you may have some leakage going on that would need to be repaired right away.

•Head lights - These are the 'eyes' of your commercial dump trucks andmust be working properly in both high beam and low beam. Anything else certainly needs to be taken care of before any night driving.

•Turn Signals and Brake Lights - This is similar to the head lights as they must function for not only your safety but the safety of those with whom you share the road!

•Horn - This is a vital piece of safety equipment that must be checked on a regular basis and repaired or replaced if not functioning properly.

•Air Filter - This should be changed on a regular basis to keep your engine properly performing and avoid potential engine problems. Retain the date of the last change for your records.

•Oil Change - Keeping the oil changed as recommended by the truck manufacturer is imperative and should be checked before each trip to see if you will need a change while on the road. It is much more cost-effective to do this as planned rather than have an urgent need and not be able to shop around for the best place and price.

•Hoses, especially Fuel - This is one of the items that is easily and inexpensively replaced before problems - and highly costly to repair the damage caused when one breaks while the truck is in use.

•Brake Oil - The level and quality should be checked regularly to ensure proper braking capacity and is a very important safety concern.

•Power Steering Fluid - Another safety item to ensure that the driver can properly steer the truck with ease.

•Fire Extinguisher - Make sure you have one and that it has not expired and/or needs to be recharged. This could save your life and the lives of others in an emergency situation!

To ensure that routine preventive maintenance is done, you can enlist the services of a shop that is trained and perhaps licensed for your brand of commercial dump trucks. They can maintain a record of your vehicle and notify you when it is time to come in for a scheduled preventive maintenance inspection. In the internet age, you can also purchase software that is designed to track equipment maintenance and alert you via email of when preventive maintenance items should be handled. If you can handle the maintenance items yourself, it would be a very cost-effective tool to utilize.

A breakdown while performing a job can cost you not only in terms of money; it can cost you in customer trust and loyalty if you have to delay completing a job you have committed to perform for a customer. Take care of your commercial dump trucks so you can take care of your customers - it is that simple!

If you are interested in learning more about Commercial Dump Trucks, please contact us by visiting our main site: http://www.centraltrucksales.net/home.

By Christopher M. Hunter
Expert Author Christopher M. Hunter

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_M._Hunter

Tractor-Trailer Air Brakes and Why They Matter For Your Commercial Driver's Test

If you are training to become a commercial driver in the U.S., one of the crucial pieces of your CDL test will be knowledge of air brake systems on large trucks. Even if you're a competent mechanic who knows small passenger cars and trucks inside and out, air brakes are a technology that you will be unfamiliar with and will need to understand before qualifying as a commercial driver.

A passenger car uses brake fluid to transmit pressure from the pedal to the brake assembly on each wheel; the fluid runs through pipe lines and pushes brake pads against the wheel in order to stop its rotation. Fluid works well for this purpose since, unlike gas, liquids are practically incompressible, and are therefore ideally suited to transfer pressure in a closed system (such as a brake system), as well as amplify it hydraulically (hydraulics are outside the scope of this article, but How Stuff Works has an excellent explanation of brake hydraulics for those interested). The fact that liquid has constant volume but no shape has also made it the superior alternative to rigid braking systems in use on early wheeled transport and automobiles.

However, fluid is an inadequate medium for the brakes of large commercial vehicles like 18-wheeler tractor-trailers. There are several reasons for this - one is that given the heat generated due to the friction involved in stopping a massive cargo trailer, the brake fluid may vaporize and render the brake system inoperable. Another reason is that tractor-trailers feature a detachable, mobile component - the trailer - which would be very problematic to connect to a tractor's braking system without creating a mess and leaking large amounts of fluid. Brake systems that operate primarily using compressed air sidestep both of these problems, but they also require the truck driver to understand the unique issues that come with using a substance that is highly compressible and bad at absorbing and transferring heat.

If you're training to receive a commercial driving license, you will be given a regular driving test, and you will also need to pass a special test on truck-grade air brakes.

Commercial driving schools, including ours, teach candidates how to use air brakes, how they work, how to test them, how to maintain them in order to avoid failure or accidents. While no substitute for hands-on training, here is a rundown on the basics of air brake functionality that you will need to master in order to qualify for a Commercial Driver's License.

Air is pumped into the braking supply system from the atmosphere by a compressor that's powered by the truck's engine. The air passes through filters and dryers which remove moisture and particles that could clog brake lines and impair their operation. The air is stored in a main reservoir tank, from which it is routed to smaller peripheral tanks that power the front and rear brakes, as well as the parking brake and other systems.

For optimal operation, the air needs to be maintained at a constant pressure, usually around 125 psi. At 150 psi, a safety valve opens and air is purged from the reservoir. The fact that pressure mounts to that level is a sign that something's wrong with the system and maintenance is required.
On the wheel end, most commercial trucks today use a so-called "S-cam" brake system, where air pressure in the brake drum turns an S-shaped shaft that, in turn, presses brake pads against the wheel to stop motion.

The parking brake is an important safety feature of an air brake system. It's a spring-actuated brake that is engaged by default and prevents the vehicle from moving. When air pressure mounts in the braking system, it pulls the spring open and disengages the brake; however, if some part of the air brake system fails and causes the loss of air pressure, the spring will automatically re-engage the brake and cause the vehicle to stop; the faster air loss occurs, the more abrupt the stop.
Brakes aren't the only part of a truck that are powered by compressed air - gearbox systems & pedals, for example, use compressed air to amplify & assist the driver's input.

This is a very simple introduction to the principles of air brake operation. The actual systems are far more complex, and take weeks of learning and training to master. Fortunately, there are many materials available to an aspiring truck driver that can help them prepare for a CT CDL test. Review online materials and apply to a reputable CDL driving school for training, and you should ace your commercial driving test on the first try!

Connecticut's Allstate Driving School offers CT Class A and B CDL training, including preparation for the air brake portion of your CDL test. Go to Allstatetraining.com to sign up for our classes today!

 By Christopher Maiorano

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Maiorano

Belts Galore! A Stock of Goodyear Belts at North Bay Truck Center

We have over a block long and three stories high! We carry a HUGE selection of high quality Goodyear belts for nearly every application out there and those we may not have, we can get very, very quickly in a matter of a few hours. Give North Bay Truck Center's Parts Department a call at 707-427-1313.