As trucks get more complex, so does fleet maintenance

Technicians are turning to new tools and technologies to overcome these challenges and reaping dividends through predictive maintenance and less vehicle downtime. 

The growing complexity of modern trucks is driving changes at maintenance shops and for the workers who have to navigate this increasingly digital world.

“Electronics allow vehicles to have a better conversation with technicians than ever before,” said Kristy LaPage, business manager of the commercial vehicle group at Mitchell 1. “In the transition from mechanical to electronic control systems, there has also been a shift from technicians to diagnosticians. Vehicle electronics are the source of information that can become actionable, so shop solutions are evolving with this change.”

“The digital shop is not only changing inspection and maintenance practices,” said Jeff Sweet, solutions engineer at Decisiv, a provider of a service relationship management (SRM) platform. “Advancements in sensors and monitoring continue to improve fault condition filtering and help prioritize work based on fault severity.”

Photo: Noregon

A solution that simultaneously diagnoses all components is now essential as an intake tool for technicians.

Also constantly under development are the tools technicians need to service advanced electronic systems.

“A solution that simultaneously diagnoses all components is now essential as an intake tool,” stated Tim Bigwood, CEO at Noregon Systems, a provider of JPRO commercial vehicle diagnostic and monitoring solutions. “And those tools have evolved because while previously there were limited fault trees to consider based on symptoms, today’s vehicles are more complex, so the aid of a diagnostic and repair solution is a necessity.”

The increase in electronics on vehicles is allowing for real-time access to the equipment’s operating conditions and fault data, noted Renaldo Adler, industrial principal, asset maintenance, at Trimble Transportation Enterprise.

“Fleets now have access to a vast amount of diagnostic data needed to repair assets faster,” he said. “Inspections can also be improved with the use of electronic diagnostic tools, which analyze the equipment’s condition and any active faults, so maintenance departments are able to be proactive.”
Remote diagnostics

All of the original equipment manufacturers offer systems on their new trucks that provide diagnostic data. These sensor-based and telematics-driven solutions can improve maintenance efficiency and vehicle uptime.

Kenworth dealers, for example, use diagnostic data from TruckTech+ Remote Diagnostics.

“We have found it can cut the time a unit is in our shop by 30%,” said Josh Hayes, branch manager at NorCal Kenworth – San Leandro. “We’ve also found that among trucks with TruckTech+ Remote Diagnostics, we’re seeing about a 15% reduction in the number of trucks that must be towed because remote diagnostics allow us to monitor fault codes and diagnose issues to determine if a truck can be driven into the shop.”

Photo: Mack Trucks

For OEMs, part of the value of remote diagnostics systems is that the vehicle is effectively reporting its own status.

Sanjiv Khurana, general manager of digital vehicle solutions at Daimler Trucks North America, said with the Detroit “virtual technician” system, maintenance managers get real-time alerts and a plan for critical faults. When the truck arrives at the service location, the diagnostic information and fault history allow the technician to get a jump-start on the repair process.

At Peterbilt, SmartLinq remote diagnostics have been integrated with reasoning engine technology to enable more precise diagnostic information, fault code collection, and enhanced analysis by linking cascading faults.

Volvo, Mack, and Navistar also offer their own systems, aimed at reducing downtime and allowing for over-the-air software updates.

“With the increase in electronics on commercial vehicles, fleets have a better understanding of vehicle health,” said Brian Mulshine, director of customer experience for Navistar’s OnCommand Connection.

In short, the value in all of these remote diagnostics systems is that the vehicle is effectively reporting its own status to a maintenance operation.

“The key for truck fleets is to apply electronics to enable a proactive system that adds value and not cost,” said Wally Stegall, technical fellow, director at Morey Corp.

Robert Braswell, executive director of the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC), noted that greater vehicle complexity makes preventive maintenance more of a challenge. “Until enough fleet data in the field is gathered, it makes it more difficult to optimize service and inspection schedules for new electronic systems,” he explained. “But increasing complexity can bring with it sensor-based maintenance strategies that can help with self-diagnostics.”

Source: https://www.fleetowner.com/maintenance/trucks-get-more-complex-so-does-fleet-maintenance?NL=FO-02&Issue=FO-02_20190321_FO-02_446&sfvc4enews=42&cl=article_1_b&utm_rid=CPENT000004488230&utm_campaign=23847&utm_medium=email&elq2=5bd8750c9eba4791abe0019c109758f6

Why spring cleaning is not merely a household task: your fleet will be thankful

It seems, on the calendar at least, that spring 2019 will soon be here. And, as often happens, the longer the days become, the more prone we feel to change, to renew habits and to get started with the annual ritual of spring-cleaning.

It might seem to you that this task is just a household tradition with origins in a long forgotten religious custom, but the general idea can still be applied to fleet management. With this post we want you to consider spring cleaning from the fleet manager’s perspective and we’d also like to offer you a few ideas along those lines—this is the perfect opportunity to tackle aspects of your fleet that might require a bit of sprucing-up...

#1 – Spring-cleaning (literally). You probably have a process already in place whereby you have your vehicles washed and cleaned on a regular basis, though in winter they are more likely to suffer from the weather. A clean vehicle runs better, is treated better, and represents your company image better. If you haven’t done so, organize a plan to get all of your vehicles thoroughly cleaned with the help of your team. Have them check also that nothing unnecessary is stored inside the vehicle as it does not just demonstrate untidiness, but can become a hazard when the vehicle is driven.

#2 – Tidying up. Take advantage of the spring-cleaning spirit to tackle any small repair that might be needed. If there is any small thing that needs to be tidied up in the depot or in your workshop or office, then now is the time to address it. You might even find some Marie Kondo-like inspiration is good for your business in general. We don’t want to be too obsessive, but when you have a tidy, clean space, your mind functions better. When we say small repair... we are not actually referring to your vehicles, as you should already have some sort of process for regular checks that shouldn’t ignore a defect, even if minimal, for the purposes of safety and compliance.

#3 – Paperwork and spring-cleaning. This is slightly off the general theme but still related to spring-cleaning. If you are among those who rely on paper-based vehicle checks, we are not about to tell you to throw them away—you should always keep records safe for compliance purposes—but why not have a look at different methods than those which simply attract dust or use up too much physical space? If you are stuck with an ever-growing pile of paperwork, then the time has probably come to consider digital walk-around checks, and you are more than welcome to give our trial program a go.

#4 – The spring-cleaning attitude. There is nothing as dangerous as claiming that just because you have always done things in a certain way, you should continue to do so. If you want to expand your business, you should welcome innovation and outside-the-box thinking. If you are looking into new ways of doing things but have never been brave enough, or told yourself you never had the time to look into alternative methods, why not take this opportunity to tap into the very spirit of spring-cleaning by clearing out some of the stale old practices holding your business back. And if you need any pointers, we are more than happy to help.

 Source: https://www.transpoco.com/blog/why-spring-cleaning-is-not-merely-a-household-task-your-fleet-will-be-thankful?utm_campaign=SynX%20Blog&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=70863457&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_hFRvpkZb73F6c-u-yAr2xcsEatBWfRJuoDQtJtyWAbYSUQLfxdgPeLCvCaaXDggtX8DpU4ayaHwfLy0Om2aKSYVqe0Q&_hsmi=70863457

North Bay Truck Center Van Dispatched For Onsite Repairs

Northbay Truck Center, centrally located in Fairfield CA can come to your site on the road or in your yard to take care of many repairs. Our vans are equipped with a knowledgable mechanic, a full complement of tools, and many common parts for quick roadside repairs. North Bay Truck Center also has a vast inventory of truck parts and can even make custom hoses, and many exhaust parts. See more at https://northbaytruckcenter.com

Signs of truck tire wear: What to look for and what to do next

Managing your tire program requires looking for signs of wear or damage and properly maintaining your vehicle to help avoid issues so you get the maximum return on your investment. The development of irregular tire wear is very common on trucks of all types. Some of the common causes include alignment issues, under-inflation, overloading, suspension system issues, hub and drum non-uniformity or run out, anti-lock braking system malfunctions and improper installation.

Visual tire inspections are also very important. Drivers should look for damage to a tire’s tread and sidewall area. Tires with bulges or cuts in the sidewall should be carefully inspected and even taken out of service if necessary. Tires used in delivery or urban settings with curbs and other potential obstacles should be carefully inspected each day.

Be certain to look at the inside dual tire and between duals for rocks and other debris that can cause trouble. It is also important to inspect tires regularly for signs of uneven wear. Check for cupping or other uneven wear by running your hand over the tread and look for uneven wear on the tire edges. Edge wear and lower tread in the center of the tire can be signs of under- or over-inflation.

Cooper Tire recommends that tires are serviced by qualified and properly trained service personnel who can identify tire issues that indicate the need to remove them from service. A key resource is TMC Radial Tire Conditions Analysis Guide, a comprehensive guide which identifies more than 100 wear conditions and out-of-service conditions and indicates the necessary actions needed. This includes when to remove a tire from service and when it can be repaired. It also includes photos and causes of different types of irregular wear, which are categorized by steer, drive and trailer positions.

Steer tires, especially in long-haul service where the rate of wear is low, tend to be susceptible to river wear or erosion wear, a wavy channel along rib edges followed by major tread voids. This wear is circumferential, meaning that it starts at the edges of ribs and gradually progresses all the way around the tire on the sides of the tread ribs. Another common issue on steer tires is accelerated shoulder wear. This may be the result of too much or too little toe-in setting.


On drive tires, the most common type of irregular wear is heel/toe wear, which causes the lugs to develop a saw-tooth pattern. This tends to be most pronounced in high torque applications. In addition, drive tires in long haul applications may also develop fast wear on the inboard shoulder which can lead to earlier removal than might have been necessary otherwise. Rotating tires among the drive positions can help to minimize the effect. Another issue to be aware of is fast center wear, which can be a sign that tires are over-inflated for the load they are carrying.

SOURCE: https://www.fleetequipmentmag.com/truck-tire-wear-what-to-look-for-do-next/?eid=341566122&bid=2392091

Regular Maintenance From Len Dubois Trucking - Pretrip Trucks

Devon, the Len Dubois Trucking Maintenance Manager, show us an inspection that every truck is put through when it returns home. Regular maintenance and well maintained equipment is important for our professional operation.

 If you have any questions contact us at http://lenduboistrucking.com. Find us online at http://lenduboistrucking.com, subscribe to Len Dubois Trucking`s

Check and Replace Hydraulic Hose at North Bay Truck Center

 

Hydraulic hose must match the highest pressure of the pump output. Hoses usually have a burst rating of 4 times the operating pressure. Look at the failed hose to make sure the replacement hose will match the hydraulic flow circuit pressure ratings. Don’t accept a wrong type of hydraulic hose; it may fail again in the future.

North Bay Truck Center has an extensive Parts Department. We carry most parts for Series 5-8 Class Commercial Trucks, including Peterbuilt, Western Star, Kenworth, International, GMC, Ford, Volvo, Mack, Sterling, Isuzu, and Mitsubishi.

We carry just about every hydraulic hose and fittings. We can properly assemble, size, type or length of hose. If we don't carry it, we can get it very quickly and get your truck back on the road. If you would like more information on pricing, please contact us.

To find out more, you may call North Bay Truck Center at 707-427-1386.

Also find us at http://www.northbaytruckcenter.com

TruckScience Axle Weight Calculator

Use the TruckScience Axle Weight Calculator to calculate axle weights, turning radius and center of gravity of a truck, with body, equipment and payload.

EVIR® Electronic Verified Inspection Reporting

Tag, inspect and transmit - it’s that simple

TAG – Data-encoded RFID tags are placed in each inspection zone of a vehicle or asset. In a commercial trucking environment, for example, tags are placed in inspection zones that adhere to DOT compliance requirements for pre- and post-trip inspections. Many school districts place tags at the back of a bus to ensure that drivers perform their end-of-shift check for students.

INSPECT – The individual performing the inspection must physically scan each tag on the vehicle. The tablet device must be within two inches of the point of inspection, which helps to verify that a check was performed and the vehicle is up to operating standards. EVIR acts as an electronic, verifiable log to prove that inspections are being performed accurately and consistently.

TRANSMIT – Defects or vehicle damage can be captured with Zonar's tablet device. Equipped with a 5 mega-pixel camera, drivers can easily transmit photos to give maintenance a heads-up as to what they are seeing. After the tablet is docked inside the vehicle, the inspection data is seamlessly transferred back to Zonar's web-based application, Ground Traffic Control®. Fleet managers and maintenance personnel have immediate access to the inspection data from the field, helping them to prioritize and schedule repairs.

Not just for vehicles

The EVIR system is as flexible as our customers' unique needs. While most commonly used to verify the pre- and post-trip inspection process for fleets across all industries, EVIR use spans to wherever there's a need to verify a process is being followed.

A complete solution provider

Zonar offers a full suite of smart fleet technology solutions that improve safety, decrease downtime of vehicles, reduce fuel costs, coach driver performance, and streamline back-office reporting.

Unparalleled customer service

From onboarding to installation, our U.S.-based Customer Care team makes sure that you’re set up for success. There’s a reason more than 99 percent of our customers that choose to do business with us, stay with us. More than 30 percent of our company is devoted to after-sale support, which means you can always reach a live Zonar employee—24/7/365.

Learn more at: http://zonarsystems.com/solutions/evir-electronic-verified-inspection-reporting/

North Bay Truck Center - Your RV Repair Shop.

Finding a competent RV service and repair center is not easy. You want a shop with competent technicians and where the charges will be reasonable. 

North Bay Truck Center offers motorhome repair service and employs competent technicians with years of experience in RV repair and maintenance. We are a Camper or RV service center that is customer service oriented with a courteous and reliable staff.

We can repair RV components such as electrical systems, plumbing, air conditioning, batteries and generators and other parts of the RV. We can handle exterior and interior repairs; inside and outside walls, roofing, window frames, sheet metal replacements and other essential work that needs to be done.

We treat all customers with personalized attention and patience. Bring your RV to North Bay Truck Center – it will be in competent hands!

To find out more, you may call North Bay Truck Center at 707-427-1386.

Also find us at http://www.northbaytruckcenter.com

How To: Prevent the Most Common RV Breakdowns

 

RVs are fun, no doubt about it. But if things go wrong, that fun can be very short-lived and very expensive. Industry stats say that 3 out of every 10 RVs will need some type of major repair by only their second year, and nearly every RV will by their 8th. We’ve compiled a list of the most common RV mishaps and misfortunes, and the best ways to avoid and/or repair them.


Engine Troubles
Engine concerns are the most common RV repair calls. However, most inoperable engines aren’t due to some catastrophic failure. It’s the minor issues that often lead to major ones. An incompatible coolant, a filter that needs to be changed, and improper fuel are the roots of most chassis problems. Be sure to know your vehicle, and give it what it needs.

Dead Batteries
Batteries need to be well-maintained, even new ones. If you’re parked in storage or at an RV park, you’ve got to charge the engine battery every 7-10 days (running the engine for an hour should do the trick). The house battery should charge automatically when the RV is plugged into shore power, so if you’re having power problems at a campground, question the reliability of the shore power connection.

Overloading the Electrical AC 110-Volt
RVs are made to operate harmoniously with the appliances they house. You should be careful about adding items that draw a lot of amp like hair dryers, blenders and coffee makers. The roof air conditioner probably is the largest power consumer, so before cranking the AC, turn off other appliances, or risk tripping a circuit breaker.

Tire Blowouts
It’s understandable that tires would give out after all the wear and tear from the road, especially if they haven’t been properly cared for.  To repair or replace blown tires, it can cost you anywhere from $1,000 to $25,000, and unfortunately, RV insurance usually only covers the resulting damage, not the cost of tires. To prevent a tire blowout, give your tires some extra TLC—after all, they are the only parts of your vehicle that actually hit the road.  Inspect your tires every time you get gas and before any long trip.  Look for even wear, proper tire pressure, and any punctures that may be the catalyst for a blowout.

Exterior Damage
Tree branches, bridges, signage, and any number of protruding objects can cause damage to the roof and exterior of your RV. The best way to avoid exterior damage is to be conscious of your size and slow down when you come upon any possibly damaging obstacles. Your RV roof is constantly taking wear from the hot sun, low hanging branches, and even the odd hailstorm, so it’s important to clean and maintain it regularly to avoid preventable water leaks. Remember that RV insurance nearly never covers damage due to owner neglect, so be a proactive owner.

Cure-All Fix
The best way to avoid and prevent RV issues is to know your vehicle inside and out. You should make inspections regularly, be aware of your surroundings, and pay attention to warning signs. Follow these guidelines, and you’ll be a happy camper!

 Source: https://www.roverpass.com/blog/how-to-prevent-the-most-common-rv-breakdowns/