11/22/24
11/19/24
CONSTRUCTION – IT’S IN OUR BLOOD
A little dirt never hurt anyone. But a little dirt can destroy your engine. When the days are long and the season is short, you don’t have time for a breakdown. We have the filters where and when you need them. CONSTRUCTION – IT’S IN OUR BLOOD
11/16/24
Grote Industries LED Lighting Demo Truck - Big or small we do it all!
Grote Lighting - Available at North Bay Truck Center
11/13/24
Safety Tools Truck Drivers Need to Have
Truck drivers perform an important but dangerous work. Safety
then should always be a top priority whether on the road or loading and
unloading the boxes and crates they're required to deliver. The task
proves to be more tiresome particularly if the driver works alone with
no companion to help in the loading and unloading aspect.
In the U.S., trucks are among the vehicles that often get involved in road accidents. In 2000 alone, the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed that more than 450,000 big trucks encountered accidents.
Currently, there are approximately 3.5 million truck drivers in the U.S. handling different types and sizes of trucks. These people should have undergone the necessary CDL or commercial driver's license training that is one of the important qualifications considered by companies when hiring truck drivers.
Trucks need to have the right safety tools that will allow them to fix problems during their travel and navigation devices to guide them when locating their destination. For those who transport huge boxes, they also need to have the proper equipment such as levers for loading and unloading purposes.
GPS navigation device - This is a very important tool that helps drivers locate the place they're going to. With its small monitor, drivers will be able to view a map of their area of destination. There are also units that have voice features and tell drivers the streets they can take.
Vehicle backup camera - As it's hard to monitor a truck's blind spots, having a backup camera is very helpful. This is normally attached on the top part of the license plate and is connected to a monitor positioned on the dashboard or sun visor. With this tool, a driver can easily check what's behind the truck while backing up or moving along the highways before changing lanes or making turns. It's an affordable device that's a must today for all types of vehicles.
Jack and tire iron - You never know when you'll get a flat tire or your tires experience low pressure the reason why having a jack in your truck is very important. The CDL training course will teach you the right way of changing tires so this should not be a problem in case you encounter flat tires during your travel.
Tire chains - Also known as snow chains, these devices are meant to provide traction when you're driving through snow and ice. These are fitted in the drive wheels of the vehicle and are required by transportation authorities during snowy conditions. Usually, they are sold in pairs. When these are in place, you have also to reduce your speed to ensure the safety of your vehicle.
Other than these devices, a truck driver traveling on long hauls should also bring along water, food and extra clothing. There are times when you need to travel through desert areas or places wherein there are no restaurants along the highways so it's always best to be ready.
Getting your CDL training should provide you with the appropriate knowledge on truck driving safety and the tools you need to have while traveling. So never ignore its value for it will benefit you for the long term.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kalyan_Kumar
In the U.S., trucks are among the vehicles that often get involved in road accidents. In 2000 alone, the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed that more than 450,000 big trucks encountered accidents.
Currently, there are approximately 3.5 million truck drivers in the U.S. handling different types and sizes of trucks. These people should have undergone the necessary CDL or commercial driver's license training that is one of the important qualifications considered by companies when hiring truck drivers.
Trucks need to have the right safety tools that will allow them to fix problems during their travel and navigation devices to guide them when locating their destination. For those who transport huge boxes, they also need to have the proper equipment such as levers for loading and unloading purposes.
GPS navigation device - This is a very important tool that helps drivers locate the place they're going to. With its small monitor, drivers will be able to view a map of their area of destination. There are also units that have voice features and tell drivers the streets they can take.
Vehicle backup camera - As it's hard to monitor a truck's blind spots, having a backup camera is very helpful. This is normally attached on the top part of the license plate and is connected to a monitor positioned on the dashboard or sun visor. With this tool, a driver can easily check what's behind the truck while backing up or moving along the highways before changing lanes or making turns. It's an affordable device that's a must today for all types of vehicles.
Jack and tire iron - You never know when you'll get a flat tire or your tires experience low pressure the reason why having a jack in your truck is very important. The CDL training course will teach you the right way of changing tires so this should not be a problem in case you encounter flat tires during your travel.
Tire chains - Also known as snow chains, these devices are meant to provide traction when you're driving through snow and ice. These are fitted in the drive wheels of the vehicle and are required by transportation authorities during snowy conditions. Usually, they are sold in pairs. When these are in place, you have also to reduce your speed to ensure the safety of your vehicle.
Other than these devices, a truck driver traveling on long hauls should also bring along water, food and extra clothing. There are times when you need to travel through desert areas or places wherein there are no restaurants along the highways so it's always best to be ready.
Getting your CDL training should provide you with the appropriate knowledge on truck driving safety and the tools you need to have while traveling. So never ignore its value for it will benefit you for the long term.
11/10/24
Tips for Winter Truck Driving
Truck drivers should always listen to their CB while driving in winter conditions. Many other drivers will be able to tip off other drivers when the weather conditions worsen ahead. Also many companies offer weather updates at least once per day. It is very important to pay attention to the weather advisory while driving in winter conditions.
Another useful tip that experienced drivers offer is to take all ramps at least 5 miles per hour less than the posted signs. The posted limits on ramps are designed for standard conditions in automobiles. Anytime trucks are traveling in bad weather it is better be safe than sorry.
A good indicator of icy roads it to keep an eye on the back of the side view mirrors. When ice starts to build up on the back of the side view mirror it will most likely also be on the road ahead.
Always pay attention to oncoming traffic. If traffic heading in the direction that the driver is going has slowed down, or there is a minimal amount of trucks in oncoming traffic, it is a good indicator that weather conditions ahead have worsened.
Most importantly, drivers should always drive only in their comfort zone. The safety of a driver and the other drivers on the road is always more important than any load that needs to meet its destination. Anytime conditions worsen to a point that the driver is out of their comfort zone or skill level it is advised to shut down and resume driving only after conditions have improved.
Paul R Woodward
President
Bains & Woodward Insurance Services, Inc.
Tow Truck Insurance
Towing Insurance
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5747329
Photo by adrian on Unsplash
Photo by:
11/07/24
Peterbilt at the NTEA Work Truck Show | Explore the Future of Work Trucks!
11/04/24
TRUCK FACTORY: Mitsubishi Fuso Production
Mitsubishi Fuso Trucks Production
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) is an integral part of Daimler Truck AG, the commercial vehicles business of the Daimler Group. From its headquarters based in Kawasaki, Japan, MFTBC manufacturers trucks, buses, and industrial engines for over 170 markets around the world, offering products ranging from the iconic light-duty Canter truck to the heavy-duty Super Great. In recent years, MFTBC has served as a development center for electric and autonomous drive technologies within the larger Daimler Truck network. MFTBC also operates under the umbrella of Daimler Trucks Asia, together with its partner organization Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV). This strategic unit allows the entities to collaborate on areas such as product development, parts sourcing and production to provide the best value to customers.
0:00 Chassis assembly
2:43 Engine production
3:55 Engine installing
5:06 Cab installing
5:45 Quality control
/ automotivegarage
/ automotivegarage 
11/01/24
Safety Toolbox Talks : Safe Driving
Traffic accidents are the leading cause of on-the-job fatalities in America. About 40,000 people die in motor vehicle crashes each year. With the automobile fatality trends increasing, it’s important to understand the dangers of driving and how to safely commute to and from work each day.
10/29/24
I Check Out and DRIVE the 2026 Freightliner Cascadia: Here's Why This New Truck is a HUGE
Check out our new spot to find ALL our TFLstudios content, from news to videos and our podcasts! In this video, Andre checks out the brand-new, fifth-generation 2026 Freightliner Cascadia: America's most popular over-the-road semi-trailer truck and, by extension, a massive deal to the country's economy. Here's everything you need to know!
10/26/24
Towing Tips, Tools and Tech: A Ford Towing Video Guide | Ford
Towing Tips, Tools and Tech features over an hour of towing knowledge, plus advanced technology available on Ford trucks and SUVs that you can take advantage of. We cover everything you need to know from how to determine how much your vehicle can tow all the way up to the exciting features that add convenience to the towing experience, like Pro Trailer Backup Assist, Trailer Profiles, and more.
10/23/24
The NBTC / A&T "MOBILE" HEAVY DUTY TRUCK AND TRAILER ROAD SERVICE - 24/7
The A&T Fleet = READY TO ROLL
24-HOURS | 7-DAYS A WEEK EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE
WHO WE ARE
A&T "Mobile" Heavy Duty Truck and Trailer Road Service is a 24-hour, 7-days a week roadside mobile truck repair service for light and medium-duty to heavy duty commercial trucks and trailers. At A&T "Mobile" Truck Road Service we like to think of ourselves as the "Ambulance Service for Trucks." If your truck is broken down, we will come to you and perform the necessary triage to get you back on the road. Now includes towing, load adjustments, and more. Not only do we provide 24 Hour Emergency service, we could come out and do light mechanical work on site to our customer's fleet and avoid the truck having to come in the shop.
LOCATION
North Bay Truck Center
Home of A&T Road Service
1245 Illinois Street
Fairfield, CA 94533
PHONE & FAX
Direct: 707-427-1386
Office Fax: 707-427-1847
Shop Fax: 707-429-0885
10/20/24
Inspecting and Maintaining Tires Will Minimize Roadside Service Calls
It is well documented that the No. 1 cause of roadside service calls is tires. No wonder, there are 18 tires on a typical line-haul service vehicle, more tires than any other vehicle component. You can have the best vehicle maintenance program on the planet, but once that truck leaves the terminal, a number of tire issues can occur that can lead to a roadside service call.
Tread area punctures are the top cause of air loss. A tire failure depends on the size of the puncturing object, in combination with the specific penetration location. If that nail penetrates through one of the tread grooves, chances are higher the nail will break through the tire casing, causing air loss. Tires do not normally have a sudden air loss when a vehicle picks up a puncturing object; they lose air slowly. It may take a few days to lose enough air pressure where the tire sidewalls begin excessive flexing, which generates additional heat build-up.
The tire footprint becomes longer as the tire pressure is reduced, meaning more rubber on the road—which also leads to increased heat. Heat is a tire’s worst nightmare. When a tire continues to generate excessive heat, the rubber actually begins to chemically break down, which will lead to a tire failure. The fact that someone just checked all 18 tires at the morning vehicle walk-around has no bearing on picking a up a nail five minutes down the road.
Sidewall damage/snags are another cause of tire failure. Right side or curb side trailer tires are especially prone to sidewall issues. Vehicles that turn frequently in city driving have the highest incidence of tire sidewall damage. Driver education can play a major role in reducing trailer tire sidewall damage. Drivers who have been on the road for many years will have fewer trailer tire sidewall damage issues than a new driver.
When a vehicle is pulled over for a roadside inspection, tires are high up on the inspector’s checklist. Inspectors are looking for tires with tread depth below the minimum 4/32-in. for steers and 2/32-in. for drives, trailers and dollies. They also are looking for exposed belts and/or fabric along with flat tires. By definition, a tire is flat when the measured air pressure is 50% or less of the maximum tire pressure molded onto the tire sidewall.
If any of these tire conditions are present, the vehicle is flagged as being “out-of-service.” A roadside service call is the only solution for getting the truck up and running again.
There is no excuse for a fleet to have an inspector flag its vehicle as being out-of-service because of a tire-related issue. These types of tire conditions should have been caught during the daily vehicle walk-around. Drivers must be trained to visually inspect tires, take tread depths and even measure tire pressure. It sounds like it is routine, but it’s not. Working with your tire professional on a tires 101 training class will go a long way to reduce roadside service calls.
Visual tire inspections should include running a hand over the tread and sidewall to look for signs of irregular wear and punctures. If a tire is getting close to the legal tread depth, a tread depth gauge measurement is strongly suggested. Make sure to check that the tread depth gauge measures 0 on a flat. Don’t take a measurement at a treadwear indicator location or on top of one of those stone ejectors located at the bottom of many grooves. If you do, you could be off 2/32-in. or 3/32-in.
Measuring tire pressure using a calibrated pressure gauge is very critical. Air carries the load, and tires with low air pressure will lead to excessive heat and premature tire removals. Tire gauges are simple devices, but will quickly lose accuracy. Even a new stick gauge is only accurate to +/-3 PSI brand new, out of the box.
A serious tire program, which includes comprehensive driver training regarding tires, will go a long way in reducing-tire related roadside service calls.
Learn more at: http://www.fleetequipmentmag.com/reducing-tire-related-roadside-service-calls/
10/18/24
Cognitive Distraction
10/15/24
Take a close look at a heavy Wrecker Truck
Before continuing work on my class 8 wrecker model project I thought I would get some good pictures of a real wrecker, especially the business end.
10/12/24
Most Reliable 2023 Full-Size Trucks Ranked by Consumer Reports, CarComplaints
ooking for a new 2023 full-size truck? Want to know which one is the most reliable 2023 full-size truck? Publisher Tim Esterdahl puts together a list from Consumer Reports and then shows more results from CarComplaints.com. If you are wanting a truck to last for years, this is the video for you.
10/09/24
WINTERIZING YOUR WORK TRUCK
Winter weather can wreak havoc on work trucks if they are not properly prepared to handle the conditions. Sub-zero temperatures, substantial snowfall, and icy roads are normal operating environments for many throughout the winter months. Regardless of the weather, the work must go on.
Use this checklist to help you prepare your work truck for the winter season.
ANTIFREEZE
A 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water is typically fine for three months out of the year (spring, summer, fall) for most. Come winter, many need to consider a higher concentrated mix of antifreeze to water. The lower the temperate, the more concentrated it should be. Always check temperature ratings on the container of the antifreeze and never exceed a 70/30 antifreeze to water concentration.
BATTERY
Batteries are put through the greatest operating strain during consistent cold temperatures. Due to this, batteries tend to fail more often in winter months potentially leaving you stranded. Regularly check battery cables to ensure they are securely connected and clean any corrosion from the terminals. To prevent battery failure during winter, perform a voltage test during the fall. If the battery reads at the lower end of acceptable voltage, be preventative and replace it.
TIRES
Snowy and icy roads can be difficult to safely navigate. Tires that are worn or improperly inflated can compound this safety issue and increase the risk of an accident. Ensure your tires have ample tread, 4/32″ or more. Cold temperatures can also lower tire pressure, so regularly read your tire pressure to avoid under-inflation. If your area receives heavy snowfall and ice, consider investing in tire chains to increase traction.
WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Windshield washer fluid is often overlooked during the winterizing process. Since you utilize your windshield washer fluid much more often in winter, you need to ensure the fluid is rated to withstand the temperatures in your area. Many times, the fluid freezes and the issue is not discovered until your windshield needs cleaned while you are driving down the road with drastically reduced visibility, an accident waiting to happen.
ENGINE OIL
Much like antifreeze, most common engine oils perform great during the spring, summer and fall. As cold temperature descend during winter, your standard 15W or 10W oil struggles to properly flow. As fall arrives, plan on switching out your normal engine oil with 5W (or even 0W oil for extremely cold conditions) to ensure your engine receives the proper lubrication throughout the winter.
ENGINE/OIL HEATERS
When you park your work truck overnight and the temperatures drop, your engine and oil temperature do too. Many work trucks operating in Northern climates have block or oil pan heaters installed, either as a factory option or add-on accessory. Be sure to plug in these components overnight during cold temperatures to ensure your engine has an easier time starting in the morning.
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE
Four wheel drive is a necessity in regions that receive heavy snowfall. Getting stuck on a jobsite can present a safety concern and decreases productivity. Before your next snow, test your four wheel drive system to ensure the differentials, hubs, bearings and other components are in top working condition.
PAINT & FINISH
Today’s work trucks receive top-notch corrosion protection with the paint and undercoating. During winter, harmful salt and chemicals are deployed to the roads in attempt to melt snow and ice. These road treatments eventually find their way to your work truck, expediting the corrosion and rust process if not addressed. Regularly wash your work truck during winter months, including the undercarriage to prevent build-up of salt and chemicals.
COLD WEATHER KIT
A cold weather kit can be a lifesaver in the event that you get your work truck stuck and help cannot come immediately. In your cold weather kit you should pack a thermal blanket, flashlight with additional batteries, matches, bottled water, jumper cables or a jump box, windshield scraper and brush, tow straps or chains, and roadside flares.
Source: https://www.knapheide.com/blog/winterizing-your-work-truck
10/06/24
Hydraulic Lines Galore at North Bay Truck Center!
We have thousands of Hydraulic Fittings and Hoses in stock at North Bay Truck Center. We can make up hose lines for virtually any requirement.
NORTH BAY TRUCK CENTER
Home of:
A&T Road Service
1245 Illinois Street
Fairfield, CA 94533707-427-1386
1245 Illinois Street
Fairfield, CA 94533707-427-1386
http://www.northbaytruckcenter.com
10/03/24
Take a close look at a heavy Wrecker Truck
Before continuing work on my class 8 wrecker model project I thought I would get some good pictures of a real wrecker, especially the business end.
9/30/24
F-150 Lightning® Truck: How to Use the Public Charging App | Ford Pro
Learn to use the F-150 Lightning® truck in-vehicle public charging app to help you find and access nearby public chargers.
9/27/24
A Complete Line Of Grote Lighting and Electrical Products at North Bay Truck Center
North Bay Truck Center stocks the entire line of Grote lighting and electrical products to take care of any need our truck customers might have. Whether it is for light duty trucks all the way to class 8 heavy haulers, North Bay Truck Center in Fairfield CA has the inventory and expertise to get the job done effectively and quickly.
See more at http://www.northbaytruckcenter.com
9/24/24
Why Do We Keep Adding Gears to Trucks
Over the past 80 years, truck manufacturers have consistently increased the number of gears in trucks. In the 1940s, trucks usually had between 3 and 5 gears, whereas modern trucks can now have up to 18 gears
But why add all the gears, and what are the advantages and disadvantages?
Today, we're diving into the details to uncover what types of gears trucks are currently using and whether we'll keep adding gears in the future. Stick around till the end to find out!
But before we do that, let's rewind and explore the early days of trucks and their transmissions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)