UPCOMING EVENTS NOT TO MISS
Debora Babin Katz, TrucBrush Corporation, is a guest speaker at the New Hampshire Motor Transport Association (NHMTA)’s Winter Conference taking place at The Reach Resort in Key West, Florida, February 21-24, 2016. Katz will be giving an overview of how TrucBrush, a patented, mobile brush device, quickly and effectively clears snow from truck and trailer rooftops. Katz will also be available at the American Trucking Association’s 2016 TMC Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition, Booth #733, from February 29 through March 3 at Music City Center, Nashville, Tennessee, to answer questions on this innovative product that addresses the issue of accumulated snow on fleet rooftops.
www.trucbrush.com
MASTER DEBATERS ASK THE QUESTION: IS GPS ACTUALLY BENEFICIAL TO FLEETS?
Technological advancements can be as scary—think Skynet—as they are beneficial. But, how beneficial is GPS tracking to fleet management, actually? Since its introduction, GPS tracking has come up against fears of employee pushback, budget concerns, the fear of accumulating data with no idea how to use it, etc. If you talk to someone at a company using GPS tracking, however, you may find that the technology leads to increased productivity, efficiency, and safety and reduced costs. As with any investment, it’s best to determine the need, benefits, and any potential cons. GPS Insight—a top technology provider of GPS fleet tracking software for businesses with mobile assets—uses the GPS Insight Fleet & Asset Tracking Solution. With this solution, companies realize a significant increase in efficiency and gain insight into all aspects of their fleet operations. While this may initially have a “Big Brother” effect for employees—whose fears can be resolved through proper coaching—the solution is a significant benefit to fleet managers. GPS Insight provides highly flexible solutions, which include a wide range of customized reports, alerts, and other innovative features that can be tailored to meet specific customer requirements and ensure maximum ROI. While the debate is real, the benefits of GPS tracking speak loud and clear via hard data.
www.gpsinsight.com
CUMMINS DELIVERS SINGLE MODULE™ INNOVATION FOR THE 4- to 9-LITER ENGINE RANGE
Cummins Emission Solutions, a segment of the Components Business at Cummins Inc., announces the use of the Single Module for midrange engine customers looking to meet Stage V emissions regulations. This innovation delivers an after treatment solution that offers up to a 30 percent weight reduction and up to a 50 percent size reduction. The single-cylinder design of the Single Module is enabled by advanced catalyst technologies, offering improved PM and NOx reduction capabilities. The Single Module product platform is adaptable for different customer applications. Various length options give the customer the opportunity to select the right after treatment system sized appropriately for their engine output needs. Cummins Emission Solutions continues to develop flexible Single Module products to fit into more challenging space claims.
www.cumminsemissionsolutions.com
GOOD NEWS FOR DIESEL CONSUMERS
In late January, the Department of Energy reported that retail diesel prices in the US dropped again—for the 11th consecutive week—averaging $2.071. Two US regions—the Gulf Coast region and the Midwest—actually saw prices drop below $2 per gallon. Diesel fuel is now 79.5 cents per gallon cheaper than a year ago, while remaining the lowest it has been since March 2009. While diesel prices dropped throughout the US, the Gulf Coast region saw the most significant decrease—5.7 cents. It’s not only diesel users catching a break; however, as average retail price for gasoline dropped to $1.856—down 5.8 cents from mid-January and an impressive 18.8 cents cheaper than this time last year. Cheaper fuel prices could mean less demand for alternative fuels, including LPG, CNG, hybrid electric, and fully electric. Time will tell if diesel and gasoline prices will stabilize or continue to drop.
LIFTING GEAR HIRE INTRODUCES OVERHAUL BALLS TO SUPPLY DOWNHAUL WEIGHT
Lifting Gear Hire (LGH) has recently added a new item to its inventory of lifting, rigging, pulling, and jacking equipment—Overhaul Balls. These heavy steel balls provide ballast on the hook end of a crane hoist rope. Overhauls supply the downhaul weight needed to counter bearing friction and winch-to-boom line weight. You can also use the balls in lieu of a winch, depending on what best suits your application. Spilt Overhaul Balls are made up of two cast iron halves that clamp to the line using bolts. Overhaul Balls—sometimes referred to as Headache Balls—are available to rent from LGH’s warehouses. Manufactured by Crosby in two distinct diameters—7.12 inches and 9.19 inches with weights of 50 and 100 lbs, respectively—Overhaul Balls are also offered by Gunnebo Johnson and available in 9.5 inches and 11.25 inches with weights of 89 and 154 lbs, respectively. LGH—Puts Safety First.
www.lgh-usa.com
NUMBERS DON’T LIE
According to the latest State of the Industry report—recently released by ACT Research Co.—December saw 28,150 net Class 8 orders and 22,450 net Class 5-7 orders. Steve Tam, VP, ACT Commercial Vehicle Sector, notes that the Class 8 commercial vehicle market finished 2015 with a bang. He also pointed out that 2016 is expected to be a different situation, saying, “Faced with excess freight hauling capacity and slowing freight growth, freight rates have softened to the point where many truckers are now taking a wait-and-see approach before committing to more new equipment.” As for medium-duty, Tam says, “Class 5 build and sales were the highlights of 2015, setting a record for the best year, ever. Class 6-7, on the other hand, failed to register in the top 10, with 2015 arriving in 13th place. The Class 5-7 market closed 2015 on a high note, with orders up more than 4 percent compared to 2014.”
TEREX UTILITIES’ NEW INSTALLATION STANDARDS DELIVER SPECS AT A REASONABLE COST
To help fleet managers balance equipment value with user requirements, Terex has developed a new process to assist customers with spec’ing utility trucks—including aerial devices and digger derricks—that complies with bid specs, costs less to purchase, and takes less time to produce. By working hand-in-hand with fleet managers and equipment design teams, Terex continues to offer customers the utility equipment they need—outfitted how their users want—while helping them to realize cost savings and take advantage of reduced lead times. “Over the years, work practices and requirements have been adopted, adapted, and evolved to the point where many of today’s utility truck fleets have become extremely customized,” says Terex Utilities director of marketing, Joe Caywood. “Utility trucks developed in our new installation standards process still meet all our customers’ required configurations. This translates to more competitive sales prices and shorter equipment lead times for our customers—and Terex continues to deliver the same high-quality, productive utility equipment we’re known for.”
www.terex.com/utilities/en
NORTH CAROLINA MOVING COMPANY USES WRAPPED TRUCK TO CHALLENGE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
A+ Moving and Storage of Fayetteville, North Carolina, has wrapped one of its moving trucks with information about the hunger-relief organization, Move For Hunger. This move is an attempt to encourage the community to donate unwanted food when they move to help feed community members in need. As a partner of Move For Hunger, a national non-profit organization, A+ Moving and Storage offers to pick up unopened, non-perishable food items from its customers to distribute to local food banks in need. To date, A+ Moving and Storage has delivered more than 7,000 lbs of food to their local food pantry, the Fayetteville Urban Ministry—providing more than 5,800 meals to individuals in need. Through the generous support of partners like A+ Moving and Storage, Move For Hunger is able to continue to help the nearly 50 million Americans struggling to find their next meal.
www.moveforhunger.org
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MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS: FEBRUARY 2016 ISSUE
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