Last Updated: Apr 25, 2008 - 8:40:39 AM
Performance Center
by Patricia M. Laux
With diesel fuel running over $4 per gallon in many regions of the
country, the interest in (and demand for) auxiliary power units (APUs)
is increasing steadily. For example, sales of APUs grew nearly 100% in
2006 from the previous year, and demand for them continues to
accelerate. Industry sources estimate that somewhere between 18,000 and
25,000 of the units have already been sold. Popularity of the
fuel-saving devices will remain strong throughout 2008 and beyond.
Apr 1, 2008 - 9:12:03 AM
by Bruce Mallinson
Why do some things break on trucks? We just installed a Lipe Clutch in
an FLD120 Freightliner powered by an N-14 Cummins Engine. The Eaton
Clutch was installed 120,000 miles ago and the owner-operator drives
without using the clutch, except to start out. The Freightliner had
about 1.2 million miles on the odometer and the N-14 engine was rebuilt
some 600,000 miles ago. The engine ran great; however clutches just
would not live behind the stock 500 horsepower N-14.
Apr 1, 2008 - 7:24:06 AM
by Patricia M. Laux
Think about having a
paper road map unfolded on a surface in front of you, but with layers
and layers of transparent maps laid over it, with each layer adding
some new and specialized information to the basic main map at the
bottom. A good routing and mapping software program works a little like
that, except that all of the maps are digital and the “layers” can
provide both static and real-time information. Some systems can even
read the map for you and make decisions for you, if you choose.
Mar 1, 2008 - 7:25:41 AM
by Bruce Mallinson
At our diesel shop, it’s not uncommon to have more than 150 phone calls
per day from owner-operators, many of whom are having problems with
their engines. And when the problem is injectors failing the very next
question I ask is “Are you using Lucas Fuel Conditioner?”...
Feb 1, 2008 - 9:34:08 AM
by Patricia M. Laux
Retreads have long been popular in the trucking industry for a number
of very sensible reasons – price being a major one, but also
environmental benefits. Overall, the retread tire business seems to be
doing very well.
Feb 1, 2008 - 8:50:28 AM