Energy Efficiency at Facilities Brings Sizable Savings to Fleets, OEMs
Efficiency improvements and energy-reduction strategies at trucking facilities are saving fleets and original equipment manufacturers money and time. Even minor changes — such as conversion from older, high-intensity-discharge (HID) lights to skylights or to light-emitting diode (LED) lighting in offices and break rooms — result in lower electric bills, increased visibility and greater employee satisfaction, facility managers said.
June 17, 2016Gauging an Engine’s Life Expectancy Starts with B-Life Rating
Engine makers are providing customers a gauge to help them determine how dependable and durable an engine is supposed to be, called a B-life rating. It’s regarded as the industry standard for measuring the life expectancy of an engine, but the figures are sometimes misunderstood.
June 17, 2016New Engine Oils Coming in December
Two new types of engine oils are coming to market Dec. 1. The heavy-duty oil specification that has been used for nearly a decade will be replaced by CK-4 and FA-4, and this crucial development is one of the cover stories in this issue of Equipment & Maintenance Update.
June 17, 2016IRS Proposal Could Rewrite Rules on How Certain Equipment Is Taxed
Determination of whether a truck will be used for on- or off-highway duty is central to a proposal from the Internal Revenue Service that could rewrite the rules on how certain equipment is taxed.
June 17, 201648-Volt Electrical System Could Revolutionize Heavy-Duty Trucks
Industry exhibitions of trucking technology would not be the same without trucks showcasing components, systems and features intended to hit the road in the future. Some examples of future componentry come to market quickly, others never make it into production. Meanwhile, others represent demonstrations of technology that might be integrated into Class 8 trucks decades down the road.
June 17, 2016ACT Research, Rhein Associates Publish Engine Outlook Report
ACT Research Co. and Rhein Associates published the inaugural edition of a new cooperative venture, the North American On-highway Commercial Vehicle Engine Outlook .
June 17, 2016SAF-Holland Launches New Air Disc Brakes
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — SAF-Holland introduced new air disc brakes for trailers geared to commercial fleets in North America, with the base model at “a significantly lower price point than previous generation air disc brake systems.”
June 14, 2016How Bridgestone's CEO Learned When to Walk Away From a Deal
Late last year, Bridgestone Corp. CEO Masaaki Tsuya did something rare in Japanese business circles. He walked away from an escalating bidding war with Carl Icahn for the U.S. auto parts chain Pep Boys. Tsuya’s philosophical approach to deal-making comes from an unpleasant experience.
June 13, 2016FedEx, Bridgestone Settle 2014 Fatal Wyoming Crash Lawsuits
CHEYENNE, Wyoming — Federal lawsuits filed last year against Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations and FedEx Ground Package Systems Inc. in connection with a triple-fatal collision that happened here on Interstate 80 have settled out of court.
June 13, 2016Bridgestone Adds Interstate Batteries to Speedco’s Offerings
Bridgestone Americas Inc. has launched battery services nationwide at subsidiary Speedco, which provides on-highway preventive maintenance and tire service for the commercial trucking industry.
June 10, 2016