Tag: maintenance: Page 4

Business

Small fleet growth isn’t limited to adding trucks

Small trucking fleets do not have to have more trucks in order to grow as a fleet. They can grow in other ways. See how right here on Overdrive Online.

February 27, 2019

Business

Peterbilt names Dealer of the Year

Peterbilt recently honored and recognized its Dealer of the Year, The Peterbilt Store network, which operates operates 16 truck sales and service locations.

February 26, 2019

Truck Stops

Love’s expands maintenance offerings with seven new Speedco locations

Each Speedco offers 24-hour tire, lube and mechanical services for truckers. These locations are part of Love’s more than 350 service centers. More here.

February 7, 2019

Overdrive Radio

Local/regional fuel hauling and the winter volume boost, cost tradeoffs and more

This week’s Overdrive Radio podcast features small fleet owner Dave Marti of Forrest, Ill., with six power units leased to Transport Services of Sullivan, Ill., hauling fuel in the region around his home base, and a newly built six-bay shop. Balancing the volume/cost tradeoffs is one of the many calculations the owner’s learned to make over his years in business.

February 1, 2019

Business

Remote technicians for diesel maintenance

For those who utilize this “Virtual Diesel Technician” program, unlimited access to Diesel Laptops’ certified, in-house technicians is the upside. They’re available via phone and live chat and can both remote-access an owner or shop’s diagnostic tools and video-stream through their mobile device to see exactly what they’re looking at.

January 30, 2019

Channel 19

Zach Beadle’s ‘donor’ cabover Peterbilt — a 1976 model only 7 numbers of separation from his daily driver

“I’ve already put to use the air cleaner can, transmission and numerous other parts. I now have the luxury of refurbishing parts to like-new status before I use them, and also I have the time cushion to do these things before I’m in a bind to need them.” –Zach Beadle on a 1976 cabover Pete identical to his daily driver he purchased last year for parts.

January 28, 2019

Voices

Mobility pays off on the road: Owner-op’s trailer-mounted two-wheeled personal transport

Using a 500-lb. pedestal-mount crane and winch mouted behind his sleeper for load and unload, owner-operator Kenny Capell devised a way to mount a relatively lightweight on-/off-road motorcycle to the front of his van trailer on a platform. His bike: a lightweight 2009 Honda CRF250M.

January 23, 2019

Voices

POLL: What is the most difficult aspect of growing beyond a single truck as an owner-op?

Small fleet owners and those in the midst of an expansion plan beyond a single truck: Which of these areas — finding dependable drivers, dealing with more maintenance, equipment investment, insurance, administrative burdens and more — has proved the most difficult for you in growing the operation?

January 21, 2019

Overdrive Radio

Growing pains of small trucking: Midnight Xpress on blown motors, hiring mistakes and more

In the half-year since we first talked with Midnight Xpress co-owner Andre Jackson for the Overdrive Radio podcast, small fleet expansion plans continue to be implemented, though they’ve shifted with a breakdown of the first truck Jackson and partners added, among other issues — including hiring mistakes made.

January 18, 2019

Voices

Grease distribution: Easy, neat and quick

The first in Overdrive’s new monthly “Highway hacks” series details owner-operator and 50-year trucking vet Gordon Alkire’s system of hoses and aluminum blocks engineered with guidance from a fellow trucker more than a half-decade ago to keep his back off the ground — and his history free of citations for excess grease.

January 8, 2019

Channel 19

Roundup: ‘Santa’s Secret Helpers’ uncovered, ‘Night before Christmas’ two days late, and extended drains: Who do you use for oil analysis?

Trucking’s biggest media fan, Robb Mariani, confirms the ‘Secret Santa Force’ rolls on 18, Sierra Sugar’s contribution to the truck-stop ‘Night Before Christmas’ canon, and a reader asks: Who do you use for oil analysis? And why?

December 26, 2018

Equipment

Forgotten fluids: Don’t neglect lonely lube points

With more than 40 lube points on a commercial truck chassis, each with different requirements, that’s a lot of lubing to be done. It’s also a lot of potential parts damage if some of those points get overlooked.

October 22, 2018