Day: December 30, 2017

Owner/Operators Brace Themselves for New Hours of Service Regulations

New Regulations to Pass
New Regulations to Pass

For many drivers and distribution firms, technology makes it easier to comply with Hours of Service (HOS) regulations while operating more efficiently and safely. A driver using an electronic logging device can signal his/her ETA to the next stop, where the crew can use semi trailer movers in the shunt yard to clear dock space or prep the next load. Everybody keeps moving, and regulatory compliance is taken care of automatically.

On the other hand, some owner-operators and small fleets struggle with rigid HOS rules and don’t want to be forced to buy ELDs. They’re putting up a last-minute fight.

Congress has been hearing from truckers and industry groups asking for changes to the FMCSA regulations, including the upcoming ELD mandate. Among the hot-button issues:

– Some owner-operators feel that HOS regs force them to drive less safely

– ELDs reduce paperwork but may not bring significant savings

– Certain industries like concrete mixing have short drives followed by on-site work, and currently ELDs do not reflect actual driving time accurately

Semi Trailer Movers Can Help HOS Compliance

While adjustments may yet be made, ultimately the trucking industry must grapple with the new HOS mandates. Efficiency at warehouse yards can be found and will save time for drivers feeling pinched by the clock.

DJ Products developed the TrailerCaddy Electric Yard Dog so that even non-CDL staff can safely move trailers in and out of docks. These forward-facing, battery-powered semi trailer movers offer precise steering and open sight lines for exceptional safety and quick work.

Whether you’re managing a small fleet or a large warehouse, semi trailer movers from DJ Products offer real value for the investment, even boosting profitability with tight driver hours in effect. Explore the TrailerCaddy terminal tractor to learn more.

ELD Enforcement – Some Have Until April 2018 to Be Compliant

ELD's will be enforced in the coming year.
ELD’s will be enforced in the coming year.

On December 18, 2017, the new electronic logging device (ELD) mandate went into effect. However, drivers who are not yet compliant can stop worrying about major penalties being enforced immediately. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance announced it will not issue out-of-service orders until April 2018.

Now’s the time to get on board with the latest technology. ELDs replace paper logs for drivers, saving precious time and preventing human errors. Warehouse managers also have new tools for convenience, including electric yard trucks that can be operated by any employee.

About the ELD Enforcement Delay

With the new ELD mandate on the books, nobody should delay procuring an ELD. The enforcement delay gives the industry time to adjust. Those who were procrastinating, or perhaps hoping for the mandate to be eliminated, now have a few months to get compliant.

Industry experts point out a few key details not to miss:

– The delay only applies to out-of-service orders

– Law enforcement can still issue citations

– Hours of service violations are still in effect

– Drivers using older AOBRD logging methods have until December 2019 to switch to the new ELDs

Saving Money at the Warehouse

You’re juggling a lot, between the ELD mandate, hours of service regulations, and other changes going on in the industry. There’s one small investment that can save a lot of time around the warehouse—new battery-powered yard trucks and terminal tractors that don’t require a CDL or health card.

Our TrailerCaddy yard trucks are your low-cost solution for getting more done on a tight schedule. For a small fraction of the cost of a shunt truck, your workers can better maneuver trailers at any time of need. Contact DJ Products to request more info about TrailerCaddy electric yard trucks!

Tesla Semi Truck Makes the News and Wal-Mart Places Order

Semi's are Essential for Safely Transporting your Business' Goods
Semi’s are Essential for Safely Transporting your Business’ Goods

For a mere $20,000, you can reserve your place in the future of electric, autonomous trucks. Tesla ended years of rumors by formally announcing that the Tesla Semi will go into production in 2019.

Electric semi trucks appear to be the next evolution in distribution and will become a reality sooner rather than later. With an electric semi trailer mover, warehouses can save money and manpower devoted to moving trailers around the yard—or placing new Tesla semis at their charging centers!

The Next Generation of Trucking

Tesla has not confirmed the full specs, but enough key details have emerged to attract plenty of customers:

– 300-mile and 500-mile variants

– 0–60 mph in 20 seconds with 80,000 lbs.

– Less than 2 kWh per mile

– Estimated fuel savings of $200,000 over 1 million miles

Walmart and J.B. Hunt have already placed orders for what Elon Musk has billed “the safest truck ever.” A low center of gravity, automated traction system, and autopilot features should all make for a smooth transit. The futuristic, aeronautical design includes a center driver’s seat with wrap-around windows.

Upgrade to an Electric Semi Trailer Mover

It will be a few years before the Tesla Semi shows up in your shunt yard. DJ Products has a solution that you can use now to improve efficiency: the electric TrailerCaddy Yard Dog.

Our semi trailer mover runs on 48-volt batteries and moves up to 100,000 pounds. Any yard worker can operate the TrailerCaddy Yard Dog, so you don’t need a CDL driver on the ground. Press a button, walk alongside, and position any trailer precisely at the dock.

No need for a massive deposit; you can contact DJ Products for a free demo of our tank, OTR, and semi trailer mover.

Important Semi Wheel Maintenance Tips

Maintaining your Vehicle Is of the Utmost Importance
Maintaining your Vehicle Is of the Utmost Importance

Through all those highway miles, semi trucks place great demands on the wheels. It takes more than brute force to make sure those wheels are bolted on securely. Use motorized trailer dollies to efficiently shunt trailers around the yard, so you can take a moment for proper semi wheel maintenance.

If you could use a good refresher course, Heavy Duty Trucking provides a thorough walkthrough of what to look for when replacing semi truck wheels. Important maintenance tips include:

– Always check for damage to wheels, studs, and threads

– Clean out the threads if there’s any paint or gunk

– Make sure matching sizes and correct materials are used for threads and nuts

– Replace damaged studs as well as the adjacent ones

– Avoid over-torquing the nuts

– Use a few drops of motor oil when re-installing nuts

The guide also recommends re-torquing the nuts after the truck has driven 50 to 100 miles, to adjust for settling.

Painting and refinishing the wheels are another maintenance point of contention. Experts do not recommend painting steel wheels due to corrosion problems. However, if you must refinish a wheel, then use a spray rather than a brush.

Also, remember that “tighter is not better.” Use 500 ft.-lb. of torque, not more, to avoid weakening the studs.

Make Quick Work of Maintenance with Motorized Trailer Dollies

Spending a little more time on wheel maintenance is worth it. You can make up for it by saving time with motorized trailer dollies. Our TrailerCaddy terminal tractor can be operated by any employee. Move and park trailers up to 100,000 pounds whenever and wherever you need them, all with a safe and user-friendly control system.

Check out our TrailerCaddy terminal tractor and other motorized trailer dollies from DJ Products!