Day: March 28, 2019

Five Considerations for Managing Your Semi Truck Fleet Maintenance

Truck service
Managing Your Semi Truck Fleet Maintenance

Preventive maintenance for truck fleets has gotten easier thanks to smart apps that monitor and alert you to service needs. Yet managers still need to be vigilant. We’ve rounded up some fleet maintenance tips that will help with costs and efficiency.

One overlooked area is the option to reduce the stress on your fleet vehicles by using electric yard trucks to shunt trailers to and from the dock.

Top 5 Tips for Semi Truck Maintenance

Keep those wheels rolling, and consider these tips:

Pay now, or pay more later: The cost of preventive maintenance will always be less compared to emergency repairs and towing for broken-down trucks.

Turn oil changes into full inspections: When it’s time for an oil change or a tire rotation, make more efficient use of the downtime by getting the fluids, air pressure, and other things inspected.

Monitor warranties: Some fleet managers prefer to run each vehicle to death to squeeze maximum life out of a paid-off asset. Others choose to sell off vehicles that are out of warranty. Do the math on cost of ownership.

Train drivers on what to look for: Create a system for drivers to report vehicle problems and make sure they adhere to the preventive maintenance schedule.

Get the right trucks and equipment: For your round of purchasing, find fleet vehicles that meet your specs. If it’s a stretch, work will be harder on the vehicle. Also look for material handling equipment and shunt yard trucks that make it easier to operate your fleet.

Reduce Fleet Maintenance Costs

At DJ Products, we’ve designed our Trailer Caddy Electric Yard Trucks for easy control and safety. They also aid with operations efficiency and reduce fleet maintenance costs. For more info, call 1.800.686.2651 or contact us.

Truck Driving Tips to Stay Safe on Long Hauls

Coming in at #8 on Time magazine’s 2014 list of ‘10 Most Dangerous Jobs,’ your semi trailer movers are toting goods destined for a dangerous journey. How can you ensure your long-haul truck drivers stay safe as they facilitate the timely delivery of essential goods across the U.S.? 

Seven Truck Driving Safety Tips for New Drivers & Seasoned Pros 

1. Don’t neglect routine maintenance. 

Check your hauler daily, including tires, brakes, fluids, mirrors, horn, and other integral safety components. Report any issues before driving off.

2. Load cargo carefully.

Spreading cargo into lower stacks across the entire area of your truck allows for better handling and fuel economy. 

3. Beware of blind spots.

Most passenger car drivers are frustratingly unaware of ‘no zones.’ (Directly behind the truck, behind side mirrors, and just to the side of cab fronts.) To avoid an accident, stay aware of surrounding vehicles, maintaining a safe distance and carefully checking these zones before turning/lane changes. 

4. Go slower on curves than speed limits suggest.

Posted speed limit signs are typically geared toward lighter, low-profile cars and are too fast for trucks. Avoid tipping over by going far slower than posted limits around curves.

5. Be extra-cautious in construction zones.

Don’t put the lives of interstate construction workers at risk. About one-third of work-zone fatalities involve large trucks.

6. Make necessary driving adjustments in inclement weather.

Bad weather causes one-quarter of speeding-related accidents. In wet conditions, be sure to slow speeds by one-third. In icy/snowy conditions, cut them by half.

7. Take care of yourself as you do your truck.

Truck driving safety has as much to do with your vehicle’s health as yours.

Start off the journey safely. Learn more about semi trailer movers from DJ Productstoday.

Driverless Trucks – Did They Change the Supply Chain as Expected?

It seems surreal to think that we’ve been talking so much about driverless trucks. Most of us probably never thought this could happen. But here we are, in a new day and age, and it is certainly happening whether we like it or not.

But, the question is, what changes have taken place since driverless trucks started being used more often? Has the supply chain been altered at all? These are the questions we’re here to answer today.

Why are Driverless Trucks Necessary?

The reality is that most accidents are caused by human negligence or errors. If you think about it, the number one problem today is distracted driving. When humans are removed from the equation, the number of accidents should go way down.

In addition, our country is facing a truck driver shortage that is unlike anything we’ve seen before. The drivers we do have tend to maintain about a 40% utilization factor within 24 hours. They are not able to drive as long as companies wish they could.

How Will the Supply Chain be Impacted?

Experts believe that the supply chain will be affected in three key areas:

*A Decrease in Distribution Centers – With so many trucks being able to travel much longer miles each day, fewer distribution centers will be necessary. The ones that remain may be further apart and much larger.

*Delivery Speed – Customers will be able to get their orders much faster than they did previously.

*Product Costs – Costs are expected to go down significantly, which is great for the market as a whole.

At DJ Products, we offer the best in terminal tractors and other products to help your company function at its best. If you have questions about our terminal tractors, contact us!

 

Beyond the Dumpster: Could We See a End to Plastic Waste in Our Lifetimes?

Could your dumpster moving equipment soon be pulling less plastic waste? With plastics rapidly accumulating, littering our green spaces and waterways, materials scientists and designers are looking to reinvent the plastics regime.

They’re striving to put an end to plastics problems such as unrecyclable products, confusing recycling symbols, and a lack of compatible recycling facilities worldwide. Their innovations, if adopted and integrated into the plastics industry, could put an end to the pileup.

What New Technologies Could Put an End to Plastic Waste?

1. New recyclable films

Plastic films, comprised of an assortment of polymers and used in paper and plastic packaging, make materials unrecyclable. Swapping these films for nature-inspired, nano-engineered recycled materials mimicking a few of nature’s molecular building blocks can provide a wider variety of new materials – those that are water-resistant, airtight, or printable. 

2. Magnetic additives

Magnetic additives can improve the ability of plastics to block oxygen in sensitive products like coffee and medicines, while upholding their recyclability. 

3. Wood ‘plastics’

The cellulose in renewable agricultural/forestry wood byproducts, formed into a compostable multilayered material, can be used for stand-up food pouches such as those used for dried cereal, nuts, and fruits.

4. Plastics from recycled food waste

Agricultural byproducts and food waste can be used to create compostable plastics for packaging in a broad range of products, from cereal bars to detergents.

5. Compostable coatings

Silicate and biopolymer compostable coatings could improve the performance of biodegradable packaging, which by itself cannot uphold the required minimum shelf-life of products.

Are your waste management practices falling behind the times? As the industry enters a a new era, ensure a safer, more efficient waste management system. Learn more about dumpster moving equipment from DJ Products today.

Tips to Managing Your Warehouse Labor with an Eye on Retention

Expenses for material handling equipment and other fixed assets are relatively easy to control, but managing labor costs presents a unique challenge. The optimum balance between low cost and high productivity is frequently a moving target.

In addition, today’s shrinking labor pool makes it difficult to retain good workers. Use these tips to manage warehouse labor efficiently while boosting engagement and loyalty.

Automate Repetitive Tasks

While we’re a long way from fully robotic warehouses, there are a number of automated solutions available to handle many repetitive tasks. Automated conveyors, voice-directed picking and connected glasses are just a few of the options that can free employees up for higher-value jobs.

Implement Labor Management Software (LMS)

You probably already use a warehouse management system (WMS), which collects a wide range of data and compiles it in convenient formats. Integrating LMS with WMS offers more robust analysis to make planning and scheduling more accurate.

Establish Incentive Programs

Workers will be more motivated to increase productivity when there are individual benefits at stake. The incentive costs will be more than offset by the positive results.

Conduct Cross-Training

Fluctuating workloads add to the difficulty of managing staffing levels. When employees can move easily between tasks, you’re able to handle ebbs and flows with fewer workers and the variety of tasks will prevent boredom.

Make Safety a Priority

Maintaining a culture of safety demonstrates concern for employee welfare. Make sure workers have high-quality material handling equipment and conduct ongoing training to instill proper procedures.

Material Handling Equipment Designed for Safety

Battery-powered tugs, movers and pushers from DJ Products are designed to reduce the risk of most common workplace injuries. Their efficiency also frees up employees to focus on more important tasks. Contact us to learn more.