Semi Trailer Movers Archives

Common Risks of The Trailer Yard and How a Trailer Dolly Can Help

Trailer Yard Management Made Easier

Your trailer yard may not handle traditional road traffic, but there’s still a significant risk of injury to workers and damage to products and equipment. An electric Trailer Dolly from DJ Products can help improve safety by minimizing or eliminating some of the common risk factors found in trailer yards.

1. Poor maintenance

Although yard tractors rarely leave the yard, they’re still designed for legal on-road use. This means they include a number of controls and gauges that need to be inspected and maintained on a regular basis. Our Trailer Dollies are battery-powered, eliminating the costly expense of fuel and corresponding systems. There’s also no need to worry about cab-tilt systems, transmissions, and other intricate features.

2. Pedestrian safety

As road-legal vehicles, yard tractors must be operated by qualified workers who hold a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL). In addition, both driver and vehicle are subject to all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR).

If no licensed driver is available, your yard activities can come to a screeching halt. Even trained drivers have to navigate a number of difficulties, such as poor sight lines and narrow clearances, in order to avoid injuring pedestrians.

No special licensing is required to operate a Trailer Dolly. Any worker, regardless of size, can become fully operational with a minimum of training. Our tugs are also compact enough to easily negotiate sharp corners and tight clearances.

3. Driver injuries

Some of your workers have undoubtedly suffered injuries associated with operating yard tractors. Common injuries include slips and falls while entering or exiting the tractor and catching hands in pinch points.

Workers simply walk behind or in front of Trailer Dollies, so there’s no chance of falling out of a cab. These movers are ergonomically designed to reduce the strain that often leads to repetitive motion injuries.

Protect Workers with a Trailer Dolly from DJ Products

A demonstrated concern for employee welfare provides a boost in worker morale, leading to greater productivity. Contact us at 800.686.2651 and let one of our friendly Sales Engineers help you find the right material handling solution for your specific application.

What to Know About Uber Freight

Whether you’re an independent driver or a warehouse manager, Uber Freight is quietly changing your industry. Just like the ride-sharing app, the Freight version matches customers to drivers. Shippers can book a load with a few clicks, and owner-operators can always make themselves available to drive.

With freight truckers on demand, a distribution center can simply use a semi trailer mover to line up each load in the yard. Hail a driver from your phone or tablet, and the load is already prepared for departure.

How Uber Freight Works

Initially, the app was made available to truck drivers looking for work. The goal was to help drivers find loads on return trips instead of making deadhead trips.

Now, the Uber Freight platform is fully featured for both carriers and shippers. Distribution firms can enter a few details and get a firm price, then schedule the driver. Drivers can choose to accept a load knowing their pay and without haggling.

The app includes tools for real-time freight tracking, simple documentation, and automated payment after proof of delivery.

Using Uber Freight for Shippers

Given the ongoing driver shortage, Uber Freight seemingly has the potential to help shippers in a pinch. The reduction of paperwork and phone calls also allow you to spend more time on your business.

Are you always looking for more drivers? Do you need to expand your capacity seasonally? DJ Products can help your business succeed with the Uberization of freight, thanks to our Electric Yard Truck semi trailer mover. Dock workers can easily tow and park trailers up to 100,000 pounds to prepare for your Uber trucker’s arrival.

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.

Experienced Long Haul Truckers Share Their Top Driver Tips

Checking Your Vehicle Periodically While Doing Long Hauls is Essential for Proper Safety and Maintenance.

Your yard trucks are hauling cargo destined for a dangerous journey. Are your long-haul truck drivers prepared to make it to their destination safely?

Experienced Long Haul Truckers Share Their Top Driver Tips
Truck driving is a lifetime skill that requires refinement over time. Here are a few lessons from seasoned veterans for those new to the arena:

Look at your truck after leaving it.
Are your hazard lights or blinkers on? You’re not done after parking.

Know where your trailer is at all times.
Drive your trailer like your cab. If it wanders outside the lines, you aren’t driving safely. Lives are at stake.

Don’t shirk pre-trip inspections.
Check the lights, tires, pins, valve stem covers, the fifth wheel, and be mindful of inspection dates. You never know when a DOT officer will be verifying your work.

Have an exit plan.
As you exit for a truck stop, take the time to look at signs to see how you get back on the highway, otherwise you could miss it and end up lost after taking a wrong turn.

Don’t swerve to miss that animal.
Not only is it often a safety department policy, that animal is not worth your life or that of the family in the vehicle next to you. Your vehicle is 80,000-lbs, and the odds of swerving quickly enough to miss it are stacked against you. It’s a sad reality, but holding the wheel tightly and slowing down are sometimes the best you can do.

Ask for help when you need it.
No one is in it alone, and it feels good to pay it forward when others are in need.

Keep your employees safe. Learn more about yard trucks from DJ Products today.

What to Know About Inbound vs Outbound Logistics

Logistics is an umbrella term encompassing the process of transporting and storing products. The concept can be broken down into inbound or outbound logistics based on whether items are being received or shipped.

Equipment such as our powered trailer mover can be utilized on both sides, but inbound and outbound logistics also differ in several important ways. Here are factors to consider for optimizing your logistics program in both directions.

Supply Chain Side

Companies develop supply chain partnerships with suppliers on the inbound side and customers on the outbound side. In many cases, companies choose to work with third-party distributors on either or both sides.

Liability

Both inbound and outbound shipments are governed by specific agreements between the relevant parties. Free on Board (FOB) is a commonly-used term in which the inbound recipient covers all shipping costs from when the shipment is loaded on a carrier or when it reaches a particular destination.

Supplies and Equipment

Inbound logistics applies to tools, office equipment and other materials used to operate your business, while outbound logistics refers to inventory only.

Supply Chain Integration

Vertical integration is a strategy in which a company takes control over one or more stages of the supply chain. For example, in the 1920s Ford Motor began manufacturing much of its own steel rather than sourcing from outside suppliers. Implementing vertical integration creates a more cohesive supply chain, thereby increasing productivity and reducing costs.

Improve Yard Efficiency with Our Powered Trailer Mover

Are you frustrated with outside shunting services? Boost productivity and safety with the Electric Yard Dog from DJ Products. Our popular powered trailer mover can handle trailers up to 100,000 pounds and it’s ergonomically designed to help reduce injury risk.

Visit our website for more information.

Five Tips to Improving Your Efficiency as a Fleet Manager

As a fleet manager, it’s up to you to make sure that your team is working as efficiently as possible. That can sometimes be easier said than done. Sometimes adding certain pieces of equipment, such as a semi trailer mover, can make a big difference. But there’s actually a lot more that can be done as well.

Top Tips for Fleet Managers

Keeping everyone safe and keeping your operation running smoothly are your two top priorities. Here are some ways to accomplish both:

– Keep maintainence hassle-free – You expect your drivers to keep up with the maintenance of their vehicles, but it can be easy for them to put it off if you don’t have a good system in place. You may even want to consider using software that gives them timely reminders.

– Create purchasing and disposal plans for vehicles – You don’t want people in other departments to purchase new vehicles on a whim, or keep old ones longer than they should. Make sure you have guidelines in place to help them with these important decisions.

– Set driver performance goals – People tend to do better at their jobs when they know they have goals to reach. Your drivers are no exception to this rule. Don’t be afraid to set standards for them and expect them to reach them. If they don’t, you can then address those areas with them personally.

Being a Proactive Fleet Manager When it Comes to Safety and Efficiency

It’s very important to have the right equipment for your staff. Without it, they can’t do their jobs well. Have you considered adding a semi trailer mover? It might be one of the best decisions you ever made! Contact us at DJ Products to learn how we can help.

Five Important Trends for 2019 in Logistics – Part One

All the major economic shifts and advances in technology are impacting the transportation and logistics industry. Everyone hears about eCommerce, the blockchain, augmented reality – but in logistics, these buzzwords are already impacting our bottom lines. Let’s dive into the logistics trends for 2019 to anticipate and stay ahead of the game.

How are Trends Changing and How Can Your Business Adapt?

Machine-driven processes may have the most direct and immediate impact. From robotic picking to new semi trailer movers that tow freight around the yard, any warehouse can benefit from upgrading its material handling equipment.

Accounting and consulting firm PwC recently released Transport and Logistics Trends 2019.

Logistics and the Economy, 2019

First, let’s consider some of the market forces at play:

– Mergers and acquisitions: 38 percent of CEOs are planning an M&A event in the next year. Would consolidation improve your efficiency? Is a competitor about to get much larger?

– International trade deals and trade wars: Are you ready to pivot when the next political move results in shifting trade routes and priorities?

– Rail traffic and trucking shortages: Logistics firms expect the pressure on freight transport to continue. Can you improve warehouse efficiency to mitigate high delivery costs?

All this drama takes place against a backdrop of a strong economy and optimistic forecasts. Money is being made, and the stakes are high. Smaller firms need to stay agile and invest in improvements to come out on top rather than getting eaten up by the behemoths.

The Next Big Thing in Logistics

In Part Two, we’ll look at software and technology trends in logistics. From augmented reality warehouses to automated material handling and semi trailer movers, 2019 will see plenty of changes on the ground and in the cloud. Contact us at DJ Products for more info about trailer movers.

Five Important Trends for 2019 in Logistics – Part Two

Technology Should Make Working Easier. That is the Future. A more Efficient Workplace.

How should logistics use blockchain? Can technology help businesses make up for a shortage of skilled labor? These are some of the burning questions for logistics in 2019. We’re in a strong business climate, but forecasters like PwC say that two-thirds of T&L CEOs expect technology and other factors to substantially disrupt their business.

Now let’s look at how companies will be using technology to change the game. Yard trucks and other material handling equipment are helping workers of all skill levels. On the digital side, we’re seeing a new generation of logistics tools that use blockchain, Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence.

The Machines Are Taking Over…

While the media likes to cover automation that eliminates jobs, most warehouses are using robotics and smart equipment to empower their employees. In 2019, logistics technology is helping businesses make up for the skill gap.

Trends for more efficient logistics include resources such as:

– Predictive AI for inventory, scheduling, deliveries, etc.

– Blockchain and distributed ledgers for security in the supply chain

– Augmented reality (AR) to design an efficient warehouse, find items quickly, scan for shipping, etc.

But We Still Need Tools for Warehouse Workers

Various forms of electro-mobility are empowering businesses to get more productivity and efficiency out of warehouse workers.

Look at the electric yard trucks from DJ Products for an example. You don’t need to waste a CDL driver by asking them to move trailers around the dock or freight yard. Now, any dock worker can shift a semi-trailer using an easy tow dolly. It’s fast, precise, and less expensive than a shunt truck to own and operate.

Follow the DJ Products blog for logistics industry news, and call 800.686.2651 for more info about our yard trucks and material handling equipment.

Stuck! Tips for Clearing Your Big Rig Wheels and Getting on the Road Again

Big rigs tend to run on tight schedules in order to get supplies delivered. Getting stuck in mud or snow can cause big rig drivers to fall behind schedule, which can affect your business. While you can easily move trailers in your warehouse with

Tips for Clearing Your Rig.

semi trailer movers, getting them unstuck out on the road is a different story. Keep these tips in mind for getting stuck big rigs back up and running.

Tire Chains

Using tire chains can help get big rigs out of snow. However, these chains won’t be able to do the same for big rigs that are stuck in mud.

Manual Transmission

Big rigs with manual transmissions can be rocked into becoming unstuck. Getting a big rig to rock in a back and forth motion can help it get out of mud or snow.

Tow Trucks

In situations where you’re unable to get a big rig unstuck, you’ll need to consider using a towing company. Tow trucks can easily get these rigs out of snowy or muddy ground.

Keep Moving

You can lower the risk of having a big rig become stuck in snow or mud by checking the ground and avoiding staying parked in one spot too long. Avoid parking on soft ground that can turn into a mud pit. When it’s snowy out, move the big rig to a different parking spot from time to time. Heat from the tires will prevent snow and ice from accumulating and getting the big rig stuck.

If you need more information on semi trailer movers, contact DJ Products. We have a wide range of high-quality movers available that can move semi trailers that weigh up to 100,000 pounds.

For-Hire Truckload Freight Technology is Projected to Crash by 20% in the Next Decade

Profit is Projected to Decrease Soon.

The freight markets for for-hire carriers are expected to begin experiencing a significant decline in the near future. It’s important to understand the reasons behind this prediction and what you should do to protect your freight business.

Cost-Cutting Measures

With a decline expected, it’s important for for-hire carriers to look into cutting costs. Products such as a powered trailer mover can help many companies reduce their expenses in terms of manpower hours and a lower risk of injuries in the workplace. Reducing costs in these areas can make it easier for companies to adjust to any declines that may occur in the near future.

Reasons Behind the Expected Freight Market Decline

Why are the freight markets expected to have a decline? Experts cite competition from Amazon, changes in agricultural practices, and the automotive industry as the main reasons that are driving the markets toward this drop.

Amazon has been moving in the direction of building an internal freight network that they can rely on for transporting products to customers. Experts also warn that Amazon could make arrangements with an airport-to-airport owner-operator network rather than relying on for-hire carriers.

The move toward indoor agriculture in urban and suburban areas is expected to lead to less demand for for-hire carriers to bring produce to these areas from rural farms.

Lower demand and a growing trend of only purchasing one car per household could also impact the freight markets when it comes to transporting automobiles. This could end up resulting in a dramatic decline for for-hire carriers who transport vehicles.

If your warehouse needs a powered trailer mover or similar products, please contact DJ Products. Our company carries several high-quality products for warehouse owners.

Tag: Semi Trailer Movers