Semi Trailer Moving Equipment Archives

Pending Federal Drive-Safe Act Allows Under 21 Year Age CDL Licensing

Young CDL Drivers May Soon Be On The Road

Your motorized trailer dollies may soon be toting goods for haul by underage drivers. With an industry shortage on labor, officials are looking to up the ante with a bill aimed at expanding the labor pool to include drivers under 21 years old.

License to Drive

Currently, federal law prohibits drivers age 21 and younger from interstate operations. However, following the U.S. House, a recently introduced bill has now been filed in the U.S. Senate that could allow drivers under the age of 21 to hold a CDL license to cross state lines.

Summer School

The Drive-Safe Act, filed by the House in March, would require extra training tasks for 18 to 20 year old drivers before permitting them to operate on the interstate, including at least 400 hours of on-duty time and 240 hours of driving time, logging hundreds of hours behind the wheel riding along with more experienced CDL drivers before they can drive on the interstate.

Move Over

While backed by the American Trucking Associations, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and safety other groups have opposed expanding interstate hauling to under-21 drivers. Proponents of the bill, however, argue that in large states, underage operators are already taking trips hundreds of miles long, yet aren’t allowed to make shorter trips across state lines. They also point to the fact bringing in younger drivers could help address the industry’s driver shortage, expanding their ability to attract career drivers.

Tired of dealing with special licensing requirements? Skip the CDL. Safe and easy to operate, motorized trailer dollies from DJ Products require no CDL, certification, or health card. Reduce your training tasks and increase safety and productivity. Get things moving with the help of DJ Products today.

How Can You Add Value to Your Supply Chain Clients?

Adding Value to Your Supply Chain Clients

Customer satisfaction is key to retention, and value-added logistics services can give your company a competitive advantage.

What Value-Added Services Could Help You Retain Customers?
Value-added services have moved far beyond rainbow pallets and shrink wrap. Consider these ideas that you can put to use in your current operations:

Expanded Offerings

From custom gift baskets to creating twin packs, expand buying choices to increase sales and clientele.

Shelf-Ready Options

Price, tag, and display the customer’s way to a more streamlined stocking experience.

Personalization

From embroidered apparel logos to custom smartphone covers, personalization is a hot trend.

More Efficient Inventory Management

Customized products = fewer SKUs = reduced inventory carrying/management costs.

Reduced Suppliers

Could your suppliers offer you more value-added services as well? This could reduce unnecessary suppliers and streamline your supply chain.

Reduced Labor

Automated solutions and value-added services reduce downtime and the number of ‘touches’ necessary to pack and ship, ultimately saving on labor.

Yard Trucks

Shipping times lagging? Product and equipment damage costing you dearly? Yard trucks can help, making the movements of trailers and cargo easier and preventing damage.

Transportation Management

The closer packaging/manufacturing/distribution/shipping destinations are to one another, the more cost-effectively you can manage transportation.

Continuous Improvement

Teaming up with a third party logistics company can help you analyze and streamline your current processes, from purchasing and packaging, to value-added services and delivery. Where might your processes benefit from reengineering?

Partnerships

Partnering with third party logistics companies could prove a valuable friendship, providing the flexibility to meet the needs of seasonal fluctuations, business growth, and more.

Falling behind in the ever-changing world of e-commerce? DJ Products has the tips and tools you need to ensure success. Learn more about electric yard trucks from DJ Products today.

Semi Truck Washing Has Become A Whopping $12 Billion Industry

When You’re on the Road for Hundreds of Hours, You Rack Up a Heavy Coating of Dirt, and Businesses are Rising to Cater to That!

How clean are your yard trucks? In efforts to protect against the ravages of corrosion, truck washing has become a $12-billion industry in the U.S., and it continues to grow.

Wash Me

Newcomer Fleet Clean USA, a mobile truck cleaning service with over 1,000 businesses in 18 states, has reported growth of 40% annually, on average, since its inception 8-years ago, with a 50% increase in its scrubbing business since last year. The company’s founder and CEO, Scott Marr, touts Fleet Clean’s capacity to save customers time and money, eliminating the need for in-house or wash-bay activities while drivers are on-the-road.

Services are available 7-days-a-week, and offered a la carte, including exterior, interior, and engine bay cleaning. Their service even offers options to meet the needs of reefer trailers, who must conform to strict food-safety regulations. Prices run from $15 to $195 for the full shebang, which includes interior detailing. Most customers schedule maintenance washes 1-2-weeks in the same location.

Touchless

The company and its franchises determine pricing based on a computer program that takes into account travel distance, vehicle type, volume, and other factors. A crew of three can wash 5-8 units in an hour, working out of a custom-bodied Class 6 (non-CDL) vehicle equipped with a system that recaptures some of the 22-gallons of soiled water it takes to clean a tractor-trailer for filtering and later discharge.

Riding the Wave

The business is trying to grow, hoping to add to its 22 franchise locations by year’s end. Startup cost? $150-175,000, which Marr states can be recouped in just 12-24 months.

Wishing you could wash your hands of a little extra work? Save time and boost productivity with the help of yard trucks from DJ Products today.

Cut Your Shipping Costs with Our LTL (Less-than-Truckload) Tips

Thinking Smarter About How We Travel and Transport Never Hurts to Think About.

Are you being penny-wise and pound-foolish when it comes to an investment in cart caddies and motorized trailer dollies? While many shippers rely on eking the lowest possible transportation rates out of carriers, there are other more effective ways of cutting shipping expenses, especially when handling less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments.

Secrets to Cutting Shipping Costs

As the LTL segment increases, shipping logistics plays an integral role in cost. Focusing on process improvements sidesteps shipping dilemmas and safeguards rates. These can be accomplished by watching…

1. Pricing:

Avoid Surprises

Knowing true shipping weights is essential to avoiding admin correction fees and fees for overweight/overlarge shipments.

Looking to Net Cost

Don’t overlook fees that factor into total expenditures. Discount rates can be misleading.

Shopping for Simple Pricing

Pricing complexity leads to confusion and excess costs. Perhaps a simplified flat weight/space rate may be better.

Understanding Shipping Rules

Look to cost as a measure of what companies don’t like/specialize in. Choose the right carrier for your needs, looking to predictability in rate structure. Less variability reduces costs.

2. Packaging:

Protect Shipments from Stacking

Shipment condition at its destination is a prime concern in regards to expense. Mark packaged pallets as ‘FRAGILE’ to inform dock workers (not the bill-of-lading). Place a protective layer atop pallets devised to support stacked weight.

Shrink Wrap

To safeguard structural integrity.

Maximize Space

Pack to the maximum height requirement and pallet’s edge – but not beyond. This ensure maximum bang-for-the-buck and circumvent fees.

3. Carrier Choice:

Carrier Specialties

Selecting carriers that specialize in the services you need (national/regional/economy/commercial/residential) saves money.

Shipping Speed

Not everyone needs it yesterday.

Looking for ways to speed processes and reduce labor? Learn more about cart caddies and motorized trailer dollies from DJ Products today.

Infrastructure Priorities for Supply Chain Logistics Help the Economy to Grow

End users may sometimes take supply chain functions for granted. The truth is that shippers and logistics management face congestion, bad weather and other challenges to deliver goods on time and in good condition.

Supply chain professionals invest in high-tech software and high-quality equipment such as yard trucks, but they can’t do it all by themselves. Here are five infrastructure-related priorities that should be addressed by public funding.

Congestion

Highways, rail hubs and ports in the United States are at such a high level of congestion that it’s putting our country’s shippers at a serious disadvantage with global competitors. This problem needs to be corrected so it aligns with economic growth goals.

Parking

Lack of sufficient truck parking was apparent during the stormy weather that battered the East Coast earlier this year and restricted travel on major highways. The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act includes helpful provisions for building new parking areas and using existing facilities such as weigh stations.

Freight Advisory Committees

Under the FAST Act, the Department of Transportation is charged with promoting the establishment of freight advisory committees in each state. These committees would include stakeholders from the public and private sectors, enabling better communication regarding freight-related projects.

National Hiring Standards

Creating national hiring standards would eliminate confusion surrounding FMCSA credentials and help small carriers be more competitive.

Infrastructure Funding Methods

While there’s a definite need to create funding mechanisms, care should be taken to institute methods that allow collection of funds without hampering the interests of the freight companies they’re meant to help.

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Tips for Moving Your Supply Chain into the World of Digital

Moving to the Digital Domain

Digital technology has touched every part of our lives, so it’s no surprise that supply chain management is embracing this transformation. As consumers continue to demand faster delivery times, technology can streamline every step of the process, from forecasting seasonal demand to managing terminal tractors.

What Is Digital Business?

As explained by IT research and advisory firm Gartner, digital business refers to new business designs that combine the digital and physical worlds. A recent study by Gartner found that digital business is second only to the cloud in terms of top investment areas.

Technology provides the means to gather unprecedented amounts of data. Digital business requires an ability to connect directly with customers and partners in order to access, extract and analyze relevant information.

Benefits of Supply Chain Digitalization

– Real-time updates for inventory and freight are readily available.

– Decision-making is more accurate thanks to a greater understanding of supply and demand.

– Companies have the flexibility to respond immediately to sudden changes or disruptions.

Making the Move to Digital

Digitization involves much more than simply overlaying digital apps over current processes. In order to realize the full power of digital, it’s important to examine core processes in terms of how they support digital and align them accordingly.

According to Gartner, although most C-suite leaders believe digital disruptions are inevitable in the near future, only 25 percent of them have a digital strategy in place. As a result, Gartner recommends that businesses make it a priority to develop short- and long-term plans to incorporate digital into their supply chain.

Save Money and Manpower with Electric Terminal Tractors

The Electric Yard Dog from DJ Products lets a single employee move trailers weighing up to 100,000 pounds. Call 800.686.2651 to learn more.

Tips for Diversifying the Number of Your Truckload Carriers

With more than 200,000 for-hire full-truckload carriers in the U.S., it seems there are enough providers to keep semi trailer movers hopping. But available capacity is subject to a number of fluid factors, which could suddenly leave you in a bind without proper planning.

Experts say your best bet is to diversify suppliers among large- and small-asset carriers. Here are their top suggestions for optimizing this approach.

Align Supply Chain Segments with Provider Goals

Many carriers are implementing yield management tools to maximize revenue opportunities without overburdening drivers. As a result, there is little flexibility to accept jobs that don’t fit their lane and volume requirements.

High volume alone is sometimes not enough incentive for carriers. Look for providers whose goals are compatible with your different needs.

Leverage the 80-20 Rule

If your business is like most, 80 percent of load volume is in 20 percent of lanes. The challenge becomes addressing the other 20 percent of load volume that’s in 80 percent of lanes.

Approximately 97 percent of carriers in the U.S. have fleets of 20 or fewer trucks. These smaller providers have the elasticity to handle demand spikes, niche locations and other features of the 20 percent volume.

Engage a Third-Party Logistics Provider

Portfolios with multiple carriers benefit the big picture, but they’re difficult to manage on a day-to-day basis. A third-party logistics provider (3PL) consolidates the process so you’re working with a single source rather than several.

Solve Yard Congestion with Semi Trailer Movers from DJ Products

Our Electric Yard Dog offers valuable returns in greater efficiency and fewer workplace injuries. Our knowledgeable sales engineers are ready to help you choose the best semi trailer movers for your applications.

Call 800.686.2681 to learn more.

In 2018 Intermodal Services between Semi and Rail are Set to Grow

Over 2018-2019, intermodal services between semi and rail are expected to grow between 6-9%. Although these services have potentially positive potential, they are not without challenges. Determining new ways to optimize today’s intermodal services is key.

Idiosyncrasies of Intermodal Services to Watch:

Driver Pay
Though a favored position for drivers who can return home each night, dray pay is lower than other delivery types, and must be carefully evaluated to avoid the loss of superior drivers to shared labor pools with better income opportunities.

Inventory Management
With shippers looking to consistent and reliable delivery in choosing carriers, tighter inventory control measures are necessary to offset the shipping times of reliable, but typically longer, intermodal services.

Higher Rates and Tighter Capacity
Higher rates and tighter capacity are making manpower and efficiency boosters like smart inventory management systems and electronic semi trailer movers more important than ever before. A team outlook, aligning your goals with those of your clients, can offer huge payoffs here, helping you retain your position as a favored shipper in today’s dog eat dog world of freight transportation.

Changing Service Times Due to ELDs
With intermodal services, typically the closer to ramps at pickup and destination, the more reasonable rates will be. Though still true today, electronic logging devices (ELDs) remain a wrench in the works, resulting in some types of fright taking longer to transport than ever before.

Need to add to your labor pool fast? Ensure shipping times with an electric semi trailer mover. With no CDL or health card required for operation, an electric semi trailer mover from DJ Products helps you save time and boost efficiency, while protecting your workforce and shipping schedule. Learn more. Contact us today.

2018 Truckload Market Trends – What to Know

Will you be hauling trailers for autonomous vehicles with your yard trucks in the coming year? Times are rapidly changing for the truckload industry. Here’s what to be on the lookout for in the near future:

2018-2019 Truckload Market Trends:

Hyper-Efficiency Continues
With truckload utilization efficiency of 95%+ since the 2011 pull-up from the recession, the market trend of efficiency in for-hire capacity is expected to continue, albeit at the price of elasticity in the market.

New Trucks Enter the Market
FTR Transportation Intelligence expects 60,000 more trucks than necessary will replace retiring trucks in 2018. Will you need more yard trucks? Whether this is additional/replacement capacity remains unknown.

Labor Issues Remain
Driver availability will continue to pose challenges. An abundance of parked equipment does not matter if hauling personnel remain absent. Several factors will continue to play a role here, including an aging workforce, wage increases, immigration, housing, and a shared labor pool with the oil, gas, and manufacturing industries.

Strengthening Economy Adds to Pressures
As GDP and manufacturing grows and strengthens, the demand for transportation will increase, adding pressure to already flailing fleet growth.

E-Commerce Continues to Change Freight Patterns & Efficiency
Orders shipped from retail, fulfillment, and manufacturing locations continue to alter the historical flow of freight, requiring higher cube for the same goods, and boosting market capacity used.

Fuel Prices Continue to Climb
45% higher compared to a year ago, despite fluctuations, the cost of crude oil is expected to continue its climb.

ELD Mandate Remains In-Question
Electronic logging and closer tracking of driver behaviors may/may not shift HOS behaviors, influencing availability.

Are you prepared to meet the coming years’ varied needs? Ensure success, boosting efficiency and preventing injuries with electric yard trucks from DJ Products today.

Tips on Understanding the Importance of Your Load Dimensions

Our electric terminal tractors can handle a wide range of trailers, but transporting flatbed loads over the road involves a different set of issues. In an effort to reduce risk to both drivers and products, states have instituted a number of regulations for oversized and wide loads that must be followed.

Guidelines for Transporting Oversized and Wide Loads

1. Know the Legal Limits

Here are the standard limits in the United States:

– Maximum height and width is 8’6″ each way

– Maximum length is 48′ to 53′

– Maximum weight is 46,000 pounds

Anything beyond these measurements is considered an oversized or wide load. Dimensions may vary slightly from state to state, so perform due diligence for any state through which your trucks pass.

2. Understand How Measurements Are Calculated

Weight restrictions are determined per-axle. While a load may not exceed total weight limits, it may go beyond per-axle limits, so rearranging the load can remove it from the oversized category.

3. Use Travel Escorts and Special Markings as Necessary

Shipments wider than 12′ often require travel escorts, sometimes referred to as pilot vehicles. Red flags and amber lights are required for the tractor or trailer to improve visibility, and these markings are also necessary for the travel escorts.

4. Factor Oversized Travel Rules into Your Schedule

Most states enforce specific hours of travel for oversized loads. Drivers also require permits for each state that outline the exact route to be traveled.

Battery-Powered Terminal Tractors from DJ Products

Maximize efficiency and improve worker safety with our popular Electric Yard Dog, which lets a single employee safely move trailers up to 100,000 pounds. Our friendly sales engineers are standing by to assist you on our convenient online chat feature.

Tag: Semi Trailer Moving Equipment