Semi Trailer Moving Equipment Archives - Page 2 of 2

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.

Less than Truckload (LTL) Shipping – Is It Right for You?

What’s in the trailer your terminal tractors are hauling? Less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping is on the rise due to its potential for cost savings. However, with a reputation for complexity, it’s not for everyone. Is it right for you?

LTL is Seen as Challenging for a Number of Reasons:

– More dynamics to juggle
Freight classification, cargo weight, and pallet count increases in complexity with LTL hauling.

– Benchmarking challenges
Direct comparisons with other shipping operations can be challenging.

– Ignorance to cost drivers
Accepting LTL at face-value, and not digging into shifting patterns of supply and demand, prevents businesses from realizing the true potential of LTL.

However with the Right Data & Pricing, LTL Offers Tremendous Potential
Tariffs, or rate bases, published by carriers on an annual basis, are commonly used in calculating shipping costs. LTL costs aren’t quite as cut-and-dry, however, with LTL carriers offering discounts. Making discounts negotiable (and in correlation with freight volume/revenue) is common. Minimums are also commonly negotiable.

Avoid Pricing Obstacles
The biggest obstacle to surmount in LTL classification and pricing, is avoiding overuse of FAK cargo designation on invoices. Obscuring shipment data by lumping it under this classification prevents you from gleaning essential data as to the specific classes of cargo shipped and relative cost, increasing the chance of inaccuracies.

Incomplete or obscure data is the proverbial wrench-in-the-works for LTL shipping ventures. Capturing essential data elements effectively is key to effectively calculating and streamlining pricing, as well as improving network efficiency and ensuring profit.

Are you equipped for LTL shipping success? Ease moves, improve speed and efficiency, and boost profit potential with the help of terminal tractors from DJ Products today.

Truck Terminal Managers – Here’s Why Driver Retention is Problematic

Retaining Semi Truck and Long Haul Drivers is Problematic for Some Distribution Centers

Sometimes having the right tools on hand can make a world of difference to your drivers. If you’re struggling to keep drivers on staff, it might help to take a closer look at your operation. The fact is that having a yard truck to make their job easier might help you retain them.

Problems in Semi Truck Driver and Long Haul Driver Retention

Sometimes drivers leave their jobs for basic reasons, like not making enough money or having enough home time. However, if you are willing to dig a little deeper, you might find that there are more reasons behind their quick exits.

All too often, trucking companies expect their drivers to perform certain tasks, but they lack the tools to do them efficiently. At the very least, this can lead to frustration. At the most, it can result in serious injuries and accidents. When drivers don’t have the essential tools they need, this translates into a lack of appreciation for them as workers. They grow to believe that their employers aren’t concerned about their safety; just their bottom line.

How a Yard Truck Can Improve Employee Relations

As an employer, the safety of your employees should always be your first priority. However, you also want to save money in the process. The DJ Products yard truck can help you reach both of these goals. You’ll find that with this tool, anyone can move a trailer quickly and efficiently, without having a CDL. You won’t have to spend a lot of money on expensive shunt trucks, and you won’t need a specialized class of driver.

The yard truck can move up to 100,000 pounds. It’s the tool every trucking company should have. Do you want to learn more? Contact us at DJ Products to receive more information.

Feds Eye Rule Change to EPA Regulation of Glider Kit Semi Trucks

DJ Products Supplies Equipment for Shunting Trucks to Move Semi Trailers

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt recently stated that glider kit semi trucks provide a more affordable option for independent operators and small business owners. Pruitt added, gliders also provide a crucial economic driver to many rural areas. With advancements in technology and increased focus on more environmentally friendly ways of doing business, the trucking industry is facing new challenges and being forced to adapt to new regulations.

Trucking industry businesses of all sizes can improve safety, operate more efficiently, and reduce damage to docks and trailer equipment with the electric yard trucks from DJ Products.

The debate over glider kit semi trucks

While Pruitt feels the EPA lacks the authority to regulate glider kits under a proposed new interpretation of the Clean Air Act, the American Trucking Association (ATA) opposes repealing the Obama era rule for medium- and heavy-duty truck standards for the glider industry.

Glen Kedzie, energy and environmental affairs counsel for ATA, responded to the proposed rule change by saying the previous standard was based on sound data and science. Kedzie went on to say that it is perplexing that the EPA would support the continued growth of the glider kit industry because it produces the most polluting equipment on America’s highways.

Under the Trump administration, the EPA states that the unique way gliders are manufactured makes them exempt from the regulations of new motor vehicles. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) also takes issue with the proposed rule change, stating that gliders produce 40 times more pollution than modern semis.

We offer a line of low-maintenance, energy-efficient yard trucks for the trucking industry to help your business operate safely and profitably. Contact us to discuss your business operation with one of our knowledgeable and friendly sales engineers.

Long Haul Semi Drivers May See More Pay Raises as Job Market Tightens

Truck Drivers May See Pay Boosts This Year Due to the Job Market

Truckers’ pay rates have increased only a fraction as much as other work sectors in the last two decades. Now, carriers are increasing driver rates by several cents per mile and offering compelling sign-on bonuses to poach from their competitors.

For those managing warehouses, the pay raises create a domino effect. Business is good, but efficiency still rules. Even down to operating costs, such as how your terminal tractors can shunt trailers in and out of the docks.

According to a report by Transport Topics, third quarter 2017 driver wages rose 1.6% over last year, with pay hikes across the board:

– Dry van index up 2.5%

– Flatbed up 1.4%

– Truckload pay up 4 to 7 cents in the stronger markets

– Signing bonuses up to $14,000

Experts point to low unemployment, high GDP, and the likelihood of driver numbers holding steady as indicators that the transportation industry should expect to increase driver pay rates in 2018.

Boost Efficiency with TrailerCaddy Terminal Tractors

DJ Products developed the TrailerCaddy Electric Yard Dog to make it safer, easier, and more efficient to shift and relocate trailers at docks and warehouse terminals. Making things even better is the fact that any dock worker can operate the tractor; no CDL is required.

TrailerCaddy terminal tractors move tank, OTR, and semi trailers weighing up to 100,000 pounds using a long-life 48-volt battery. It’s a small machine that any yard spotter can use to precisely maneuver trailers wherever they need to go.

Let our automated tractors do the heavy lifting with pinpoint control. Warehouses can expect lower maintenance costs, fewer injuries, and maximized efficiency to keep transportation costs down even in a competitive job market.

Contact DJ Products to find out more about TrailerCaddy shunt yard trucks.

DOT Add Opioids to List of Drugs Drivers to Be Tested For January 1

Drivers Are Now Being Tested for Opioids

With the increase in opioid abuse over the past several years, the Department of Transportation will be requiring truck drivers to be tested for them soon. This testing is being done to help ensure that truck drivers are able to safely operate their vehicles. It’s also being implemented as part of a nationwide effort to address opioid abuse.

New Drug Testing Rules

Starting on January 1st, truck drivers will be tested for four different kinds of opioids as part of routine testing. These include hydromorphone, hydrocodone, oxycodone and oxymorphone, which are all semi-synthetic opioids that are used as prescription painkillers.

The DOT will be adding this new testing panel to routine urine testing for those who operate commercial vehicles. Whether driving on the road or operating a semi trailer mover, it’s important for those in the industry to stay safe and not put others at risk on the job.

Support and Opposition to the New Rules

These new rules have been met with both strong support and opposition. Supporters are in favor of these new rules in order to reduce safety risks associated with truck driving and opioid abuse. They also believe that the new rules are necessary under the Department of Health and Human Services guidelines, which determine the types of drugs that federal agencies can test. Those who oppose the new rules cite concern that truck drivers who are taking prescription pain medication under their doctor’s orders could be unfairly punished.

If you need a reliable semi trailer mover for your business, contact DJ Products to learn more. We offer a wide selection of products to help keep your employees safe on the job. These products lower the risk of injuries and save you time, money and manpower.

Are You Ready for the December 18th ELD Mandate?

Are You Ready for the New ELD Regulations?

It’s been a long time coming, but after a process that began in 2012, the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate is about to take effect on December 18. Are you prepared to implement this rule that will significantly affect your business along with the entire trucking industry?

Why a Mandate?

The primary moving force behind passage of the ELD law is driver safety. Estimates from the Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) indicate that ELD use can prevent 1,500 accidents, 475 injuries and 22 deaths per year.

In addition to safety benefits, ELD use can provide an unprecedented amount of accurate data, allowing for more efficient operations.

How to Prepare for the ELD Mandate

There are also potential drawbacks to ELD use, including increased shipping costs, smaller truckload capacities and greater need for team drivers. Preparation can help reduce the risk of negative effects.

Maintain open communication about the approaching deadline with your regular carriers and providers. Use the information you gain to adjust plans where necessary.
Notify carriers and providers of your expectations regarding the mandate. Include specific details, such as what date you expect compliance and what documents you’ll accept as proof of ELDs.
Offering support to key carriers and providers can pave the way to stronger relationships and greater levels of trust.

The Trailer Caddy Semi Trailer Mover from DJ Products

How much time and labor is taken up by moving semi trailers around the yard? Visit our website to learn more about our Trailer Caddy, a battery-powered semi trailer mover that lets a single employee move trailers weighing up to 100,000 pounds.

Tag: Semi Trailer Moving Equipment