Monday, October 29, 2012

Companies Seek to Attract New Truckers by Offering New Perks

The fact of the matter is that 2/3rds of all freight traffic in the U.S.A. gets handled by way of big-rig trucks. Around 3 million interstate truckers make their livelihood by delivering the foodstuffs, manufactured goods, and miscellaneous essentials that keep this country up and running year after year. It’s hard to see any other form of transportation – whether rail or aerial – that’s ever going to supersede the need for freight haulers.

But let’s face it: the life of a trucker can be rough. Extended days and weeks on the road without seeing family and friends can take its toll on anybody. Currently, there’s an estimated shortage of 100,000 truckers in North America, and if the economy gradually (and inevitably) picks up steam again, and more interstate traffic begins to flow, that number for new truckers could explode to upwards of 250,000. That’s a heck of a lot of jobs for the taking. The problem is, many folks don’t visualize themselves in a big-rig cabin running coast-to-coast down Interstate 80 or Interstate 10. Still, it’s a good, solid way to make one’s living, and to add onto that, trucking companies and truck-stop chains across America are piling on incentives to make the trucker lifestyle more appealing.

With all the added shower facilities and movie theaters available at today’s truck-stops, it’s hard these days to tell some interstate rest stops apart from motels or multiplexes. Gyms, basketball courts, gourmet food options, and health clinics are also all becoming par for the course. At night, truckers sleep in cabins that feature plush cushioning and ample room for stretching out. New truck models are beginning to sport amenities such as GPS, Sirius-XM satellite radio, DVD players, and even satellite television dishes: in short, many (if not all) the comforts of home.

With unemployment running at just over 8%, it’s a good thing to know there are a lot of solid, steady jobs available for those who are willing to take on the challenge. It’s just a question now of letting job-seekers know that the jobs are out there – and that they come with their benefits as much as they come with their rigors.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Unregulated Forklifts: Buy Them While You Can

Over the course of the last decade, there has been a growing stream of laws enacted on the forklift industry that limits the level of gas emissions coming from their motors. These various regulations stem from every level of government, from the local to the federal. The wisdom of these regulations is nothing we wish to touch upon in this blog. The practical issue at hand is one that is a lot more important to the everyday forklift operator: cost benefit. Simply put, as emissions standards increase, vehicle and forklift manufacturers are forced to invest in R & D in order to comply with those standards. As a result, the price of the product spirals upwards for the everyday consumer.

Come January 1, 2013, another emissions cap is set to be put into law.  Namely, Tier 4 non-road diesel emissions standards for engines generating up to 560kW will be increased. These kinds of engines (commonly found on forklifts) will now be required to emit a mere 5.0 in terms of carbon monoxide (CO) – with an ideal target of 3.7 for emissions. The price to get your engine certified will be costly enough, but spending money on newer, costlier engines that already comply with these emissions standards is enough to make some people want to go out a buy one for themselves before the law comes into full effect.

On that note, DW Lift Sales offers a wide variety of heavy-duty, tough-performing forklift models that are a bargain deal – especially when considering what’s coming your way 2013. Don’t let new price increases spoil your New Year’s. Get in on purchasing our gear before more regulations hit the (engine) fan.

Monday, October 15, 2012

How to Keep Your Truck Truckin’: Some Long-Term Strategies and Tips

Whether you drive a local delivery truck that operates within the jurisdiction of a few counties, or whether you’re an interstate trucker who rides it for the long-haul, the fact is that you’re going to be burning through a lot of mileage in no time at all. Additionally, if you’ve had the commonsense to buy or to rent a cost-effective truck that’s still operable, but that’s got a good chunk of miles to its name already, then proper maintenance of your truck’s engine is – if anything – even more important.  What’s the point in investing in something as critical as a freight truck if you aren’t able to maintain it properly? On that note, we at DW Lift Sales would like to impart to you a few accumulated bits of truck maintenance wisdom we’ve picked up over the years.

Rule 1: Don’t Over-Rev

Revving your engine beyond the RPM limits prescribed by your engine parameters is a sure recipe for adding to engine wear-and-tear. If anything, invrease your engine torque ratings while you drive. This will not only help keep your engine from overheating in the long-run, but it will improve on fuel efficiency as well.

Rule 2: Don’t Speed

We know that life on the road can get a little dull sometimes, and there’s the added fact that you’ve got a destination and a deadline to meet. But don’t overdo it on the speeding. Driving at around 60 mph leaves your truck operating at 40% of its horsepower capacity, which is a great long-term, preventative strategy for keeping your engine running smoothly and efficiently.

Rule 3: Pre-Trip Inspection

Don’t ever find yourself in a position where you’re on the road when you first notice a problem in your engine. Most if not all problems can be spotted prior to hitting the highway. It may take around 30 minutes to examine all the necessary details, but you need to check for proper engine oil and coolant levels, make sure the air brake tank is fully drained, and the brakes are checked for the right level of pressurization.

Rule 4: Follow the Proper Maintenance Schedule

Unlike keeping clear of chocolates, or following your New Year’s resolution all the way through to December 31st, truck maintenance schedules aren’t things to be taken lightly. Make certain your rig gets inspected at the exact, scheduled time – so technicians can make sure that no nasty surprises have cropped up since last you had a check-up. Every year you have to go into your doctor for a physical. The same thing goes for your truck, albeit the physical exam almost always happens (a lot) more than just once a year!

Rule 5: Special Rule for Diesel Trucks

In the case of diesel-powered big rigs, prepare to adapt to a different style of engine and a different style of “playing”. Beyond the fact that diesel fuel costs considerably more than good old petroleum, you’re going to have to make sure to carry bottles of diesel treatment with you in your cab. At each filling, be sure to add a full bottle of this diesel treatment into the mix, so that the overall muckiness of diesel oil doesn’t infiltrate your engine in any harmful way. Diesel additive keeps things nice and pure and on the level.

Just a few, friendly 101 tips from the folks at DW Lift Sales!