Ford and GM recently introduced their first electric pickup trucks. WSJ auto reporter Mike Colias breaks down the different strategies the two legacy auto manufacturers are pursuing to bring their EVs to market. Photo Illustration: Alexander Hotz/WSJ
Monday, January 31, 2022
Friday, January 28, 2022
Trucks That Trouble-shoot Themselves, Get Ready, They're Coming!
In the future, equipment is expected to troubleshoot itself
without human intervention.
Thanks to advances in technology, as well as an increasing emphasis on operations efficiency and wise resource use, the role of equipment fleet managers across all industries has changed quite a bit in recent years.
Expect even more changes in the future, says Jim Schug, a principal and engagement manager for FMI Corporation.
Schug, who is also a certified equipment manager and the program lead for the Certification Institute, cites “adapting to technology, innovation, and the new workforce” as three big changes that have occurred in fleet management over the last few years. All fleet management professionals — no matter their industry or the type of equipment managed — need to prepare themselves for more changes on the horizon, he says.
“All vehicles are adapting across the industry,” says Schug, who participated in a panel discussion at ConExpo-Con/Agg in Las Vegas this March on the future of equipment management.
Jim Schug
“We likely are not far from vehicles that troubleshoot themselves, remote sensors that predict what to repair based on the data they collect, and an overall expectation of zero unplanned downtime.” Jim Schug, principal and engagement manager, FMI Corporation headquartered in Raleigh, N.C. and has offices in Denver, Tampa, Phoenix and Houston. “In the future, trucks will be connected and serve as a tracking center; and they will likely evolve out of needing field repairs and emergency calls.”
Need to adapt to changes
Given this move toward automation and advanced technology, fleet equipment — including service trucks —will become much more sophisticated and provide “near perfect information” on how they operate, he predicts. Therefore, he says, companies will only remain competitive in the future if they can do the following: have the best, most “fit” equipment to perform the job; eliminate equipment downtime; and demonstrate the ability to sustain ongoing operations 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And much of this will rest on the shoulders of fleet management leadership and their ability to adapt to industry changes, Schug argues.
“This future is a big shift from where we are today and puts more pressure on the equipment manager to lead what happens in the field, so the intensity and importance of the role increases,” says Schug, who has a bachelor of science degree in quantitative economics from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a master of science in engineering management from the University of Missouri. “If equipment managers are not already sitting at the leadership table today they should be … and I certainly believe they will be in five years.”
Whether playing catch-up or preparing for more changes, fleet managers should take proactive steps to better position themselves (and their companies) for what lies ahead, he says.
“Learn how to collect data and enter it into an efficient system that helps inform when making difficult decisions,” says Schug, who acknowledges many people already use maintenance management systems in their decision-making.
However, he advises fleet managers to think beyond simply collecting and entering data. On that note, he emphasizes how the gathering, harvesting and analyzing of data by fleet managers can help their CEOs make good decisions.
Recognize data’s value
“You need to recognize how valuable that data is to your lifecycle costs and current operations. Equipment data will drive operations in the future,” says Schug, whose company provides management consulting and investment banking services to various industries including construction and engineering.
Given the importance of data in fleet management, Schug says it is critical for fleet managers to “stay engaged” and “plugged-in” when it comes to industry associations and vendors. By doing so, fleet managers can keep abreast of new technologies, products and/or practices, all of which can benefit their overall fleet management efforts.
“You do not want your firm to fall behind the innovation curve. At the same time, we are seeing strategy evolve from a ‘gut feel’ to a more data-driven approach,” Schug says.
According to Schug, though, a data-driven strategy in fleet management is more of a “shared understanding” developed and refined through the experiences of employees serving customers in the field.
“CEOs seldom innovate effectively,” Schug says. “The field and front-line management is the source of all great innovations; and they will be what leads our industry forward. Great firms recognize this and harness it in the development and execution of their strategy.”
Mark Yontz is a freelance writer from Urbandale, Iowa.
Source: http://www.servicetruckmagazine.com/get-ready-for-future-trucks-that-trouble-shoot-themselves/
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Towing Overview | Ford How-To | Ford
This informative video will help explain some of the features your vehicle may have that can help with towing a trailer.
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
The AL-RS CM Truck Bed From Enoven
Enoven Truck Bodies & Equipment is a distributor and upfitter of CM Truck Beds, a market leader for many years in ranch-style flatbeds and their product line is constantly expanding. Enoven is always looking for quality partners like CM Truck Beds to be able to offer the best products and value for our clients.
See more about CM Truck Beds at https://cmtruckbeds.com/
See more about all of our products and services at Enoven.com
Sunday, January 23, 2022
Liftgates for Pickup Trucks
The Tommy Gate G2-Series is the premier line of hydraulic liftgates for modern pickup trucks. With a wide variety of platform materials, sizes, and lifting capacities, Tommy Gate has a liftgate model for every cargo-handling need.
To learn more, visit the G2-Series Pickup page: http://www.tommygate.com/liftgates/pi...
Saturday, January 22, 2022
Get the Most Out of Your Chemical Deicers with Fine Material Augers
If you’re buying a spreader for use with fine materials like calcium chloride and ice melt, the SaltDogg TGSUVPROA, TGS01B, and TGS05B are all great choices. But to get the MOST out of your new spreader, you’ll also want to purchase and install our alternate auger specifically designed for those finer deicing materials.
Out of the box, these spreaders come with an auger designed for use with #1 rock salt, which is about a quarter-inch in diameter.
The alternate auger features a more gradual pitch, which is better for regulating the flow of fine materials and will help you SAVE material and SAVE money in the long run.
Learn more:
Fine Material Auger for SaltDogg TGSUVPROA and TGS01B: https://www.buyersproducts.com/produc...
Fine Material Auger for TGS05B: https://www.buyersproducts.com/produc...
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
Protect Your Transmission - Boss Snowplows
Transmission damage is 1 of the most common problems that occur while plowing.
The following steps can help prevent transmission damage.
Ways to Protect Your Truck Transmission
• Do not plow in overdrive unless your vehicle’s Owner’s Manual recommends it.
• Plan your plow pattern so that you drive forward as much as possible.
• Come to a complete stop before shifting from forward to reverse.
• Wait until the transmission engages before accelerating.
• Accelerate slowly, allowing the tires to grip the road surface for better traction. Avoid spinning the
tires.
• Start driving forward before lowering the plow for a pass.
• Whenever possible, back into a cleared area.
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• If you have a manual transmission, avoid riding the clutch while plowing.
• Change the transmission fluid before and during the plowing season. If the fluid has a burnt
smell, change the fluid as soon as possible.
• You can install an inline transmission heat gauge to monitor the temperature in your transmission.
If it reaches 121°C (250°F), let the vehicle idle until the fluid cools.
Read more »
Sunday, January 16, 2022
Friday, January 14, 2022
Brief Intro To The Switch-N-Go® Truck Body System
Vern with Enoven Truck Body + Equipment partners with Brandon from Switch-N-Go® at the NorCal Ford Truck Club annual product event to give a brief overview of the reason Switch-N-Go® can be such a beneficial choice for your business. You can now have one truck with many different types of truck bodies.
See more about Switch-N-Go® at https://switchngo.com/
See more about Enoven's products at https://enovenind.com/
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Enoven Landscape Dump On Ford F-650
Paul from Enoven Truck Body + Equipment gives us highlights of the Enoven Landscape Dump Body. In this case, it is mounted on a Ford F-650. The video was shot at the annual NorCal Ford Truck Club product event.
See more about Enoven products at https://enovenind.com/
Monday, January 10, 2022
Enoven Shows The Kybato Body Swap System
Sam with Enoven Truck Body shows off the body swap and removal system from Kybato available now. See more about Enoven Truck Bodies at https://www.enoven.com
Saturday, January 8, 2022
Switch-N-Go Body Dumping and Removal System
Sam with Enoven Truck Body goes over a custom dump body with a Switch-N-Go body dumping and removal system. See more at Enoven.com
Thursday, January 6, 2022
Taylor Pump and Lift Portable Lube Skid
Sam with Up Truck Fleet Center shows off the portable lube skid from Taylor Pump and Lift. It can be loaded into a pickup, service body, or trailer. See more at UpTruck.com Also available at Enoven.com
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
Traffix Devices Scorpion TL-3 Crash Attenuator Easily Removed Adding Versatility
Sam with Enoven Truck Body shows off how this crash attenuator can be easily removed allowing you to use the truck for various applications. See more at https://www.enoven.com/
Sunday, January 2, 2022
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