If you have a Savvy Pro Shop Tip you'd like to share, send it to us at Savvy Pro Shop Tips and we'll publish it here.

Bendix Air Brake Parts

Stock your pads now...  Part number 802078  is an axle set and covers Volvo, Mack, Peterbilt, and Kenworth trucks with the  ADB22X system.  I would also suggest 802455 Sheer Adapters (box of  10) and 802119 Tappet and Boot Kits.

Body Builders' Guides Provide Valuable Information

Service and Maintenance operations are often called on to provide repair and service help on unfamiliar vehicles and may not have technical information such as electrical schematics readily available.

The OEM's Body Builder Book or other materials can be a big help in this situation.

Since Body Byuilder reference materials are designed to help auxiliary equipment and body companies mount equipment and accessories properly to OEM chassis, these reference materials often include information such as electrical schematics, diagrams and other helpful information that can help service people understand how the vehicle is laid out and in this way, help in trouble shooting or repair.

In many cases, these materials are available on line.  (Note:  We have compiled some of these Body Builder resources on our Bodies & Equipment page under the heading Sales, Service & Installation).

Submitted by,

Service Manager

Truck Dealership in the Southeast

Every once in a while you see a really simple answer to a problem that truck operators face.  Operators that run trucks in areas that require chains always face the issue of where to carry the chains when not being used.  A Minnesota company came up with a simple and inexpensive way to handle this issue. No welding required! Take a look by clicking on the image to enlarge.

1/11/08

What are you building now? - Gift Card Incentives Encourage Online Study

We've heard that gift cards were the hot item for Christmas this year.  A North Carolina fleet is taking that idea to a new level by using "Gift Cards" as an incentive for successful online study.

Many companies offer online training resources that can be used as is, or can be edited to fit individual user objectives.  These can then be combined in to a course of study for technicians.

To encourage technicians to use these resources and develop a habit of "life long learning", the Maintenance Director of a large  truckload fleet in the southeast is using "gift cards" to reward technicians who complete self paced study courses on approved subjects.

 Technicians take approved on-line courses or view training materials via the internet. And, as technicians complete each subject or course and provide documentation (either by taking the test with the course or through fleet designed test), they are rewarded with a gift card from a home improvement store or department store.

The fleet provides a work space for technicians and other service personnel to use the internet or the work can be done from home.

The only downside to this program is that the personnel department wanted to know where all the gift cards were going.  When the Maintenance Director pointed out the benefits in productivity and quality, not to mention morale, they wholeheartedly supported the program.

 Submitted by

 Maintenance Director of Southeast Based Truckload Carrier

Maintenance Training

Many members of the TruckSavvy.com community have valuable information available via their web sites (technical bulletins, training information, specifications, even videos) and TruckSavvy.com makes it easy to access the information for use in service meetings.

With an internet connection, a digital projector and a little homework, you can conduct quality training classes using manufacturer information direct from their web sites.

In some cases, the web site can be used to support the instructor/manager/facilitator comments.  In others, information from the web site can be the entire training class.

For example, ArvinMeritor provides a wealth of technical and training information on their website including technical literature and self study courses on drivelines, clutches, failed parts analysis and other topics (Technical Training).  There is also an excellent training video on proper slider operation for drivers as well as maintenance personnel (Click for Slider Operation Video).

Other companies provide less detailed, but equally valuable information such as Grote, Inc.  The Technical Information page of Grote's web site has valuable trouble shooting information in an easily printed format.

It's a good idea for the person conducting the class to spend some time beforehand getting familiar with the subject and website to be used.  You might also print copies of important pages beforehand to use for handouts.

You can also use this idea go provide training on other topics such as OSHA, Vehicle Safety Regulations, etc. etc., etc…. 

An additional benefit to this strategy is that it will help your people get more comfortable with searching and using the internet for their own independent research and study.

Submitted by Midwest Maintenance Director

Note:  TruckSavvy.com has links to additional training resources on our Online Training page.

Protect Wash Bay Walls with FRP Panels

To protect painted walls in your shop, use FRP panels over the block walls, particularly in areas subject to high levels of greasy dirt such as pressure washing bays.

The FRP panels are easy to keep clean and if they do become too dirty, can be easily replaced.  This will save the time and expense of having to pressure wash and possibly repaint the permanent wall.

Submitted by Truck Dealer Service Manager – Greensboro, NC

Rechargeable Trouble Lights Improve Efficiency and Safety

Good lighting is a working essential but traditional drop lights and cords can be a nuisance and safety hazard.

One cement truck operator in the southeast has replaced all drop lights with rechargeable LED work lights.  The 60 LED lights provide up to 8 hours of continuous, cordless runtime and can be recharged in less than an hour.

Because there is no cord, the light can be brought directly to where it's needed and there's no hazard from tangled cords, faulty electrical connections or exploding light bulbs.

Technicians can keep the lights right in their tool box. 

For all around utility, the lights come with rechargeable NiMH Battery Pack, AC/DC Charging Platform, 12 Volt Cord and 120 Volt Cord.

Submitted by Fleet Maintenance Manager – Winston Salem, NC

Savvy Pro Shop Tip - Create Extra Work Space

One of our contributors told us about a way to create extra space for laying out parts and tools around a truck.

Simply rip a sheet of plywood into two 2 foot by 8 foot pieces and screw an 8 foot 2 x 4 in the center of each one.  Now you have a handy table that you can lay over the tandems on each side.  You can use these tables to lay out and store the sheet metal, air piping and exhaust pieces that you take off the vehicle and keep them out of the way.

Contributed by:

Industry Professional

Denver, NC

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