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- Category: Safety
- Published on Thursday, 10 May 2012 14:07
- Written by Editor
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CSA Safety Measurement System (SMS) Website Updated
The CSA Safety Measurement System (SMS) website has been updated with the April 27, 2012 snapshot. Check your safety assessment now at: http://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/sms.
Also available is FMCSA’s SMS Preview website. Carriers can log in to the site to preview the first package of proposed changes to the SMS through two websites:
1. Visit the CSA Website (http://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/smspreview/) and log in with an FMCSA-issued U.S. DOT number and a personal identification number (PIN), or
2. Log in to the FMCSA Portal (https://portal.fmcsa.dot.gov/login) and select the “CSA Outreach” link.
FMCSA encourages motor carriers to view the SMS Preview to see how methodology changes will affect their SMS results. Written comments regarding the changes can be filed to the Federal Docket Management System, Docket ID Number FMCSA-2012-0074.
NOTE TO CARRIERS: To login into the SMS or SMS Preview websites and see all of your safety data, you will need an FMCSA-issued U.S. DOT Number Personal Identification Number (PIN) (NOT a Docket Number PIN). If you do not know or have forgotten your PIN, you can request one via http://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/ and select 'Click here to request your Docket Number PIN and/or USDOT Number PIN.' Be sure to request a U.S. DOT Number PIN, NOT a Docket Number PIN.
More information is available at the FMCSA website: http://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov.
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- Category: Industry News
- Published on Thursday, 10 May 2012 00:57
- Written by Editor
- Hits: 8
STEMCO Acquires Motor Wheel Commercial Vehicle Systems
LONGVIEW, TEXAS - STEMCO, an EnPro Industries company announced that it has acquired Motor Wheel Commercial Vehicle Systems, a manufacturer of engineered critical brake components, including drums and component assemblies for heavy-duty trucks and other commercial vehicles. The business was acquired from Precision Partners Holding Company for cash; terms were not disclosed. The business will become part of the brake products group of STEMCO.
Motor Wheel’s primary product is the CentriFuse® brake drum, which is widely recognized as the leading premium brake drum for heavy-duty vehicles and commercial trailers. The company’s patented technology creates a superior braking surface that resists wear while the lightweight design improves both fuel efficiency and payload capacity.
“The acquisition of Motor Wheel aligns with our strategic direction and will enable us to offer a more complete line of premium brake system components,” said Jon Cox, president of STEMCO. “This lightweight, high performance brake drum coupled with our brake lining and new brake shoes creates a unique value proposition for today’s fleet customers.”
Read more: STEMCO Acquires Motor Wheel Commercial Vehicle Systems
- Details
- Category: Industry News
- Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 15:17
- Written by Vic Lammi
- Hits: 9
Volvo Hybrid, Mean Green, Shatters Hybrid Truck World Speed Records
Mean Green, the world’s fastest hybrid truck, just got a little faster.
The Volvo hybrid established new world speed records April 27 at Utah’s historic Wendover Airfield, eclipsing its previous marks in the standing kilometer (two-thirds mile) and flying kilometer.*
“We are very pleased with Mean Green’s performance, especially at such a high altitude,” said Boije Ovebrink, Mean Green driver and owner. “We knew Wendover would present challenges because it’s more than 4,200 feet (1,280 meters) above sea level. To compensate for the thinner air and help prevent overheating, we reduced the truck’s power by nearly 20 percent. Even with the reduction in total output potential, Mean Green had ample power to surpass the previous records.”
Mean Green achieved the following world record speeds:
Flying Kilometer –236.577 km/h (147.002 mph)
Standing Kilometer – 153.252 km/h (95.245 mph)
The speed record attempts were sanctioned by the United States Auto Club, an extension of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), motoring’s international governing body. The new world records are subject to FIA recognition, which will occur in about 30 to 60 days.
Mean Green eclipsed its previous records – 218.780 km/h (135.943 mph) in the flying kilometer and 152.253 km/h (94.605 mph) in the standing kilometer – established June 2011 at the Hultsfred Airport in Sweden.
Read more: Volvo Hybrid, Mean Green, Shatters Hybrid Truck World Speed Records
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- Category: Association Events
- Published on Tuesday, 08 May 2012 15:33
- Written by Editor
- Hits: 5
Vehicle Inspection Tech Night Scheduled for May 22
The NCTA Maintenance Council will host a Tech Night Program at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, May 22 at Snider Tire, 900 Atando Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28206.
The subject of the program will be Vehicle Inspection – Back to Basics and feature discussions on some of the most common Road Side Inspection Violations – and more important, offer suggestions and tips on how to prevent them.
Our speakers will include Sam Mask of Meritor; Shelton Shepherd of HD Fleet Reps; and Chandler Efland of Snider Tire. The program will be moderated by Jimmy Childress of FleetNet America.
Discussion will include real world examples to understand potential problems AND corrective actions and maintenance tips for common brake, electrical, tire and related inspection issues.
Read more: Vehicle Inspection Tech Night Scheduled for May 22
- Details
- Category: Industry Products
- Published on Thursday, 19 April 2012 12:27
- Written by Editor
- Hits: 13
BENDIX TO LAUNCH SMARTIRE™ TPMS FOR TRAILERS
Bendix Kit Expands Tire Monitoring Capability for Maximized Vehicle Fuel Economy and Safety Benefits
ELYRIA, Ohio – Fleets and drivers will soon be able to deploy the fuel-economy and safety benefits of the SmarTire™ Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) by Bendix CVS on their trailers.
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, the North American leader in the development and manufacture of leading-edge active safety and braking system technologies, expects to release SmarTire TPMS for trailers in the third quarter of 2012 as an aftermarket retrofit kit. A typical kit would consist of eight wheel sensors, harnessing, and a wireless receiver. The company also intends to make SmarTire TPMS available to OE trailer manufacturers.
SmarTire technology continuously monitors the pressure and temperature of each tire on a commercial vehicle to provide real-time tire status information to the driver or maintenance technician. When paired with the latest version of SmarTire for tractors, the SmarTire trailer system will wirelessly link with the trailer, displaying both the truck and the trailer tire information. Through this automatic link, the system will display the data provided by sensors monitoring the trailer tires on the existing TPMS display.
The SmarTire technology warns the driver of tire-related problems before they pose a safety hazard. The exclusive temperature compensation feature allows the system to provide earlier warnings of a tire problem. Particularly relevant for trailers, the high-temperature warning is an invaluable feature that provides the driver with warning of a potential thermal issue, such as an overheated wheel-end due to a bearing or brake issue.
