Idle time issues June 30, 2006 @ 7:54 am

Q.		Jonh could you send me some information on what other Distribution Company’s are doing to improve idle time. Thanks Paul Kolles

A.		Installing Anti -Idling technologies like our auxiliary fuel fired heater systems or battery powered A/C systems and APU's. Running wide based tires and/with automatic tire pressure regulators Making the fleet more Aerodynamic etc. Smartway, an EPA run organization has a great web site, I've attached a link here for you and paraphrased some of their ideas, which I've mentioned. Here's the web site for the calculator: http://www.epa.gov/smartway/calculator/loancalc.htm The SmartWay Upgrade Kit consists of the following: 1. An idle reduction device (mobile) 2. Wide based tires (e.g., Michelin X-1) 3. Advanced trailer aerodynamics 4. An emission control device (e.g., oxidation catalyst 5. Automatic tire inflation

eaton top 2 transmission June 26, 2006 @ 4:27 pm

Q.		How to use the eaton tip 2 transmission and where can i get instructions on the use of the eaton top 2 transmission?

A.		Willie, I think you've asked the wrong expert! J.

idling May 31, 2006 @ 1:19 pm

Q.		What do you think of Truck Stop Electrification? There is a company that is installing an idling alternative in truck stops. Do you think this alternative is better or worse than others? What are the pros and cons? thanks

A.		TSE serves it's purpose, however it has its limitations, first that, it is a stationary alternative, it does not go where the truck goes, the truck has to go to it; which brings me to the next point; there are over 1.8 million Class 6 & 7 vehicles on the road and over 2.4 million Class 8 vehicles on the road in which 1/2 million + have sleepers, there are only so many parking spots out there so you have jockey for position to get one of the parking spots that have TSE. As an alternative to idling I think it is a good thing and it is as good as any other solution out there. Pro's are that it provides both heat & cool with many of the amenities of home (in some cases) like telephone connection, internet etc. It is relatively cheap depending on the package that you buy. Cons are that it is stationary and that there are only so many parking spaces outfitted with them. It is costly to produce electricity and that is the source which powers them.

anti idling solutions May 15, 2006 @ 2:36 pm

Q.		are there wireles anti-idling solutions and if so what are they?

A.		I’m not sure if I’m interpreting your question correctly but I’ll take a stab at it. There are ways via satellite to monitor the run times and idling times of trucks. Most fleets today have some sort of Satellite tracking system. These same systems can monitor the idling times and shut down the truck either manually or automatically after set parameters are entered. Espar Heaters although hard wired to the batteries can be switched on with remote devices like key fobs; additionally these same heaters can be pre-programmed to come on at desired days and times. So, I believe the answer to question is “YES” there are wireless technologies out there.

bio diesel April 13, 2006 @ 1:50 pm

Q.		Why is the industry pushing bio diesel fuels through congress to the petro industry. Get it refined and get it working correctly. There are some engineering issues, we are working on them, but, we need the country to whole heartly support this issue especially the truck drivers. Diesel fuel has always been the most efficent fuel to produce and to use on an engine. The engines have not evolved until recently. Merecedes, VW are working on top of the line designs, eliminate polution, eliminate the clanking by injecting the fuel at the right time with the right amount of proper ignition. I really believe, the truck drivers and their organizations could be a driving force for change? Where are you?

A.		I recently attended a Clean Cities Conference in Arizona regarding alternative fuels and alternatives to engine idling. No question that government agencies are looking to reduce our dependency on the need to import foreign fuel, while diesel fuel has been an efficient fuel to produce, there is only so much of it! (I think that answers your question right there) and I suppose this initiative of introducing alternatives has to start at a grass root level. Additionally Federal government has reservations on mandating change; they of course would like it to be on a voluntary basis. There are many new alternative fuels on the horizon; it is a matter of R&D and infrastructure. Bio-Fuels are just one of these alternatives that they are talking about, others are Compressed Natural Gases, Hydrogen, Battery Powered, Fuel Cells, Solar to name a few. Even at Espar we are changing the way our heater systems run, while currently they can run on Diesel Fuel, Kerosene and Gas, we are doing R&D work to make sure that they can run on fuels like Bio-Diesel.