Engine oil monitor
The EngineChek, which can be fitted on the oil filter of most gasoline and diesel engines, traps debris suspended in oil before it can disappear into the filter. Material found during a close inspection of the EngineChek at each oil change should be an alert to a potential problem, the company says. Abnormally large particles will be caught in the screen, and smaller ones resulting from normal wear are allowed to pass through the screen for collection in the oil filter. Oil bypass holes in EngineChek screens help allow for extra flow during cold starts and prevent loss of oil pressure should a screen become clogged with a catastrophic amount of debris.
EngineChek (www.enginechek.com)
Rules and regulations manual
Thomson Delmar Learning has published Trucking Rules and Regulations: A Reference Guide to Transportation. The manual is designed to arm professional drivers with the knowledge they need to avoid penalties and infractions when driving coast-to-coast and state-to-state, thus preventing them from being stopped and fined. Information in the manual has been compiled from numerous sources and includes regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Changes in hazmat and other critical federal and state rulings for carriers are included. The book also contains information for maintaining individual and load safety and security.
Thomson Delmar Learning (www.truckdriving.delmar.com)
In-dash scale
Air-Weigh has introduced an in-dash 2-inch LCD “full-function truck scale in a gauge.” Freightliner Trucks is the first OEM to offer Air-Weigh onboard scales as a factory option. On tractors without front air suspension, the Air-Weigh truck scale automatically calculates the transfer of weight on and off the steer axle.
The new in-dash scale can be retrofitted in place of an air gauge in 30 minutes. The Air-Weigh Self-Weighing Trailer Scale can be installed in less than 15 minutes on newer trailers with standard ABS wiring harness, and it can be retrofitted on older trailers in less than 30 minutes. It can be mounted directly to the frame rail or suspended from a side rail with optional mounting brackets.
Air-Weigh (www.air-weigh.com)
Extra-large pressure washer
Landa introduces three SLX pressure-washer models that deliver cleaning power of up to 9.5 to 9.9 gallons per minute and 2,000 to 2,500 psi in pressure. All can sustain operational water temperature of 200 degrees Fahrenheit, which is ideal for cleaning fifth wheels and other extra-tough grease-cleaning tasks that require heat to melt away grime.
The SLX features a giant heating coil that consists of 300 feet of cold-rolled, 3/4-inch Schedule 80 steel pipe and is capable of supporting two cleaning wands that operate simultaneously. The coil is enclosed in a stainless steel wrap, and the water is heated using a burner fueled by diesel or heating oil. All the units are plumbed for receiving water from a faucet or a water tank feed for large jobs.
Landa (www.landa.com)
Heat-resistant epoxy
Master Bond Inc. has introduced EP34AN, a high-performance, room-temperature curing, two-component epoxy adhesive and sealant. Physical properties of EP34AN are maintained even after long exposure to temperatures in the 400- to 450-degree Fahrenheit range, the company says. EP34AN has dimensional stability and a low coefficient of expansion. It also exhibits superior electrical insulation properties, the company says. EP34AN has high bonding strength to a wide range of substrates, including metals, glass, ceramics, wood, vulcanized rubbers and most plastics.
Additionally, EP34AN is resistant to thermal shock and many chemicals including water, oil and most organic solvents, according to Master Bond. It has a Shore D hardness of greater than 85 and a tensile strength of 5,500 psi. Its tensile modulus is greater than 500,000 psi.
Master Bond Inc. (www.masterbond.com)
Tire chains
Onspot Tire Chains, available from Ryder Fleet Products, allow the operator to engage and disengage the chains with the flip of a dashboard switch. Ryder says the chains enhance traction and reduce braking distance on snow and ice, in forward or reverse.
Ryder Fleet Products (www.ryderfleetproducts.com)
Braided split sleeving
Waytek’s new Flexo F6 braided split sleeving is created from a split, semi-rigid construction, making it a solution for situations where ease of installation is of primary importance. The tube is split laterally and can open up easily to accommodate a wide variety of bundling requirements. The semi-rigid braid configuration simply closes around the installation on its own. The 25 percent edge overlap at nominal diameter allows complete coverage even around inline plugs, chains, connectors and splices.
Waytek Inc. (www.waytekwire.com)
Tire-pressure monitor
The Advantage PressurePro tire-pressure monitoring system alerts users to low pressures on tires before they become dangerous and expensive. The system reads pressures up to 150 psi on up to 34 wheel positions. No tools are necessary to install PressurePro, and the system is simple to operate, the company says. A wireless, tire air-pressure sensor simply screws onto the valve stem, replacing the dust cap. The monitor is powered by plugging into the lighter accessory in the vehicle. Sensors constantly read the tire pressure and transmit low-pressure readings immediately when they occur. When tire pressure is low, the monitor identifies the low tire position with a flashing light on that location and an audible alarm to alert to low pressure.
Advantage PressurePro (www.advantagepressurepro.com)
Leak-detection dye
Tracer Products’ newest leak-detection dye, Dye-Lite All-In-One, is a fluorescent full-spectrum dye designed for all vehicle oil and oil-based fluid systems. The product is formulated with two different fluorescent dyes to make it effective using any kind of inspection lamp; one dye fluoresces best when an ultraviolet lamp is used, and the other glows brightest when exposed to blue light.
Tracer Products (www.tracerline.com)
Anti-idling solution
Bergstrom’s solution to the idling problem – the No-Idle Thermal Environment system – is powered by two 6-volt deep-cycle batteries in series. The NITE air conditioner offers 3,500 BTUs of cooling capacity. The diesel fuel-operated heater throws off 3,930 to 7,860 BTUs per hour. The energy requirement to heat the sleeper is low at less than 0.1 gallon per hour, the company says.
The NITE system consists of Bergstrom’s patent-pending, hermetically sealed air-conditioning unit, a rechargeable battery system that supplies electricity to the air conditioner and an auxiliary heater. The entire system weighs 210 pounds. It sells for $3,495, not including installation. The air-conditioning unit houses the compressor, condenser, evaporator, fan assemblies and all other major components in one compact package. The elimination of hoses and O-rings, along with all brazed connection points, reduces the potential for leakage that can damage a typical truck air-conditioning system.
The compressor incorporates brushless DC motor and controller technology. The brushless DC technology allows for higher power density and better end-use efficiency in the variable-speed hermetic compressors.
Bergstrom (www.nitesystem.com)
Bonding tape for interiors
Tyco Plastics & Adhesives offers the new 9000 Series of hot-melt pressure-sensitive tapes for bonding to a wide variety of foams, films and other materials for lamination and converting applications. Uses include fabrication in vehicle interiors and general bonding applications, such as gasketing, weatherstripping, sound and vibration damping and cushioning. Products in the 9000 Series are manufactured in master rolls of 54 and 60 inches usable by 250 linear yards, with slit sizes available as well.
Tyco Plastics & Adhesives (www.tycoadhesives.com)
Cab cooler
Safer Corp. has made the Viesa Cooling System available in the United States. The evaporative cooler system designed for use in trucks, vans and earth-moving equipment can cool an 8-by-8-foot space in minutes by using the vehicle’s 12-volt battery and water, the company says. It can operate for up to 10 hours off a single battery. The unit is designed to shut down if the battery drops below 10 volts, and to start back up after the truck’s battery is charged back to 12 volts.
The system uses water as a coolant. A 7 1/2-gallon water tank is mounted on the back of the truck cab. A pump at the tank sends water up the hose to the cowl unit, mounted on top of the cab. Inside the interior of the truck is a unit that resembles an air conditioning ventilation system. The cowl contains a high-speed bi-turbo fan, which converts the water into cold air. The system weighs about 130 pounds when full, with water lasting up to three days depending upon usage. It comes with a full-function remote control, as well as an LCD screen to display tank and battery levels.
Safer Corp. (www.saferco.com)
Dock lock for trailers
The VBR-500 Dok-Lok Vehicle Restraint from Rite-Hite Corp. helps prevent accidents because of unexpected trailer separation from the dock. Providing a holding force of 32,000 pounds, the recessed locking system engages the rear impact guard with a large vertical barrier. Dock personnel easily can operate the system from a control panel mounted inside the building. When not in use, the vehicle restraint stores beneath the dock leveler.
The Dok-Lok maintains constant contact with the rear impact guard while adjusting automatically with trailer float motion associated with air-ride trailers to ensure proper engagement. After the trailer has backed into the dock, the dock attendant pushes the lock button on the control panel. This extends and raises the barrier to secure the trailer to the dock. Signal lights visible inside the trailer and the building indicate engagement and a safe condition for loading or unloading. When operations are complete, the dock attendant pushes the unlock button, the restraint is released, the lights change and the truck can depart.
Rite-Hite Corp. (www.rite-hite.com)
Wheel inspection wall chart
Accuride Corporation has designed a wheel inspection wall chart to help maintenance and refinishing technicians easily identify defects. The company says the wall chart is straightforward, with full-color illustrations that are designed to assist in identifying conditions that cause a wheel to no longer be suitable for refinishing.
Accuride Corporation (www.accuridecorp.com)
Balancing system for driveshafts
Balance Masters, a balancing system from Sun-Tech Innovations designed for truck wheel/tire assemblies, now is available for driveshafts. This system has been engineered to fit most heavy-duty trucks, buses, vans and motorhomes. Balance Masters are mounted at one end of the driveshaft approximately 1 to 6 inches from either end. The liquid metal (mercury) technology works by centrifugal force to help increase bearing life and reduce running vibrations up to 50 percent or more, the company says. The product has a 2-year limited factory warranty.
Sun-Tech Innovations (www.balancemasters.com)
Driver training video
J.J. Keller & Associates’ new video-based training program, CMV Driver Basics, is designed to help carriers comply with new entry-level driver training regulations. The program, available on DVD or VHS, incorporates visuals and narration to help address the four required areas of training: driver qualification, hours of service, driver wellness and whistleblower protection. Topics covered include medical certification and exams, basic health maintenance, alcohol and drug abuse, stress management, fatigue, general hours-of-service information, drivers’ rights and the complaint process. The program must be supplemented with additional training to meet the hours-of-service portion of the requirements.
Both the DVD and VHS packages include a 40-minute video, a trainer’s guide with employee quizzes and exercises, 11 employee handbooks, an awareness poster, a training register and 10 certificates of training. Components for training larger groups are available separately.
J.J. Keller & Associates Inc. (www.jjkeller.com)
Headlight with battery indicator
Pelican Products, a manufacturer of high-impact watertight flashlights, has designed the HeadsUp Lite 2630, a hands-free headlight with an LED battery-power indicator. A switch allows users to set light regulations of 100, 50 and 25 percent, as well as an intermittent safety beacon mode. The 2630 regulates its 30 lumen (at its peak), long-life Luxeon 1-watt LED lamp with an energy adjustment circuit that ensures consistent, brilliant light throughout battery life. The 2630 also sports a lightweight (0.4 pounds) water-resistant, nearly indestructible ABS plastic construction, as well as adjustable cloth and rubber head straps for maximum comfort. The product is backed by a lifetime guarantee.
Pelican Products (www.pelican.com)
Nitrogen generator
Parker Hannifin’s TireSaver nitrogen generator uses dry nitrogen gas instead of compressed air to inflate tires, which the company says can extend tire life by up to 25 percent and improve fuel efficiency by up to 4 percent. Using nitrogen also provides more consistent tire pressure and cooler running temperatures, and reduces or eliminates rim corrosion, stem clogging and the need to check tire pressures and top off tires, Parker says. These wall-mountable systems are shipped complete with an integral two-stage system of protective pre-filters and a carbon filter, enabling the tire inflation system to be used on any compressed air system. Four different systems are available to all sizes of service applications, from a small repair garage to large fleet service stations.
Parker Hannifin (www.parker.com)
