UFP Magazine

Mohawk Lifts has announced a new lift accessory for 10,000-pound through 30,000-pound two-post lifts. The swing arm head guard prevents technicians from hurting or cutting their heads on hard, steel swing arms while they are working under a vehicle. Easily applied to the lift’s swing arm with a peel-and-stick application, the head guard decreases workplace injuries and increases worker safety. www.mohawklifts.com

Sherman + Reilly, a Textron Inc. company, has a new PTV-6013 that operates equally well as a puller, tensioner and V-groove reconductorer, providing utilities and contractors performing a wide variety of jobs with versatility on the job site.

The new PTV-6013 unit can pull out old conductor, wind on a scrap reel, unload with the 18,000-pound self-loading reel carrier and tension out new conductor all with one machine. The V-groove reconductoring channel permits easy handling of splicing sleeves, all in a wide range of conductor or rope diameters.

This unit addresses the market need for expanded pulling and tensioning capacities by offering 13,000 pounds of pulling capacity for transmission, subtransmission and distribution applications with tensioning capabilities of up to 8,000 pounds. The PTV-6013 simplifies the job site by reducing setup time for loading and splicing of cable reels, all within a compact 26-foot footprint. By combining puller/tensioner capabilities with an 18,000-pound self-loading reel carrier, the PTV-6013 eliminates the need for additional equipment on the job site.

The PTV-6013 features a Safe-Zone cab providing ultimate safety and comfort for the operator. The Safe-Zone cab employs a floor-to-ceiling polycarbonate front window for maximum visibility while providing protection against impact. The cab includes climate control, a fully adjustable ergonomic seat and all required electronic controls and gauges. The Safe-Zone cab is designed to reduce operator fatigue, and provide an off-ground envelope for greatly reducing the risk of touch potential in energized environments. www.sherman-reilly.com

Gabriel (Ride Control LLC) has introduced new FleetLine ride control products for a wide range of heavy-duty vehicle makes and models, including Western Star, Kenworth, Thomas School Bus, Mack and more. In total, Gabriel is announcing 15 new product introductions, including some that are first to market.

FleetLine shocks are designed as a direct replacement for commercial OE shocks, and are built to meet or exceed OE specifications and quality standards. They feature valving rates that compensate for initial truck suspension softening to deliver top performance, as well as a preloaded piston ring that compensates for wear.

The recently updated FleetLine product line now features an improved anti-corrosion coating and a drastically improved misting reduction seal, thereby reducing maintenance downtime and extending service life. With Gabriel’s improved misting reduction seal technology, oil loss will be reduced by 70 percent over time, leading to longer life as compared to competing technologies. www.gabriel.com

Available in the U.S., Canada and Latin America, TRP Engine Oil, TRP Synthetic Transmission Oil and TRP Synthetic Gear Oil are the newest additions to the TRP global catalog of over 110,000 parts.

Formulated to guard against wear and corrosion in demanding applications, the products in the TRP Lubricant Program protect axle components, transmissions and engines for longer life and smoother operation across a wide range of operating conditions.

Perfect for a mixed fleet, TRP Engine Oil (SAE 15W-40 and SAE 10W-30) protects today’s four-stroke diesel and gasoline engines, and keeps older engine models running smoothly as well. Made to combat the sludge, varnish and ash deposits that can occur at high operating temperatures, TRP Engine Oil protects against oxidation, corrosion and rust. It also provides diesel particulate filter protection.

For all-climate, year-round protection of heavy-duty manual transmissions, TRP Synthetic Transmission Oil (SAE 50 Synthetic) offers exceptional performance. Recommended for a broad range of heavy-duty truck transmissions including Eaton and Meritor, TRP Synthetic Transmission Oil has a high viscosity index and low pour point for easy shifting in low temperatures. Its formulation protects against gear wear and copper corrosion, while providing thermal and oxidation stability.

TRP Synthetic Gear Oil (SAE 75W-90 Synthetic) is recommended as a rear axle and differential oil in over-the-road and off-road vehicles and is as crucial to the reliability of a heavy-duty vehicle as its engine or transmission lubricant. TRP Synthetic Gear Oil is a multigrade gear lubricant designed for the extreme pressure of heavy-duty applications. TRP Synthetic Gear Oil reduces operating temperatures when compared to conventional gear lubricants. www.trpparts.com

The RM234 from Roadmaster is a SmartWay-verified premium regional all-position tire for high-scrub applications. The tread compound provides excellent treadwear and increased resistance to cutting and chipping. The curb bars on the sidewalls help to protect the tires from curbing damage, and preserve the casing for retreading. The tire design and compound provide low tire rolling resistance and contribute to fuel efficiency, to help keep you on the road longer. www.roadmastertires.com

Your company has clearly communicated its distracted driving policy to all employees. And the safety department is doing its part by screening at-risk drivers, providing consistent driver training and building awareness throughout the organization of the dangers of distracted driving. But when employees are out on the road, how can management ensure that drivers actually comply with the policy – to protect their own lives, the public and your utility’s reputation and bottom line?

That’s where your fleet department can make a difference. How? By equipping vehicles with technologies that counteract a driver’s impulse to read a text message or scroll through social media feeds on their phone while driving – even when they know it’s the wrong thing to do.

All It Takes is One Time
No one is immune. Even the best, most conscientious drivers can succumb to the temptation to look at their smartphone while driving, at least every now and then.

Think about it. You’re driving a service truck through a residential area when you hear your phone buzzing in the console, notifying you of a text message. Because you know better, your initial instinct is to ignore the sound and keep focused on the road ahead. But then a few seconds later you hear the phone buzz again … and again.

Now you’re curious. Who could that be?

It’s been a long day, and you’re exhausted. You start justifying to yourself: I’m going pretty slow right now and there’s not much traffic; it won’t hurt to take a quick look.

You take your eyes off the road for what you think will only be a second. But by the time you look up from your phone, you see that a boy on a bicycle has darted out from behind a vehicle parked along the street, right in front of your truck. You slam on the brakes, but there’s not enough time to stop before your truck hits him.

About a year ago, the fleet team at Eversource Energy (www.eversource.com) launched an initiative to standardize vehicle and equipment specifications across their three-state service area that includes Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire. Their objective: Cut fleet costs by limiting vehicle configurations to specific job descriptions. This would enable the fleet to strengthen its buying power (by purchasing a higher volume of same-spec units); streamline parts inventories across all their locations (by operating more equipment from fewer OEMs); and benefit from shorter order-to-delivery cycles (by ordering from fewer vendors).

“If you're a lineworker, the function of a material-handling truck is going to be the same whether you’re in New Hampshire, Connecticut or Massachusetts,” said Steve Driscoll, vice president of operation services for Eversource, which is New England's largest electric and gas utility, with about 6,500 fleet assets, including trailers. “In the past, we allowed for differences and customization in equipment, based on an operator’s personal preferences. We recognized the need for going to a standard vehicle across the board to be more efficient and reduce costs.”

But the Eversource team also recognized that many of their end users might not like the change. After all, operators had become accustomed to having their vehicles a certain way for years. And they would likely feel resentment toward fleet, especially if no one clearly explained the why behind the changes.

Effective Change Management
So, to help ease the transition, Eversource decided to take a new approach to introducing new vehicle and equipment models to operators. Beginning earlier this year, the Eversource fleet team began conducting comprehensive in-service events, each lasting about two to three hours, with classroom instruction and hands-on demonstrations.

The events are led by each of the key vendor partners involved with the build-out of the truck, including the chassis manufacturer, body manufacturer and equipment upfitters. The utility’s insurance agency, Liberty Mutual, also sends an expert, who typically opens the event by teaching safe driving and equipment operation practices during the classroom portion of the agenda.

Each issue, we ask a fleet professional to share three keys to fleet success.

This issue’s Final 3 participant is Michael Rorison, director of fleet operations at Eversource Energy (www.eversource.com), New England's largest energy provider. The utility serves more than 3.6 million electric and natural gas customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, with about 6,500 assets, including trailers, in its fleet.

#1. Build strong relationships with your team and your customers.
“This is the hardest thing and one of the most important things you can do. The relationships you build today will play a major role in your success as a fleet manager. Employee engagement through developing relationships and team-building initiatives will help you retain good, productive employees. And your relationships with drivers will help them better understand the value of a vehicle’s safety features, with greater appreciation for how those features help the organization achieve its overall safety goals.”

#2. Communicate, communicate, communicate.
“The key to successful communication is to listen to all stakeholders who are involved and impacted by your business plan to ensure it supports your customers’ needs. And you must be able to clearly convey everything to your team. Consistent communication with team members and customers can solve or prevent most issues before they escalate into time-consuming crises.”

#3. Be a planner.
“Do you have a strategy that supports your organization’s business plan? And are you prepared for the inevitable crisis? Make planning a part of your standard operating procedure, with daily targets and goals to keep you on track. This way, you can reduce the number of ‘fires’ you need to put out on a daily basis, while putting yourself in a position to handle the inevitable crisis more effectively when it does happen.”

In-cab cameras have gained a foothold and acceptance among numerous service and freight delivery fleets for the technology’s ability to improve safety and lower accident and claim costs.

Utilities, however, perhaps because of their different operational model and high system costs, appear to be relying on more traditional methods to manage risk and improve driver skills. In calls to six electric utilities across the U.S., only one – National Grid, which provides electric and gas delivery in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island – is using the technology as of press time.

National Grid uses about 3,600 recorders fleet-wide. For Frank Prost, director of downstate gas construction, the 316 units in his department’s trucks have worked as advertised: They’ve helped to boost safety by improving driver skills, assigning accountability and preventing accidents.

The group has seen a significant improvement in driving, according to Prost. “We’re in a much, much better place with our driving,” he said. “It’s a safer environment for employees and the public. [The cameras have] helped us numerous times. We’d get complaints about incidents but didn’t have any proof. If there’s an event, now you have a video telling us what the driver was doing. Now you can prove it.”

The cameras also have all but eliminated backing-up insurance scams, Prost said. People would intentionally back into a National Grid truck at a traffic light and claim the driver hit them. Now, drivers can get out of their truck, point to the camera and say that the video will show the truth. “The people drive off,” he said.

A backhoe is not likely to be the asset most often purchased for a utility company’s fleet. For example, Duke Energy – which has more than 15,000 fleet assets – “may only purchase three or four a year,” said Chris Jolly, Duke’s director of regional operations for Carolinas West.

That means a purchaser may not be as familiar with the required specs for a backhoe as he or she may be with, say, the specs for a standard pickup truck used by the utility.

But it is just as important to get the specs right, said Eric Zieser, NAFTA product manager for backhoes at CASE Construction Equipment. “Buyers really do need to understand their entire fleet and how a backhoe plays into it. By under-specifying a machine, you may actually be creating more work and cost for yourself in the future by having to bring in/rent/transport additional equipment to do the job.”

So, when spec’ing the next backhoe for your fleet, keep these three points in mind.

1. Know what you need.
At Duke Energy, an acquisition team works closely with crews in the field, despite having a corporate agreement with one manufacturer for a standard backhoe, according to Jolly. Even with that standard equipment, there are options.

“Listen to your customers and work closely with the manufacturer. They’ve got the history of what the product can do,” Jolly said.

If your fleet operates plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) – or is planning to do so – there’s an emerging technology you’ll want to put on your radar that could impact your vehicle selection and charging infrastructure decisions within the next year or two.

It’s wireless EV charging, which proponents believe holds the key to widespread transportation electrification.

That’s because one of the friction points of operating EVs is the inconvenience of charging with a conventional cord and plug-in system, said David Schatz, vice president of business development and sales for WiTricity (http://witricity.com), a firm that develops wireless charging systems for EVs, headquartered in Watertown, Mass.

Schatz cites a major automaker’s internal study that found that 70 percent of all plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) owners never plug in and opt for fueling only with gas because of the “inconvenience” of plugging in their vehicle.

The idea here is that if you cut the cord, you make EV charging more acceptable to a larger market because you’re not forcing users to change their behavior. “PHEV and EV drivers simply park over a charging pad in their garage, or at work, or at a shopping center and charge up with no hands, no effort,” Schatz said.

When the time comes to add new vehicles to your fleet, the question of whether to lease or buy can seem daunting. The challenge of determining the best financial fit for your organization may feel overwhelming, but historically low interest rates have made leases increasingly attractive. Low interest rates are really just one consideration, however; cash flow and budget considerations, tax advantages, warranty coverage, cycling considerations and even concerns over a company’s image can factor into the overall decision. While utility fleets – especially regulated ones – traditionally have opted to purchase, more and more are successfully venturing into the world of leasing, allowing them to redirect capital expenditures in support of other revenue generating activities. So, how can you decide if leasing is right for your fleet? And if it is, what factors and strategies do you need to consider when deciding whether to lease or buy?

Before you make any decisions, it is important to understand your options, the benefits and limitations of leasing or purchasing, and the effect each will have on how you budget and plan. In the most general terms, when you are making the choice, the question comes down to how much money you will need to finance. When you purchase, you are choosing to finance the entire cost of the vehicle. With a lease, you are only paying for use of the vehicle, which is determined by the difference between the purchase price and the projected value of the vehicle at lease-end. This typically means that if you purchase, the monthly payments will be higher because the amount you are financing will be larger. If you want cash flow flexibility, leasing may be a better option for your fleet. It may also give you potential tax advantages and allow for cash preservation. Unlike a purchase, however, you will not own the asset at the end of the lease term.

As Dale Collins, CAFM, has rightsized his fleet in recent years, the fleet services supervisor for Virginia-based Fairfax Water has discovered the need to rightsize his maintenance bay lifts as well.

When the vehicle maintenance facility was built, the fleet had a higher percentage of heavy-duty dump trucks and crew vans, so the emphasis was on lifts that could handle their 60,000-pound weight. These days, however, Collins can service 80 percent of his fleet with more efficient 12,000-pound-capacity cassette lifts.

“Anybody who is in the market for a lift has to know what it is they’re trying to lift, how much it weighs and what the lift’s wheelbase limits are – not only how small it will get, but how long you will need it to be,” Collins said. “A lot of times you can get into a jam with longer vehicles.”

Collins speaks from experience; one Freightliner in the utility’s fleet has a 328-inch wheelbase. But the fleet department was able to work with the lift manufacturer/distributor to secure lifts that can handle anything from the Freightliner down to the 125-inch wheelbase of a Ford Ranger pickup.

This story highlights a potential error some fleet managers make when choosing lifts: assuming that they are one size – or one style – fits all. Collins now has a diversified set of lifts for his diverse fleet, including a telescoping piston lift for heavy-duty assets as well as an in-ground scissor-type lift that utilizes only 7 gallons of fluid to operate.

As 2016 comes to a close, you’re likely evaluating possible fleet education programs for 2017 that can help you become more valuable in the industry – and indispensable to your employer. If that’s the case for you, then consider saving these dates on your calendar: October 2-4, 2017.

Why?

That’s when the second Utility Fleet Conference (UFC) will be held. Produced by our team at Utility Fleet Professional magazine, UFC 2017 is an intensive three-day fleet education event that will be co-located with the popular International Construction & Utility Equipment Exposition (ICUEE) at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky.

Our objective is clear: to build UFC 2017 into a fleet education and networking event that you can’t experience anywhere else. We’re creating about a dozen 90-minute sessions that drill deep into the trends, best practices and success strategies specific to the unique challenges you face in utility fleet environments. You’ll learn not only from industry insiders and experts but also from your peers who understand – and have overcome – many of the in-the-trenches challenges you face on a day-to-day basis in your organization.

PRINOTH has launched the PANTHER T14R Rotating Dumper, which will allow the continuous rotation of the upper portion of the vehicle independent from the undercarriage. With its 13,200-kilogram (29,100-pound) payload capacity, this carrier will have the largest payload of any vehicle of this type in its category. The rotating separation of this vehicle will allow working in tight, sensitive areas where other vehicles do not have access. Featuring the same large wheels/tandem suspension undercarriage design – unique to PANTHER vehicles – the T14R stands out by offering increased off-road capability and stable transport of material over rough terrain.

The PANTHER T14R also differentiates itself from the competition with its superior speed of 13 km/h (8.1 mph) and its narrower width of less than 102 inches, which complies with North American standard transportation regulations.

A new feature called a direction reset has been added to this vehicle. Once the vehicle has turned 180 degrees, the upper portion rotates against the lower portion of the vehicle. By simply pushing a button, the operator will be able to reset the vehicle’s upper and lower portions’ alignment. www.prinoth.com

The Battery Guard 2000 from Intellitec Products is a low-voltage disconnect system designed for commercial trucks and special vehicles, as well as for performing low-voltage disconnect functions. Battery Guard 2000 also allows the vehicle operator to manually disconnect the battery if so desired.

Key features include guaranteed starting power; manual battery disconnect; extends battery life; ignition protected; system test on start; fully waterproof ECU; uses Delphi Packard IP67 waterproof connectors; supplied as a complete kit ready to install; uses the rugged and reliable Intellitec range of battery disconnects; return on investment in one operation; and made in the USA. www.intellitec.com

Terex Utilities now offers customers another option to meet their green fleet needs with the new HyPower IM, the latest innovation in the HyPower hybrid solutions offering.

HyPower IM is an idle mitigation and cab comfort solution. It provides benefits similar to those of the HyPower Hybrid System, including reduced fuel usage and reduced exhaust emissions, but at a lower price point. The system automatically switches from plug-in battery-stored power when the truck is idling to engine-supplied power when hydraulic controls are engaged.

In addition, HyPower IM enables the truck cab to be heated or cooled without the engine running, utilizing the truck’s heating and cooling vents. A 4-kWh package is required for the cab comfort feature; otherwise, a 1-kWh package will suffice for typical trouble truck applications.

HyPower IM is currently available for Class 5 chassis – such as Ford, Dodge and GM trucks – used with Terex Hi-Ranger telescopic aerial devices, such as the LT, LTM and TL series aerial devices. http://info.terex.com/hypoweriminfo

Takeuchi-US has launched the TB2150 hydraulic excavator. Completely redesigned from the ground up, the TB2150 replaces the Takeuchi TB1140 SERIES 2 excavator. The new model is the largest, most capable excavator in the Takeuchi lineup.

At 34,480 pounds, the machine delivers greater functionality, performance, comfort and serviceability than the previous TB1140 SERIES 2 model.

The TB2150 offers a maximum digging depth of 18 feet; maximum dump height of 20 feet, 4.9 inches; maximum reach of 28 feet, 8.9 inches; and maximum bucket breakout force of 22,190 pounds.

Powered by a Deutz TCD 3.6-liter turbocharged diesel engine that is U.S. EPA Final Tier 4 emission compliant, the TB2150 produces 114 horsepower, a 10 percent increase over the previous version. It also delivers 339 foot-pounds of torque, a 19 percent increase. The engine utilizes a DOC+SCR diesel exhaust after-treatment system that requires the use of diesel exhaust fluid.

Serviceability and uptime have been improved by simplifying access to key maintenance. This includes a nearly 5 percent increase in fuel tank capacity, and the engine does not have a diesel particulate filter to maintain. In addition, the machine comes standard with Takeuchi’s new telematics system, Takeuchi Fleet Management. www.takeuchi-us.com

The LineWise IWP-765kV Insulated Work Platform is designed to enhance worker productivity and increase job functions performed with hydraulic telescoping cranes and digger derricks. The platform permits bare-hand work and de-energized line construction, and reduces lineworker fatigue by eliminating the need to climb towers.

Featuring a tried-and-proven design, the IWP-765kV provides electrical insulation to personnel working on live transmission lines and equipment at voltages up to 765 kV. The insulated jib consists of a main structural fiberglass member, which is filament wound with computer-controlled, continuous-roving epoxy/anhydride resin. It’s also sealed with bulkhead covers to minimize maintenance and protect from contaminants that may reduce insulation properties.

The IWP-765kV features a radio control system that provides flexible, precise operation. The control system incorporates fully proportional, state-of-the-art controls. These allow simultaneous operation of the telescope, boom and rotation functions, and enable the operator to better position the platform to suit virtually any job.

Every unit comes standard with a two-person, steel-constructed basket, which can be easily installed and removed by two lineworkers. It features a 600-pound-capacity, 36-inch-by-72-inch platform, with the controls located on the curbside near the top rail. www.diversifiedproduct.com

QuickCable Corp. – a leading manufacturer of connectors, cable/cable assemblies, tools and accessories for the energy storage industry – has introduced its new Rescue LiFePO4 200 and 400 Portable Power Pack units, available in a compact design with exceptional safety features.

The LiFePO4 200 and 400 portable power packs utilize a lithium-iron phosphate battery. Important safety features were built directly into the unit, not just into the booster clamps. A microprocessor board controls multiple protective/safety features, including overload, reverse polarity, short circuit, overheat, backfeed/backward current, overcharge/discharge, low-voltage and low-temperature protections. Not only is this unit a jump-starter and power source, but it will also test your battery and alternator voltage through the booster clamps or using the micro USB connected into a 12-volt power supply within the driver compartment.

For more information, watch an informational video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihd6pznrGYQ. www.quickcable.com