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The Quest for Uptime: It begins with Preventive Maintenance checks preview image The Quest for Uptime: It begins with Preventive Maintenance checks article image

The Quest for Uptime: It begins with Preventive Maintenance checks

We're learning. We are doing a better job at keeping trucks out of the shop and out on the road earning money, but it's been a steep learning curve. Ever since the first Diesel Particulate Filters appeared in 2007, fleets have been struggling to diagnose problems and make the necessary repairs. One of the greatest hurdles has been confusing messages and sometimes misleading information. Various sensors are often the culprit, but for the technicians working through the problem the troubleshooting exercise was at first new and unfamiliar.

IN PRINT — A Sense of Scale: The push for more bypass programs is on preview image IN PRINT -- A Sense of Scale: The push for more bypass programs is on article image

IN PRINT — A Sense of Scale: The push for more bypass programs is on

Time is money when stuck in the lineups for roadside inspection facilities. Drivewyze, the Canadian maker of an app used to bypass these ever-dreaded "coops", has clocked a typical delay at three minutes and 37 seconds per truck - or about $12 per visit when considering fuel, labor and downtime. Those who are actually pulled in for an inspection can expect higher costs than that.

IN PRINT — Better Safe than Sorry: Safety procedures are there to protect, not annoy preview image IN PRINT -- Better Safe than Sorry: Safety procedures are there to protect, not annoy article image

IN PRINT — Better Safe than Sorry: Safety procedures are there to protect, not annoy

Tire irons and jacks are not worth a human life, yet a tire service technician in Whitehorse, Yukon died while retrieving his tools from under a truck he had been working on. The incident happened back in 2011, but it has stuck with me for years because the death was needless and could have easily been prevented - and also because I can't count how many times I have backed a truck out of a shop without first checking to make sure nobody was beneath it.

RCMP seek truck shooting witnesses preview image RCMP seek truck shooting witnesses article image

RCMP seek truck shooting witnesses

CHILLIWACK, BC - One man is charged with attempted murder after shots were fired at vehicles on BC highways 16, 37 and 97 over a 14-hour period that began Friday, March 24 at 8:30 pm -- and police are looking for further witnesses. Shots were reported in communities including Houston, Burns Lake, Vanderhoof, Clucuz Lake, Prince George, Quesnel and 100 Mile House. While there were no injuries during that initial shooting spree, bullets did hit radiators and windows. Most of the shootings involved commercial vehicles, although one passenger vehicle was hit as well, RCMP Staff Sergeant Annie Linteau told Today's Trucking. There have been 22 reports of shot trucks overall.

Bison’s Rob Penner named TCA chairman preview image Rob Penner

Bison’s Rob Penner named TCA chairman

NASHVILLE, TN - Rob Penner, president and Chief Executive Officer of Bison Transport, has been named chaiman of the Truckload Carrier Association (TCA) for the 2017-2018 term. Penner, the second Canadian to ever hold a chairman position with the TCA, took the stage at the association's annual convention in Nashville, Tennessee, and began by cracking a joke that he'd be the first chairman in a long time without an accent. "It is truly a privilege to serve you all as the chairman of the TCA," said Penner. "Eight or nine years ago I got a call from TCA past chairman Kevin Burch, to see if I had any interest in becoming an officer here. This association and the opportunity to get involved and to know many of you has provided tremendous value to me personally, as well as to our company, Bison Transport."