The most important fuel economy factor!

While looking  for maximum fuel economy is a good idea and can pay off in the long run, a more reliable and consistent “fuel saver” is the person behind the wheel – YOU! Some relatively simple driving tips bear repeating because they can make a significant difference in fuel economy. Read on for some reminders:

· Move fifth wheel all the way forward: If a tractor is equipped with a sliding fifth wheel, move it forward to minimize distance between the rear of the cab/sleeper and the trailer. Eighteen inches or less is ideal and can save several percentage points in fuel consumption. But that tight a fit often cannot be achieved due to clearance required between tractor and trailer for maneuvering. Minimize the gap as much as possible by sliding up the fifth wheel and/or installing "side farings" to get as close as possible.

· Don’t get carried away: The equation is simple: the faster you go, the more fuel you consume. Industry experts say that you lose about 0.1 mpg for every 1 mph over 55, even if the truck is geared for higher speeds. Newer and better equipment has modified that a little, but you can still plan on using 5% to 8% more fuel for any 5 mph increase in road speed. Looking at it in the opposite sense, if you drop cruising speed down from 75 mph to 65 mph, you can save between 10 and 15% in fuel consumption.

· Remember to go easy on accelerator and brakes: Smooth and steady is the key both in accelerating and slowing down – pretend there’s a raw egg taped to the bottom of your right shoe that you don’t want to crush. As well as being gentle on the accelerator, try to shift early whenever possible (especially in the lower gears), to keep RPMs lower, thereby burning less fuel. This is called progressive shifting.

· Keep idling to a minimum: Idling can burn up to a gallon of fuel an hour, or even more in some cases. With the great improvement in diesel starting, there is really no excuse for your power unit to sit idling while you are in a truck stop for a meal or other activities. You may want to investigate auxiliary heating/cooling units available for the sleeper.

· Take good care of tires:

Make sure tires are inflated to the proper design pressure. Air is a “structural” part of a tire – too little causes the tire to flex and eventually heat up from internal friction. Check your tires regularly – look for signs of uneven wear. Poor tire alignment not only wears them out prematurely, but energy is also absorbed when they scrub the pavement. Low and misaligned tires or axles increase rolling resistance, which reduces fuel mileage.

· Some specs to consider

Power units these days come with many components in place that help the fuel “bottom line”, but there are still some particulars you might want to consider when (or if) you buy a new tractor. Some of them include:

· Tag tandems: A single drive axle paired with a non-powered tag or pusher axle can save 2-3% in fuel over a twin-screw tandem, but the twin-screw will always bring you better resale value and additional value in other areas. The big advantage to twin screws is better traction for getting moving. Keeping the interaxle differential in the "unlocked" position as much as possible helps increase fuel mileage (and handling) on a twin screw.

· On/off fan drives: These power-saving devices can save between 0.5% and 18% in fuel, depending on the individual operation.

· Synthetic gear lubricant: Using this in axles and transmission can save between 0.5% in summer and 2% in winter in fuel consumption.

· Low-restriction exhaust systems: Large-diameter pipes and dual exhaust save up to 2% fuel over a cheaper but more restrictive exhaust system.

· Lose the bug deflector if you want fuel economy: Because the deflector causes airflow over the hood of the tractor to be altered, this convenient gadget can cost you up to 1.5% in fuel – scrubbing bug blotches from your windshield is the down side of course.

The following is an actual account of an accident, which could have had disastrous results for the driver. During paving operation at the Wal-Mart Kennett Pike job site, one of our drivers unloaded and pulled off to the side of the road were he raised his truck body to clean off his tailgate. He then returned to his truck and started to depart the job site when he caught and snapped a 440-volt power line with his raised body. The line fell across the bed of the truck and the driver stopped, realizing his mistake.

The driver then got out of his truck, fortunately for this driver, his actions did not cost him his life or even a serious injury. However, Im sure that you can see that only luck saved him. I, personally, do not want to rely on luck to stay alive.

Before driving the truck away after unloading, the driver should have walked around the vehicle to ensure that all binding equipment is properly stowed and the dump body is lowered to the correct position to travel. Once the power line was pulled down on the truck, the driver should have stayed in the truck (unless the truck was on fire) until he got a signal that the power to the lines had been turned off. If the driver was forced from the truck due to fire, the driver should jump clear not step down from the cab. And lastly, once clear of the truck dont touch the power line until the proper authorities verify that it is not a live wire.

Beware of the "No Zone"

    Trucks, buses, and other large vehicles have larger blind spots than cars do. Remember this when you approach these large vehicles from behind or on either side. In these blind spots, the driver can't see your vehicle in any rearview mirror. Think of these areas as "no zones," and don't linger beside a truck or bus when you are passing.

    One of the most hazardous lane management situations occurs when freeway traffic is both exiting and entering at the same area. This weaving of vehicles trying to get on or off the highway at the same time creates a kind of "mixing bowl."

    A weaving section takes maximum cooperation. It can't work without sharing and sensible social interaction on the part of every driver. Signs and lane markings do their part. Safe drivers have to do the rest.

Diamond Materials LLC Dump Truck Drivers are prohibited from climbing on the side of his or her vehicle/truck. At no time will a Dump Truck Driver climb up on the side of his or her truck, the risk of falling is too great. Drivers are required to tarp their loads at the plant tarp rack stands. If your truck tarp is in need of repair, call the shop foreman. If your truck body is in need of clean out, see the truck master/dispatcher.

Violation of these rules will result in disciplinary action from removal of driving privileges to discharge.

Driving Safely in Traffic

When you are driving in traffic, what are some things you must do to avoid accidents? Avoiding accidents in traffic is a little different than avoiding accidents on the open road. Long-distance drivers know that fatigue is responsible for numerous accidents. But what causes accidents when you are driving around town, making frequent stops? This week's Tail Gate Safety Topic discusses some of the causes of these accidents and what you can do to prevent them.

Many people spend a lot of time on the road as they are working. On any city street you are likely to see delivery vans, couriers, salespeople, and utility persons making frequent stops as they conduct their business. Some people spend many hours in traffic just going to and from work. Even though the mileage may be small, the amount of time spent on the road is very long. Every hour spent on the road increases your chance of having an accident.

Certainly speed is a factor in accidents. Many accidents happen simply because the driver is going too fast. City streets usually have speed limits of less than 25 miles per hour, and often you will see posted limits as low as 5 or 10 miles per hour. Speed limits are carefully selected to minimize the chances of accidents. When traffic is heavy, there just isn't very much distance between you and the next vehicle to stop. The slower you're going, the less distance it will take to stop. By going slowly, you will also be able to observe your surroundings more easily, taking note of cyclists, pedestrians, and other vehicles. Observing the speed limit is one sure way to reduce your chance of an accident. On rainy, foggy, or snowy days keep your speed even lower.

When you make stops, park your vehicle carefully. Avoid leaving it in a space that's likely to block traffic or create a blind spot. As you exit the vehicle look both ways before stepping into the road or onto the sidewalk. You'll want to avoid collisions with other vehicles as well as bicycles and passerby. If you must load things into or out of your vehicle, be sure your load does not obstruct your vision. It is better to make several trips with smaller loads than to overload yourself to the point you cannot see other vehicles. It will also help prevent tripping and falling over objects in your path.

Perhaps the main cause of accidents in traffic is a simple matter of not paying attention. In traffic, it is easy to become distracted, frustrated, and annoyed. Any of these can cause you to pay less attention than you should, often resulting in rear-end collisions when the vehicle in front of you stops. Running stop lights and stop signs is also a possibility if you are not paying attention.

Sometimes paying attention to the wrong things causes accidents, too. Reading addresses on buildings, street signs, and maps while driving can lead to accidents. You will be better off if you find a place to pull over safely while you read signs and addresses. Even better, try to pinpoint the exact location when you plan your trip--before you begin driving.

Fatigue is also a contributor to traffic accidents. After a long day's work, or perhaps a morning when you didn't rest well the night before, you are likely to feel tired. Feeling tired causes you to become distracted easily and also slows your reflexes. Don't take chances driving when you feel too tired to be safe. If fatigue is a frequent problem, see your doctor. For occasional fatigue, combat it with adequate rest, nutrition, and exercise.

To drive safely in traffic you must keep your speed down, pay attention, and avoid driving when you are tired. Many accidents and injuries could be prevented by following these precautions. Next time you're in traffic, remember these things and keep yourself safe!