10 By Peg Zenk Tips to Keep You Truckin’ W FLEET-SAVVY INSIGHTS HELP BOOST PRODUCTIVITY AND PREVENT HARVEST BREAKDOWNS hen it’s your job to keep more than 400 semi tractors and trailers on the road and running at peak performance, you need a fi rst-class maintenance program. As division maintenance manager for CHS Transportation, John Macpherson and his team have developed a rigorous schedule of fluid and filter changes, wear inspections and various vehicle system assessments to ensure equipment serviced at each of the company’s 12 terminals is safe, reliable and productive. “There’s never a convenient time for something to break down, so we do all we can to avoid problems,” he says. Farmers need that same mechanical reliability, especially during the busy harvest season. Following a maintenance checklist is the best way to ensure all systems are at top operating performance and are inspected every time service is performed, Macpherson says. Based on years of fl eet maintenance experience, he says certain details can have more impact on operational effi ciencies than many equipment owners realize. Here’s his top 10 list: 1. Change engine oil often. Dirty oil decreases engine life and increases fuel use. Change oil before fall, then every 200 to 300 hours, depending on idle time and operating conditions, he recommends. “Oil is inexpensive compared to major engine repairs and costly downtime waiting for repairs to be completed.” 2. Test oils and fl uids. Mail-in analysis programs, such as Cenex® LubeScan®, are an inexpensive ($13.50 per sample) tool for tracking changes in wear or contamination in your equipment’s engine or transmission or hydraulic systems. Regular sampling establishes a baseline for normal wear and allows you to spot changes before serious damage occurs, says Macpherson. “It can also help you determine how often you need to change oils and fl uids. In some cases, you might be able to extend drain intervals if fl uids stay clean longer than expected.” 3. Switch to synthetic. New synthetic engine oils off er substantial benefi ts over conventional motor oils, including reduced sludge formation, more stable viscosity and longer oil life. “They’re formulated to withstand extreme heat, so they’re better in high-horsepower engines. Synthetic oils generally improve fuel economy and don’t thicken in colder weather, so they fl ow easier at engine start-up, decreasing internal engine wear,” says Macpherson. “The benefi ts and returns outweigh added purchase costs.” 4. Clean or change fi lters. Start the fall season with clean air and fuel fi lters, he says. “You also should check them often during the busy season, especially if fi eld conditions are dry and dusty. Dirty fi lters will increase contaminates in engine oil, reduce effi ciency and can cause engine overheating.” 5. Grease everything. It’s easy to overlook the importance of fresh grease, but it helps protect some of the hardest-working parts of your equipment. Regularly using high-quality grease extends equipment life and reduces costly downtime, CHSINC.COM 14 JULY/AUGUST 2013
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10 Tips to Keep You Truckin’
Peg Zenk
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