T M C S u p e r Te c h 2 0 16 S P EC I A L R E P O R T How fl eets can craft maintenance and technology solutions By Josh Smith, Assistant Editor Constant attention to detail and carefully craft ed solutions are vital when it comes to meeting the demands of today’s world of transportation. Shipper expectations, government regulations, technological advances and CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) compliance issues off er challenges that fl eets must overcome. Fleets must scrutinize the investments they make in their operations and vehicle maintenance programs. Many fl eets turn to the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) to help them make business decisions on maintenance and spec’ing issues. Th at is why TMC offi cials feel the theme for this year’s annual fall meeting, Craft ing Maintenance and Technology Solutions, is appropriate. Th at meeting is set for Sept. 18 to 22 at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, N.C. It is being held in conjunction with TMCSuperTech2016, the National Technician Skills Competition. Th is is an event designed by TMC to determine the industry’s top technicians through a variety of troubleshooting tests and skills challenges. Made up of a broad collection of experienced fl eets, equipment suppliers and service providers, TMC (http://www.trucking.org/ Technology_Council.aspx) is the only industry association that is focused solely on truck technology and maintenance to help improve trucking effi ciencies across North America. TMC is a technical council of America Trucking Associations (www.trucking.corg) – the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. TMC’s 2016 Fall Meeting off ers a comprehensive collection of educational sessions designed to keep fl eets’ maintenance personnel up to date on vehicle technology. TECHNICAL SESSIONS Th ree diff erent technical sessions aimed to bring technicians up to speed on a variety of topics will be held Sept. 20, 21 and 22. Each session is 90 minutes in duration. The evolution of engine cooolants Over recent years, engine coolants have changed and have become more diverse. With the introduction of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technology, more demand is placed on the engine’s coolant system than before. Coolant system components also have changed, creating some OEM factory fi ll challenges and changes. Knowing the diff erence between today’s coolant’s diversity of technologies and colors is vital to protect the coolant system. Attendees at this session will learn what technologies are being used for factory fi lls by truck manufacturers and why their choices are important to a fl eet’s operation. Panelists also will address coolant identifi cation, labeling, testing, color (on the truck and in the bottle), as well as off er recommendations for coolant maintenance. Successful conversion procedures from conventional OAT (organic acid technology) to OAT-NF (Nitrite Free) coolants will be described from the fl eet and supplier perspective. A deep dive into vehicle and component corrosion For years, aggressive corrosion caused by various ice-clearing chemicals has been a maintenance problem for many equipment users. Th e use of magnesium chloride- and calcium chloride-based products is associated with increased incidence of corrosion. During TMC’s 2016 Annual Meeting, which was held earlier this year, the group’s Corrosion Control Action Committee presented an overview of TMC’s comprehensive manual that addresses various aspects of vehicle corrosion. Now elevated to study group status, the Panel discussions allow meeting attendees to hear from several people knowledgeable about a specifi c issue and who present information and discuss their views and experiences. Photo courtesy of Marsh Galloway, TMC TMC’s 2016 Fall Meeting includes educational sessions to keep attendees informed on the latest vehicle technologies TMC FALL MEETING 42 FLEET MAINTENANCE ❚ JULY 2016 ❚ VehicleServicePros.com
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