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 Repairing heavy duty equipment has become a more complex process in the last decade, with intricate technology becoming ingrained in every system of the vehicle. To stay on top of today’s equipment maintenance – and to prepare for future technology – shop managers need to take every opportunity to train, read manuals and network with their peers. One eff ective way to tame the million pieces of equipment across demanding maintenance beast North America and they have relied while keeping an eye on the on the TMC for 60 years to keep future, is to become a member of their trucks in top working order the Technology & Maintenance and their operations on budget. Council (TMC). TMC’s more than Council members participate in 2,300 members include technicians, 15 diverse Study Groups that cover educators, suppliers, OEMs and fl eet maintenance and engineering issues maintenance professionals. in all the systems of heavy duty vehicles. TMC members are responsible for TMC’s Study Groups encompass the maintenance of more than 1.5 more than 100 Task Forces whose volunteer members identify and recommend industry standards. RPs Th e result of the Council’s Study Group and Task Force work is an endless source of information about truck equipment maintenance, shop management and spec’ing, entitled TMC’s 2016-2017 Recommended Practices Manual. TMC’s Recommended Practices (RPs) are available online to members and on a searchable compact disk – a handy feature since there are more than 450 individual RPs, many with illustrations. While much of the RP development is accomplished during TMC meetings held twice a year, members also have 24-7 access to TMC Connect (http://TMCConnect. trucking.org), an online collaborative platform which includes a searchable RP Library. Along with the committee work, each TMC meeting features in-depth educational sessions that cover the major issues of today and tomorrow. TMC RPs break down diffi cult repairs – such as the heavy duty exhaust or regeneration system – into digestible portions. For example, individual RPs under Study Group 3 (S-3) Engines provide a roadmap of preventative maintenance procedures for diesel particulate fi lters (DPFs) (see RP 355A), as well as guidelines for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology and its use of diesel exhaust fl uid (DEF) (see RP 360). BROAD RANGE OF SUBJECTS TMC’s RPs also simplify a maze of terms and dashboard codes for its user network. Today’s heavy duty equipment includes multiple computer components and the RPs don’t shy away from addressing the most complicated systems while keeping an eye on future technologies and advancements. Recent RPs have addressed a multitude of equipment maintenance issues related to brakes, lighting systems, onboard vehicle electronics and corrosion, to name a few. As the industry’s trailblazers in “Th ought Leadership,” TMC continues to work with OEMs to create standards that ensure the truck of the future is the most effi cient to operate and maintain. How to remain mainstream in your fi eld By Janet Howells-Tierney, Director of Council Development, Technology & Maintenance Council Membership in TMC can help At the various events and functions, TMC members have the opportunity to train, share information and network with their peers. Photo courtesy of Marsh Galloway, TMC Membership in TMC – which is composed of fl eet maintenance professionals, technicians, educators, suppliers and OEMs – is a good way to not only stay on top of today’s equipment maintenance, but to prepare for future technology. Photo courtesy of Marsh Galloway, TMC TMC MEMBERSHIP 44 FLEET MAINTENANCE ❚ JULY 2016 ❚ VehicleServicePros.com
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