APRIL . 2014
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the exclusive maintenance resource for the transit and motorcoach industry
Certification TRUMPS COST p4
DCTA open for maintenance p6 Four steps to longer tire life p7
From The EDITOR
Bendix: Don’t cut corners with rebuilt parts
Vol. 04 • No. 4 Publisher / Editor in Chief Steve Kane steve@busride.com
As part of the Bendix Tech Tips series, Henry Foxx, director of remanufactured parts for Bendix, Elyria, OH, recently offered some tips to the public on getting the most value from remanufactured components. “Selecting quality remanufactured parts begins with the right sourcing – knowing what to look for, and knowing what questions to ask the part supplier,” Foxx writes. “And among the first and most crucial things to learn is whether you’re dealing with a true parts remanufacturer or a rebuilder.” Parts remanufacturers replace or repair the part’s components so that it once again meets OEM standards. Parts rebuilders don’t hold themselves to the same stringent standards, often only cleaning or repainting the components to sub-OEM specs. Bendix and Foxx offer the following questions to ask of potential remanufacturing partners: • Do they replace non-salvageable or irreparable components with new? • Do they replace wear components 100 percent of the time? • What type of tests do they conduct to validate the performance of their parts? • How do they support the product through warranties and/or service needs? Maintenance and fleet managers will do well to stay cognizant of these kinds of tips coming from OEMs. Whether they manufacture parts or vehicles, these companies have a keen business interest in educating their customers about smart buying decisions. Advice like this from Bendix and other OEMs can ensure that your garage stays stocked with performance-tested parts backed by reliable OEM post-sale support.
APRIL 2014
CONTENTS
Richard Tackett Editor BUSRide Magazine
Certification trumps cost
Executive Editor David Hubbard david@busride.com Editor Richard Tackett rtackett@busride.com Art Director Stephen Gamble sgamble@theproducersinc.com Production Director Kevin Dixon kdixon@busride.com Accountant Fred Valdez fvaldez@powertrademedia.com
BUS industry SAFETY council
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MAHA USA stresses safety training and routine inspections for all ALI certified lifts By Radu Pop
Open for maintenance
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A publication of:
Denton County Transportation Authority holds ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new bus operations and maintenance facility
Four steps to longer tire life By Robert Buchwalter
Departments From the Editor Products & Services
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Group Publisher Sali T. Williams swilliams@busride.com
BUSRIDE MAINTENANCE | APRIL.2014
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POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: BUSRide Magazine 4742 North 24th Street, Suite 340 Phoenix, Arizona 85016 Phone: (602) 265-7600 Fax: (602) 277-7588 busridemaintenance.com busridemaintenance.com
Philips improves driver visibility
Gateway unveils PeakFit N95 respirator Gateway Safety presents the revolutionary PeakFit® N95, an exceptionally comfortable and easily adjustable respirator designed to improve worker compliance through its unique design and custom fit features. The disposable PeakFit N95 respirator from Gateway Safety offers a true one-size-fitsall configuration because of its custom adjustability. The integrated, one-piece cloth head strap, with an adjustable clasp, is fully adaptable to fit any head size and is more durable than typical stapled versions. Moreover, the intuitive design of the strap allows users to fine-tune the fit for optimal comfort, regardless of the respirator’s position on the face and cheeks.
Philips Automotive North America has released its new Philips Windshield Treatment Kit, which is designed to dramatically improve driver visibility in hazardous conditions. The Philips Windshield Treatment Kit is applied to windshields to help repel rain, snow, and dirt, allowing drivers to see more clearly and travel more safely. The kit uses a hydrophobic technology, which is designed to coat the windshield glass and help eliminate items that may obstruct the driver’s field of vision. The coating causes water to bead up and run off. It also makes it easier to remove dirt, sap, and even bugs. Philips Automotive North America Farmington Hills, MI
Gateway Safety Cleveland, OH
Bosch expands QuietCast brand Bosch, a major player in advanced automotive braking technology for more than 75 years, announces the expansion of its line of premium QuietCast™ brake rotors, part of the brand family that includes Bosch top-of-the line QuietCast brake pads. Bosch estimates that the addition of 215 new part numbers which includes many late-model applications will increase coverage to 95 percent of all vehicles in operation (VIO). Bosch QuietCast Brake Rotors feature 100 percent factory mill balancing with lowest run-out for safe, smooth operation. Bosch Las Vegas, NV
CHANGE THE WAY YOU APPROACH LIFTING
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Certification trumps cost MAHA USA stresses safety training and routine inspections for all ALI certified lifts By Radu Pop No matter how advanced the lift is, its use defines its operation.
Like most manufacturers, MAHA USA offers a support network of factory trained technicians to provide a comprehensive selection of training sessions. 4
BUSRIDE MAINTENANCE | APRIL.2014
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MAHA USA, Pinckard, AL, unites German engineering with quality American craftsmanship to produce the only wireless mobile column lift powered by ball-screw technology. The ballscrew is splash-proof and dirt repellent and promises minimal mechanical wear. This technology is trusted in high-precision market segments and has proven to be the most reliable for high mechanical efficiency. Safety is the primary factor to consider in selecting a vehicle lift, which means investing in a quality lift that is certified. A nationally recognized independent testing laboratory, such as the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI), guarantees manufactures have met specific safety standards and that the lift is worthy of its golden certification label. Not all lift manufactures are capable of meeting the safety standards for certification. More than a few lifts are sold “uncertified,” often at a lower cost, compromising safety for the technicians. Technicians should ask, “Will I trust myself to stand under a vehicle when the supporting lifting device has not undergone rigorous testing?” The answer has to be no. Once the company has selected the appropriate certified lift for the shop, proper use and safety training is next. No matter how advanced the lift is, its use defines its operation. Like most manufacturers, MAHA USA offers a strong and efficient support network of factory trained technicians and a large distributor base to provide a comprehensive selection of training sessions with the ability to competently convey technical knowledge to users of all levels. Do not disregard the operator’s manual. Many operators tend to start using the equipment without making themselves fully aware of proper safety procedures. As operator error is the cause of most accidents, only proper training can ensure a safer, more efficient operation and prepare the user for emergencies. Proper maintenance and routine lift inspections are the best ways to ensure safety awareness remains the number one priority. Most manuals have a periodical maintenance procedure. The company can also contact the manufacturer or representatives in the field for information and correct service instructions. A greased lift is a happy lift. Keeping the equipment clean and lubricated ensures a long service life. As time goes on, check for signs of wear and mechanical failure associated with aging. Lifts get old too, so routinely inspect any items like cables and rollers and replace when necessary. ALI recently introduced a program for Certified Lift Inspectors, which makes it easier and more convenient to connect with a certified technician to take care of and inspect ALI-certified lifts.
Above: MAHA USA produces the only wireless mobile column lift powered by ballscrew technology.
Radu Pop serves as a market research analyst and heavy-duty equipment specialist for MAHA USA, Pinckard, AL.
Proper maintenance and routine inspections are the best ways to ensure safety awareness remains the number one priority.
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for maintenance Denton County Transportation Authority holds ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new bus operations and maintenance facility The Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) celebrated the opening of its newly constructed Bus Operations and Maintenance facility in Denton, TX, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 20. DCTA executives and staff will join city leaders and community partners for the official opening of DCTA’s new facility. The brand-new $8.2 million Bus and Operations Maintenance facility replaces DCTA’s previously leased facility located at the landfill on Mayhill Road in Denton where bus operations shared facilities with the City of Denton’s Solid Waste department. The new location is situated on 15 acres of land purchased in 2008 by DCTA located at 1101 Teasley Lane, which is approximately one mile east of the agency’s Downtown Denton Transit Center (DDTC). The 22,000 square foot building provides facilities for vehicle repair, maintenance, wash, fueling, parking, and bus operations; and houses six maintenance bays and administrative office space. Construction of the new facility began in 2011 and concluded early January 2014. “The opening of our new Bus Operations and Maintenance facility is a landmark achievement for DCTA and will greatly improve the quality and efficiency of our bus operations,” said Jim Cline, president of DCTA. “Not only will the new facility greatly enhance our ability to continue providing outstanding bus service to the community, DCTA serves the areas of Denton, Lewisville & Highland Village, TX.
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BUSRIDE MAINTENANCE | APRIL.2014
Construction of DCTA’s $8.2 million facility began in 2011.
it allows us to provide a better work environment for our valued front-line employees.” DCTA received a federal grant – State of the Good Repair Bus and Bus Facilities Initiative Program – which funded the construction costs associated with the agency’s new Bus and Operations Maintenance facility. The federal grant allowed for an expedited project delivery with construction and enabled DCTA to more quickly address its long-term maintenance, operations, security and technology needs; and more efficiently provide alternative transportation solutions for the growing community. Environmental consideration was also key to the design of the DCTA’s new Bus and Operations Maintenance facility as the location itself saves almost 20,000 of fuel and eliminates 217 tons of CO2 emissions annually through more efficient routing of vehicles. Other key sustainable design features include: highly insulated roof and wall structures; high-efficiency motors; high-efficiency lighting fixtures for interior and parking lot lighting; occupancy sensors that can control lighting in offices, conference rooms, break rooms, restrooms and similar areas; and plumbing fixtures providing water and energy savings. “The opening of this new facility is a reflection of all the hard work from every DCTA staff member,” said Bob Neander, director of Operations of DCTA. “We are very customeroriented, and our new Bus Operations and Maintenance facility will enable us to provide better service to our passengers.” DCTA’s Bus and Operations Maintenance facility marks the second new facility the agency has opened in the last few years. In early 2012, DCTA celebrated the opening of its newly constructed Rail Operation and Maintenance facility in Lewisville, TX.
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By Robert Buchwalter
O
perators can regard some motorcoach systems as seasonal depending on the regions where they operate. A particular component or system may not be critical year round. The air conditioning system may not be a critical a system in Vermont in January, but would be in California. The reverse is true for the heating system in these same locations. Not so for wheels and tires — critical at all times even when parked. Coach tires are exceptionally sophisticated and have evolved over the years to work suitably with unique conditions for each operator. I won’t address the relative merits of one brand over another, but rather offer some basic guidelines to ensure maximum tire life for any brand. Begin with inflation pressure Tire maintenance begins with the most basic concern — inflation pressure. A well-designed quiet-riding tire offers sidewall flexibility, traction, rolling resistance, stone rejection and tread life, but the air in the tire supports the load of the coach. Running on the incorrect air pressure — too little or too much — only handicaps its capability to transport the load of the coach safely. Too often a tire inflation pressure check is relegated to tire thumping to check for pressure. Certainly the investment in the coaches and the lives they carry make it incumbent upon operators to provide proper and calibrated tire pressure gauges to all service personnel and coach drivers. As maintenance supervisors and managers demonstrate the importance of tire pressure and the use of proper gauges, the employees will respond with a similar attitude. At Prevost we use tables from Michelin and other tire manufacturers that list tire inflation per axle to determine the correct pressure. We use only the tire manufacturers’ recommendations. The weight of motorcoaches will vary based on passenger and luggage load, so it is best to consider the maximum weight. Tire pressure monitor systems are becoming more popular as the earlier systems have become more robust and accurate. Still, the drivers are critically important to maximizing tire life, and must be made aware of all the tools to achieve this. Remember Tag Unload The Tag Unload is one of the most often underutilized
features on Prevost and other charter coaches. Instruct drivers on Tag Unload and how to employ this valuable feature. Though it’s a manual feature, coach buyers can select automatic tag unload as an option. It quickly dumps the air pressure in the tag axle airbags during a low-speed turn. Otherwise the coach pivots on the drive tires and the tags skid or scrub through the turn, which reduces tire life and adds a strain on the suspension. With Tag Unload, the tag tires will not have time to rise, but by dumping the tag axle air bag pressure they slide across the pavement more easily. It reduces scrub, tightens the turn radius and promotes a longer tread life. Make everyone an inspector There is no replacement for conscientious inspection and maintenance technicians that are so critical to the safety and longevity of a tire. But don’t overlook the people at the fuel stations who see the coaches regularly in the basic inspection process. These are the primary observers for cuts, bulges, worn treads or any other anomaly. Lift the coach carefully Lastly, a word about wheel lifts and tires. We see wheel lifts, as opposed to pits, in use in shops across North America. Companies typically invest in six lifts to support all three axles when the coach is raised. Some companies, however, only purchase four lifts and raise the coaches using the steer and drive axle. Often the lifts will have forks long enough to extend only under a single tire. My concern is for the drive axle tires. Each tire and wheel has an expressed maximum load rating — somewhere in the 9,000 pound range. In choosing to raise a coach using only four lifts, with the lift forks only extending under one tire, think of the weight the outer drive tires must absorb. It’s probably well in excess of the load rating for the tire/ wheel system. Such a strain could possibly distort the belts and inflict other hidden damage on the tire. On coaches converted into motor homes, the weight borne by the outer driver tire in this situation is even greater. Robert Buchwalter serves as one of two Prevost technical field instructors conducting seminars at the Prevost factory in Quebec, customers’ shops, and transit agencies. He is a member of the BUSRide Editorial Advisory Board.
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