Informational Category

Causes of Unplanned Downtime on the Jobsite

02 Sep 2022 Leave a Comment

Planned VS Unplanned Downtime in any industry can be extremely costly, wasting both time and money, and can result from a number of factors both in and out of your control. Downtime can be either planned (intentional and necessary) or unplanned (unintentional). Planned downtime is anticipated and should be factored into timelines, budgets, and planning. [...]

Common Types of Hydraulic Cylinders

19 Aug 2022 Leave a Comment

Hydraulic cylinders come in a variety of designs and constructions depending on their intended application. Pressurized hydraulic fluid is used to power the linear action of the cylinders, allowing them to act like 'muscles' -- extending, contracting, and locking. Cylinders consist of a cylinder barrel with a cylinder bottom (or "cap end") sealing off [...]

Parts of an Engine Cooling System

22 Jul 2022 Leave a Comment

Function of an Engine Cooling System Engine cooling systems are essential in maintaining the efficiency and longevity of a truck's engine. Cooling systems serve to mitigate the heat generated by combustion as well as to increase efficiencies such as fuel economy and horsepower. Cooling systems not only keep engine components from overheating, but also [...]

Powertrain, Drivetrain, Driveline: What’s the Difference?

10 Jun 2022 Leave a Comment

Powertrain, Drivetrain, and Driveline You may have heard the terms "powertrain" and "drivetrain" (and sometimes even "driveline") used interchangeably. While these are all related to the fundamental operations that move or "drive" a vehicle, they are not exactly the same. Driveline - Includes components such as the driveshaft, differential(s), transfer [...]

A Guide to Aerial Lifts

11 May 2022 Leave a Comment

What are Aerial Lifts? Before discussing the uses and classifications of aerial lifts, let's start by defining them. Aerial lifts are defined by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as "machines/devices intended for moving persons, tools, and material to working positions, consisting of at least a work platform with controls, an extending [...]

Common Types of Forestry Equipment

29 Apr 2022 Leave a Comment

Common Types of Forestry Equipment Foresters and loggers utilize many different pieces of equipment in order to cut and process trees. In this post we will discuss some of the basic types of equipment most commonly used in forestry and logging applications. Feller Bunchers Feller bunchers are used in both thinnings and clearcuts to grab, cut, and [...]

Common Types of Mining Equipment

15 Apr 2022 Leave a Comment

Types of Mining There are a variety of machines used in the mining industry to drill, blast, hoist, and haul materials. The machinery used depends on the material being extracted, the environment, and the method of mining. Before discussing the equipment most commonly used in mining operations, let's discuss the different types of mining. There are two [...]

Cab-Over v.s. Conventional Trucks: What’s the Difference?

01 Apr 2022 Leave a Comment

What's the Difference? There are two varieties of trucks typically seen on the road: cab-over and conventional. Cab-over trucks (also called cab over engine) have a flat front end with the cab sitting above or in front of the truck's front axle. Conventional trucks more resemble a car, with a hooded extension containing the engine in front of the cab, [...]

Heavy Equipment Undercarriage Maintenance Tips

18 Mar 2022 Leave a Comment

What is an Undercarriage? An undercarriage is the supporting frame under the body of a vehicle. Cars, trucks, and heavy equipment all have undercarriages responsible for keeping the vehicle stable. When talking about heavy equipment, undercarriage also refers to the track system propelling the machine. There are different types, such as steel [...]

Advantages of Air Brakes

25 Feb 2022 Leave a Comment

What Are Air Brakes? Air brakes utilize compressed air to press on a piston and apply pressure to the brake pad or brake shoe needed to stop or slow the vehicle. This contrasts with hydraulic brakes, which make use of hydraulic fluid rather than compressed air. Also known as pneumatic brakes, air brakes can either be drum brakes, disc brakes, or a [...]

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