Maintenance: Keeping Trucks Efficient & Safe

At Iron Horse Transport, we understand the need for safe and reliable shipping, in a way that very few other companies do. Often, the freight we transport ranges from expensive machinery to massive quantities of construction materials. Regardless of the freight’s nature, transporting it without incident is our central, passionate mission.

Of course, we consider it our solemn responsibility to treat our clients’ cargo like our own. Therefore, we make the safety of our union trucks and your freight a critical priority. We do this, in large part, by performing routine maintenance on our equipment. This way, we can take additional measures to consistently ensure trucking services of exceptional quality. In this post, we’ll explore some of the repairs we regularly perform in order to comply with safety standards and keep our trucks operating as precisely and efficiently as possible.

6 Items of Regular Truck Maintenance

Obviously, cars need routine oil changes and general inspections. However, dry van freight trucks have far more demanding, rigorous requirements. The distances that trucks travel alone, especially for New York companies, requires much greater care.

New York City is a notoriously-difficult place, even when performing route surveys. Unstable roads, narrow streets and constant bumper-to-bumper gridlock are everyday elements New York truckers have to cope with. Therefore, our trucks must remain in excellent shape at all times, to resist the kind of wear-and-tear the region creates.

#1 Tires

When it comes to trucks that are safe to drive, tires are essential. For maximum performance, truck tires must inflate to the exact psi measurement that the U.S. Department of Transportation recommends. If we were to over or under-inflate them, they will likely fail – either from extreme heat or general wear-and-tear. 

Additionally, drivers and supervisors must be aware of tread depth and other potential causes of damage. Because these tires regularly support extreme weight, keeping them sturdy is mandatory. Our trucks also feature air-ride suspension. This technology uses a layer of air (instead of the traditional steel springs) to provide suspension. As a result, your cargo remains elevated at all times and protected from damaging collisions.

#2 Battery

Without a working battery, our New York truck drivers would be unable to quickly and efficiently start their vehicles. Exposure to heat might cause the truck battery to corrode, or sulfite crystals to form. This includes heat generated by the engine.

If the truck battery continues to corrode, then it may cause the battery to deteriorate. With an emphasis on incident-free and timely arrival of all freight, our trucking company closely monitors all batteries.

#3 Cooling System

Our truck’s engines generate a lot of heat. A proper engine cooling system allows the engine to function properly, preventing any damage from taking place. Approaching the cooling system from the area adjacent to the engine is the only proper way to clean it. Without an efficient cooling system, the engine might overheat, or cause other issues.

#4 Air Conditioning

For driving during the heat of summer, air conditioning is a must. However, an air conditioning system does require upkeep to prevent impacting the rest of the truck. It could cause freon leaks, or other residue, to build up within the engine.

If any hoses, belts or other components are failing, then it demands immediate attention. As a union-focused New York trucking company, we take special care to prevent air conditioning from causing harm.

#5 Electrical Systems

With significant use, electronics within the truck will eventually be in a state of disrepair. Whether this means that the alternator is broken, or that the wiring is compromised, electrical systems should be closely monitored. As a standard best practice, we examine the electrical systems whenever we are performing other maintenance.

#6 Hoses/Belts

Hoses and belts that function properly make a substantial difference in the overall performance of the truck. Inspecting these parts is easy. Our New York trucking company ensures that belt part has the proper tension, and does not have any cracks.

Squeezing the hoses will help to determine whether or not the internal deterioration process has begun. Leaking and/or sponge-like feelings are both indicators that your truck needs new hoses.

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With a rigorous maintenance approach, at Iron Horse Transport we guarantee the safe and speedy arrival of all freight. Our experienced drivers take the utmost care to deliver your freight in an uneventful and timely manner.