Product Innovations
Web-based fuel and fleet management application
SCI Distribution's WebFleetLog is a fuel and fleet management application that allows fleet managers to monitor fuel usage, track vehicle locations, and view dozens of categories of vehicle and driver performance data in real-time from any web-connected computer or PDA device.
This new all-in-one system incorporates the company's FleetLog GPS offline/online vehicle tracking system and its RF Fuel wireless monitoring system, designed to prevent unauthorized and inappropriate use of fuel at a company fuel pump.
In addition to providing 24/7 access into fleet activity, the WebFleetLog system can also proactively notify managers when driver performance, engine performance, and vehicle fuel efficiency fall away from one or more predetermined parameters.
The RF Fuel system can be easily added to all popular GPS fleet management/tracking systems, say officials with the company, which specializes in state-of-the-art wireless fleet and fuel management hardware and software applications.
Fleet and fuel data gathered and logged by SCI Distribution's fuel and fleet management systems are importable/exportable in all popular spreadsheet formats.
Visit www.sciww.com for more information.
Z-Deck offers full-width access to loads
To provide full-width access to virtually any load, Rite-Hite is expanding its family of products that raise the trailer to the appropriate dock height for loading/unloading. In addition to the current ThinMan truck leveler/vehicle restraint, Rite-Hite now introduces the Z-Deck truck leveler.
The Z-Deck allows trailers to be serviced at or above dock height with a Z-shape deck design that helps minimize the slope of the lifting surfaced, improving safety by keeping tires even and reducing the opportunity for trailers to move away from the dock.
The Z-Deck is surface-mounted with easy installation and does not require a below-grade pit. Its low-profile, 1-5/8" collapsed height allows a variety of trailers to be serviced at the dock, and integral, dual wheel guides provide consistent trailer alignment at the dock.
Visit www.ritehite.com for further details.
Mack develops low-NOx answer for CARB
Mack MP7 and MP8 engines have been certified to meet California's 2008 criteria to limit emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) while idling. This means Mack customers with compliant engines will not have to shut down their engines after five minutes of idling as otherwise required by California regulations that took effect earlier in 2008.
The California Air Resources Board requires trucks to stop idling after no more than five minutes, under most circumstances. However, trucks with engines that emit 30 grams or less per hour of NOx are not required to shut down and can continue to idle. Several other states intend to pursue adoption of California's idle regulations in the near future.
Customers now have the option to specify “Idle Emission Certification — CARB 08 ” for Mack MP Series engines built after Jan. 1, 2008. This feature means the truck's engine has been certified to meet the 30 gram/hour NOx limit. A CARB-required decal affixed to its hood indicates the truck meets the regulation. The new Mack MP10 engine will also be able to meet this standard when it goes into production later in 2008. Mack customers can order this feature from dealers now.
CSAV adopts eAutoFresh system
Chile-based CSAV is the first major line to adopt Carrier Transicold's new eAutoFresh system for shipping produce between North and South America. The system features an on-demand ventilation option designed for produce-shipping container refrigeration units.
The eAutoFresh system is an energy-efficient alternative to the common practice of continuously ventilating refrigerated containers to address cargo respiration. For certain high-respiring perishable commodities, it can also extend shelf-life and enable shipping over longer routes.
This system replaces the manual vent on any EliteLINE, ThinLINE, PrimeLINE, or StreamLINE unit equipped with a MicroLink ML2i or ML3 controller. In use, the eAutoFresh system's carbon dioxide (CO2) sensor monitors container atmosphere and automatically opens the vent when CO2 levels rise above a preset point.
CSAV is already utilizing the new system, having purchased 4,500 EliteLINE units, including 1,000 with the eAutoFresh system installed, 2,500 prepped for field installation of the eAutoFresh system, and 1,000 with Carrier EverFresh controlled-atmosphere systems. The EverFresh systems enable CSAV to maintain product integrity over longer-duration routes to the Pacific Rim and Europe. CSAV rigorously field-tested the units with eAutoFresh systems and purchased them to handle exporting snow peas, asparagus, and avocados in the South America/North America trade lanes.
For more information, visit www.container.carrier.com.