Reliable starts, minimal maintenance and long life. That’s what you expect from your truck’s battery. You can achieve all three goals—and stay safe as you work with this potentially dangerous component—by following these simple tips for battery selection, installation, charging, service and storage.

Selection Tips

• Choose a battery with enough cranking power, reserve capacity and vibration resistance to get the job done.
• Consider the manufacturer’s recommendation a minimum guideline. A truck with a lot of electrical accessories needs a more powerful battery for optimum performance.
• Remember that temperature affects performance. If you operate in extremely hot or cold climates, you may need a battery with a higher cold cranking amp (CCA) rating.

Installation Tips

• Before removing the old battery, mark the positive and negative cables for proper connection to the new battery.
• Disconnect the ground cable first to avoid dangerous sparking around the battery. Then disconnect the positive cable and carefully remove the old battery.
• Clean and inspect the battery tray. Replace the tray, hold-down assembly and battery cables if needed—cable ends must be clean and corrosion-free.
• Put corrosion protection washers on the battery terminals. Install the new battery in the same position as the old one and tighten the hold-down.
• Connect the positive cable first and the ground cable last. Use a special side terminal torque tool to tighten the side terminal cables. NEVER over-tighten or hammer cables onto terminals.
• Coat terminals and cable connection with a corrosion protection spray.

Charging Tips

• Read the manufacturer’s instructions for charger hook-up and use before you start.
• Turn off the charger and disconnect the battery before hook-up to avoid dangerous sparks.
• Reduce or stop charging temporarily if the battery case feels hot to the touch or if violent gassing or spewing of electrolyte occurs.
• Replace the battery if it hasn’t begun to accept the minimum charging current (1/2 of recommended) within 15 minutes at the highest charger setting (or voltage).
• NEVER try to charge a frozen battery. Let it warm up to room temperature first.
• NEVER overcharge your battery. Excessive charging shortens battery life.

Service Tips

• Visually inspect your battery before testing. Look for a cracked or broken case or cover, leaking case-to-cover seal, damaged or leaking terminals, loose cable connections and corrosion.
• Neutralize any corrosion with a baking soda/water paste or battery cleaner spray. Scrape or brush off the residue and wash the area with clean water.
• After your visual inspection, use a voltmeter to check the battery’s state of charge.

Storage Tips

• Keep batteries in a cool (but above freezing), dry area in an upright position.
• NEVER stack batteries directly on top of each other unless they’re in cartons or on shipping pallets protected by corrugated packaging. Even then, only stack them two or three high.
• Test non-maintenance-free wet batteries every four to six months (maintenance-free every 12 months) and recharge if needed.

Safety Tips

• ALWAYS wear safety glasses and a face shield. Batteries contain acid that can destroy clothing and burn the skin, and they can generate explosive hydrogen gas.
• Keep sparks, flames and cigarettes away from batteries. To avoid creating sparks, ALWAYS turn off charging and testing equipment before attaching or removing clamps.
• Perform all work in a well-ventilated area. NEVER lean directly over a battery while boosting, testing or charging it.

There’s no question the use of automatic transmissions in the on-highway truck business is growing—rising from less than 10 percent in 1997 to nearly 40 percent in 2010, according to a Frost and Sullivan study. Here are some of the big reasons why vocational truck owners (and drivers) are choosing automatic transmissions like the Cat CX31:

Improved fuel efficiency

It’s true that manual transmissions offer the best overall efficiency in a steady state. But manual shifting interrupts power to the ground and can limit performance, especially in the hands of inexperienced drivers. Automatic transmissions, on the other hand, eliminate the “when to shift” decision. Instead, ideal speed and torque combinations narrow the gap between your best and worst fuel mileage drivers, so you can move more tons per gallon and raise your fleet miles-per-gallon average.

Increased productivity and uptime

An automatic transmission’s electro-hydraulically actuated clutches allow smooth hand-off of torque during gear shifts—which delivers continuous power to the ground, provides quick acceleration and eliminates the need for constant shifting in traffic. That keeps your trucks, ground crews and other equipment working productively. Plus, by eliminating shifting or time spent in the same gear on grades, automatic shifting can improve round-trip times.

Reduced wear and tear

Manual shifting requires significant operator expertise—done wrong, it can cause costly transmission and driveline damage. With automatic shifting, you can save money by avoiding clutch replacement, axle shaft failure, driveline repairs, and tire and brake wear. Factor in the increased uptime you can achieve by not having your truck in the shop for repairs, and the payback on your upfront investment typically occurs within two years.

Wider driver pool

Automatic shifting greatly simplifies operation, which gives you access to a much wider pool of drivers. Even those with limited experience can quickly become efficient and productive behind the wheel of an automatic—because they can concentrate on driving, not shifting. Less shifting also reduces fatigue at the end of the work day, a key factor in driver retention.

Safer operation

Two hands on the wheel. Two feet on the floor. Two eyes on the road. Automatic transmissions allow drivers to focus on their surroundings, which helps keep them and everyone else on your jobsite safer.

Want to learn more about what an automatic transmission can do for you? Check out this interview with one of the engineers behind the Cat CX31: http://drivecat.com/unleashed#constructing_work_mode

Jim Booth, an application engineer in the Cat On-Highway Truck group and an experienced truck driver, shares his thoughts on pre-trip inspections:

As a truck driver, one of my least favorite things is sitting around waiting to load or unload or, even worse, waiting on truck repairs. While there’s not much drivers can do to lessen loading times, we can play a big role in minimizing the time spent on repairs. The trick is performing a thorough pre-trip inspection every day—one that can detect potential issues before they become real problems and create unwanted downtime. Here’s the checklist I follow for a meticulous pre-trip inspection (yours may vary slightly depending on state requirements):

• Make sure you have the right tools on hand—a flashlight, hammer (3 lb. is good), tire air pressure gauge, gloves, shop rag and wheel chocks are necessities.
• Start by placing wheel chocks on the front and back side of one drive tire, which will keep the truck from rolling when the brakes are released.
• Open the hood and check all fluid levels—engine oil, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid and coolant. Look for oil or coolant leaks, which could be caused by something as simple as a loose hose clamp and easily repaired. Check coolant hoses, power steering hoses, air conditioning hoses and electrical connections. If you find a hose rubbing against something, like a bracket, fix it before it wears a hole by adding a protective wrap or relocating the hose. Also check the fan belt.
• While the hood is open, inspect the front brake air lines, brake linings and brake drum. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has minimum requirements for brake lining thickness, and it varies depending on the type of brakes or brake system. For the most part, if brake linings are less than 1/4″, it’s probably time to replace the brakes. Look at the front springs for any cracks or broken leaf springs. Make sure the spring u-bolts are tight and not broken.
• Inspect the front tires, checking side walls for nicks or cuts and tread depth. DOT requirements for steer tires are a minimum tread depth of at least 4/32”. Look at the rims for cracks or dents. Make sure all the lug nuts are there and tight. Check the axle seal area for oil leaks. When comfortable with the front tires and everything under the hood, close the hood and secure it.
• Start the engine or turn on all the lights and flashers (four ways) before beginning your walkaround. If your truck has a hand brake valve that stays on when applied, use it to check brake lights. Otherwise you’ll need a buddy to check them.
• When starting the engine, check the gauges for engine oil pressure and make sure that air pressure is climbing. Low air pressure should activate an annoying buzzer. If the air pressure is low when the engine starts, that could indicate an air leak somewhere.
• If you’ve never driven this truck before, check the cab for any necessary permits, an insurance card and required safety equipment like a fire extinguisher and reflective triangles or flares.
• During your walkaround, check tire air pressure, ideally with an air pressure gauge. If that’s not possible, bump the tires with a short-handled hammer. (Personally, I don’t believe tire irons or tire thumpers bounce off the tire enough to tell me if the tire pressure is good. A heavier hammer bounces off the tire nicely when air pressure is good and has very little bounce when air pressure is low. It also gives you a better comparison of air pressure differences between the two tires of a dual.) Inspect the condition of all tires, including side wall condition and tread depth. DOT requirements for any tires other than steer axle tires are at least 2/32” tread depth.
• Look under the rear axles of the truck (and trailer if pulling one). Check the condition of brake shoes (don’t forget the brake lining requirements), brake drums, air hoses, slack adjusters and brake chambers. Use a flashlight if necessary. Check wheels for cracks or dents. Make sure all lug nuts are there and tight. Check the axle seal area for oil leaks.
• If you’re pulling a trailer, check the condition of trailer air lines. Make sure they’re not rubbing on anything like the deck plate and won’t snag on anything when turning. Check the glad hands to verify they’re tight and not leaking air. Make sure the trailer king pin is locked in the fifth wheel. Get down under the trailer and shine a flashlight into the fifth wheel to see if the jaws are actually clamped around the king pin. Be sure the landing gear is up and the dolly crank handle is secured and not swinging freely.
• As you walk around your truck/trailer, check all clearance lights, parking lights, headlights, brake lights and turn signals. Wipe off all grimy lights for better visibility. Verify the fuel cap is tight on the fuel tank. Check all glass, including mirrors, for cracks or anything else that may affect visibility. Make sure mud flaps and license plates are attached and secured. Listen for air leaks and look around for anything abnormal.
• Once you’re back in the cab, shut the engine off. Turn the ignition key back on and release the parking brakes. Pump the service brakes repeatedly until the air pressure leaks down to below 60 psi. At 60 psi the low air pressure buzzer should activate. Below 60 psi the parking brake and trailer brakes should apply themselves.

With that, your pre-trip inspection is complete and you’re ready for work. (Don’t forget to remove the wheel chocks!) Throughout the day, anytime you’re stopped and waiting, give your truck a quick walkaround. It’s a great way to find and fix any minor issues before they become major problems.

If you’re considering a Cat Truck purchase in 2013 but are hesitant because of uncertain economic conditions, you may want to explore the various financing options available—which can help you preserve cash and spread purchase costs over a number of years. Here’s a “Financing 101” lesson from one our Cat Financial truck experts to get you started.

What are my vocational truck financing options—and the pros and cons of each?

The most common option is conventional financing through an installment sale contract, which offers the most flexibility and immediate ownership. The truck is titled in your name with the lender’s lien. Because this option allows for down payments and trade-ins, it gives lenders greater flexibility to approve buyers with damaged credit.

Another common option is a TRAC (Terminal Rental Adjustment Clause) lease, which gives you a higher end-of-term purchase amount, lower monthly payment and potential tax deduction for the entire amount of that monthly payment. It’s available in both on- and off-balance sheet structures, which may help you improve your balance sheet and financial ratios. Down payments and trade-ins are restricted, though, so TRAC leases aren’t as flexible as installment sale contracts. They’re also generally offered only to buyers with good credit profiles because the end-of-term purchase amount creates more risk for the lender/lessor.

Is vocational truck financing different than machine financing? What should I be looking for or asking my lender?

For trucks, lenders look at lifespan in terms of annual mileage; for machines, it’s annual hours. In addition, most trucks travel on our highway systems, which subjects them to different federal, state and local taxes. Lenders also secure liens on truck titles as opposed to UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) filings only.

When choosing a truck lender, consider whether that lender truly understands your business. Just like the machine world, trucking can be cyclical with both seasonal and economic ups and downs. You want a lender that understands these cycles and won’t exit the business when things get rough. You also want to find a lender that can help you with the loan versus lease decision and customize monthly payment structures that meet your business needs.

Are there any incentives to buy or finance a truck this year?

Congress recently agreed to extend bonus depreciation on truck purchases through 2013, which could mean significant tax advantages for you. Check with your tax advisor to see what the potential benefits might be for your business.

Why should I finance through Cat Financial versus my local bank or another lender?

We approve a higher percentage of transactions than our competitors, half our customers put down less than what our competitors require, and our customers typically get approval and funding quicker. Just as important is the relationship we have with Cat dealers. Our truck financing specialists will work with your dealer’s truck expert to design a custom financing plan specific to your needs—and if you’re already a Cat equipment customer, you can get truck financing and service from the same Cat dealer you’ve trusted for years.

Want to learn more about Cat Financial’s vocational truck lending options? Go to http://finance.cat.com/transportation or talk to your local Cat dealer.

Looking for ways to keep your fuel spending in check? While it’s true that fuel prices continue to rise, the good news is today’s vocational trucks and engines are more efficient than ever. Plus, there are tricks drivers can employ to maximize fuel efficiency every day. One of our Cat Truck application engineers shared his top five tips to help you improve fuel economy:

5. Coast in gear whenever possible, for as long as possible

When you coast in gear, your engine doesn’t consume fuel. Momentum keeps it rotating, and fuel pumped to the engine returns to the fuel tanks. Take advantage of this “free mileage” by backing out of the throttle earlier when approaching exit ramps or slower speed zones. Once you’ve coasted as far as you can in high gear, downshift a gear or two to coast a little further. Backing out of the throttle at the right time also allows your truck to slow down to the proper speed with limited braking, which helps extend tire and brake lining life.

4. Use progressive shifting

This technique—using only enough rpm to get into the next gear and still pull that next gear—keeps your engine’s rpm as low as possible, which means you’re using less fuel. In the low side of the transmission, you may be able to upshift at 1,000 rpm and still pull the next gear. In the high side of the transmission, road speed and horsepower demand increase, so you’ll need to use a little more rpm. You may be able to upshift at around 1,200-1,400 rpm while in the high side of the transmission, depending on the weight of the load you’re pulling.

3. Stay in high gear as long as possible

Don’t downshift too early and only downshift when necessary. For example, if you can get over a hill without downshifting and without falling below 1,100-1,200 rpm, do it. You use less fuel when you use fewer rpm. Instead of working to keep rpm within a certain range, let the engine do the work for you.

2. Limit idle time

Obviously, there are times when idling your engine is a necessity. The trick is to eliminate unnecessary idle time. For instance, warm up and cool-down times can be reduced.  Minimize warm-up times by idling only while doing your pre-trip inspection.  It’s okay to start moving the truck once the coolant temperature starts to rise.  The engine will reach normal operating temperature as you drive.  Just drive easy using only low power until normal temperature is reached.  Cool-down times can be minimized by “cooling” the engine as you pull up to your stop.  Before stopping, cool the engine by using only minimal power and driving easy.  Here’s another good rule of thumb: Anytime you think you’ll be parked and away from your truck for more than five minutes, shut the engine off.

1. Slow down

Driving more slowly is the single most effective thing you can do to improve fuel mileage. It’s also the easiest and quickest method, requiring no special skills nor much thought. Plus, it improves safety, extends tire life and minimizes wear and tear on your truck (and on you).

Interested in more fuel economy tips? Check out these industry articles:

Tips for drivers

Tips for maintenance managers

Tips for fleet managers

I hope you all enjoy this very special time of year. I don’t have too much to report since my last update…this is the time of year things slow down a bit with people focused more on traveling and spending holiday time with their families.

We always take advantage of this season to catch up on preventive maintenance for our equipment, and at this very moment truck 16 happens to be hanging out with its siblings at our local Cat dealer to keep it operating top-notch. Fortunately, even though this is a new design, we have not had much cause to return to the dealer…but I must say for what few issues have cropped up, Milton Cat has been fabulous at identifying and resolving any hiccups we have encountered.

Naturally our celebrity truck is constantly under a microscope, both by us and all its supportive admirers. So if we find an oil drip or a switch not switching or whatever, even if it’s just up for an oil change, off to the dealer it goes. I am sure we are not Milton Cat’s only customer, but every time I call it sure seems like we are the way they take such good care of truck 16.

We are currently building a list of winter supplies for 16 to deliver once it gets back to work next week, so its little vacation shall be very short-lived. Most of our island communities use road salt and salted sand to treat their roads in the winter, but few have facilities to stock much…so that material will be steady work for 16 over the winter. Hauling such corrosive material or hauling anything in really cold weather presents some interesting challenges, but that will be a topic for my next blog post.

For now I would like to wish you all a fantastic family season and don’t forget to give your equipment a little TLC while you give yourselves a little holiday time as well.

Changing your truck’s oil and filters on a regular schedule—and using the right ones for your particular engine and fuel system—may seem like a no-brainer. But it’s easy to forget just how important these basic preventive maintenance tasks can be. Here are a few reminders, designed to help you keep your truck running like the day you bought it.

Oil and oil filters

You know that engine oil’s job is to keep your engine lubricated, minimizing wear on the bearings, piston rings and wall, and seals. Cat diesel engine oil, for example, is specially formulated to reduce engine wear while minimizing formation deposits. But did you know that every time your engine runs, it deposits contaminants into that oil?

That’s where your oil filter comes into play, trapping and removing contaminants. Oil filters are constructed to provide the best possible filtering, while helping you maintain the manufacturer’s recommended oil change interval. But even the best oil filters don’t last forever, and a clogged one will allow dirty oil to run in your engine. That creates more friction on wear surfaces, and it may cause bearings to seize and ultimately destroy the engine. That’s why it’s critical to change your engine oil AND oil filter every 15,000 miles or 400 hours (depending on the severity and use of your truck).

Fuel and fuel filters

Today’s fuel systems are far more advanced than their mechanical predecessors, requiring high-quality fuel with little to no contaminants. High-pressure pumps and injectors also have tighter tolerances to help address stringent emission standards. That’s why you see fuel filters rated by microns—the smaller the micron rating, the smaller the particles it traps.

The fuel filter is essentially your fuel system’s last line of defense in preventing contamination. If dirty fuel gets past the filter, it can result in expensive failures to your high-pressure injection pump or injectors. Even one piece of dirt can cause a stuck injector, which can burn a hole in your piston and block in a manner of seconds. Hence the need to use a high-quality filter and change it often. For the Cat Truck, we recommend you change your fuel filter every 25,000 miles or 1100 hours (depending on the severity and use of your truck).

Fluid monitoring

Another great preventive maintenance tool is fluid monitoring. It helps you detect possible contamination issues early, so you can fix problems before they turn into costly failures. Your Cat dealer can analyze your truck’s engine oil and coolant, transmission flulid and axle fluid with our S·O·S℠ Services to help you avoid performance losses and major repairs.

Following a simple preventive maintenance plan is one of the best ways to keep your truck operating costs under control and your downtime to a minimum. Interested in learning more about maintenance plans available for the Cat Truck? Get the details at http://drivecat.com/maintenance.

Looking to increase cash flow and defer tax liability? You may qualify for significant tax advantages due to the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010…but you need to act fast. There’s just a little more than a month left to qualify for 50% bonus depreciation when you purchase a new Cat Truck (or trucks!) in 2012. Here’s an example of how it works (normal depreciation assumes 5-year MACRS, half-year):

Talk to your tax advisor to determine if you qualify for this great tax benefit…and learn more about the legislation at http://www.depreciationbonus.org/.

We know owning and operating costs are a big concern for truck owners, so we’re thrilled to hear from customers that the Cat Truck’s modular design is saving them money.

Here’s an example: One of our customers recently got into a minor accident with a competitive truck, damaging one side of the bumper, a headlight and the hood. He took the truck to a local repair shop, and we were able to compare what he paid to fix that damage with what it would have cost to fix similar damage on the Cat Truck…and discovered it would have been thousands of dollars less.

That’s all due to the Cat Truck’s modular design. For example, if one corner of the CT660’s bumper is damaged, you only need to replace that area…not the entire bumper. The same holds true for the grille. That means you pay less, get back on the road fast and keep your O&O costs down…a great combination.

Do you have stories of how the Cat Truck is saving you money? Share them with us!

Unless you’re lucky enough to work in a warmer climate, you’ll likely face ice, snow and sub-zero temperatures this winter. That’s why we designed the Cat Truck to keep drivers warm and safe. Here are just a few of the winter-friendly features you’ll find on the CT660:

• Round air vents deliver better air flow for quick defrosting and comfort in the cab.
• Heated mirrors resist ice build-up for better visibility.
• Wide door handles and rocker switches are easy to operate even with gloves on.

Learn more about the Cat Truck’s safe, comfortable interior here: http://drivecat.com/interior