 DEFs and California Truck Regulations There’s a misconception that being a trucker is easy – that you just get comfy and drive around in the sunshine, with your favourite music playing and the wide open road ahead. And while it has moments like that, it’s still a job. A job that’s done in all conditions, rain or shine, with long stretches away from home and your family. A job with rules, laws, safety protocols, and plenty of paperwork that follows you everywhere you go.
Government regulation of the trucking industry varies across provinces and states, with some being stricter than others on things like maintenance, scheduling, and emission standards. California is well known for being among the strictest places in North America when it comes to these laws, and has been for many years. Starting in 2008, the California government began mandating that trucks had to systematically upgrade their engines and equipment, and install new tech in order to increase aerodynamics and lessen friction – at the truckers’ own cost, naturally. While such modifications may end up saving money in the long run, and are not a bad idea in theory, it is a lot of money to invest up front into a fleet of vehicles all at once. From 2012 to 2020, all trucks have to periodically swap out older parts for newer ones that would meet the ever-higher standards from the government. One of the biggest changes, though, was the mandatory installation of diesel particulate filters. These after-market filters scrub out some particulates from the exhaust vents of the engine, keeping the worst of the soot pollutants out of the air – but they can be very expensive (into the thousands of dollars), unmodifiable (once it’s on, it cannot legally be removed or tampered with), and if not properly maintained can hamper the performance of your vehicle. Again, this is not a bad policy per se – but just this step, retrofitting a fleet with these devices, can rack up six-figure price tags. Which brings us to the main point: starting next year, any truck built before 2010 that does not have an upgraded engine – yes, the whole engine – will be denied registration in California. And not only that, as technology changes over time, this consistent upgrade will be an ongoing process that doesn’t stop, costing truck owners time, money, and stress every year for the foreseeable future. We’re not against environmental regulations here at West Tech Mobile, but we are against a system that unduly punishes the hardworking truck drivers and equipment operators that make our economy run. Just when it seems like they’re catching up to the “way things are”, that way changes and they have to shell out again to avoid costly fines and penalties. The onus should be on the governing body to do the research into this technology they’re introducing, and making sure that it’s long-lasting enough to make the transitions and installations worth the effort. Beyond that, it seems unfair to pin the entire cost on the industry – since their whole business model depends on being able to drive their trucks, and they have literally no choice but to pay up or go out of business. Framed that way, it doesn’t seem like a very helpful move, does it? So you know what West Tech thinks – but what do you think? Are regulatory bodies like the ones in California overstepping their bounds and costing truck drivers thousands in unnecessary costs? Or is all of this a step in the right direction for the industry, with no alternative way to subsidize the rising prices of being a trucker? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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Big trucks can mean big business – and with that can come some intense regulations that helps keep the drivers and the public safe. As technology gets better and more capable, regulations can change from year to year, and it’s in everyone’s best interest to keep up with the latest laws and equipment requirements. As of January 12, 2018, new government regulations will come into effect regarding the presence and use of positive air shutdown systems in diesel engines. While these systems are already mostly in place for trucks that come into contact with atmospheric gaseous hydrocarbons, many of them are still either manually activated, or automatically reset after they have been used. The new rules target this specifically: only trucks and equipment that may come into contact with hazardous gaseous hydrocarbons will be required to have positive air shutdown systems, and furthermore, they must automatically activate in the event of an engine runaway and remain on until they are manually reset. All Class 2 & 3 chemical haulers must be equipped with RPM controlled manual reset positive air shutoff systems. If you drive a unit with a diesel engine and work in an industry that has exposure to airborne hydrocarbons – like at a refinery, an oil rig or well, or a power plant - then these new regulations will affect you! Even if you don’t drive one of these vehicles yourself, you are likely in close proximity to them on these potentially hazardous job sites. These changes will help ensure that you, and everyone else at work, is safe while doing their job. If you already have a positive air shutdown system in place, make sure to get it inspected and serviced regularly as part of your pre-trip checklist – and especially before you use your unit to transport hazardous and combustible materials. It’s much better to find the problem before it threatens your equipment and your life. If you don’t have one of the January 2018 compliant positive air shutoff systems already, you’ve found the right place! At West Tech Mobile, we are COR-certified, which means we do everything to the highest standard of work. And when it comes to installing positive air shutdown systems in Calgary, we know how important it is to get it done flawlessly. We have an excellent relationship with an outstanding Alberta company, Headwind Solutions, which manufactures some of the best and most reliable systems you can find. We use their flagship product, the Shocker P.A.S.S., and we rest easy knowing that our customers are staying safe while they’re working to keep Alberta’s economy going – and we’re helping, since the systems are manufactured, built, assembled, and sold right here in Alberta. It’s always a bonus when we can help support our local community and the people of this great province. So don’t be caught out in the cold this January! Book your diesel truck or equipment in for a positive air shutdown system installation at West Tech Mobile, and avoid government fines or unnecessary danger. If you can’t make it to our shop – well, that’s no problem, since we have a fleet of fully-equipped service trucks that will come to you! And if you have a system already, bring it in for inspection to make sure it’s up to the standards you’ll need next year. After all, since we’re COR-certified, we live up to the best safety and health standards you can find, and it shows! Get in touch today to avoid the big rush that’s sure to come in January. We are conveniently located at #22, 5555 51 Ave SE in Calgary, Alberta, or you can reach us by phone at 403-265-5699. We look forward to making you a repeat customer! New requirement for automatic engine air intake shut-off devices on diesel engines (7.1 (j))CSA B621-14 requires automatic engine air intake shut-off devices on diesel engines used during loading or off loading. These devices are important in preventing engine runaway in case of exposure to flammable vapours that could lead to catastrophic engine failure which could provide the ignition source for a fire and/or explosion.  What are the benefits of diesel fuel conditioners? If you own or use a heavy-duty diesel vehicle and your days are spent driving it around, chances are good that you want to maximize the efficiency and output of its engine. While there are many small things you can do to help out with that – even making sure your tires are properly inflated can have a positive effect – one of the biggest contributors is simply putting the right stuff into the engine in the first place. Low-sulphur diesel is just the start. Do you know about the benefits of adding a conditioner to your fuel system?
The benefits of adding a high-quality fuel conditioner are numerous, but as with most things, making sure it is of high quality is important (in our tests, we’ve found the greatest results from a conditioner made by Stanadyne, so that’s our recommendation for vehicles in our shop). You may think that you don’t need a conditioner, but the truth is that these additives substantially improve engine performance across the board. Due to modern pollution standards, today’s diesel fuels are very “dry” – they lack lubricity to properly lubricate your fuel injection system, they carry particulates that build up inside the system, and the water content inside the diesel is susceptible to Alberta’s wild temperature swings, condensing into drops that can greatly reduce your fuel efficiency. Fuel conditioners help combat all of these. They contain cetane enhancers – compounds that help diesel engines start colder, use less fuel, prevent deposits, and more; they improve lubricity, keeping the moving parts of your fuel injection system moving properly; and they have detergents, helping to clean your injection system and help water go through the system without damaging it. So what does this all mean? Well, the biggest one is your fuel economy will go up! In nine separate tests that we did, fuel economy went up every single time (some independent tests got up to a 9% increase, with the average being about 4%). This will be especially noticeable on older, more worn engines with fuel injection systems, because it cleans the engines as it works. Your unit will also run smoother and quieter (cetane enhancers also reduce knocking and noise), start better in cold weather, and you will get more power and torque from your engine as you continue to use a high quality fuel conditioner. In order to get the best results, a concentrated and high quality fuel conditioner is necessary. At West Tech Mobile, we have many different sizes of Stanadyne fuel conditioner – including bulk 19 L pails that we purchase directly from our distributor, leading to big savings that we can pass on to you. You’ll be thrilled with the improvements you get with this top-quality Stanadyne product! To learn more, or to pick up some diesel fuel conditioner to try for yourself, drop by our shop in Calgary’s industrial area. We’re located at #22, 5555 51 Ave SE, and we’re open from 8-4:30, Mon-Sat, for all your heavy-duty truck needs. Give us a call at 403-265-5699 or drop a line in our easy-to-use contact form. We look forward to helping you get the most out of your equipment! Heavy Truck & Equipment Diesel Filters | How To Keep Them Cleaner, Longer  Diesel engines have come a long way since the first ones rolled out of the production lines. They’ve become more efficient, much more powerful, and overall much more specialized to the tasks they perform. In recent years, though, a universal component has made its way into new diesel engines: the diesel particulate filter, or DPF.
There are a variety of ways that these filters accomplish their job, but it boils down to this: they are built directly into trucks to help control pollution, and reduce the amount of particles that escape from the exhaust emissions. Because of this, in many places it is illegal to remove a DPF from an engine. More and more provinces putting similar laws in place, so this is not a trend that can be ignored if you do a lot of interprovincial driving. So why is this important? As with any filter, they eventually become plugged up. As it catches more and more particulate matter, the filter – no matter what type it is – will accumulate the debris and sooner or later become saturated, reducing the efficiency of it. At this point, the computer in your truck will have to recognize this, and initiate a sequence to resolve the problem – obviously, the less that this happens, the better it is for your filter and engine overall. What kind of solutions are available for this? Well, the easiest way to improve the life of your pollution-control device, and its reliability within your unit, is to come see us at West Tech Mobile – that’s what we’re here for! Catching these issues early will save you money in the long run, and keep you on the road in a reliable vehicle. Our heavy truck computer diagnostic equipment allows us to help with your DPF device, as well as any other computer issues under your hood. One factor that greatly affects how quickly your DPF will saturate is where you do most of your driving. Highway routes are generally better, since there is not much starting and stopping or extreme speed changes, but if you are in the city, your unit will be more prone to diesel filter issues. One noticeable aspect of it is having to start your engine from the cold, which increases engine wear as well as the time spent idling while it warms up. Our advice? If you can, plug your truck in when possible, to make sure your engine stays warm through the worst of the winter cold. This will avoid some unnecessary wear, as well as making it much easier for the engine to start (and run) properly. Alternatively, you can put the coolant heater on, if you’re not close to an outlet; if you’re, say, stopped on the side of the road, you know that your engine will be ready to go again when you are. Not only will it be easier on the DPF, but you’ll save money on fuel by not having to warm up your engine first, and you’ll be able to drive sooner (as your cab will heat up right away, and defrost your windshield). If you idle your truck to warm it up, your diesel filter will get clogged much faster than if you plug it in, so avoid it if you can! If you’ve got heavy equipment somewhere remote, with no power nearby, let us know and we’ll come out to put a Webasto coolant heater on your engine – this will save you big money as time goes on! We’re all about extending the longevity of your equipment at West Tech Mobile in Calgary, Alberta, and doing it at a great price. Contact Us today to make sure you get the most out of your truck, no matter where you’re going! |
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