Running with JCT, Part Deux

The Loves in Anna, Tx is $3.48 a gallon. If it wasn't for the fact I was putting my truck in the shop tomorrow; I would top off my tanks.

 

If it wasn't for the fact I was in Wells, NV, I'd top off my tanks too!

 

Basic emission controls and what they do:

EGR-Exhaust Gas Recirculation. EGR systems take spent combustion gases (exhaust) and meter it back into the intake stream. This feeds an inert gas mixture (because the oxygen has already been used) into the combustion chamber to displace oxygen. Less oxygen reduces the combustion chamber temperature which results in less Oxides of Nitrogen, NOx, being formed. NOx is the major component in the formation of smog. NOx is (N)itrogen(O)xygen(x=any number of oxygen atoms)

The detriments of EGR are: increased contaminants and soot levels introduced into the lubrication system; reduced mileage; reduced power at part throttle. EGR is off at full throttle.

DPF-Diesel Particulate Filter: Just as the name implies, this is a filter element. It is to remove soot (particulate matter) from the exhaust. This is one of the reasons you no longer see trails of black smoke out the stacks. There is no effect on mileage or power levels from a properly size element that is clean. Just as there is no detriment from a properly sized clean air intake filter.

Detriments - none, unless the substrate has melted, the filter is plugged or the system was inadequately sized which will result in excessive back pressure in the exhaust which will reduce both power and mileage.

DEF-Diesel Exhaust Fluid. EGR systems alone are not capable of reducing NOx to the required levels necessitating additional measures. DEF is injected into the exhaust where it breaks into ammonia. The ammonia through a catalytic process breaks the NOx into Nitrogen and Water. There is no affect on mileage or power.

Detriments - None, unless a sensor fault is triggered that sends the ECM (engine control module) in either an open loop or failsafe mode. If this occurs both power and mileage can be greatly affected. Only certain fails will trip these modes.

Diesel emission/engine controls are currently comparable to 1986-90 automotive systems (that is in my opinion). They have a ways to go.

Poorly designed and hastily applied EGR systems are the main culprits in the mileage power reduction problem just as the 1974-84ish automotive systems crippled those motors.

 

Took the plunge, got my truck (I'll save that for my "update thread") and deliver to Wally World DC in Sparks tomorrow afternoon. Anything I should know about them? Hell, anything I should know about bumping a dock with a refer that may be different than bumping a dock with a dry box? I got the maneuvering and docking; I mean like when to open the doors, stand on the dock and stick a thermometer in something (be nice guys lol), what to do after? It's a split. WM in Sparks is the stop and Tyson on Spaghetti Rd (kidding about the road name) in Stockton, CA on Monday is the final (consignee) for the rest of it. Any insights on the "in's and out's" of either or both places would be awesome.

Spending the night in Area 51 and violated just a pinch getting here on HOS cause; well this desert doesn't have a whole lot of places to pull over. Much less park. The shoulder didn't look real truck friendly. It looked kinda "touchy, feely, grab a wheelie and flip ya dealie." You know. Looks hard but is actually desert sand. Shhhlluuupp! "Dang. I knew I shouldn't have tried that." Nope. Not me. I'll hang out with the aliens in violation by a few minutes for I have to call John and say: "Um, I gotta little oops. Need a couple heavy recovery tow units and a dump wagon and front end loader for 40K# of chicken goo messed up in the NV sand." First run. I can play dumb with Heather if I have to. ONCE. No playing dumb about flipping it in sinking sand. [Mr. Crowley's voice and in THAT chair] " You mean to tell me that after 16 years in this business you thought THAT shoulder (out come the color glossy 8x10's slid across the desk) looked OK to pull a fully loaded T/T onto? It may be your first run with us, it may be your first experience with e-logs and it MAY be the first time you been out west in a good while; but REALLY? THAT SHOULDER?" Not happening . . . OK. In truth I coulda laid up in Kingman but I was behind MY schedule cause of some issues out the gate with my horse that are actually funny. Now that they are (hopefully - PLEASE ) resolved. Put me in an imaginary bind, so I pushed further into the desert than I probably should have with the time I had on my log. OK I DID push it further than I should but it'll all be good tomorrow. The green alien chick here in Area 51 told me so, so it's gotta be true. Right?

AHEM! That said, I still got time to make this work. Anything I should know about Sparky Wally World or Tyson at Spaghetti Junction, CA? And thanks again guys. You've been CHAMPS. That is a natural fact.

 

There are some good tips in the reefer forum that you might want to browse around in since you're new to them.

That said, I'd recommend shutting off the reefer before opening your doors, to keep the cold air in the box. Opening the doors with the reefer on pushes the cold air out and sucks hot air in. Once you're in the dock, you can power it back up.

Oh, and don't believe the fuel gauges on these trailers. If it's at 1/4 tank, it's time to fuel. Or if you are about to swap, load, or unload. Basically, if there's any chance you'll drop the trailer (or be at one location for a long period), make sure she's full of fuel (and washed out if empty).

Don't crank the landing gear all the way down. If you're hearing air being released from the air bags on the truck, you went too far. Leave a gap below the landing gear & release the air from the cab using the knob on the dash. That prevents high pinning.

Many of our trailers have an air dump valve. I like to use that to dump the air if I'm not moving the tandems to the rear so the forklift driver doesn't bounce entering/exiting the trailer. Remember to close it back up after loading/unloading, or you won't keep pressure.

Check the temp and fuel levels on your reefer any time you stop to fuel your truck, use the bathroom, eat... whatever reason. If that reefer kicks off and goes unnoticed, that's big money.

 

Why wouldn't you fuel at the Flying J across the street?

 

Also, if you have a produce load or any load that is set in the continuous mode, hit the manual defrost button every time you stop and get out of the truck. With temps over 100° it's easy for the reefer to freeze or ice up which will affect it's cooling ability. You don't want to get charged $250,000 for a cherry load cuz the temp was too high.

Like mentioned above, drop a trailer only if it's full of fuel, whether it's loaded or empty. If empty, make sure it's CLEAN! I recommend investing into a battery operated leaf blower (less than $70 at Wal-Mart) so you can blow the wood chips and dirt out. That will save you time and aggravation in finding a truck wash and a Hell of a lot easier than sweeping with a broom. Now if the trailer needs to be washed, wash it.

Lastly, make ###### sure there are no repairs needed to the trailer. Things like lights (including tag light), mud flaps, worn or bad tires, etc. If you leave a trailer, loaded or empty, and it needs attention, you will be charged $75.00 for this. This week alone I have personally caused 3 drivers to be $75.00 less profitable, all because they were too lazy to do their jobs. Don't be one of those inconsiderate drivers that screws over their fellow drivers.

 

Got a sweet load from Shellie yesterday.

200+ deadhead miles.
Got to get the cheap fuel in Anna.
18100 lbs from Broken Bow, OK to Denver and onto Albuquerque, with 7 of the 11 pallets coming off in Denver.
700+ miles into the trip and I'm averaging 10.83 mpg so far.
Yeah, I'm happy.

 

considering joining jct. got approved all ready. weighing my options with schneiders choice program. can any current driver tell me if there is freight running up and down i 95 eastern board from fla to maine with john christner or is majority of the freight on or going to west coast?

 

If all you're interested in is the 95 corridor, then JCT isn't the place you want to be. Just being honest.
Now, if you don't mind going back and forth to the west coast, then this is the place to be.
Don't know anything about Schneider's program,.but I believe JCT has one of the best and realistic programs out there.