Peterson Trucks Moves Used Trucks Facility to 2595 Alvarado Street, San Leandro

San Leandro, CA — Peterson Trucks, a division of Peterson Holding Co., has moved its used trucks facility to 2595 Alvarado Street in San Leandro. The San Leandro lot has been the base of operations for Peterson Idealease, the rental and lease arm of Peterson Trucks, for several months. This facility replaces Peterson’s former location off of Highway 880 in Oakland

Steve Sundberg, General Sales Manager for Peterson Trucks, commented on the reasons for the move: “We want to give our customers the opportunity to take full advantage of our range of services. Now, fleet managers can come to a single location, view our used truck inventory as well as our rental and lease vehicles, and make the decision that best fits their business strategy. And the new lot is right around the corner from our International truck dealership, and parts and service center.”

Additionally, Peterson Trucks’ new facility is next door to Peterson Cat’s earthmoving sales and service facility, and is only a few blocks from Peterson Power Systems, which offers generator sales, rentals, and service. “We’re a one-stop shop,” Sundberg explained. “We have virtually any piece of equipment our customers might need, the technicians to fix it, and the parts to maintain it. And on top of that, we have purchase, rental, and lease options to fit a range of business plans.”

Peterson Trucks’ Executive VP and GM, Larry MacDonald elaborated on the advantages of moving Peterson’s Used Truck Center: “We’re now in a position to offer used trucks from our own lease and rental fleet. This means our technicians have been maintaining the vehicles since we acquired them, and it’s in our best interest to keep them in pristine condition. In short, we can assure that our used truck customers are getting a quality product.”

About Peterson
Peterson has been a family-owned Caterpillar dealer for seventy-five years. The Peterson family of companies serves over one hundred thousand square miles of the American West with an expansive line of equipment: Caterpillar machinery and on-highway trucks, International trucks, agricultural equipment, rental equipment, portable and stationary diesel-powered generators, natural gas turbines, air compressors, and advanced equipment guidance systems. With more than forty locations throughout northern California, Oregon, and southwestern Washington, Peterson employs over one thousand employees. For more information about Peterson Idealease, visit www.petersonidealease.com.

MaxxForce Engines with SCR-Based Aftertreatment Receive EPA Approval

Late last year, International ProStar Class 8 Trucks equipped with 15-liter Cummins ISX engines began rolling of assembly lines. Since that time, Navistar has been keeping customers up-to-date on its plans to incorporate Cummins SCR-based aftertreatment technology into MaxxForce engines.

This month, International announced news promising the immanent realization of this strategy: the US Environmental Protection Agency has issued certification for MaxxForce 13-liter engines with SCR-based aftertreatment. The ProStars equipped with the new MaxxForce engines will allow Navistar to offer a complete line of heavy duty trucks that meet 2010 CA emissions standards.

According to Jack Allen, Navistar’s executive vice president and COO, the first ProStar trucks with 13-liter, emissions-compliant MaxxForce engines will be available by the end of this month.

Navistar and Eaton Introduce a New Transmission to Increase Fuel Efficiency

Navistar has always made optimizing fuel economy a primary goal in the development of the International ProStar tractor. And now, with Eaton Corporation’s announcement that its latest version of the Ultrashift Plus transmission will be installed exclusively in Navistar vehicles, ProStar owners can soon enjoy even greater fuel savings.

The new automated manual transmission, called the UltraShift Plus LSE (Linehaul Small-Step Efficiency), uses a 17% step in between gears to maximize the use of the engine’s most efficient RPM zone, increasing fuel economy in linehaul applications. Steve Gilligan, Navistar’s vice president of marketing, emphasized this feature, stating: “Fuel economy has been the cornerstone of the International ProStar, and with the collaboration with Eaton on the 16-speed direct-drive automated transmission, we’re able to deliver even more tangible fuel economy benefits to our customers.”

The new Eaton transmissions will have 16 forward gears and two reverse gears with an overall gear ratio of 14.40. In addition to including all the benefits of the UltraShift Plus, the UltraShift Plus LSE will “boost the efficiency of the transmission gear train,” according to Eaton product planning manager Shane Groner.

Business Wire News reported that vehicles involved in the testing phase of the new Eaton transmission experienced a fuel savings of two to four percent.

Production of the UltraShift Plus LSE is scheduled to begin in April, and the initial rollout will include International vehicles equipped with the MaxxForce 13L SCR engine. The transmission will be incorporated into vehicles with Cummins ISX15 engines shortly after.

Free Seminar April 17: California Emissions Requirements for On-Highway Vehicles

California motor carriers know that meeting state emissions requirements is no simple task. As emissions technology improves and regulations expand and change, many fleet owners and managers find they need assistance in determining the emissions solution that is right for their fleet. To further complicate the matter, regulations vary depending on fleet size and commercial vehicle type.

Part of Peterson's role as a California truck dealer and parts and service provider is helping motor carriers meet CA Air Resource Board (CARB) regulations. Attendees will be given an overview of CARB rules and upcoming deadlines, as well as a look at some of the technology that is now available (e.g. diesel particulate filters or DPF's). Our dedicated emissions specialist will be on hand to address questions.

Event Details:
Date: April 17, 2013
Time: 11am-2pm
Location: Peterson Trucks
3710 Regional Parkway
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Space is limited. Please RSVP in advance to Nick Will, nbwill@petersoncat.com, 510.618.5633.

Click here to download a printable flyer.

Avoid Accidents by Making Sure Your Drivers Understand Right-of-Way

Too often, commercial vehicle accidents occur because drivers either do not fully understand right-of-way, or they fail to act appropriately in situations where taking the right-of-way jeopardizes another vehicle.

To prevent these types of accidents, the FMCSA addresses right-of-way in their Accident Countermeasure Program.

The FMCSA recommends that commercial truck drivers give right-of-way until it is apparent that right-of-way is being given by the other driver. Drivers should also remember that, generally, the driver that arrives last gives right-of-way to drivers who were their first (be it at an intersection or merging onto a freeway).

Right-of-way should always be given in the following situations:

• When entering traffic
• When turning left in front of approaching traffic
• When changing lanes

Drivers should move into their intended path only after they are sure it won't interfere with other traffic. If a maneuver would cause another driver to steer or break, it should not be undertaken. Transportation managers should ensure that their drivers understand right-of-way and should periodically have a qualified person ride with drivers to examine their behaviors.

Navistar Shows Off its Latest Technology at World of Concrete, 2013

International had a lot to show off at this year’s World of Concrete tradeshow, which was held Feb 5-8 in Las Vegas. Not only did attendees get a glimpse at the latest in International truck technology, Navistar’s Continental Mixer division, acquired by the company last year, had the opportunity to showcase some of the products that are earning Navistar a top spot in the concrete industry.

In the center spotlight were International WorkStar severe-duty tractors with 13L MaxxForce engines equipped with Cummins SCR aftertreatment emissions technology. While ProStar+ models with similar emissions solutions began rolling off assembly lines late last year, this was customers’ first look at Cummins technology integrated into MaxxForce engines. WorkStars equipped with these engines are expected to be available to consumers in May.

International also showed off some of the features that will be available on the new line of WorkStars, including 96” breakaway mirrors, standard LED lighting, vocational bumpers, and Eaton Fuller UltraShift Plus 10-spd automated manual transmissions.

The showcased vocational trucks were equipped with new Continental Mixers, including a lightweight, integrated mixer with high-strength steel designed specifically for mixer applications. According to Navistar, this design weighs up to 2,000-lb. less than comparable mixers.

“With this lightweight mixer, we are changing the weight game in the mixer business,” said Steve Guillaume, GM of Continental Mixers. “We’ve developed a product that provides our customers with significant weight savings while maintaining all the benefits of a conventional steel mixer.”

Navistar will also be offering a WorkStar tractor integrated with a trailer mixer with 9.5-12 cubic meter capacity, which can also utilize Continental Mixers’ new lightweight components. This integrated design is intended to provide a complete mixer solution that is delivered, warrantied, and serviced through one network.

Profits Rise for Three International Customers: JB Hunt, Swift, and Celadon

While the country’s economic recovery is still progressing a little too slow for most of us, there are signs that better times are on the horizon for the trucking industry. For example, in spite of a largely stale economy in the final quarter of 2012 (combined with ever-rising fuel costs) three major publically-traded motor carriers posted higher-than-expected profits for October, November, and December according to the Jan 28 print edition of Transport Topics.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Swift Transportation Co., and Caledon Group, who maintain fleets consisting of International trucks, all reported favorable earnings in 2012’s fourth quarter. J.B. Hunt experienced record profit for the quarter with a 15.7% rise in income.

Swift Transportation increased its net income by 27.3% and Celadon Group experienced a 35.3% increase over the previous year’s earnings for the period.

While the economy still seems sluggish, at least it appears that we’re beginning to move in the right direction!

For further detail, visit: http://bit.ly/VK7GaD

Are Your Commercial Vehicles Properly Marked?

Federal law mandates that any commercial vehicle (CMV) over 10,000lbs MGVWR must be marked according to the regulations displayed in CFR 390.5. Motor carriers should make sure the following criteria are met to avoid costly fines.

CMV’s over 10,000lbs MGVWR must display the following information:

1. The legal name or a single trade name of the motor carrier operating the self-propelled CMV, as listed on the motor carrier identification report (Form MCS-150) and submitted in accordance with CFR 390.19.
2. The motor carrier identification number issued by the FMCSA, preceded by the letters “USDOT”.
3. The City and State of the motor carrier is no longer required to be displayed.

The marking must:

1. Appear on both sides of the self-propelled CMV.
2. Be in letters that contrast sharply in color with the background on which the letters are placed.
3. Be readily legible during daylight hours, from a distance of 50 feet (15.24 meters) while the CMV is stationary.
4. Be kept and maintained in a manner that retains the legibility of the above requirements.

Construction and Durability

The marking may be painted on the CMV or may consist of a removable device, IF that device meets the identification and legibility requirements above.

Marking of Rented CMVs from Peterson Idealease

A motor carrier operating a self-propelled Idealease CMV under a rental agreement having a term of 30 calendar days or fewer meets the requirements of this section if:

• The Peterson Idealease CMV is marked in accordance with the provisions of the marking requirements as stated above.
• The legal name or a single trade name of Peterson Idealease is displayed.
• The Peterson Idealease identification number preceded by the letters “USDOT” is displayed.
• The Peterson Idealease rental agreement entered into by Peterson and the customer renting motor carrier conspicuously contains the following information:
1. The name and complete physical address of the principal place of business of the Peterson Idealease customer renting the CMV.
2. The identification number issued the Idealease customer by the FMCSA, preceded by the letters “USDOT,” if the Idealease customer has been issued such a number. In lieu of the identification number required in this paragraph, the following may be shown in the rental agreement:
• Information which indicates whether the Idealease customer is engaged in “interstate” or “intrastate” commerce; and
• Information which indicates whether the Idealease customer is transporting hazardous materials in the Idealease rented CMV;
3. The sentence: “That Peterson Idealease cooperates with all Federal, State, and local law enforcement officials nationwide to provide the identity of Idealease customers who operate the Idealease rental CMV.” is on the rental agreement entered into by Peterson Idealease and its customer and the agreement is carried on the rental CMV during the full term of the rental agreement.

Act now to meet 2013 Air Pollution Deadlines!

New California Air Resources Board (CARB) rules affect privately-owned diesel trucks and are phased in annually.

Trucks over 26,000 lbs. G.V.W.R.

All diesel trucks 2000-2004 model year engines must be retrofitted with CARB-verified filters by January 1, 2013. (No Reporting Required).

Small fleets (1-3 trucks / 14,000 lbs. G.V.W.R.+) can call and report to delay compliance until 2014.

Fleet owneers with four or more trucks can report to take advantage of a phase-in option where 30% of the fleet must have retrofits installed or have original equipment particulate matter filters.

Trucks 14,001-26,000 lbs. G.V.W.R.

Must meet initial compliance requirements by January 1, 2015 (No Reporting Required)

For detailed regulation information, visit www.arb.ca.gov/dieseltruck or call (866) 634-3735.

Motor Carriers: Have You Completed Your Accident Register for 2012?

Have you recorded your accidents during 2012 on a register? If you are a motor carrier operating commercial vehicles that are over 10,000lbs MGVWR, transport hazardous materials in quantities requiring placards, or transport passengers, you will be required to present an accident register during a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) compliance review. Even if your operation experienced no accidents for the year, this register is mandatory.

The FMCSA requires that the following information be included on the accident register:

1. Date of accident
2. City or town, or most near, where the accident occurred and the state where the accident occurred
3. Driver name
4. Number of injuries
5. Number of fatalities.
6. Whether hazardous materials, other than fuel spilled from the fuel tanks of motor vehicle

Registers for a given calendar year should be retained for 3 years and must be accompanied by any accident reports required by local, state, or federal government entities as well as insurance companies. This documentation may be kept electronically, but should be available to print upon an auditor’s request.

The FMCSA recommends that two records be maintained to expedite the compliance review process: one for DOT recordable accidents and another for non-DOT recordable accidents. This allows motor carriers to present only the required accident register to an auditor during a review.

Motor carriers should review the FMCSA’s definition of a commercial vehicle-related accident when compiling their register:

An occurrence involving a commercial motor vehicle (>10,000 lbs MGVWR, HM or Passengers) operating on a highway in interstate or intrastate commerce which results in:

1. A fatality.
2. Bodily injury to a person who, as a result of the injury, immediately receives medical treatment away from the scene of the accident.
3. One or more motor vehicles incurring disabling damage as a result of the accident, requiring the motor vehicle(s) to be transported away from the scene by a tow truck or other motor vehicle.

The term “accident” does not include:

1. An occurrence involving only boarding and alighting from a stationary motor vehicle.
2. An occurrence involving only the loading or unloading of cargo.

Revised FMCSA Rulemaking Agenda

A number of updates to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandates were anticipated to take affect in 2012, 2013, and 2014. The FMCSA has now announced that the estimated publication dates for some of these rules have been postponed. The agency’s estimated publication dates are now as follows:

Electronic On-Board Recorders.
Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking now expected June 28, 2013. Final rule on mandating electronic logging devices most likely will not be published until mid-2014. With an expected two-year phase in, electronic recorders will likely not be required for all carriers operating in interstate commerce until mid 2016.

Carrier Safety Fitness Standards.
A notice of proposed rulemaking to replace the current safety fitness ratings system is now expected November 25, 2013. This rulemaking was withdrawn from review two years ago when issues arose with the agency’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability program; CSA scores are expected to form the basis of a carrier’s safety fitness rating under the new rulemaking. The FMCSA has now established a subcommittee of its Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee to review CSA and make recommendations on how to improve the enforcement program.

Unified Registration System.
A final rule to establish a new Unified Registration System to replace four legacy systems in support of FMCSA´s safety and commercial oversight responsibilities is now anticipated for April 25, 2013. It would require motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and others required to register with DOT to comply with a new URS registration and biennial update requirement, disclose the cumulative registration information collected by URS, and provide a crossreference to all regulatory requirements necessary to obtain permanent registration.

CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.
A proposed rule is now expected to be published on April 2, 2013 to establish an online clearinghouse of information on CDL drivers who have failed a DOT-required drug or alcohol test or refused to submit to testing. The data would be available to carriers seeking to hire drivers.

Diabetes Standard.
A proposed rule to establish driver qualification standards relating to insulin-dependent diabetes is now expected to be published November 6, 2013. These standards would replace the current requirement for a driver with diabetes to obtain a waiver of the qualification requirements in order to drive a CMV.

Entry-Level Driver Training.
The FMCSA has still not set out any deadline for publishing a final rule on minimum training standards for drivers to obtain a new or upgraded CDL. A draft rule has been withdrawn by FMCSA because the agency could not validate the hours and curriculum requirements and therefore could not justify the rule on a cost-benefit basis. The Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee has also been asked to review and provide recommendations on this program. (Information provided by the National Private Truck Council NPTC).

Peterson Trucks Now Offers Used Trucks From the International Used Truck Center in Oakland

On January 8, Peterson Trucks officially entered into a partnership with Navistar International to co-manage the operation of the International Used Truck Center on Hegenberger Court in Oakland, CA. The facility, visible from highway 880 near the Oakland Airport, now serves as PTI’s base of operations for showcasing and selling its used on-highway vehicle inventory.

Peterson Trucks also welcomed Bob Crone to its ranks. Bob worked as a sales rep for the Used Truck Center under Navistar for nearly 30 years, and he will continue working with a staff of PTI employees now that Peterson is responsible for the lot.

Currently, the Used Truck Center is fully stocked with a range of used commercial vehicles.

As an authorized International dealer and Idealease lease, rental, and service provider, PTI’s attainment of an official International Used Truck Center allows the company to offer International’s full suite of services. Peterson pledges to apply its "Customer First" service to the used truck industry.

Peterson Trucks to Host Idealease Safety Seminar

On April 18, 2013 Peterson Trucks, the Bay Area’s authorized International truck dealership, will be hosting “Safety & Compliance Simplified,” an Idealease seminar for fleet owners and managers on compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandates.

This one-day seminar is designed to help motor carriers understand and meet FMCSA regulations, manage commercial vehicle safety, train employees on fleet safety, reduce violations and accidents, and limit liability exposure. It is open to all fleet owners and mangers.

This year’s discussion will cover FMCSA driver screening tools, driving qualifications, hours of service (drivers’ daily logs), drug and alcohol testing rules, vehicle maintenance and inspection, accident recordkeeping, and CSA.

Attendees must register in advance at http://goo.gl/QEzsr.

For more information visit www.petersontrucks.com/2013safetyseminar