|
DON'T SETTLE FOR LESS. Fuel Economy, that is.
We estimate that truck fleets in our territory are wasting $20 million per year by accepting low MPG results. We have already saved our customers tens of thousands of dollars in better fuel mileage. Let us help you.
Based on tests conducted by Caterpillar, 2002 emissions regulations compromised miles-per-gallon by 3% to 5%. Cat engines with ACERT Technology return that 3% to 5% to the engine owner. Based on diesel fuel selling for $2.00 a gallon, the savings over 500,000 miles would be almost $6,000 per engine depending on application. For a fleet of 50 trucks, the savings would be substantial.
Our Truck Engine Account Managers (TEAMs) are on your team to consult and advise on how to squeeze every mile out of your fuel. TEAMs are dedicated to improving the operational and financial efficiency of your CAT Truck Engine. Contact us today to conduct a Fuel Economy Report and for information on how to maximize fuel efficiency from your CAT engine.
CAT Driver Reward Program helps manage fuel costs
Driver Reward is an exclusive driver incentive program from Caterpillar® that allows you to recognize and reward excellent drivers for staying within pre-established fuel-efficient operating limits set through ADEM 2000 or previous-generation electronics.
Driver Reward gives you the information you need to manage fuel costs, while rewarding your drivers’ performance based on factors within their control. Those factors include idle time and vehicle speed.
Implementing the Driver Reward program is simple. The first step is to establish fuel-efficient operating limits. From there, ADEM 2000 does the rest, from tracking drivers’ performance to calculating rewards.
They can be whatever you choose and can include everything from vehicle speed incentives to monetary incentives to Cat® merchandise certificates. The choice is yours.
Give us a call or stop in today and let us show you how the Driver Reward Program can help manage your fuel costs while at the same time rewarding your drivers for their performance.
Q&A
Progressive shifting, cost of idling
and benefits of Multi-torque
 |
Q. My Caterpillar® Truck Engine Dealer suggested progressive shifting for improving fuel economy. What is progressive shifting?
A. Progressive shifting keeps engine rpm to a minimum by using only enough rpm to pick up the next gear. Progressive shifting also reduces acceleration time. In addition, the top gear is reached sooner because it takes less time to synchronize gears during shifting and the engine is operating in its highest torque range. |
Q. How much does idling affect fuel economy?
A. Most idling is unnecessary and wastes fuel. Depending on the size of the engine and accessory loads, an engine can consume from 0.5 to 1.5 gallons per hour while idling with the air conditioning running. For every 10% of total running time an engine is allowed to idle, fuel economy is reduced 0.1 miles per gallon. In a typical application, 30 minutes of idle time at every stop can reduce fuel mileage by 0.3 miles per gallon. To prevent excessive idling, engines can be programmed to shut off after a set number of minutes.
Q. What are the benefits of multi-torque transmissions?
A. In the top two gears, multi-torque transmissions only allow trucks to be specified with a “gear fast, run slow” configuration while maintaining superior gradeability. This “gear fast, run slow” configuration allows the engine to run slower at cruise speeds, which translates into potential reduced fuel consumption. The multi-torque feature allows the engine to provide additional power when needed, as when climbing a grade. Engine electronics are able to determine when the vehicle is in the top two gears by calculating the engine rpm/vehicle speed ratio. Additional benefits of multi-torque transmissions are:
- Enhanced driver feel
- Less shifting in rolling terrain
- Less wear on driveline components
- More responsive engine performance
Stop in or give us a call today if you would like to learn more about Cat® engines with ACERT™ Technology.
|
