11/30/23

11/28/23

Fleet Financing with Jolly Roofing | Customer Interview | Ford Pro™ FinSimple™


Busy commercial roofing contractor Jolly Roofing describes how working with Ford Pro FinSimple and Ford Pro Telematics helps manage their growing fleet. Watch as they detail how working with a Ford Pro Commercial Business Development Manager makes the setup process seamless. SUBSCRIBE: https://ford.to/SubscribeFordPro


11/26/23

Smart As Ford: Tough Seats | Ford


With Ford Pickup & Delivery, your vehicle can be picked up, serviced and delivered back to you. And with Ford Mobile Service, maintenance can be done right at your home. It’s part of You Mode. The convenience of owning a Ford. Made just for you. Learn more about Ford Pick Up & Delivery service here: https://www.ford.com/service/ford-pic... Discover more Ford Service videos here: https://ford.to/45wTw1x



Forces and Motion – Collisions


A collision occurs when an object hits another object. A collision can occur between two objects in motion, or by an object in motion and an object at rest. During a collision, kinetic energy is transferred between the colliding objects. A collision occurs when a tennis player hits a tennis ball. Kinetic energy is transferred from the player’s moving tennis racket to the ball, causing it to move. The more kinetic energy that is transferred, the faster and farther the tennis ball will move. During a collision, the faster an object is moving, the greater the energy transfer and the greater the impact on the other object. We can see this by looking at car accidents. If the cars are traveling slowly at the time they collide, there may be little damage to the cars. If the cars are traveling faster, there is a much more observable impact. There is likely to be more damage to the cars. The observable impact of a collision reflects how much energy was transferred between objects and relates to the amount of energy of the moving object. At the start of a game of billiards, a player uses a large force to hit one ball into the other balls. The ball gains kinetic energy from the billiard cue and moves down the table. As it hits the other balls, a loud sound is made. Kinetic energy is transferred to the other balls as they scatter all over the table. When a player uses a smaller force, less kinetic energy is transferred. The balls produce a softer sound when they collide and move more slowly. Motion is the process of changing position. When something is moving it is in motion. An object that is in motion has kinetic energy. We can describe motion by measuring its speed and direction. Speed is the time it takes an object to cover a certain distance. The faster an object covers a distance, the greater its speed. Direction is which way an object is moving. The greater the speed of an object, the more energy it has. Forces can also affect the motion and energy of an object. Larger forces will cause objects to move faster and have more energy than smaller forces. All forms of energy can be described as either stored energy or moving energy. The stored energy in an object is called potential energy. Food has potential energy. The energy is transformed into other forms when we eat the food and use the energy to move about, keep warm and stay healthy. Potential energy is also related to the shape and position of an object. If you hold a ball above your head, the ball has potential energy due to its position. If you drop the ball, the potential energy is transformed into moving energy. When potential energy is released, it is converted into kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is the energy of an object due to its movement. All moving objects, from the tiny particles that make up our air to an airplane flying in the sky, have kinetic energy. The amount of kinetic energy in an object depends on how fast it is moving. The faster an object moves, the greater its kinetic energy.

11/22/23

Happy Thanksgiving


Give thanks for a little, and you will find a lot. 
-Hausa Proverb

Every Ford Truck at SEMA 2023! | New 2024 F150, Lightning, SuperDuty and Rangers!


SEMA 2023 provided us an endless amount of impressive Ford Trucks this year! Justin shows you every F150, SuperDuty, Ranger and Lightning he could find from this year’s show!

11/20/23

The All-In-One Solution for Business Growth | Customer Interview | Ford Pro™ FinSimple™


Motive Companies shares how Ford Pro FinSimple has helped the company to expand their business from regional to national. Watch as they detail how our Commercial Line of Credit helps them add vehicles to their fleet at any Ford Pro dealership across the country. SUBSCRIBE: https://ford.to/SubscribeFordPro #FordPro #CustomerInterview

11/18/23

The world's first public two-car electric crash test by Mercedes-Benz


Demonstrating safety in an unprecedented crash test: Mercedes-Benz is the world’s first automaker to publicly conduct a frontal offset crash of two electric vehicles that simulates a real-life accident scenario common on rural roads. Take a look behind the scenes of this extraordinary undertaking that not only confirms occupant protection in the EQA and EQS SUV but also illustrates the aspirations of our real-life safety philosophy: To build cars that can withstand not only crash test scenarios, but also real-life accidents. After all, safety is not a question of drive system, but one of our core commitments to all road users we’ve taken on. [Mercedes-Benz EQA 300 4MATIC | WLTP: Stromverbrauch kombiniert: 18,7‒17,4 kWh/100 km | CO₂-Emissionen kombiniert: 0 g/km]* [Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 4MATIC SUV | WLTP: Stromverbrauch kombiniert: 24,3‒19,9 kWh/100 km | CO₂-Emissionen kombiniert: 0 g/km]* Subscribe to the channel so you get notified for new exciting videos here: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_c... ► Experience the world of Mercedes-Benz: http://benz.me/international

11/16/23

Ford Pro™ Telematics with Dashcam is Here | Ford Pro™


Get even more out of Ford Pro™ Telematics with a dashcam for fleet vehicles that captures everything inside the cab and on the road. See how more visibility can help protect your business and your drivers. Find out more at http://www.fordpro.com/en-us/telemati.... SUBSCRIBE: https://ford.to/SubscribeFordPro #FordPro #Telematics Connect with Ford Pro: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fordpro Twitter: https://twitter.com/FordPro LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ford... Website: http://www.fordpro.com/ About Ford Pro: Ford Pro™ is a productivity accelerator designed to help drive business forward, delivering solutions to commercial customers of all sizes. We offer the right tools, software and services designed to keep your business on track and your crew on the road. Ford Pro™ Telematics with Dashcam is Here | Ford Pro™ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyPg...

11/14/23

8 TIPS FOR WINTERIZING YOUR WORK TRUCK

 


 Winter weather will be here before you know it. If you’re caught unprepared, the sub-zero temperatures, snow and ice will wreak havoc on your work vehicle and its systems.

And we know it’s important that, whether your business operates one or one hundred work vehicles, you keep them all up-and-running. So, be proactive this year, and think ahead about what your vehicle(s) will need this winter.

Check out our list below to get started.

BATTERY

No one wants to be left stranded with a dead battery. So, regularly check battery cables to ensure they are securely connected and clean of corrosion. You’ll also want to perform a voltage test ahead of time. If the battery reads at the lower end of its acceptable voltage, consider taking preventative action and replacing it.

TIRES

Snowy and icy roads can be difficult to navigate safely. And worn or improperly inflated tires will only exacerbate the issue, increasing the risk of an accident. Ensure the tires have ample tread, a minimum of 4/32", and are properly inflated. To do so, you’ll need to regularly check your tire pressure, as cold temperatures make air denser, thus reducing the pressure.

And don’t forget the tire chains! This is especially important if your area receives heavy snowfall and ice or you’re travelling to an area that requires them.

WIPER BLADES AND WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID

It’s paramount, in all seasons, that you’re able to see out your vehicle’s windows, especially the windshield. And when snow, ice, sludge and salt find their way there, will your windshield wipers and washer fluid come through for you or will you be left with a streaky, or still covered, mess?

Before winter arrives, check your windshield wiper blades for cracks or loose rubber. You’ll want to opt for durable blades that will be able to handle the frequent use and heavy weight of wet snow.

The blades aren’t the only thing you’ll need to check though. Take a look under the hood at your washer fluid levels. If you’re low, or only need topped off, make sure the fluid you’re using is rated to withstand the temperatures you’ll have in your area. Otherwise, your fluid may freeze when you need it most, leaving you with low visibility and increased chances of an accident.

ENGINE/OIL HEATERS

When you park overnight and the temperature drops, your engine and oil temperatures do too. If you operate in the north, you may already have an engine/oil heater installed, either as a factory option or as an add-on accessory. Be sure to plug it in a few hours before you need to drive to help your engine start and reduce the stress on your vehicle’s systems.

If you don’t already have an engine/oil heater, but think you might need one or want to learn more, read the Rainbow Muffler & Brake’s post: Engine Block Heaters: What Are They and Do You Need One?

ENGINE OIL

Most common engine oils will perform great during spring, summer and fall. But as temperatures dip, your standard 15W or 10W oil will struggle to properly flow. With fall upon us, consider switching your normal engine oil to 5W (or 0W oil for extreme cold) to ensure your engine is properly lubricated.

FOUR-WHEEL OR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE

For regions that receive heavy snowfall, four-wheel or all-wheel drive is less of a luxury and more of a necessity. After all, you don’t want to be getting stuck on the jobsite, or traveling to and from.

Before snow hits, test your system to ensure the differentials, hubs, bearings and other components are in top-working condition.

PAINT AND FINISH

Today’s work vehicles receive top-notch corrosion protection through their paint and undercoating. This is especially important in the winter, as harmful salts and chemicals are deployed on the roads to melt snow and ice. Eventually, these treatments find their way onto vehicles and expedite corrosion and rust, if not addressed. To keep your vehicle looking its best and structurally sound, regularly wash it, including the undercarriage, to prevent a build-up of salts and chemicals.

COLD WEATHER KIT

A cold weather kit can literally be a lifesaver if you get stuck and cannot get help immediately. In this kit, you should pack a thermal blanket, flashlight with additional batteries, matches, bottled water, jumper cables or a jumper box, windshield scraper and brush, tow straps or chains, roadside flares and a first aid kit.

MAINTAINING YOUR WORK VEHICLE YEAR-ROUND

Curious what preventative maintenance you should be doing regularly to keep your work truck or van working hard? Check out our blog post here.

11/12/23

Top 5 Work Truck Safety & Security Trends


By James Muiter, Product Line Manager, Reading Truck Group

With a pulse on the customer needs and innovation in the work truck sector, James Muiter, Product Line Manager at Reading Truck Group, shares his top five industry trends on safety and security.

  1. Operator safety. Employers are carefully considering how to keep their operators injury-free, so avoiding accidents around the truck is just as important as on the road.  Proactive measures on a work truck can include installing safety steps and grips so that the operator can maintain “three points of contact” at all times when entering and exiting the vehicle.  At Reading, we’ve begun to see these concerns migrate from the very largest fleet operators and governments, into corporations and vocational fleet buyers.
  2. Visibility. Keeping the truck and its surroundings well-lit and visible helps protect workers from accidents on the side of the road and keeps crews productive when they’re working after sundown, especially in the winter months.
  3. 360° coverage. Chassis OEMs are bringing safety innovations like 360° cameras, and accident-avoidance technologies like collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and blindspot monitoring, which used to be only on luxury cars, into the commercial truck segment.  For example, every Ford Transit is now shipping with lane-departure warning and forward-collision warning camera systems.
  4. Securing tools and gear. A typical work truck now provides at least two layers of ‘locking’ protection.  Compartment doors will use power locks or three-point locking for additional points of contact and pry-proofing.  And these measures can be augmented with a “bar lock” or master locking feature, where a single padlock can secure all of the compartment doors to keep tools and equipment safe.  Additionally, Reading’s remote keyless entry locking system, called Latch-Matic, can now be integrated with the power locks on the chassis.  A driver can now lock and unlock both the body and chassis with a single key-fob.  Using just the chassis fob, for example on a Ford Super Duty or Ford Transit, gives our customers the convenience they have been asking for.  
  5. Ergonomics. For better ergonomics, handles and steps are no longer considered a special add-in, they’re becoming a standard offering across the board.  As an example, fixed steps that don’t have to be manually unfolded by the operator will help meet evolving safety requirements and might even lower insurance costs.

By James Muiter, Product Line Manager, Reading Truck Group as published in Fordpros magazine




11/10/23

Weight Distribution Hitches Explained - How They Work, Why You Need One


Today we delve into the black magic that is the weight distributing hitch, also called "load leveling hitch" or "weight distribution hitch." This is the ultimate trifecta of poorly understood, infrequently used, and absolutely essential...

11/08/23

Knapheide Time-Lapse Video


For more information about our products visit - https://www.knapheide.com/ Shop Knapheide parts and Equipment - https://parts.knapheide.com/ Find a distributor near you - https://www.knapheide.com/find-a-dealer/

11/06/23

How to Snowplow with a Truck | Snow Plowing 101


In this tutorial, we will go over the basics of operating a snow plow on a truck. We are operating a Western V-Plow to do this snow removal. We will be going over the basics of controls, safety and best plowing practices. Have a question/comment? Feel free to leave them below! A special thank you to Precision Landscaping & Construction, Inc. for allowing us to use their plow. Check them out here: https://precisionlandscape-inc.com/ ^^^^^^^SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL^^^^^^ Heavy Metal Learning is brought to you by Extreme Sandbox. A truly unique heavy equipment adventure company that lets clients PLAY on construction equipment. Multiple locations, check out our website. Come play on an excavator or bulldozer for FUN! Toll Free (855) DIG 4 FUN info@extremesandbox.com www.extremesandbox.com LIKE - FOLLOW Facebook: https://bit.ly/2spPbfc Instagram: https://bit.ly/2AC8AhF Twitter: https://bit.ly/2smE4E1

11/04/23

From the Floor of Kentucky Truck Plant | Delivering Quality Through Teamwork | Ford


Meet Austyn Sailings, a team leader at Kentucky Truck Plant. In this video, he talks about how teamwork is essential for delivering quality to our customers. He’s a role model for his team, keeping everyone motivated and making sure they have everything they need to do their job. Across all our Ford plants, there are passionate employees, just like Austyn, who bring out the best in their teams. Learn more about Ford here: https://ford.to/3PyS1dh

11/02/23

WINTERIZING YOUR WORK TRUCK


Winter weather can wreak havoc on work trucks if they are not properly prepared to handle the conditions. Sub-zero temperatures, substantial snowfall, and icy roads are normal operating environments for many throughout the winter months. Regardless of the weather, the work must go on. 

Use this checklist to help you prepare your work truck for the winter season.


ANTIFREEZE

A 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water is typically fine for three months out of the year (spring, summer, fall) for most. Come winter, many need to consider a higher concentrated mix of antifreeze to water. The lower the temperate, the more concentrated it should be. Always check temperature ratings on the container of the antifreeze and never exceed a 70/30 antifreeze to water concentration.

BATTERY

Batteries are put through the greatest operating strain during consistent cold temperatures. Due to this, batteries tend to fail more often in winter months potentially leaving you stranded. Regularly check battery cables to ensure they are securely connected and clean any corrosion from the terminals. To prevent battery failure during winter, perform a voltage test during the fall. If the battery reads at the lower end of acceptable voltage, be preventative and replace it.

TIRES

Snowy and icy roads can be difficult to safely navigate. Tires that are worn or improperly inflated can compound this safety issue and increase the risk of an accident. Ensure your tires have ample tread, 4/32″ or more. Cold temperatures can also lower tire pressure, so regularly read your tire pressure to avoid under-inflation. If your area receives heavy snowfall and ice, consider investing in tire chains to increase traction.

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID

Windshield washer fluid is often overlooked during the winterizing process. Since you utilize your windshield washer fluid much more often in winter, you need to ensure the fluid is rated to withstand the temperatures in your area. Many times, the fluid freezes and the issue is not discovered until your windshield needs cleaned while you are driving down the road with drastically reduced visibility, an accident waiting to happen.

ENGINE OIL

Much like antifreeze, most common engine oils perform great during the spring, summer and fall. As cold temperature descend during winter, your standard 15W or 10W oil struggles to properly flow. As fall arrives, plan on switching out your normal engine oil with 5W (or even 0W oil for extremely cold conditions) to ensure your engine receives the proper lubrication throughout the winter.

ENGINE/OIL HEATERS

When you park your work truck overnight and the temperatures drop, your engine and oil temperature do too. Many work trucks operating in Northern climates have block or oil pan heaters installed, either as a factory option or add-on accessory. Be sure to plug in these components overnight during cold temperatures to ensure your engine has an easier time starting in the morning.

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE

Four wheel drive is a necessity in regions that receive heavy snowfall. Getting stuck on a jobsite can present a safety concern and decreases productivity. Before your next snow, test your four wheel drive system to ensure the differentials, hubs, bearings and other components are in top working condition.

PAINT & FINISH

Today’s work trucks receive top-notch corrosion protection with the paint and undercoating. During winter, harmful salt and chemicals are deployed to the roads in attempt to melt snow and ice. These road treatments eventually find their way to your work truck, expediting the corrosion and rust process if not addressed. Regularly wash your work truck during winter months, including the undercarriage to prevent build-up of salt and chemicals.

COLD WEATHER KIT

A cold weather kit can be a lifesaver in the event that you get your work truck stuck and help cannot come immediately. In your cold weather kit you should pack a thermal blanket, flashlight with additional batteries, matches, bottled water, jumper cables or a jump box, windshield scraper and brush, tow straps or chains, and roadside flares.

Source: https://www.knapheide.com/blog/winterizing-your-work-truck

Reading Truck Body // Aluminum Classic Service Van Body Walkaround


Walkaround video for Reading Truck Body's Aluminum Classic Service Van Body. Watch the recording of Reading Truck's Driving What's Next webinar which featured the Aluminum Classic Service Van Body to learn more. Watch here: http://webinar.readingbody.com/Alumin...