Archive for October, 2008
Monday, October 27th, 2008
The forklift equipment for sale was developed in the early 1920’s and since then it has become an essential piece of heavy construction equipment in industrial and warehousing operations. Lift trucks are available in all shapes and sizes, from the common machines which handle weights of around 5000 lbs, to the very powerful forklifts which can lift more than 35.000 lbs. When purchasing a fork lift truck it’s important that you pay interest in safety as well as state of the art performance.
The industrial standard for lift truck capacity is 5000 lbs. For companies which produce identical pallets of products finding one forklift that suits all of their needs isn’t difficult. However, if the size of the loads is variable, the best solution is buying a truck with greater capacity than currently needed. A common use for the forklift is loading and unloading trucks. This activity doesn’t require a lift truck which can handle loads at great heights. However, if you plan on using your forklift in a warehouse or retail store, it is recommended that you purchase a machine that can reach shelves at more than 30 feet high. Size is also important when buying a forklift with the purpose of using it in a warehouse or store. Standard fork lift trucks can maneuver in 11 feet wide isles whereas for narrower aisles you will need a smaller forklift.
Size and capacity aren’t the only things to be considered when selecting a suitable lift truck. It is very important that the tires are appropriate for the environment in which you plan to use your vehicle. Cushion tires, made of solid rubber, are the best choice for an indoor work habitat. For working outdoors and on uneven terrain, pneumatic tires inflated with compressed air are recommended. In some settings, such as lumber yards or recycling facilities where there’s a high risk of bursting regular pneumatic tires, solid pneumatic tires can be used. These tires are more expensive than the other categories, but there’s a very low risk of deterioration on rough terrain.
There are two main types of fork lift trucks: electric forklifts and internal combustion forklifts. The electric trucks are powered by an on-board battery. Machines using an internal combustion system have a traditional engine that runs on various types of fuel. Both types have pros and cons and it is difficult to determine if one is superior to the other as it depends on the client’s needs.
Electric forklifts are especially used indoors and on well-leveled terrain. Probably the most important advantage is that they produce zero emissions as opposed to the internal combustion models which require very good ventilation in order to be used indoors. At a first glance, electric forklifts are more expensive than ones using a traditional engine. However, the cost of operation per hour is lower for the electric models and it compensates for the higher initial price. Two other pluses for the electric lift trucks consist in the fact that they operate quieter and have a longer life span than the internal combustion trucks. On the other hand, internal combustion trucks can handle larger loads and can be operated at greater speeds. These types of trucks run on different varieties of fuels, including diesel, liquid propane gas or compressed natural gas. For some models dual fuel systems are available which enable you to switch between liquid propane gas and gasoline. Fuel costs must also be taken into consideration as they are higher for gasoline and lower for diesel.
Nowadays a great variety of lift trucks is available for purchasing. When choosing a new vehicle you should look for the forklift which fits best with your storage stack-up or capacity and type of activity. It’s very important that you consider all the pros and cons of the different types of models available and discuss all of the details before purchasing.
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Thursday, October 23rd, 2008
Chevrolet unveiled its new hybrid Chevrolet Silverado truck and the Sieera at Los Angeles Auto Show. Let’s take a quick look at Chevrolet and GMC trucks before we get into the specifics:
1. GM’s hybrid trucks will be available as Crew Cabs; choose either 2WD or 4WD.
2. Look for a 40-percent gain in city fuel economy and a 25-percent gain overall (when compared to a conventional Silverado or Sierra); cruising range is more than 500 miles.
3. The trucks are equipped with GM’s 2-Mode Hybrid system.
4. Both trucks have a 6-liter V-8 engine with Active Fuel Management and late-intake valve closing technology.
5. Capable of all-electric drive up to 30 miles per hour.
6. Towing capacity of 6,100 pounds for the 2WD truck.
An electronic variable transmission (EVT) allows infinitely variable gearing when it’s advantageous for a truck’s efficiency, but automatically changes modes to act as a conventional transmission (with four fixed gear ratios) when necessary, typically when you’re driving at higher speeds or have increased hauling needs.
The trucks’ Hybrid Optimizing System (HOS) constantly sends information to the EVT, optimizing transmission operations for best performance and economy.
The Energy storage system (ESS) is a 300-volt battery that’s located in the chassis, underneath a truck’s rear seats. It provides power to the EVT and stores the energy it captures during deceleration, when braking, and when the system converts one of the truck’s two electric motors into a generator.
The ESS powers the A/C compressor and the Accessory Power Module (APM), which in turn feeds the truck’s 42-volt power steering system, its 12 volt battery and other 12-volt systems.
The big battery is cooled by a system that draws air from within the passenger compartment. It has an 8-year / 100,00 mile warranty, and GM says the ESS has safety features to keep it from over-charging, over-heating, being penetrated by liquids, and from accidental access to its components.
The 6.0L V-8 engine runs on regular gas and the engine is equipped with an Active Fuel Management (AFM) system. A computer controlled late-intake valve closing (LIVC) feature lets the truck run on 4 or 8 cylinders, whichever offers the best performance and economy for the job.
GM doesn’t have official EPA ratings for this truck for sale yet, but based on their own tests and the new Tahoe’s ratings, the company expects a 40 percent increase in city fuel economy when compared to a similar conventional Silverado.
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Thursday, October 16th, 2008
When it comes to pure climbing power, the Learjet 60 aircraft is hard to beat. This airplane doesn’t just take off–it blasts off.
Its power comes courtesy of a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada 305As bolted to the back that each crank 4,600 pounds of thrust, giving this 23,500-pound airplane (maximum takeoff weight) one of the highest thrust-to-weight ratios in its class. The manual says this jet will climb 4,500 feet per minute on both engines. That’s not too shabby–and you can climb a whole bunch faster than the book says, although for the sake of passenger comfort, this kind of liftoff is not a good idea. The 60 will ascend to 41,000 feet from sea level in less than 20 minutes. Cracking open a beverage before reaching cruise altitude is just not a good idea–unless you want to wear it.
But an airplane with engines like the Learjet 60’s demands skill and respect in the cockpit. Intelligent power management is critical and landings need to be well planned and well executed.
When they aren’t, look out: the Learjet 60 has the highest accident rate in its class and almost all the accidents happened during landing. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, most of these mishaps resulted from failure of flight crews to read or understand a few key items in the aircraft manual.
One accident occurred after a hydraulic-system failure knocked out everything you need to slow down a jet–flaps, spoilers, brakes, thrust reversers–and the pilots elected to try landing on a 5,400-foot runway, anyway. Another resulted from a flight crew’s attempt to land on a snow- and ice-slicked runway with a tailwind and the anti-skid braking system turned off. Yet another happened after the pilots landed with a ground speed of 210 knots–just a wee bit faster than the normal touchdown speed of around 132 knots–and an unsuspecting deer didn’t get out of the way in time.
But even under ideal circumstances, the airplane for sale has certain characteristics–most notably small brakes and tires–that put a premium on landing skills. The brakes are a bugaboo left over from the aircraft’s predecessor, the Learjet 55 aircraft, whose brakes are even smaller. Notwithstanding their small size, however, the 60’s brakes are not usually an issue when the airplane is flown by the book. That’s thanks to the massive thrust reversers attached to its engines. After landing, they can slow down the airplane real fast.
The Learjet 60 can comfortably operate at high loads out of 5,000-foot-long runways. And its bigger engines give it considerably better performance than the 55 when operating in hot temperatures and high altitudes.
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Monday, October 13th, 2008
Ford’s newsletter recently announced that a survey found out that teens would choose a Ford Mustang more than any other new car like Pontiac, Cadillac, BMW, Chevrolet, Honda etc. The survey was conducted by Teenage Research Unlimited. Said organization is known for focusing on youth market researches.
According to the survey, when asked which new car they are likely to buy, most of the respondents named the Ford Mustang. The appeal of the Mustang to people of all ages has been well documented ever since it appeared in the market. With its durable auto body parts, the choice for the Mustang is not only based on its power but also in its longevity.
The appeal of the Mustang to American car buyers is so apparent that one in every two sports car sold in the country is a Mustang. Robert Parker, Ford car marketing manager went as far as saying that the Mustang is part of this country’s culture.
“The Mustang is a part of Americana; it is part of our culture and who we are,” said Parker. “It’s the kind of car that makes you feel different when you’re driving it, whether you’re a teenager or not.”
Fritz Wilke, Ford Mustang brand manager said that when it comes to teens, the appeal of the Mustang not only rests on its iconic status or its auto body parts but in its pricing. According to the Dearborn automaker, the sports car is priced below $20,000 putting it within the reach of teens.
“Mustang’s starting price is within a teen’s reach,” said Wilke. “It’s a little more realistic than other much more expensive race cars,” he added. Another reason maybe the fact that customizing the Mustang pose not too much of a problem to teens. Since teens are more inclined to customize their classic cars, it is a good thing for them that the Mustang is one of the most personalized cars of all time.
Apart from its iconic status, reasonable pricing, and being easy to personalize, the Ford Mustang car for sale is also one safe car. The 2008 Mustang according to Ford’s newsletter is the only first sports car and convertible to achieve the highest rating possible in tests conducted by the U.S. government on new cars.
Ford Chief Engineer for Safety Systems Steve Kozak knows this perfectly. “Having a Mustang convertible as her first car is something my daughter will remember for the rest of her life,” said Kozak.
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Thursday, October 9th, 2008
Base retail prices for full-size heavy-duty pickup trucks on sale in Canada range from $27,210 for an entry-level Ford F-250 Super Duty to $53,215 for a top-of-the-line the Dodge Ram 3500 truck.
When it comes to hauling the big loads, there are no rivals to the heavy-duty full-size pickup. With its reinforced chassis and choice of high-powered engines, the heavy-duty pickup has the highest towing capacity and payload of any pickup on the road.
Tough Customers :
Most heavy duty trucks for sale are used for commercial purposes, or to tow and haul large trailers, campers and recreational vehicle components. Key players in this rough-and-tumble market include the Chevrolet Silverado 3500, Ford F-350 and the Dodge Ram 3500.
Following a complete redesign in 2003 plus over 40 new features and enhancements, GM’s heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500 have more than maintained a strong position in this market.
GM’s heavy-duty pickups come in three-quarter and one-ton versions, and are available with a trio of engines: a standard Vortec 6000 V8, producing an estimated 300 horsepower and 360 lb/ft of torque; the Isuzu-designed and built 6.6-litre Duramax diesel 6600, yielding 300 horsepower and 520 lb/ft of torque; and the Vortec 8100 V8, pumping out 330 horsepower and 450 lb/ft of torque.
These Silverado HD and Sierra HD models are available in regular cab, 4-door extended cab, Crew Cab, and chassis-cab models. Three engines are available with Ford’s heavy haulers. The standard unit is a 5.4-litre, SOHC Triton V8, good for 260 horsepower and 350 lb/ft of torque. Optional are the 6.8-litre, SOHC Triton V10, rated at 310 horsepower and 425 lb/ft of torque; and also the 6.0-litre Power Stroke turbodiesel V8, a power plant that delivers 325 horsepower and 560 lb/ft of torque with the 6-speed manual transmission.
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Tuesday, October 7th, 2008
The global demand for heavy construction equipment has increased dramatically over the preceding years. This demand of heavy construction equipment is highly accredited in part to the recovery from a recession in assorted Asian countries, as well as in Latin America, Russia, and Africa. Regardless of the fact that the heavy construction equipment industry is not as heavily concentrated as it had been in previous years, acquisitions are still going strong and substantial partnerships between competing companies are on the rise.
Marketing is improved as there is technical advances in the heavy construction equipment design, the price increases have a tendency to remain modest in retrospect. This applies for all new, used, rented or leased heavy construction equipment alike. Each year the heavy construction equipment industry is meeting a global demand of turnout at about six percent each year. The heavy construction equipment industry has been sharing in the worldwide drive with a number of countries to construct new projects and to restore older public and private structures.
Heavy construction equipment mainly consist of the following main categories: mixers, crane equipments, loaders, trucks, tractors, graders, rollers, excavators, dozers, forklift equipment etc as well attachments and parts. All new and used heavy construction equipment for sale is used in a wide range of applications from major infrastructure projects to office buildings and from housing to factories, power plants and mining. The extent of use of heavy construction equipment is so broad that key measures in demographics, such as the population growth, along with ample growth in economics, are the main influence of the demand for heavy construction equipment in the world today.
Projects that require the sporadic use of heavy construction equipment also call for significant amounts of capital investment. In privately funded projects, investors seem more receptive when interest rates are low and when there is a reasonable rate of return. Most public works programs are ventured upon during recession as part of a broader financial turnout. In developing countries, the rate of sustainable economic growth is a major concern as sporadic trends tend to be shorter and more under consideration in mature markets. This may influence a country’s ability to attract external capital or to generate its own.
Heavy construction equipment and its components can be manufactured in fewer locations to service the global market. Heavy construction equipment can now move without any obligation between mature markets, while some emerging countries still require exports to qualify for liberated imports.
The demand for such equipments vary according to countries to perform tasks of building and re-building. The need for heavy construction equipment in these regions are more related to upgrade and maintenance of the existing infrastructure and buildings than it is to new projects. In other developing regions, the need for heavy construction equipment is used to build new projects such as highways, airports and urban buildings, etc. With a growing global demand of heavy construction equipment, the possibilities of building are endless.
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Tuesday, October 7th, 2008
The advertising industry has certainly expanded in such a way that some people would even deem unpredictable. In the past, newspapers were just about the most effective means of advertising. Whether you were out to advertise jobs, houses, products, services, and just about anything you can name under the sun, it was already sufficient enough to turn to the typical newspaper company and take out an ad with them. These days, advertising has certainly evolved in so many unexpected ways. This is not just about the Internet becoming quite a popular advertising medium on its own, because it is actually quite reasonable to turn to the web for advertising as well. But transportation? More importantly, trucks? Yes, truck advertising has indeed become quite popular nowadays might be a new or used truck, pickup truck, dump truck, cargo truck, mack truck etc. In fact, more and more companies are experimenting with this particular medium of advertising. However, just how effective is truck advertising? How do you measure the effectiveness of this method when the medium itself is mobile and is implemented in the outdoors? Here then lies the importance of implementing truck advertising KPI.
Simply put, KPI or key performance indicators are quantifiable aspects that are used to measure the performance of certain processes utilized by a company in line with the achievement of corporate goals and objectives. In this case, KPI would be used to measure just how effective truck advertising is, especially when aligned with corporate goals and objectives.
Because it is implemented outdoors, truck advertising is understandable quite volatile. Companies making use of this medium actually have no say on audience selectivity. Yes, the companies do have a say as to the particular route the truck would take, to reach certain portions of cities or even the suburbs. However, companies still do not have control over the people who would see the rolling truck advertisement. There is still no guarantee as to what particular market would be exposed to these promotional materials. Thus, this should be one of the metrics to include when developing truck advertising KPI.
Another thing to consider is the high possibility that response speed being slow. Let us face it: when you are driving on the road, and you see a rolling truck with a huge banner or streamer advertising a certain product, would you really take your eyes off the road? Yes, if you are currently parked at the side of the road. But if you were on the freeway, then the chances of taking time to really look at the ad and read whatever information it has to offer would be close to nil. This makes response volume all the more difficult to assess. This is also one metric to include when developing a balanced scorecard for truck advertising.
However, if companies would take time to study the potential hot sites of the city that would most likely contain their target markets or audiences, then truck advertising could still work out here. But then again, conducting such feasibility studies would just bring more expenses for the company itself. The better option here would then be to determine the relevant truck advertising KPI to be used on your balanced scorecard. This way, with the right KPIs implemented, you can then make an in-depth analysis of this medium of outdoor advertising that you plan to use.
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Wednesday, October 1st, 2008
C-34 Airmaster :
The Cessna Airmaster would develop into one of several models (C-34,C-37, C-38, C-145 & C-165) to carry the Airmaster name. This 4 place, high-winged cabin monoplane featured a 7 cylinder, 145 HP Warner radial engine that delivered a max speed of 162 MPH and offered a 550-mile range. The Airmaster series would win the title of “Worlds Most Efficient Airplane” in 1936. 42 C-34’s were built (out of a grand total of 186 for all of the Airmaster series), with a price of $4,985. Considered to be one of the classic aircraft from the golden era of aviation, the Airmaster allowed Cessna Aircraft Company to establish a firm foothold from the depression era, and emerge into a world power of general aviation.
172 Skyhawk :
The Cessna Model 172 Skyhawk, which first appeared in the mid 1950’s, along with it’s stablemate, the 182 - was built to compete with the Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer, the top selling private plane from 1952 to 1956. The 172 evolved from the Cessna model 170 (tail-dragger) in 1956 in which the tri-cycle landing gear and new empennage design created a line of aircraft for sale that would prove to be the worlds most popular general aviation aircraft to date. Relatively affordable with docile handling characteristics have made this 4-place aircraft an all-time favorite with recreational and business flyers alike. Originally powered by a 145 HP 0-300 Engine (yielding a top speed of about 135 MPH), later versions used up to a 180 HP Lycoming 0-320 engine (yielding about 144 MPH) to carry 4 people.
337 Super Skymaster :
Originally planned as a safe twin engine aircraft (to avoid the asymmetrical drag associated with an engine-out of a conventional twin) the models 336 Skymaster (fixed gear) & 337 Super Skymaster (retractable gear) stand out as one of the most unique products brought to market by Cessna Aircraft Company. Approximately 2,000 Skymasters were built between 1963 - 1983, making it Cessna’s 2nd best selling twin. Utilizing an engine to pull, and another to push (twin engine redundancy - centerline thrust concept) and featuring outstanding visibility from the cockpit, the aircraft found usage by the U. S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam era as a forward Air Control aircraft. The 6 place Skymaster made use of either a 210 or 225 HP Continental engine, yielding a top speed of 183 MPH.
188 AG Husky :
Cessna Aircraft Company developed and marketed several models of crop dusting / aerial spraying versions of the model 188. Originally developed in the mid 1960’s, the model 188 was sold under the names of Ag Wagon, Ag Pickup, Ag Truck, Ag Carryall and Ag Husky. The Ag Husky shown here featured a 310 HP Turbocharged engine and a 280-gallon hopper. Unique to these aircraft were safety enhancements that came in the way of windshield and gear wire-cutter blades to deal with any close-encounters with telephone lines, 4130 chrome-moly steel tube fuselage structure and night operations lights. Approximately 4,000 model 188’s were built.
310 :
With approximately 5,500 aircraft sold since it’s debut in 1954, the Cessna model 310 has earned the distinction of being Cessna’s best selling twin-engine aircraft. The 310 is perhaps best known as the “star” of the 1960’s television show “Sky King” (featuring a 1960 model 310D named Songbird II). Long considered to be one of the best looking aircraft to have been designed, the Cessna 310 aircraft for sale was available between the mid 1950’s until production stopped in the early 1980’s. Originally equipped with 2 Continental 240 HP engines, the last model featured 2, 285 HP Continental engines.
Citation X :
Having made its first flight in December, 1993, the Citation X (Ten) has set numerous records as the fastest production business jet in the world. Flying at Mach 0.92 (about 600 MPH), the only civilian aircraft that is faster is the supersonic Concorde. Powered by two Allison Rolls Royce AE-3007C turbofans (generating about 6,400 pounds of thrust each), the aircraft can accommodate a crew of two and as many as twelve passengers in extreme comfort. The Cessna Citation X aircraft for sale is the flagship of a long series of best-selling business jets whose name Citation is derived from the famous thoroughbred racehorse “Citation”.
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Wednesday, October 1st, 2008
After two years of watching the Ford Mustang cars enjoy tremendous success, General Motors finally launched its entry into the high performance pony car segment introducing the Chevrolet Camaro. Although available with a mediocre six cylinder for volume sales, the Camaro could be equipped with several V8s and a myriad of performance options. By definition Muscle cars are normal production models built to put that manufacturers hottest engine and performance options to make them into street legal drag racers.
Inspired by the success of the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet launched its own pony car, the Camaro. Chevrolet stated that the “Camaro” was named after the French word for “comrade,” although some linguists argued that it was actually Spanish for a type of shrimp. Not exactly an awe aspiring name for a new pony car. Luckily, the Camaro had the muscle to back up its case. The Chevrolet Camaro car for sale was based on the upcomming 1968 Chevy Nova platform, and featured a unibody structure from the windshield and firewall back, with a separate steel rail subframe for everything up front. The Camaro was available from the start in hardtop coupe and covertible body styles, and could be order with nearly 80 factory options and 40 dealer accessories, including three main option packages and a choice of four different engines.
In December 1966, Chevrolet then quietly released one of the most famous options codes of all time, option Z-28. Unpublicized and unknown by most of the buying public (and most Chevrolet sales people for that matter) and not mentioned in any sales literature, the only way someone could order the Z-28 package was to order a base Camaro with the Z-28 option, mandatory front disc brakes with power assist, and the Muncie 4-speed transmission.What you got was a unique 302 cid small block (Non-California emission cars were labeled MO while California emission engines were labeled MP) that was created by taking the 327 block and installing the short-stroke 283 crank. Specifically designed to compete in the Club of America Trans Am racing series which placed a 305 cid limit on its entries, the Z-28 was available to the public solely to qualify the car for racing. Advertised horsepower was listed at just 290bhp, which was not very impressive until one hooked it up to a dyno and got actual readings of 360-400 bhp. The Z-28 also came with a competition suspension, broad racing stripes on the hood and trunklid and could be combined with the RS option package. There was no Z-28 badging at all, lest it attract to much attention. The Z-28 proved to be difficult to launch on the street because its high reving engine was lethargic under 4000rpm and worked best when it was shifted at 7500rpm (!). Once it got going, the Z28 was tough to beat and boosted a 140mph top speed and numerous racing victories. Only 602 Z-28s were sold in 1967, making it a truly desirable collectable.
1969 saw several noteworthy changes to the Camaro.The Camaro also received new fenders, door skins, rear quarter-panels, grille and taillights which gave it a wider, lower appearance. Inside, the Camaro received a redesigned dash and more comfortable seats. Endura rubber bumpers were available on the Camaro as well as two ram air induction systems for the SS. The first was a new special hood with a rear facing inlet and cold-air duct underneath the hood. The second was a dealer installed cowl plenum kit that came with a special air cleaner and adapter. No special hood was needed. 1969 saw an explosion in engine choices. On the low-performance side, a new 307 V8 (a 327 crank in a 283 block) rated at 200bhp was added and a new 350 V8 rated at 255 bhp replaced the more powerful 327 engine. The Z28 continued with its seriously under-rated 302 (now called DZ) engine. The RS package was still popular, and included a special grill with concealed headlights (of a ribbed design) and washers, chrome wheel well moldings, drip rails, pinstripes, and RS badging. The SS standard 350 received a slight power boost to 300 bhp while the 396 engines continued in 325/350/375 bhp versions. Once again, a white RS/SS convertible with the 396 engine paced the Indianapolis 500 race, and Chevy offered replica versions as white convertibles with orange stripes and orange houndstooth upholstery (though most replicas were powered by 350 engines.
But real performance is more than special upholstery and the big news for 1969 was the availability of special 427 cid V8 equipped Camaros. The first were special dealer-installed units, most notably the Yenko Camaro 427. Yenko Sports Cars, based in Pennsylvania, along with other Chevy dealers such as Nickey in Chicago, Dana in California, and Baldwin-Motion in New York, would install the L72 427 cid block, rated at 425bhp by Chevrolet, ordered under the Central Office Production Order System (COPO) code 9562 into a buyer’s Camaro. The Yenko Camaro 427 is a typical example: it came from the factory with no ornamentation, badging, and the 427 engine in a crate. Yenko installed the 427 block, changed the rating to a more realistic 450bhp, and added 15-inch rally wheels, bigger front roll bar, and sYc (Yenko Sports Car) badging. A full complement of racing add ons were available and sub 13 second quarter miles were possible with a few more dollars.
Chevy needed to build 50 to qualify the car for racing, and in the end built 69 Camaros and 2 Corvettes with the ZL-1 engine. Their high price made them difficult to sell and at least 12 engines were removed and about 30 cars were returned back to Chevrolet. It took until the early 1970s to sell them all. One can only wonder what they are worth today.
Production of the 1969 Camaros continued into the beginning of 1970 as the all new 1970 Camaros were not released until mid 1970. To add to the confusion, some late 1969 cars were titled as 1970 models.
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