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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Tuesday, October 21st, 2008
Motorhome hire is a wonderful solution for those who love their freedom above anything else. Freedom to move about where the heart wishes to, freedom to stay as and how one wishes to and freedom to set one’s own speed. New or used motorhomes also provide another freedom – and that is freedom to have a luxurious life even while travelling.
The luxuries that standard motorhomes like Class A, Class B motorhome, toy hauler motorhome, fifth wheel RV etc can provide exceed any other means of travelling, even caravans. There is a proper bathroom, good furnishing, facilities to cook and proper comfortable beds to sleep in. One of the best things about having a motorhome hire is that you can cook your meals if you wish.
Yes, a lot of people like cooking their own food. But that is not possible while travelling in public transport. As a result, we do not have a choice than to have food from outside. But with motorhome hire, now you can get your food cooked like you do at home and relish your travel with good meals.
People want to cook their food in Motorhomes for different reasons. The reason may be a medical problem. Lots of people, much as they love travelling and going places, may not be able to do so because they may have a medical problem and therefore they are not allowed food from outside.
Then there are those who love to be close to nature, so much so they want to cook the locally grown plant. They try out the local flavour and spice it up the way the inhabitants of those places prefer. This is also a great way to enjoy your travel and also a rich source of a spicy experience. And such projects can materialise with your own gas hob and microwave in your motorhomes.
Motorhome hire can be great fun. And they can also assist you to have rich experience and a wonderful time.
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Sunday, October 19th, 2008
The new Mercedes-Benz car (C-Class) with the splendid auto parts is grasping its long-term the success story of the predecessor model in the year since its market launch. Over 300,000 customers have bought either a sedan or wagon cars of the latest model since its official world premiere back on March 31, 2007.
“The sedan car got off to an excellent start, and since its premiere at dealerships at the end of last year, the new C-Class station wagon has also been enjoying high popularity. Both models, in fact, have posted growth rates of 70 percent on the corresponding periods from the prior year since their respective launches. As a result, the new C-Class has been the worldwide leader in its market segment since the beginning of 2008,” says Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Furthermore, according to reports, German clients are also very excited about the new-fangled C-Class. The model was once again the best-selling vehicle in the mid-range segment in April according to Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority. The most significant market for the C-Class is Germany which accountable for the company’s 25 percent of overall sales, followed by the U.S., UK, Italy, and South Africa. A sum of 290,000 C-Class sedans from the 204 Series has been internationally distributed from the time when the market launch in the spring of 2007.
“In the first year of sales, one out of every two C-Class customers in Germany chose the Avantgarde line and in other core markets the share of total sales sometimes is even higher,” explains Maier. “The response of our customers to the sporty design of the C-Class Avantgarde even exceeded our expectations. This new product strategy makes the vehicle very attractive to the most diverse customers within the heterogeneous C-Class customer base, and it also enables us to win over new customers to the Mercedes-Benz brand.”
The C-Class customers are also fascinated by the vehicle’s even more dynamic chassis along with the new model’s distinguishing design and dazzling car parts, which showcases a discerning moisturizing system that provides superior comfort as well. The latest station wagon provides more legroom than any other first-class station wagon in its class with maximum cargo capacity of 1,500 liters. It’s not astonishing that the C-Class station wagon was also the top-selling model in its division in Germany last April given all these characteristics.
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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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Monday, October 6th, 2008
If you’re new to the whole RV lifestyle, you’ll soon discover that RV resorts have a unique vocabulary. You may want to brush up on your terminology so that you don’t confuse your mobile home with a motor home, or your Class A with your Class B.
RV Basement: Sounds like a rec room under your RV, doesn’t it? It actually means the living room in your RV is built above the chassis, allowing for extra storage space under the floor. Many of these are designed so that the storage space is accessed from either side for easy access. These units are taller than most and the driver needs to be aware of the height limitations when driving.
Electrical: This term denotes that both electricity and water are available at the RV park.
Extended Stay Site: Some parks only allow campers to remain for short periods of time, in the case of an extended stay site, individuals can remain for up to an entire season at a time.
Federal Parks: These are RV parks run by the National Forest Service, NFS, or the National Park Service, NPS. If you’re looking to save some money, often times these facilities offer work programs in exchange for a reduced rate.
Fifth Wheel: Instead of being towed behind a truck with a standard hitch, new or used fifth wheel trailers for sale have a hitch that sits directly over the rear axle of the truck, right on the truck bed. They vary in length from 18-40 feet and can only be towed by a pickup truck.
Full Hookup: These park offer all of the common trailer hookup amenities including electricity, sewer and water.
Mobile Homes and Motor Homes: These terms are often confused, but describe two very different types of homes.
A mobile home is not a recreational vehicle and is not allowed in Arizona RV Parks. It can be towed to a trailer park or retirement community and set up usually on blocks. It is not meant for touring or moving on a regular basis.
A new or used motor home for sale is a motorized recreational vehicle that can be driven as opposed to being towed. It comes complete with a fresh water tank, and holding tank for waste water.
RV Classes:
Class A Motor Homes: These are shaped similar to a bus, and are powered by gasoline or diesel. They may range anywhere from 22 to 40 feet in length. The bedrooms are usually located to the rear of the unit and the main living area closer to the driver seat.
Class B Motor Homes: These units are similar to a standard van with a raised roof. Class B motorhomes for sale generally have a couch that converts to a bed, a small toilet and an icebox.
Class C Motor Homes: From the front, these look like a van, but the double bed is found above the cab. They are available in lengths from 20 feet up to about 36 feet.
Slideout: These are very common in newer RV’s and are very handy when it comes to creating additional living space. You park your trailer, extend the slide out and presto, your kitchen, living room or bedroom instantly widens by a few feet.
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