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Saturday, January 30, 2010

Snow plow wings, Do they work?

Plow wing extension are different then a snowplow wing. To me the ones that are used on the highway trucks are wing plows and snow plow extensions are what I believe are used on smaller plows to add more width to the same plow. Where wing plows are a total additional plow to the truck plowing system.








But everybody has a different interpretation at that there’s business. Snow plow wing plows are made by manufacturers and here are just a few. Henderson, Wausau. etc…Snowplow wings extensions or snow plow wing are made by Boss, Meyers, Western just to name a few. They are certainly some advantages for using this plow addition when snow plowing

Snow plow wing extension I heard people say they have cut there time down by 20-30% I have also heard that they are
can be pricey . But they are some universal plow wings for around $200.00 instead of $1,000.00 Some plow operators put these wing on to too act like a scoop while other operators add a straight wing to be an extension of your plow. These extension are generally good for parking lots and not narrow driveways. The wing extension are also know to help stop snow trailing when cutting an a curve. They make a cleaner wider cut leaving you with a better finish in less time.

I have found some videos from some really skilled welding shops that have put out these product for there plow with
only costing them $40.00 in materials. That was for plow wings that they designed for there plow and these designs can vary.
But still they can be made for your plow with a little work. The main thing to keep in mind if you are going to make these
Plow extensions is they application. Basically , do you want to to make the plow more wider or do you want a plow scoop, meaning you would have to angle the extension forward.

If you want more information on these snowplow extension and other plow article and ideas go here CLICK HERE

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Snow plow pumps Edgeolite ,What’s the difference

Well it wasn’t that long ago that most snowplow pumps were mounted under the hood and run off a belt on your engine.
The cables and hoses were run through the grill to the plow frame in front of the vehicle. It work well until the belts
started to get worn or you were idling, then the plow would move slower then normal. Why? because the pump pressure was lower at the time. The pump was usually produced a set amount of output pressure and the pressure adjustment was on the outside of the truck on the valve body on some models. The control were activated mechanically from the cables in the cab. We did not use DC voltage to move the plow at all, except for the plow lights obviously. You are probably wondering were am I going with this?

I will tell you, the new style pumps and controls are usually not mounted a part from each other in most models. Those cable are now gone and you use dc current to control the plow , through you remote control or mounted joy stick. So basically how does this work. The pump and hydraulic valves are on the same unit so there is instant pressure, no delay for pressure to go from the pump out side to the controls. The valves are the solenoids that control where the fluid goes in the valve body
to activate the cylinder you need to weather it is up, down, left ,right, and so on. But in order for all this to happen as quick as it does ,it is all working from the truck electrical system. The plow pump is not run off of the engine belts, it is run of the electrical system and that takes some strong amperage.

So knowing all that I just explained to you what pump system would be more prone to more maintenance . The old belt style or the new electrical pump systems? In my opinion the older system needed less maintenance, but did not perform as fast as the New systems of today’s plows. Not that being said. I would do a quick inspection prior to a night going out to plow.

Since everything is electrically operated I would check the all the connections to make sure they are snug and coated with dieelctric grease for anti corrosive applications. I would check the battery connections and also check the grounds these seems to be ignored to many times. It is also a good idea to make sure you have the proper fluid level in your pump and the fluid is clean, with no water in it. Some plows allow you to check this level on the truck. I hope this give you a better understanding of how your snow plow pump operates.

For more information on snowplow pumps and equipment Join Edgeolites Free monthly new letter today. Click Here Now

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Hazmat or cdl practice test

There are many truck driving career to choose from. Some of these driving careers hire fresh graduates from training schools Other times, companies hire drivers with years of experience especially in the hazmat category. There still are some fantastic job opportunities if you are willing to work hard and focus when they train you.







A truck driving job – It is possible for people as young as 18 to secure a high paying and rewarding career. Be aware however, that if you are between the ages of 18 and 21, you will be restricted to driving within your own state. But once you turn 21 you can then drive throughout the United States and of coarse , across state lines.. Some trucking companies don’t even care if you have a school education. What they do want is that you possess a Commercial Drivers License – commonly referred as a CDL.

Truck driving – You should be aware that you will have to pass the CDL Test. This is a test that all applicants must take and pass. After you have passed this test, you will want to take the Air Brakes endorsement, if you want to drive a truck with air brakes. To get a feel for some of the questions that you will see on the test you should take a CDL practice test

Many companies will be looking to add you to their employment list and reward you for your education and experience.
However, truck drivers jobs can have a high turn over rate. Do to different reasons. You want to check the company turn over rate before applying for a job.

Please be aware that more than 400,000 people fail the CDL written test each year. So you can say , This is not an easy test and the States are changing the questions and answers continually. You need to get current on the laws and regulations regarding the trucking industry if you want to have any chance of passing the test. Look into sites and blogs like Edgeolite site. In order to pass you have to score at least an 80% to pass these tests. Many States like to throw tricky and confusing questions to the applicants to ensure that they have the minimum sufficient knowledge.

Before you take a CDL test, review and practice similar test items first. This way, you will have a good idea of what subject will be covered on the CDL test. The most convenient place where you can find a CDL sample test is in your living room – on the web.

I have found several websites on the Internet that offer you free sample tests.. This is a great place to start if you want to take a Free CDL Practice Test. Type the search in google and you will find information on hazmat, air brake, tanker, doubles and triples, passenger and combination tests. If you want to increase your income potential and you will have a large opportunity to work for many different companies, it is highly recommended that you and pass many of these optional endorsements. Most trucking job ,the drivers pay is based on miles the more that is involved in the delivery the higher rate
Per mile.

Here are few links to help you get started in Hazmat practice test. Stay tune to Edgeolites blog to receive more information on this topic

Here is a link that should help you click on Edgeolite CDL hazmat practice test

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Thursday, January 14, 2010

You can check truck brakes,Now easily



A in exspensive truck brake adjustement guide. 5 minutes and install it on your truck.

There is a great little tool that is on the market. Maybe a little pricey but it is worth having on your truck It can pay for itself, saving you, from one ticket.

Simply put, these easy to install brake adjuster indicators tell you within a minute wheather your brakes are out of Service.

What did you say: You do not need this because you have automatic self adjusting slacks. Well I hate to break the news to you but automatic slacks can fail and be out of adjustment like manuel slack adjusters.

Most drivers probably do not know that. The DOT FMCSA Regulations require vehicles to be equipped with brake adjustment indicators that conform to the requirements of Federal Commercial Vehicle Standard 121.

This indicator meets that requirement!and you can get a discount on ordering
for your fleet.

The DOT is not going away anytime soon, and neither is out of service violation. So why worry about out of service ticket when this little item can keep you out of trouble and safe at the same time.

This also gives you something to go by.If the DOT is ins question about your brake adjustment you can show them quickly the distance that the rod moves just by putting on the parking brake.

So it does not hurt to have a little gauge to keep you from an out of service ticket.
More importantly keeping you safe on the road

For More
information
Click here Get a discount on this Brake Inspection Guide.
http://edgeolite.com/more-info.htm

Now watch this video below,

Remember Edgeolite is always trying to keep you informed with new device coming to market . That can make your job a little easier




I Also wanted to show you this "SELF ADJUSTING SLACK ADJUSTERS VIDEO"So you can understand how they work. THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO BE ADJUSTED IF THE TOOL SAYS YOUR BRAKES ARE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT. CHANCES ARE THE AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTERS ARE BAD.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Snow plow Abs Brake system-How does it work?






ABS) means antilock brake system , which is a safe and effective braking system. (ABS ) gives the driver the ability to maintain directional stability, control over steering, and in some situations, to help reduce stopping distances during emergency braking situation, particularly on wet and slippery or icy road surface. To gain this safety advantage, drivers NEED TO learn how to operate their ABS correctly. You want to make sure to read the owners manual of the vehicle you drive that is equipped with the ABS system. . ABS simply keeps your base brakes from locking up. In vehicles not equipped with ABS, the driver can manually pump the brakes to prevent wheel lockup


What does the ABS do to my brakes
What ABS does is very similar to a person pumping the brakes. It automatically changes the brake pressure in your truck's brake lines to maintain maximum brake performance just before locking up the wheels. ABS does this very rapidly with electronics impulses in your brake system.


Why should I think it is important ?
As you know when your brakes lock up on wet and icy or slippery roads or at other times ,during a panic stop, you lose steering control and your vehicle can spin. Rear wheel ABS prevents wheel lockup so that your car stays in a straight line. If your car has ABS control on all four wheels, you also keep steering control. If you have steering control, it is possible to avoid a crash by steering around hazards if a complete stop cannot be accomplished in time So that’s why you should consider this a very important brake feature. When driving you may experience a rapid pulsation of the brake pedal--almost as if the brakes are pushing back at you. Sometimes the pedal could suddenly drop. Also, the valves in the ABS controller may make a noise that sounds like grinding or buzzing. In some cars you may feel a slight vibration--this means the ABS is working. It is important NOT to take your foot off the brake pedal when you hear noise or feel pulsations, but instead continue to apply firm pressure. Not all Abs systems are the same so make sure you read the ABS section in your vehicles owners manual.

For more information on this topic. You can stay posted to the Edgeolite blog or sign up for our FREE monthly newsletter
Need snowplow lights click here

Saturday, January 2, 2010

TRUCK led lights - How to rate them By Edgeolite


Why buy Led lights for my truck or car? Well. led lights are semiconductors, just like a computer chip in you r computer . When voltage is passed through them, they emit energy in the form of light. They are made with certain chemicals, that determine their light color. leds convert the majority of voltage passed through them to light, as opposed to other incandescent bulbs that produce light by energy heating them. But led can be up to 90% more efficient than traditional truck filament light bulbs

What s the cost to you? They can be more expensive than the traditional truck bulbs. But if you shop online you can get them for a fair price. The led light last a lot longer and use less voltage from the batteries. But most of all they are far more reliable then the old style filament bulbs. They run cooler and use less energy to work. They generally are sealed units so you do have to take tem apart and clean the sockets like you do some times with filament bulbs. I guess you can say it means less down time. When you are trucking time is money you do not want any down time.


Led rating: originally when LED bulbs came out there were no real standards, manufacturers would claim lifetimes of 100,000 hours with no real testing. Since then the standard has been to scale back to 50,000 hours so as not to over-state claims. (Beware of bulbs that are rated at 100,000 hours unless they state specifically Why they are rated at so high I would be wary of trusting this rating).Many of the manufacturers producing their 3rd generation LED bulbs are now starting to be more conservative and rating their bulbs at 35,000 hours, having gotten test results back from 1-2 years of testing. Rated at 35,000 hours, you can rest assured the manufacturer is not overstating their claims. Anything more than 50,000 hours... buyer beware or it could be BS.

The led lifespan led bulb may continue to be useful for several thousand hours past its stated lifetime. Unlike old-fashioned light bulbs, it is extremely rare for an led light to simply burn out. Rather, it will gradually fade over time, as the little diode start to fade ,but your truck light is still visible to on coming cars unlike filament bulbs that just quit.


How do you compare the led bulbs to each other? There are quite a few websites like our “Edgeolite.com” online that you can buy led bulbs. The problem is "how do you compare one bulb to another?" A quick way to do this is to calculate the lumens/watt, or , the total amount of light you get from the amount of electricity you put in. This is done by simply dividing the bulbs wattage by the stated number of lumens. Anything over 50 lumens/watt is good at the moment. 75 lumens/watt is very good while 100 lumens/watt is excellent. Keep in mind this is just a general comparison - some bulbs may be rated as brighter or dimmer than this.


At least this article gives you an idea of the measurement used for led lights. The other measurement I would use is the quality of the led light you buy. Is it designed to withstand the vast changes in the weather from being in the cold and wet to being extremely hot and dry. The quality of the lenses of the outer led is also something to consider and also the ability to mount it on your truck.

If you are interested in more information on this topic or would like to see the Edgeolite led lights simply click here. http://www.edgeolite.com/led-trucklights.html

Friday, January 1, 2010

Warning lights, led light, What do you need to know?

Amber warning lights are used for Snow Plowing, Utility Work, and of coarse Service Vehicles. If you are looking for a small strobe light beacon or bright led warning light to put on the roof of your truck when plowing snow, or for construction and utility applications , They are many different kinds for you to choose from in strobe and led light application.

The low maintenance benefits of LEDs have made them more commonplace in emergency lighting products for truck applications. Between their extended life capabilities and low amp draw, they offer fleets a good ROI as well as not having to worry about them stop working when in need. The Led advantage is not only the low amperage draw but also the design of many little led in one light. The concept is if one of the little leds goes out that any many more that will continue working in that one Led light system.

In the Strobe light application. The LED strobe lamps are suitable for construction, municipal, agricultural, snowplow, and many other needed applications. There high-intensity lighting ,is much stronger than the conventional strobe heads, the LED ones save on cost and energy. They are also designed with a durable rubber housing to resist the effects of corrosion. Another factor is the variable high and low profile design.

Strobe beacons or warning lights can rotate 360 degrees. They designs are available in different profiles from medium-profile to mini-strobe, and cool feature’s for multiple user-selectable flash patterns. Some of the manufacturers have even come out with alternating “X” pattern, warning strobe/turn signal lamp kit that's ideal for refuse vehicles and highway maintenance equipment. The lamp flashes in an alternating “X” patterns. This product can be wired so the lamps operate as turn signal lamps when the turn signal is activated, then return to strobe function when the turn signal is canceled. Nice feature and no change installation for the additional function. Another function of the Led lights is the Mounting flexibility allows for installation in horizontal, vertical or in any 360-degree position. Some thing also to consider.


The bottom line is LED are here to stay and they are the new buzz word in the Warning light industry. If you would like to see more information on style designs and pricing for LED warning lights go to

warning lights bars , amber warning lights ,strobe light for truck,
http://www.edgeolite.com/led-trucklights.html

Led Light bar, Installing is a easy process by Edgeolite

So you thinking about getting a led light bar for the back of you truck?

It looks cool on the back and adds some more lighting for the drivers behind you.

But you are wondering how complicated is it to install your led light bar on your truck? You need
some idea because you are not sure you want get into something very complicated.

We here at Edgeolite sellers of led truck lights, we came out with this simple installation article to help you in your decision making process for putting a led light bar on the back of your truck. The article is just to give you an idea of the basic installation process for the rear led light bar , but the installation can vary from truck to truck. You should go by the manufactures installation guide for installing your led light.

Here are they basics for installing a rear LED light bar mounted underneath the tailgate on the rear of your truck.
This light bar is used as an addition to the rear tail lights in all functions: parking lamp illumination, stop lamps, turn signals lights. The average weekend mechanic can wire an LED light bar into the trucks towing adapter plug in about ½ hour-1hr..

Look under the truck to find the towing adapter harness usually to the left under the rear bumper, up on the rear frame rail. If you truck is equipped with a tow plug, or at least the wires tucked up into the frame or body for this use, as the standard wiring harness from the manufacturer. Cut back the wire loom to see the color wire then strip them the wires to expose about an inch of core copper for each wire.

Then attach the led light to the truck on the back of the bed floor below the tail gate. Using what ever the manufacturer instructs you to use to attach to the truck. Make sure the led wires are in the same area the truck
wiring harness that you previously striped.

Now using butt connectors attach the same color wire form the led light to the same color on the truck harness. (Note I like to use shrink tube on all my connection to make sure there is no moisture in my connections) Then wrap each connection with electrical tape one at time as each connection is made. Remember to follow the wiring direction from the manufacturer of the light, but this information here should be close again to give you a good idea of the work involved in installing a led light bar.

Then run a test and make sure all led light is working with the rest of your vehicles lights. If everything is fine. Now go a head and attach the new wires and wiring harness up to the truck frame in a neat fashion using plastic wire ties. Make sure there is nothing that will rub through the wiring

If you would like more information on led light bar design s and discount pricing see us at led light brake light bar

http://www.edgeolite.com/led-trucklights.html