Capital Equipment News June-July 2020

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

“We suggest that truck owners make sure they have anti-syphons on their diesel tanks, lock nuts on the wheels and remove all loose items outside the truck, such as fire extinguishers and spare wheels and lock them up in a safe place to avoid possible theft.”

Marc Mynhardt, branch manager at Powerstar Centurion

“If the vehicle will be stationary for more than one month, remove the battery and store it in a cool dry place at temperatures of between 0°C and 30°C. The battery should be stored in an upright position. Also keep the battery charge above 12,55 V at all times. If the battery voltage falls below 12.1 V, it is an indication that the battery is damaged and needs replacement.”

Kgaogelo Sebothoma, head of customer services at FUSO Trucks Southern Africa

and small rodents from getting in the exhaust outlet. However, it is important to remember to remove the cloth before one starts the vehicle after storage. Drivers can leave themselves a note on the steering wheel as a reminder,” says Van Staden. He outlines several other things to look out for: “Wiper blades are an essential safety feature on vehicles. To prevent the rubber of the blades sticking to the windshield, place plastic wrap under the blades first. Also check engine oil and coolant levels before start up. Top up fuel tanks before parking long term to prevent condensation from accumulating inside the tank,” he says. Kgaogelo Sebothoma, head of customer services at FUSO Trucks Southern Africa, says if the vehicle is to be stored for a period of more than a month, wipers can be folded away from the windscreen, while the battery needs to be removed and stored in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. He says it’s also ideal to keep the overall vehicle tidy by cleaning it periodically. “It is also important to check oil and coolant levels, at least once every month. If the vehicle will be stored in an open area, close all air inlets and set the heating system to ‘off’.” Routine maintenance One of the burning questions is whether stationary vehicles should defer their routine maintenance schedules due to

“It’s important to ensure that the battery master switch is switched off during storage. Also top up the battery electrolyte level with distilled water before the storage period. This is only applicable to maintainable batteries. Ensure that battery terminals, battery casing and battery box are acid free. Soapy water will neutralise any battery acid deposits. One must also slow- charge batteries at least every two weeks.”

Gerhard van Staden, national service manager at Scania Southern Africa

“Tyre pressure should be monitored after every two weeks. It is advisable to keep tyres out of direct sunlight. Direct UV to tyres for extended periods of time can damage the tyre and shorten its lifespan. When doing a test run every two weeks, it will be a good idea to move the vehicle slightly forward/backwards every time. This ensures that not one specific side of the tyre is in contact with the ground the entire time.” Pieter le Roux, senior manager, Uptime Services at Volvo Trucks Southern Africa

TALKING POINTS

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CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JUNE - JULY 2020