![]() The trucks also have Volvo Enhanced Stability Technology (VEST) systems that detect loss of control, jackknife or rollover events and automatically reduce engine torque and selectively apply the brakes. Safety systems on AAA Cooper’s latest tractors include air disc brakes and LED headlights turn, marker and parking lamps and daytime running lights. All trailers in over-the-road operations have side skirts as well. On tandem-axle day cabs, pup trailers and Silver Eagle converter dollies, the fleet uses wide-base single tires while single axle power units have fuel-efficient duals. Volvo’s XE system, which adds high torque and Adaptive Gearing, the OEM’s I-Shift automated manual transmission and full fairing packages are specified on new tractors. We even have units in the fleet that are approaching two million miles.”Ī focus on fuel economy is evident across the AAA Cooper fleet. “That’s also important because we plan to operate tractors for a long time. From a maintenance standpoint, our costs are lower,” Aronhalt continues. ![]() “Running mostly one make of tractor means our maintenance staff is already familiar with the OEM’s products. “For example, the new VNL has the latest fuel-efficient specifications and integrated safety systems. “Our new tractors are a good example of the way that safety, fuel efficiency and cost factors impact our decisions,” Aronhalt explains. The new tractors are both replacements and additions to the fleet. Beginning with about 75 of the power units, the company plans to have 250 VNLs by the end of this year and as many as 500 by the end of 2019. The fleet that is made up primarily of Volvo tractors now includes a growing number of the manufacturer’s new VNL models. The company operates 2,600 tractors and 6,000 trailers from 73 facilities in 21 southeastern, southwestern and Midwest states and Puerto Rico, and along with partner carriers offers coverage into Canada and Mexico.Įquipment is a main focus of the consolidated management approach at AAA Cooper. Headquartered in Dothan, Ala., AAA Cooper Transportation is a privately held, asset based, multi-regional less-than-truckload, truckload and dedicated contract transportation solutions provider. “Consolidated decision-making is geared toward improvement in all areas, and a single viewpoint also helps explains the investment needed and changes we want to make to our ownership and executive management team.” “The advantage is that we can more effectively make as many advancements in safety, fuel efficiency and operating and maintenance costs as possible,” Aronhalt adds. “The value in that approach is a better understanding of the impact all three areas of focus have on each other. “With safety, maintenance and purchasing for the fleet managed collectively we have a combined thought process,” says Steven Aronhalt, the fleet’s vice president of safety and maintenance. Combining three functional areas of its fleet operation under a single management team is proving to be an advantage at AAA Cooper Transportation. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |