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Establishing long-term career goals early in your truck driver career helps you to reach them. When you set goals for yourself, you are able to focus your efforts on the process. Goal setting helps you to get to where you eventually want to be. Goal setting is a powerful process for thinking, planning and motivating yourself to make your vision a reality. Also, because you will be focused on your goals, you will be less likely to be distracted in your efforts.

If you are a newly licensed commercial truck driver you’ve already successfully reached an established goal to get to this point. You’ve worked hard and successfully met all of the extensive licensing requirements. You successfully completed your truck driver training, passed the commercial drivers license exam and the Department of Transportation Medical Exam.

Newly licensed drivers are often hired by trucking companies which will place them with an experienced driver who will be their trainer for a period of time. If this is your situation take advantage of this training period to learn as much as you can about the trucking industry. This includes learning as much as you can about your current employer. Also, get information from other truck drivers about the companies they work for. This will enable you to learn about the many truck driving opportunities that may be available to you once you gain more experience.

The majority of new commercial truck drivers are assigned to haul dry van freight. However, there are a number of truck driving job possibilities. When you are on the road look at trucks and trailers that other drivers are operating. Make notes if you see something that interests you. This can be drivers pulling flatbed trailers, wide loads, tankers, etc. If any of these types of loads interest you it is important that you learn more about the requirements needed to work in these areas of trucking.

Whereas experienced truck drivers already possess significant knowledge about the trucking industry, new drivers have a great deal to learn. This is why it is so important to do good research. Make a list of both positive and negative things you learn about various trucking companies. This should include the advantages and disadvantages of hauling different types of freight. Also, you should consider the type of income you want to earn.

You might want to own your own trucking company. If so, do comprehensive research plus talk to other drivers who own their companies. Learn the advantages and disadvantages of owning your own company. This will enable you to discover if you have the traits, skills and patience necessary to build a successful trucking company.

Good goal setting requires you to make realistic plans.Your plans should be very specific and achievable. Don’t frustrate yourself by making unrealistic plans. Also, it is important to talk to your trusted circle of friends to get honest feedback from them in addition to their support. Good research and planning will greatly benefit you in setting your long-term goals.

Your desires, personality and goals will determine the type of truck driver career that you want. Ideally,this should be one that matches your skills, interests, salary requirements plus any other requirements you have. However, you might need to learn additional skills and it will take your time and energy. Also, it is most important that you have the confidence to believe that you can reach your goals.

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Source by Annalee Chambers

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As with most machinery you do not necessarily need a license to operate a powered pallet truck as the company who are requiring you to use the pallet truck will provide the necessary training. If the company fails to offer such training then you are at risk of hurting yourself or another person in which the company is liable. Although it is not required some companies with their training of powered pallet trucks give certificates to show competence of the machine, whereas other companies usually smaller companies do not give out certificates and only provide the training.

So what kind of training do you need to operate a powered pallet truck?

If you are working in a job where using a powered pallet truck is necessary you will receive training. A general training regime may look a little like this:

o An Introduction

o Theory and Video

o Operators Safety Code

o Responsibility under the HSE act 1974

o Battery Charging

o Truck Stability

o Motive and Hydraulic Controls

o Pre-shift checks recording

Once the candidate has gone through the proper training a few tests will be performed that the candidate will be required to pass. In the event that the candidate fails the tests, he or she will need to sit through the training again and re-take the tests.

The candidate will be required to pass:

o A theoretical test

o Pre-use checks

o A practical test

Always remember to never operate a powered pallet truck, or any type of machinery, without the proper training as this can result in injury and accidents which you personally could be held responsible for.

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Source by Beth Fork

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Both vehicles furnish a way to lift heavy material attached to long arms that make moving easier; however, there are certain differences between the two that affect load limits, lift methods, and job suitability. This commercial equipment is basically long arms that run on either hydraulics, steel cables, or chains. They do all the lifting whatever the model – straight, stick, telescoping, or articulating. The main differences is usually with allowable weight limits, ability to get from one place to another, and the amount of space required to be used correctly. In almost every case, the size of the load limit that can be carried is directly proportionate to the size of the vehicle due to a crane’s tendency to tip when overloaded.

• Telescopic Boom Trucks – This is probably the most familiar version of the crane truck, outfitted with a straight, telescoping arm that collapses within itself to store at the rear of the vehicle or over the top of the cab. Fully extended, the boom is made of extensions that telescope out to the desired length and then collapse into itself to make job site relocation very feasible – as opposed to stationary cranes that must be moved from one work site to another. They come in different sizes and varying load capacities, ranging from light industrial such as a public utilities truck to heavy industrial units on tracks for easy maneuvering around construction sites.
• Knuckleboom Trucks – A newer version of the crane family, knuckleboom trucks improve upon the idea of telescoping booms with a folding arm known as a knuckle or articulating boom to improve portability. The lifting arm folds down for more compact storage, unfolds for use, and includes an end section that either extends or telescopes to reach desired heights. It can swivel and is generally much more flexible at working in and around job site obstacles as well as in smaller working areas. Limited by vehicle base size, smaller knuckleboom trucks are often found in light industrial applications, while heavy-duty versions are found working as unloaders and material lifts at construction sites, warehouses, piers and more.
• Stick or Straight Boom Cranes – These are the heaviest lifting machines of all the different versions, usually found only at construction sites and other areas where very heavy lifting is done in more open spaces. Commonly seen as huge trucks with either giant balloon tires or tracks, these cranes can get from place to place, although it is usually slowly and not very efficiently and many times having to be loaded onto trailers for more convenient transport. Since the crane arm is straight, non-articulating, and non-telescoping, this machine’s sole purpose is brute power. The unit itself must be positioned exactly where the crane needs to lift, as opposed to the other types that allow for boom positioning relative to where the truck is parked. Having been built onto much larger vehicles and run with chains, cables and other more fixed methods, a straight crane has a much greater lifting capability.

Based on the different crane types as well as their construction and functionality, companies in need can choose ones that best suit most work needs. It is always vital to pay attention to details such as load limits, adjustability, unit size, and maneuverability in order to make the best equipment decisions. With the right cranes, accidents can be prevented and work can stay on schedule to a successful conclusion!

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Source by Christopher M. Hunter

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Today more than ever, as the economy remains unstable, layoffs have increased and rehiring has been slow. Many jobless individuals have turned to starting their own business which is a great way for many to make a living and have complete control over their livelihood; however, finding the right business to start is a key decision to make.

In a period when general spending and consumption of luxuries is down, business in the service industry can still do well and prosper, especially those niche areas within major industries that face little competition. Due to the very nature of the industry, starting a septic maintenance company has proven to be a profitable choice that is often made since beyond any doubts, there will always be a need for this very necessary service. Best of all, a service business such as this one can be started with as little as only one vacuum truck and some technical knowledge.

Household Necessity

Starting a septic truck service is a solid business plan because there will always be a constant need for this specific requirement. Over a third of all households and other buildings have septic systems that need regular pumping, cleaning, and maintenance; the need for maintaining the system is not going to disappear. With such a captive audience, a small septic company can do quite well as long as all operators are well trained, a high quality service is provided, and a competitive price is being offered. With good quality work ethics, word of mouth can spread quickly in neighborhoods and towns, and help smaller companies grow quickly in the septic service profession.

Low Start-up Requirements

Requirements for starting a septic service are fairly low when compared to other businesses, another plus when considering such an idea. Naturally, the largest expense is obtaining a reliable vacuum truck, closely followed by learning how to properly operate one. Used vacuum trucks can be found at great low prices through auction companies. If a good used vehicle that has been properly maintained is found, it can be more than enough for a fledgling company to start with while money is saved for a newer version. A brand new model can cost nearly $80,000, although it does have better features. Other than these two requirements, the only other necessity is to know where to dump septic waste as well as the cost and requirements to use a dump site for the disposition of the septic waste. The rest is a matter of advertising to attract customers and build a book of business.

Consider Creative Start-up Options

If the cost of buying vacuum trucks is too much at first, a recommendation is to look at businesses that are either selling or looking for partners as a means to expand existing operations. Additionally, some large septic companies offer franchise agreements to small business owners and can help with the initial financial outlay in order to get another franchise owner on the road to success. The reason why there are so many options in this type of business relates directly to the fact that, regardless of the economy, the need for septic services will always exist. Starting this kind of business merely depends on acquiring the necessary tools, then offering a competitive, reliable company to do the work.

Naturally this type of service requires the same sound business plan as any other start-up; however, when all things are carefully considered, it can be relatively easy to get started with a septic pumping service. It is one of the few cases when a less popular or unpleasant job has created a greater demand for those willing to handle it. With the right prior planning and the right septic truck, even an owner-operator type venture can do well and eventually grow to become a profitable endeavor!

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Source by Christopher M. Hunter

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A decent cared for truck usually lasts longer than one which has not been looked after. How long do you think a truck will last without a routine maintenance? What if all the transmissions, the engine and some components fail on you?

If the major components such as the engine fail, then you should then think about replacing your old truck with a new truck. However, if certain truck parts such as the axle or suspension fail, you can simply replace those truck parts. A truck can be kept for as long as you provide it with a regular service, is in good running condition, and can take you from point A to B.

A new truck should last you about ten to twenty years depending on how it is used. New carrier trucks are usually accompanied with a service plan that will cover major and minor truck services. If your engine should break down, that would mean you must replace it (which could be as costly as a new truck) or get a new one. If the truck it is still in a good working condition then replace only the truck part that needs to be replaced.

On the other hand, the longer you keep your truck the less valuable it becomes. When you reach the point when the truck’s value is worth less than it’s worth, then it is time to let it go. In other words, if the truck causes more problems in terms of engine failure and regular part replacements, it may work out better to invest in a new truck. This goes without saying that new insurance, service plan, licencing, labelling and branding must now be done. By investing in a new truck especially for long distance driving the old one can now be used for short distance deliveries and pickups.

If you can, it’s ideal to keep your truck for as long as you can. It is also worth considering trading your truck in before the service plan expires, namely before five years. Then consider buying a truck that is either new or is less than a year old so that you can continue with a service plan. This will keep your service costs to a minimum for the five year period. If you are able to get a maintenance plan that would be better. This will cover the costs of any maintenance required and should also cover the costs of new truck parts.

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Source by Zaid Majam

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One of the elegant cars many people are dreaming of is the BMW car. The first-class design, parts and performance make it really easy for many car enthusiasts to love BMW brand cars. Though BMW is one of the best cars around, you can still make it look much better. If you want to make your car more appealing, adding BMW accessories will do the trick. These BMW accessories will surely get you the attention you want for your car.

Searching for BMW parts and accessories is easy because the market offers a wide selection to choose from. You can purchase these accessories from your local auto shop or online dealers.

If your grilles happen to lose its iconic look, you can replace that dull looking or cracked grille on your car with a new pair of BMW custom grilles. These new BMW grille inserts will surely improve the look of your car and restore its iconic look.

One of the BMW accessories that really get a lot of positive attention is the stylish BMW lights. You can customize the headlights and tail lights of your car in a way you want it to be. No matter what make or model of BMW car you have, you can improve the lights by simply replacing the old headlights and tail lights with the latest addition of BMW lights.

It is important that you know the specs of your car and the lights you are considering to purchase to make sure you get the right BMW car accessories. You can actually find a lot of interesting and good looking accessories, but getting the right one that will fit your car is the most important. You should choose the right combination BMW accessories to make sure that they will go with the rest of your car.

You may consider talking to a BMW accessories expert for best tips and advice about accessorizing your dream car.

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Source by Quicny Claine

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Automatic transmissions tend to have a narrow range of problems that affect them, as compared to engines which seem to have an endless list of things that can go wrong. That is, transmission problems tend to be limited to being unable to shift the selector into any gear, not being able to move it to certain gears, there being a delayed or jerky gear change, unusual noises heard during the gear changes, slippage where the engine revs increase without any increase in engine speed and finally, when the vehicle can move with it is park or neutral.

The inability to select gears is most likely a problem with the transmission fluid. Either there is not enough fluid in the system, or there is a problem with a faulty oil pump or an old and clogged up oil filter. A routine and proper service of the transmission fluid should resolve the problem, and this should be done no less than every thirty thousand miles; every twenty thousand miles is a better.

When there is a delayed reaction to the effect of selecting a gear, this can suggest problems with the computer controls, or the solenoids and the spring loaded dampeners called actuators controlled by the computers and this is more likely to require the services of a professional with specialist diagnostics equipment to get the bottom of the issue. If the vehicle suddenly and violently thumps into gear, then this is most likely the spring loaded actuators at the center of the problem.

Slippage is easy to detect because it is quite noticeable that when you push down the accelerator, you can hear the increase in engine revs, but there is no acceleration of the vehicle; no sense of increased power to the wheels. This may be a low fluid situation, and it is wise to check the transmission for its color. Good clean transmission should be a red tone, and if it is dark or blackened, then it has been polluted by the components being worn out. Dark colored fluid is most likely caused by the internal clutch mechanism or bans are out of adjustment, causing them to slip and to wear out rather than provide traction. This can quickly lead to very expensive repairs being needed if it is not caught early enough. Urgent servicing should be sought if this is detected, and no heavy towing should be down while the vehicle is in this condition. Slippage can quickly lead to a total burning out of the clutch and bans mechanisms all leading to the need for a replacement transmission.

Finally, difficulty with selecting low gears or reverse can most likely point to problems with the torque converter. It is a clutch that can only allow movement in one direction, and if it is not working properly, it most likely won’t allow low or reverse gear selection.

Of course, there is always the possibility that one of the gears themselves has been stripped.

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Source by William Silver

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This article may be interesting for anyone who has seen used commercial vehicle ads online but is unsure if employment using this truck would be prolific or stimulating. Vacuum truck driving could be a great job for anyone who loves operating commercial trucks.

Drivers of these vehicles pick up, transfer and discharge various materials. These materials come in a variety of forms such as fresh and brine water, crude oil, wastewater and toxic chemicals. Considering the types of materials that are involved, these operators should undergo various kinds of training, several certification programs and must abide by the hiring company’s operating procedures to perform the job productively and safely. An applicant for a job with these types of vehicles should know the requirements necessary to operate them if they are interested in pursuing this in-demand field.

Educational Prerequisite

Even though there are no specific educational requirements, some companies will only accept those who are high school graduates or those who have received a General Education Diploma (GED). Additionally, the applicant must have a clean driving record. Experience working in a repair shop may also be an advantage.

Driving Experience

Requirements for hiring based on experience can vary from one company to another. For this type of vehicle operation, the applicant is usually required to have two to five years of commercial truck experience.

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) explains that “driving experience” means the vehicle handler was previously employed by a company that required the operation of commercial trucks, such as vacuum trucks. Subsequently, the applicant needs to have passed a hands-on skills test given by a certified licensing and testing office recognized by each state. Most importantly, after the testing and during the applicant’s employment at their previous company, they must have actually operated commercial vehicles for at least two years.

Licensing

A vacuum truck operator must hold a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) and be certified by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) by having completed any requirements set forth by them.

The following are requirements one must complete to be qualified to receive a commercial driver’s license. They must:

• Be at least 21 years old or above and physically fit. Some states accept 18 year olds, but they are limited to working within that state. Being 21 years old allows one to do interstate driving.
• Pass a medical exam every two years. The physical exam includes a:

1. Hearing and visual test

2. Blood pressure test

3. Drug test

4. Alcohol test

• Have normal upper and lower extremities
• Pass a written exam regarding certain rules and regulations
• Prove that they can operate the vehicle
• Have a good driving record. According to the DOT, a “good driving record” means that they may not hold another license or have a revoked license and may not have any serious traffic violations.

Training

Training for a vacuum truck operator is done informally. New hires must attend a one to two-day training seminar in which they learn: general rules; company policies and safety operations; and complete any necessary paperwork. Some states offer a “hands-on” type of seminar to enhance the knowledge of the operator in handling the vehicle. Certification is given after one passes the training seminar.

Finding a vacuum truck for sale is not that difficult; however, becoming a vacuum truck operator can require more effort. One must undergo several training and skills tests to become certified. The government requires vehicle operators to have a commercial driver’s license. On top of this, the applicant should have medical exams to ensure that they are physically fit to operate the vehicle. The company usually provides safety training regarding operation of the vehicle.

Hopefully the above information will prove useful to those individuals interested in pursuing employment in the field of vacuum truck driver and operator. The best of luck in finding that desired job!

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Source by Christopher M. Hunter

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There are two main types of electric motors. There are direct current or DC and alternating current or AC motors. The reference of DC or AC refers to how the electrical current is transferred through and from the motor. Both types of motors have different functions and uses. Dc motors come in two general types. They can have brushes or be brushless. AC motors, as well, come in two different types. They can be two phase or three phase. The differences in DC and AC motors are sometimes subtle, but these differences are what make one types better for a certain use.

Direct current or DC electric motors work for situations where speed needs to be controlled. DC motors have a stable and continuous current. DC motors were the first and earliest motors used. They were found, however, to not be as good at producing power over long lengths. Electric companies found using DC motors to generate electric did not work because the power was lost as the electric was transmitted. Brush DC motors use rings that conduct the current and form the magnetic drive that powers the rotor. Brushless DC motors use a switch to produce the magnetic drive that powers the rotor. Direct current motors are often found in appliances around the home.

Alternating current or AC electric motors are used differently based on what type of AC motor it is. Single phase AC motors are known as general purpose motors. They work well in many different situations. These AC motors work great for systems that are hard to start because they need a lot of power up front. Three phase, also called polyphase, AC motors are usually found in industrial settings. These motors also have high starting power build transmit lower levels of overall power. AC power gets its name from the fact that it alternates in power. The amount of power given off by an AC motor is determined by the amount of power needed to operate the system.

DC and AC electric motors are found everywhere from the home to the car to industrial plants. Motors are important to everyday life. Dc motors were introduced and caused a great revolution in the way many things are done. When AC motors came on the market the way motors were looked at changed because of their amazing starting power potential. DC motors and AC motors are different in many ways, but they still both are usede to power the world.

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Source by John Francis

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In the global economy, it is increasingly common for companies to require enterprise printing across multiple geographic locations. When a company begins to research the available advanced print spooling solutions on the market, they will soon see that there were two distinct (if not polar) schools of thought regarding advanced spooling software implementation strategy.

The two strategies are either to use a single centralized print server or to install spooling software onto the various distributed application servers throughout the enterprise. Both of these approaches have advantages and disadvantages.

The Centralized Print Server Model

In the centralized print server model, the company would simply install the print management software on a single centrally located server accessible throughout the enterprise.

One advantage of a centralized print server is that it allows a single point of control and oversight of all enterprise print jobs and queues. This model can be easier since it is a single standard solution, requiring less administrator training and fewer printer definitions to maintain. Since this is a single standard solution rather than a solution that needs to be installed across multiple servers, it has the potential to save a company money through lower software license fees.

However, while this model offers the single point of control, a major disadvantage is that it offers a single point of failure. Not only does this imply enterprise-wide downtime in the event of the print server crashing or otherwise going offline, but there are also significant concerns around disaster recovery situations. In the event of a disaster at the centralized print location, enterprise print operations would be offline indefinitely until the location could recover or until a different server location could be selected to reinstall and re-implement the print solution.

This seems to be a significant enough limitation in its own right, but the centralized print server model also entails a loss of autonomy at the local print site level, wherein administrators do not have the ability to manage local queues and print jobs. Also, implementation of the central print spool solution requires multiple hops over the network, consuming precious bandwidth and increasing related latency of print times.

Distributed Print Server Model

The distributed print server model, on the other hand, is installed at multiple locations throughout the enterprise–either on the scale of multiple regional print servers all the way down to installation on every client workstation throughout the enterprise.

The benefits of this print server model is that print jobs and queues may be controlled locally, with less dependence on support from central IT and print administrators. Since print requests are made locally, the amount of print request traffic and bandwidth used on the central print server is exponentially reduced, resulting in improved performance and printer response time. Finally, the distributed print server model offers a degree of inherent redundancy since downtime at one location does not imply enterprise-wide termination of print processes.

However, the benefits of the distributed print server model are checked by the increased cost to the company. Multiple installations will mean multiple software license fees, which multiplies the cost of the initial installation along with increasing the cost of maintaining the software on the servers via license renewal fees. Increasing the number of separate installations will also increase the cost of training and maintaining IT staff proficiency in the software.

In the distributed print server model, you also lose the centralized control that makes the centralized model so appealing. You also have more printer definitions to maintain with the distributed model.

Decisions, Decisions

The advantages of these solutions appear to be largely mutually exclusive of each other. However, one can deduce the significant advantages a company would enjoy if they could implement a blended print management solution that would provide the benefits of central print servers (maintaining fewer printer definitions, the ability to print from any location in the enterprise to any enterprise printer, along with the lower license fees one would expect with central print management) alongside the benefits of distributed print server software (lower traffic and bandwidth requirements on a centralized server, higher print performance with minimal latency, and local print job and print queue control).

To implement a blended solution, a company can try to integrate two separate print management solutions–one centralized print management solution and one distributed solution. However, this could prove not only costly, but difficult to perform effectively in the desired functions.

Print management program packages do exist that offer hybrid functionality, however. This solution allows the customer to implement a truly distributed print environment while maintaining the advantages of a centralized installation. They have much fewer printer definitions to maintain, an enterprise view of job/queues, a single standard solution, less administrator training, and low license fees.

Among these multi-functional models is Plus Technologies’ OM Plus V2 software. In a hybrid output solution like that, the software is installed on a server in each center. Only the local queues are defined in each center (requiring minimal administration and upkeep). The software gives each server the ability to automatically “advertise” its queues to all the other servers on the network with the same software installed. In this way, all queues are available to all systems even though they are defined only once. The user interface of each installation allows users (with the appropriate security) to view all jobs and printers on the network from a single status screen. System administration privileges are set up to limit the functions performed locally vs. centrally, which provides administrators the centralized control one would normally only find in a central print server management program.

When a print job is spooled, the printer definition is looked for on the local server. If the printer is not found locally, then the software-enabled server searches the other software-enabled servers for the printer and delivers the print job accordingly. This functionality allows all printers to be available to all systems. All local jobs are printed locally ensuring efficient use of the network with low latency and high performance.

With this particular software, license fees are minimized since license pricing is based on number of queues defined on each server. Therefore, only small licenses are required locally. This means the number of queues and the associated price remained low. A print management tool like this provides a true distributed print management solution that eliminates redundant printer definitions across the enterprise, while allowing printing to both local and remote server’s printers.

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Source by Bob Russell