FleetSmart Profiles: Forestry

Michael Mallock Trucking – Athabasca, Alberta

Better engine technology, improved vehicle specification and the dedication of a professional driver are a winning combination for this Alberta-based owner-operator.

About the company

Michael Mallock is an owner-operator based in Athabasca, Alberta, hauling logs under contract to Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc. (ALPAC). His eight-axle, super B-train rig consists of a 1999 tandem tractor and a pair of 1995 semi-trailers. Mr. Mallock typically operates his truck between 3000 and 4000 hours per year.

ALPAC's hauling schedule varies with the season and is largely dependent on road conditions in the timber harvesting areas. During the cold winter months, when roadbeds are frozen, hauling activity continues around the clock and Mr. Mallock employs another driver to share the two-shift-per-day schedule. The hauling operation shuts down in mid-March, when the spring thaw begins, and resumes again in late May or early June, although at a slower pace than during the winter. The average round is 300 kilometres and takes five-and-a-half to six hours to drive. A driver usually completes two trips per shift, depending on weather and road conditions.

More about the equipment

Mr. Mallock's tractor is powered by a 435-horsepower, electronically controlled engine, matched with a transmission and tandem rear-drive axle with a 4.44:1 ratio. Low-profile radial tires are used on both the tractor and the trailers. The rear trailer is a unique conversion of a tandem pole trailer, which reduces the combined weight of the trailers by approximately 1500 kilograms compared to others in the ALPAC fleet.

Both the tractor and the trailers are equipped with a central tire inflation system (CTIS), as required by ALPAC. This system allows the driver to monitor and change tire inflation from the cab while the vehicle is in motion. Using CTI technology, Mr. Mallock can match tire inflation for different vehicle speeds and load conditions to the manufacturer's recommendations: in the case of log-hauling operations, recommended inflation can range from 25 psi to 110 psi over the course of a single trip. The benefits include reduced tire wear, improved traction, better ride quality, improved overall vehicle performance and reduced road damage. Fuel economy is also improved, since reduced tire pressure results in better flotation in wet forest conditions, which means less tire rutting and ploughing. CTI technology has enabled ALPAC to more than double its hauling season – from four months (winter only) to up to 10 months.

Improved operating results mean savings

After one year of service, Mr. Mallock can take great satisfaction in his operating results. His total vehicle tare weight of 16 100 kilograms and average payload of 44 tonnes compare very favourably with the ALPAC fleet average of 19 000 kilograms and 38.5 tonnes, respectively.

A commitment to fuel economy

When ordering his new vehicle, improved fuel economy was a major consideration for Mr. Mallock. This stemmed in part from the rising price of fuel, but also from the manufacturer's claims of potential fuel cost savings from their newer engines.

Due to the nature of his operation, Mr. Mallock's truck seldom reaches highway cruising speeds for any length of time. Nevertheless, he took steps to minimize aerodynamic drag by ordering a tractor with a single exhaust stack, an air cleaner mounted under the hood and low-profile tires. He also opted for 22.5" radial tires instead of the more common 24.5" size for a further weight saving.

More importantly, Mr. Mallock specified a smaller engine than the 500-horsepower unit in his previous vehicle, which was typical of the ALPAC fleet. This decision not only reduced tare weight by nearly 450 kilograms but also provided the latest improvements in engine fuel economy, reliability and durability.

With the new tractor, his fuel costs as a percentage of gross income for the first three months of 1999 dropped by 4.2 percent compared to the same period in 1998, when he was operating a 1995 tractor.

The newer engine and lower tare weights have also improved Mr. Mallock's fuel efficiency, from about 70 litres/100 km for the 1995 truck to 55 litres/100 km for the 1999 truck. Although the reduced power of the smaller engine is noticeable when climbing some grades, the fuel savings justify the slight inconvenience of selecting one gear lower than was necessary with the previous tractor.

Engine management package

The engine package included a driver information display, a dash-mounted module that allows the driver to obtain instant feedback on various engine operating conditions, including vehicle speed, total fuel consumption, rate of fuel consumption, oil pressure and coolant temperature. The display also reminds the driver of the number of operating hours remaining until the next recommended oil change, which can vary depending on the rate of fuel consumption, the distance travelled and other factors. Mr. Mallock uses the display system to monitor the operation of his truck and to help determine trip times, fuel economy and maintenance intervals.

The engine management package also provides programmable options that can be used to enhance the vehicle's fuel economy, including controls for maximum vehicle speed, cruise control and idle shutdown. Mr. Mallock has chosen not to activate these features, however, relying instead on his own expertise (and that of his co-driver) to operate the vehicle as efficiently as possible under different conditions. For example, whenever he finds himself in a line of vehicles waiting to be loaded, Mr. Mallock turns off the engine unless cabin heat is needed. Mr. Mallock is also supported by ALPAC's vehicle dispatch and monitoring system, which uses global positioning system technology to track and monitor the speed of individual vehicles, thereby encouraging drivers to adhere to predetermined cycle times and posted speed limits.

Unexpected equipment breakdowns can be a serious setback for all owner-operators, and Mr. Mallock strives to avoid this problem by maintaining his rig in top condition. He closely follows the maintenance procedures recommended by the tractor, engine and trailer manufacturers, and uses an engine-oil sampling program to identify potential problems before they cause a vehicle breakdown. Mr. Mallock also uses synthetic lubricants throughout the tractor and trailers, taking advantage of the extended service intervals that these products offer to reduce maintenance costs and ensure maximum equipment availability.

Future improvements

Looking to the future, Mr. Mallock is already planning to replace his two trailers with better equipment. The options he is considering include disc brakes and permanently lubricated wheel-end hardware, which should further reduce both maintenance costs and the environmental impact of his truck by reducing the quantity of lubricants to be recycled.

In summary, Michael Mallock Trucking is taking advantage of what technology has to offer – smaller, more fuel-efficient engines, more aerodynamic vehicle designs, onboard technology, radial tires with CTI, reduced tare weights and B-train configurations. Combined with the dedication of a professional driver, it's a winning combination.

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