FleetSmart Profiles: Forestry

Location Gaétan Lévesque Inc. – Baie-Comeau, Québec

Combination of New Technologies and Driver Training Saves Company Money

Location Gaétan Lévesque is using the latest technologies and a commitment to driver training to reduce fuel costs and stay a leader in the trucking industry.

About the company

Location Gaétan Lévesque inc. is a family-owned business headquartered in Baie-Comeau, Québec. With more than 90 employees and a fleet of 70-plus vehicles, it is one of the largest transportation companies in the North Shore Region. Over the years, market demand has brought about diversification and the creation of new divisions within the company. Today, in addition to its timber-hauling and other transportation services, Location Gaétan Lévesque leases heavy equipment, including bulldozers, power shovels, graders, loaders and 10- and 12-wheel dump trucks.

New equipment introduced to timber hauling services

Location Gaétan Lévesque is always ready to try new equipment and approaches. Two years ago, the company became the first carrier in the region to use a tractor with a new electronically controlled engine and a flatbed five-axle semi-trailer to transport wood on logging roads. Location Gaétan Lévesque was quickly sold on the new equipment, in large part because it provides a 20 percent reduction in operating costs compared to comparable rigs.

As noted in the accompanying table, the tractor equipped with the electronic engine (Tractor No. 3512) consumes 28 litres less fuel per trip than Tractor No. 3510. Assuming two trips per day and 200 working days a year, this amounts to savings of 11 200 litres of fuel, or approximately $5,600 in annual fuel cost savings per vehicle (based on fuel at $0.50/litre).

The 16-metre (52-foot), five-axle trailer is also an important part of the winning combination. According to Denis Lévesque, who is in charge of the company's fleet operation, the new trailer allows for bigger payloads, better load distribution, lower tire temperatures and reduced tire and brake wear. To keep costs down, the company has also installed automatic oilers on both the tractor and trailer, which provide improved lubrication of moving parts.

Electronic Control Module a hit

Location Gaétan Lévesque is particularly impressed with the capabilities of the engine's electronic control module (ECM), which:

• collects data on diagnostic systems, distance covered and fuel consumption
  
  
• allows certain engine functions to be programmed to meet the company's requirements
  
  
• informs the driver when regular maintenance is needed, which helps the company avoid costly and time-consuming mechanical problems
  
  

The ECM's capabilities have been enhanced by the installation of an on-board computer, which transmits data from the vehicle directly to a central computer. Location Gaétan Lévesque uses this data to assess driver performance by monitoring such factors as vehicle and engine speed, idling time, gear changes and frequency of braking.

Training, knowledge, ability and attitude

While the new equipment offers significant potential for energy and cost savings, operating it properly requires special expertise. Drivers need to understand how to start the engine properly, manage their idling time, practise progressive shifting, use engine braking and more.

For this reason, driver training is a priority at Location Gaétan Lévesque. In addition to focusing on the vehicle's various mechanical systems (engine, transmission, brakes, etc.), the company's training reinforces the idea that, to perform their jobs well, drivers must:

• drive safely, responsibly and efficiently
  
  
• optimize the use of equipment
  
  
• control the vehicle effectively in normal and emergency situations
  
  
• adapt to new technology
  
  
• have a sense of professional responsibility
  
  

Looking to a new millennium

Denis Lévesque believes that, as the new millennium begins, the transportation industry will undergo a major evolution. It must constantly acquire new tools in order to reduce operating costs, stay competitive and maintain jobs.

For its part, Location Gaétan Lévesque Inc. is committed to staying on the cutting edge of innovation in the timber hauling business. The company will continue its efforts to reduce fuel consumption, prolong equipment life and contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment.

Location Gaétan Lévesque is using the latest technologies and a commitment to driver training to reduce fuel costs and stay a leader in the trucking industry. Location Gaétan Lévesque is particularly impressed with the capabilities of the engine's electronic control module (ECM), which:

• collects data on diagnostic systems, distance covered and fuel consumption
  
  
• allows certain engine functions to be programmed to meet the company's requirements
  
  
• informs the driver when regular maintenance is needed, which helps the company avoid costly and time-consuming mechanical problems
  
  

The ECM's capabilities have been enhanced by the installation of an on-board computer, which transmits data from the vehicle directly to a central computer. Location Gaétan Lévesque uses this data to assess driver performance by monitoring such factors as vehicle and engine speed, idling time, gear changes and frequency of braking.

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