Heavy Equipment Repair Services Miami

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Heavy Trucks

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To classify vehicles, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) categorizes them based on gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR).

This is a safety standard that helps prevent overloading.  It’s designed to limit the max weight of a vehicle including fuel, passengers and freight.

Exceeding a truck’s GVWR can cause safety issues such as brake failure, tire strain, and  ineffective suspension components.

  • Classes one through three make up light-duty trucks
  • Medium and heavy-duty trucks are classes four through eight.

 Medium trucks weigh between 14,001 and 26,000 pounds and are typically used for transporting goods or people from city to city.

Any vehicle exceeding 26,001 pounds is considered heavy-duty, or “heavy trucks”.

Examples include:

  • City transit buses
  • Mobile cranes
  • Cement mixers
  • Refuse trucks
  • Semi-trucks

These types of vehicles are primarily used for long-haul transportation and are divided into three categories:

  • Class 7 — 26,001 to 33,000 pounds
  • Class 8 — 33,001 or heavier
  • Class 9 — Vehicles exceeding 60,000 pounds (super-heavy/special-duty truck)

Heavy Truck Maintenance

Because mini heavy trucks are used to haul very big loads, the stress on the vehicle is significantly more than other classes of trucks.

This means regular preventative maintenance is even more important.  If regular maintenance isn’t performed, serious issues can occur at a significant cost.

Preventative maintenance helps you avoid:

  • On-road breakdowns
  • Safety issues
  • USDOT compliance issues
  • Reduction in fuel efficiency
  • Serious problems with transmission or engine

There’s a lot of moving parts and heavy trucks.  As such, there’s a lot of things that need to be looked at for proper preventative maintenance.

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    Regular heavy truck maintenance should look at:

    • Engine oil and filter changes
    • Transmission fluid
    • Fuel system
    • Cooling system
    • Engine and transmission mounts
    • Drive shafts or CV joints
    • Belts and hoses
    • Tune-ups
    • Electrical system components
    • Braking system
    • Steering and suspension system
    • Tires
    • Wheels and rims
    • Exhaust system
    • Undercarriage and frame
    • Exterior and interior lights
    • Body, glass and mirrors
    • Windshield wiper system
    • Horn
    • Seat belts and seat structure
    • Fluid leaks
    • Auxiliary systems

    How often regular maintenance should occur is typically based on the mileage of the truck.

    Check the owners manual for a complete breakdown of scheduled maintenance intervals.

    Heavy Truck Repairs

    With the loads that trucks carry, even with regular maintenance problems can still occur.  Some of the most common issues include:

    Wheel Bearing Problems

    Wheel bearings keep the wheel moving with as little friction as possible. Some common signs of wheel bearing issues include:

    • Wheel jerking
    • Unstable movements when steering
    • Loud noises under the wheel well while driving

    Any of these signs are indicators of problems and warrant immediate servicing of the wheel bearings.

    Brake Failures And Fluid Leaks

    Fluid leaks in brake systems are very common in heavy trucks. If brake systems aren’t properly maintained, issues can quickly lead to brake failure.

    Regular maintenance should be performed on the brakes to ensure there in working conditions to keep drivers safe.

    U-Joint Failure

    U-joints transfer power from the transmission to the differential.

     

    U-joints require regular lubrication to work as they should and prevent excessive wear and tear.  Signs of potential problems include:

    • Clicking sounds
    • Vibration at higher speeds

    These signs preclude serious U-joint issues and warrant immediate servicing and inspection

    Engine Overheating

    Due to the significant weight that heavy trucks handle, engine overheating is a common problem.

    Engine overheating can be caused by many things including a fuel leak, blown gasket, or coolant leak.

    Engine overheating is a sign of serious engine issues that can lead to a need for engine replacement if not addressed quickly

    Heavy trucks require regular maintenance to operate as they should. When regular maintenance isn’t performed, more expensive repairs may be needed.

    Heavy Equipment Repairs Miami is here to help with all of your heavy truck needs

    We can perform regular maintenance and repairs in our shop, or on site with our mobile rapid response team.

    Click here to contact us today to get your truck set up on a regular maintenance schedule, or to handle any repairs you may need.

    Starter Failure

    Starter failures are another common problem with heavy trucks. These issues occur more often in inclement weather conditions such as cold weather

    Starter failures are another common problem with heavy trucks. These issues occur more often in inclement weather conditions such as cold weather

    ​Contact​

    Contact us immediately for all of your repair needs

    Heavy Equipment Repair Services Miami

    Phone: (786) 876-7802
    Email: info@heavyequipmentrepairmiami.com