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• <br />Full pit provides mechanics good ac• <br />cess to tractor and trailer undersides. <br />Trailers are brought into the shop every <br />20,000 miles for major PM inspection. <br />Miller Time .. . <br />it may have overlooked or really <br />wanted done a different way. <br />Taking Delivery <br />New tractors in the Miller fleet are <br />sent directly from the manufacturer <br />to the terminal where they will be <br />based. There they undergo a <br />thorough new tractor inspection and <br />preparation which includes some 70 <br />checks or services, and takes about <br />80 hours to complete on non-sleeper <br />tractors, and 115 hours to perform <br />on sleeper units. Miller mounts <br />sleeper boxes itself. Other equipment <br />installed includes product pumps <br />and blowers. <br />• <br />This sleeper box will be mounted by <br />Miller mechanics in Mobile. New trac- <br />tors are sent to the terminal at which <br />they will be based, where they are <br />thoroughly inspected. Equipment such <br />as product pumps and blowers are in• <br />stalled at the same time. <br />with a sound working cab environ- <br />ment. <br />Before being placed into service, <br />the tractor is lubricated. <br />Tire Care <br />"A fleet doesn't run on rubber; it <br />runs on air," says maintenance <br />director Bijl Netherton. Much of <br />Miller's maintenance program in- <br />volves proper tire and wheel care. <br />The program starts during the new <br />equipment servicing. Tires are re- <br />moved and branded, and Bandag <br />Seal-Rite casing protector is install- <br />ed. Wheels are balanced, and tire <br />pressure is tested. Miller runs tires at <br />c ~ <br />~~~~~ - <br />`~ i <br />.:y. ~. ~ ~ °w~' <br />« i <br />.~' ~' <br />t' 4 <br />~.. <br />~ ~~ r.~ <br />~~ L~ ,,~ <br />2 {.,.b ~~ <br />`~ <br />Miller Transporters installs its own jackknife control system on tractors and trailers. Wings mounted to the ASF fifthwheel are <br />designed to stop the trailer from turning when bolt at rear of fifthwheel plate reaches the wings. <br />Johnson says the company has <br />found it gets a more thorough job by <br />having the mechanics at the ter- <br />minal where the tractor will be <br />based perform the inspection and <br />equipment installation. "Mechanics <br />take a real interest in equipment <br />they know they will be responsible <br />for maintaining," he observes. <br />While the new equipment inspec- <br />tion has turned up some significant <br />manufacturing problems over the <br />years, its main purpose is to ensure <br />the tractor is tight and equipment is <br />in proper working condition. All <br />bolts are inspected for tightness, and <br />fluids checked for proper level. The <br />tractor is road tested and speedo- <br />meter and tachometer, transmission <br />and clutch, and steering are check- <br />ed. <br />Under the hood, the mechanic <br />looks for signs of leaks, and ensures <br />fan, alternator and air conditioner <br />compressor belts are at the proper <br />tension. Engine supports are <br />torqued, and air inlet piping is in- <br />spected for clearance and tightness. <br />The tractor exterior and cab in- <br />terior inspection includes 23 specific <br />checks. Doors and glasses are check- <br />ed for fit, alignment and operation.. <br />Locks and keys are operated. Fuel <br />tank mounting is checked. One drive <br />wheel is jacked up and the mechanic <br />checks operation of the power di- <br />vider lockout and control system. <br />Headlights are tested and adjusted if <br />required. The Reyco 102 suspension <br />is aligned and nuts torqued per <br />specification. <br />Inside the cab, all gauges are <br />checked, safety belts are tested for <br />operation, and seat control and <br />track operation are tested. Every ef- <br />fort is made to provide the driver <br />30 Modern Bulk Transporter <br />