You Can Save Lift Truck Fuel

by Nar Wells. Manager. Service Education lndustrial Truck Div. Allis-Chalmers Corp.

Gt AVING FUEL with powered lift 9 trucks is a definite possibility. It's equally possible with electric lift trucks. Each area of conservation has its own special possibilities, but they also have common considerations.

The common considerations are: (l ) the maintenance of the equipment and the maintenance personnel; (2) the operator and his manner of handling equipment and cooperating with other personnel: (3) the scheduler and his approach to lift truck utilization.

Engine Powered Equipment

Any engine powered device is capable of deterioration in performance, of being overworked and of being used unwisely. Engines are designed for extremely fine tolerances and anything that attacks the finely matched surfaces permanently destroys the efficiency plan. For example, the space between piston rings and cylinder walls is equal to the thin film of oil passing through this space. The tolerance is so close that particles smaller than the eye can see will literally machine away the rings and cylinder bores or sleeves. This tight clearance occurs also where valves and bearings are installed.

The only way particles can enter such tight fits is through buildup oldirt due to poor maintenance, which is, obviously,.the starting point for fue^l economy in an engine powered lift truck.

Clean engines mean both fuel economy and clean air. A typical lift truck engine is designed to consume a fuel volume range under given horsepower conditions. Since operating conditions vary extremely, fuel consumption also varies. This range should be used as a norm for evaluating records of maintenance and fuel consumption. Degrees of departure lrom the base figure are a clue to more faithful adherance to manufacturers recommendations or even a little added effort to compensate for especially harsh requirements. Therefore, records must be started with the lilt truck operating at peak performance in its own applicaIron.

Story at a Glance

Basic recommendations that directly contribute to fuel savings call for these maintenance practices:

( I ) Daily: check battery condition, engine oil level, pressures of pneumatic tires,lift-lower speed and the coolant level. In addition, frll the fuel tank at the end of each shift or the end of a work day.

Q) Every 50 hours: lubricate the mast, inspect for hydraulic leaks, service the air cleaner element and check the fluid level of the power shift transmission.

(3) Every 100 hours: check oil level in drive axle housing and hydraulic system. Check all belts and the seal for the dipstick area. Service the engine breather cap and the fuel filter. Clean the radiator externals.

@) Every 500 hours: tune the engine of gasoline or LPG vehicles, clean and lubricate the lift chains, check the valve clearance, check the pump timing on diesel powered vehicles. Service the wheel bearings, diesel fuel filter, and PCV valve.

(5) Every 1000 hours: flush the cooling and hydraulic systems. Change oil in the drive axle. if applicable, and the transmission.

Many of these steps are needed in nraintaining electric-powered lift trucks. Maintenance of the drive line and hydraulic system is always a must for maintenance aimed at reliability and energy conservation.

You can see that cleanup and faithlul parts maintenance are common procedures. Points and plugs must operate

(Please tltrn to page 60)

In what may be an indicator of things to come this yeff, housing starts fell everywhere in the nation but the West as the closely watched n um bers tumbled to their lowest point since July, '76. bldg. permits for future construction also.rose .. in the West...

' Latest figures (Feb.) hir a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,41 1,000 units indicating that perhaps the slowdown reflects more than bad weather. single family starts were 964,000, down from the previous mo. rate of 1,148,000 and I,171,000 a year previous...

The National Assn. of Home Builders is now forecastine 1,630,000 starts for '79. ..rel cent $S market changes, expected to lessen s&l's supply of money for new home construction, is an added bearish factor for housing, tho wellregarded industry figures say conditions will vary widely; most think business will be generally good in the West.

Agwoocl Mitl & Lumberis the new name for Agwood, Inc.. since Paul Sparso joined Bill Carter at the Ukiah. Ca.. firm. Ensworth Forest Products is a new Auburn, Ca., wholesaler. Nebraska Pacific is a new Fresno, Ca., lumber brokerage l'irm started by W.D. "Del" Johnson...

Belco, a div. of Bellingham Lumber Co., Bellingham, Wa., has been opened in Tustin, Ca.l Robert J. Pallow is gen. mgr. of the Calif. div. Western Cedar Forest Products, Inc. is a new Sacramento, Ca., wholesale co., sales are being handled by Walt Farrow. Bill Hanrahan and Jim McKillop...

Manke Lu.rnber, Tacoma, Wa., has purchased the Al Thrasher stud mill at Sumner, Wa., according to "Mac" McInelly, Manke sa.les mgr.

Lindsay Moulding, Lindsay, Ca.. a Wickes div.. has converted its pallet plant to produce white fir moulding. Cali"fornia Timberline, Santa Ana, Ca., has 6 acres in Chino, Ca.; plans call for offices, T lumber sheds and a mill.

Sendix Forest Proclucts, which claims to be the world's largest millwork mfgr., recently opeired a ''Fresno, Ca., moulding plant producing white fir solid and finger joint pine; they also are site-seeking in Salt Lake City for a new distribution centel and plan 35.000 sq. ft. of new lumber sheds at their Stockton, Ca., facility. ,

Sierra Pacilic Forest Products, Terra Bella, Ca., has purchased the mill at Johnsondale. Ca., and the company town (pop. 400) from Bendix and may convert it to a ski re$ort. Johnsondale was founded by Walter Johnson as part of his Tarter, Webster & Johnson, a precursor to Bendix Forest Products.

Sundance Lumber and Hardwarc, La Verne, Ca., had a recent grand,opening for its new store and yard.. Ranan Wood, Inc", Palm Desert, Ca., now has a distribution facility in British Cofumbia. Diamond Internationalplans new units in Lacey, Everett and Kent. Wa.. . Flintkote Suppty Co. plans a new yard oFeration,,in Sparks, Nv

Delah Timber Products, White City, Or., has been acquired for an undisclosed amountby Med,f*rd Carp, Medford, Or.; 'ho management changes are planned. new Ernst Home Centers are planned foi Puyallup, Ws., Ogden, and Logan, Ut., in '79. Brookhart Building Cenrels has a new store in Arkansas Valley, Co., and is completing a lew Colorado Springs facilIty.

Lo u is ia na - Pacry'c anticipates a May opening for its Fremont, Ca., distribution center, with its new Rocklin, Ca.. operation set to open in July. . Wickes Corp. has acquired the assets of Wasatch Forest Products. Evanston, Wy., for cash, terms not revealed.

, Oregon McKenzie Lumber Co. has opened a Fresno, Ca., branch office...construction contracting in '79 is expected to be down 3ol0, according to McGraw-Hill. . National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has called for tougher wood dust /irnits in its latest interim report than those reca.mmended by Stan./'ord Research Institute. .

Wickes Corp. terminated its bid to buy Chandler Corp., Boise, Id., when in a last minute move, control of Chandler was acquired by the employees. . Kimberly-Clark is considering sale of its Ca. forest products div., including 323,000 acres of timberland.

The recent ICC hearing in Portland received more reports that the western lumber industry trend is.from rail to truck carrrers, while unconfirmed reports circulated that the NWP RR. is contemplating dropping rail service between Eureka and Willits, Ca., due to the cost of reopening a closed tunnel.

(Please turn to page 74)