Video of the Week: ‘Undercover Boss’ Drives the Forklift

This week’s Video of the Week comes from the popular CBS-TV program “Undercover Boss” which originally aired Sunday, December 14, 2014. John Hartmann, the chief executive officer of True Value Hardware, visited one of the chain’s distribution centers in Springfield, Oregon, where he was paired with a veteran True Value forklift operator named Terrell. ‘Undercover … Read more

Chicago Area Contractor Fined Nearly $70K for Cave-In Hazards

Using cave-in protective equipment when working in trenches deeper than five feet isn’t just a good idea. It’s the law. That’s what the owners of A. Lamp Concrete Contractors — a construction company in Morton Grove, Illinois —  found out the hard way last week when they were fined $69,300 by the US Occupational Safety and … Read more

New Technology Provides 360 Degree View for Truckers

A first-of-its-kind panoramic camera for heavy duty trucks that may one day become standard equipment on heavy duty vehicles has been successfully tested in the UK. The Brigade Backeye 360 Elite System will enable truck drivers to see cyclists, pedestrians, other vehicles and other potential collision dangers while maneuvering dense urban streets. It uses four … Read more

Diesel Prices at Lowest Point Since 2012

The average price per gallon of diesel fuel fell 7 cents to $3.535 last week, the steepest drop since the week of October 29, 2012. And the average price per gallon was at its lowest level since the week of February 14, 20111, when it was at $3.534/gallon, according to the US Department of Energy’s … Read more

BNSF Eyes Expansion in Northern States in 2015

The BNSF railroad will spend nearly $500 million next year expanding its operations in the Northern  region, the company announced. The railroad — which is the second largest freight railway system in the US after the Union Pacific — currently is experiencing its fastest growth in the North, where it services the agriculture, coal, crude … Read more

Texas Incentive Plan Replaces More than 100 Older Forklifts

A total of 108 older forklifts have been exchanged for newer ones as part of a Texas program that seeks to replace older diesel, gasoline and propane forklifts with newer, cleaner propane- and natural gas-fueled vehicles. The Railroad Commission of Texas authorized incentive payments averaging $10,703 per replacement to about 38 companies doing business in … Read more

Oregon Tech Firm Developing New Type of Forklift Engine

KersTech — a drive train technology firm based in Beaverton, Oregon — is developing a new type of forklift engine that is better suited to the vehicle’s frequent starts and stops. The TwinTorq engine combines electric and hydraulic torque technologies to extend operational run time. It improves battery energy efficiently and significantly extends a forklift’s … Read more