2009 Conference Sessions
Monday || Tuesday || Wednesday || Thursday
Monday, March 23, 2009
8:00-8:30 A.M.
Opening General Session
The opening general session is an important first step in maximizing your VMMC experience. The 2009 conference officers John Breland, Chair; Kerry Swayne, Vice-Chair; and Gene Jakubczak, Secretary, will provide detailed information necessary for you to get a running start on making the most of the many educational opportunities that the conference has to offer.
8:30-9:00 a.m.
Keynote Speaker: Robert Hunter, General Counsel, Altec Industries, Inc. will speak on the "Lessons from the Life of Nelson."
9:05-10:30 a.m.
Quality Environmental Fleet Management
Presenter: Rick Jordan, United Parcel Service
Tips you can use to make your fleet an environmental fleet. United Parcel Service will discuss how their company is minimizing dependence on fossil fuels by improving operational efficiencies, advancing new technologies, and how their company's emissions reduction strategy includes reducing fuel consumption and deploying alternative fuel and low emissions vehicles.
New Hybrid and Plug-in Vehicle Technology
Panel Facilitator: Anne Eskridge, University of Washington
Panelists:
Jim Ely, Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc
Steve Hennessy, Ford Motor Company
Clay Okabayashi, General Motors
Hear from industry experts on the state of the art hybrid and plug-in vehicles and what to expect in the near future.
9:05 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Beneath the Hook
Presenter: Art Stanley, West Wire Rope & Riggings, Inc.
In this expanded and informative double session we will discuss what is "Below the Hook" including requirements and how to inspect your slings, hooks and shackles. Learn how to quickly tell if your chain is stretched beyond safety limits, what to look for when inspecting your non-metallic slings, how and why wire rope wears and what to look for when inspecting your rigging. You will learn why sling angle is important and you will come away from this session with a very useful handout that cuts through the jargon and provides references that you will use in the future. This lively session always generates many questions and positive feedback.
11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Lube Oil: Today and Tomorrow
Panel Facilitator: Paul C. Dennis, Retired, Dennis Petroleum
Panelists:
Steve Caudill, CCECO Lab and Filtration
Reginald Dias, Conoco Phillips Lubricants
Jim Harris, Retired, Port of Tacoma
Nick Nesland Sr., Hydraulic Repair and Design
Have you extended your oil change intervals? Can you extend them again? What is the correct interval for your application? An oil development engineer, a lubricants analyst, a filtration expert and a fleet manager who has made this successfully happen will all provide their perspectives on what you need to consider. This can be a powerful tool in achieving cost savings that will help your ability to operate at the lowest possible cost. Do you have the right lab on your side?
Specialty Vehicle Design–Service Trucks
Panel Facilitator: Kim Svidran, Washington State Motor Pool
Panelists:
John Breland, Freedom Truck Centers
Gene Jakubczak, City of Spokane
Darren Lundy, Cummins Northwest, LLC
Harmon Quesenberry, Force America
The "Specialty Vehicle Design Series" session for 2009 will focus on service trucks. The session will focus on:
- How to properly specify the chassis to support the equipment required
- How to select and configure the equipment to perform the required functions
- Idle vs. non idle trucks
- The use of auxiliary power units and modular hydraulics
- The integration of the complete package
1:30-3:00 p.m.
Advance Accident Investigation
Panel Facilitator: Dave Temple, Washington State Department of Transportation
Panelists:
Jim Lowe, Washington Counties Risk Pool
Wellington Troncoso, WA Dept. of Labor & Industries
Frank Wenzel, WA State Dept. of Labor & Industries
Greg Wilcoxson, WA State Patrol
The advance accident investigation panel will consist of representatives from the Washington State Patrol, Washington State Department of Transportation, Department of Labors and Industries, OSHA, and Risk Management. The session will focus on proper evidence gathering, field documentation, and record keeping, and safety measures for accident prevention. Attendees will have a better understanding on how to investigate and document a collision, proper record documentation as it relates to state and federal regulations and the risk of having a collision.
Save the Juice
Presenter: Tom Hillegas, Grote Industries, LLC
White LED vs. incandescent lamps. Which technology is the most applicable for your interior lighting and exterior work lamp applications?
Update Diesel Retrofit Programs–Private Fleets
Panel Facilitator: David Adler, Washington State Department of Ecology
Panelists:
Bob Breeze, Cummins Northwest
Carrol Johnston, WA State Dept. of Ecology
Cole Waldo, FSX, Inc.
Ellen Watson, Port of Seattle
Learn about current retrofit equipment and technologies. Representatives from industry and governmental agencies will bring information on grants, products and clean air technologies. Hear about the fleets involved in Washington's retrofit program using exhaust after treatment, cab heaters and crankcase breather devices.
3:30-5:00 p.m.
Warranty Recovery
Panel Facilitator: Kim Svidran, Washington State Motor Pool
Panelists:
Bill DeRousse, City of Everett, MVD
Rick Holman, King Count Fleet
Steve Torrence, Snohomish County Dept of Public Works
Tom Wall, City of Bellevue
With tight budgets, warranty recovery has become an important part of our daily fleet business. Some fleets recover hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. It is worth your time to explore the feasibility of having a warranty manager in your fleet operation. Please join us as each of our four panel members discuss their warranty recovery programs and the pros and cons of starting one in your shop.
Greening Fleets Through Sound Battery Maintenance
Presenter: John White, PulseTech Products Corporation
Learn what you can do to save money and the environment with your battery program:
- Optimize battery performance and reliability
- Save money on battery costs by extending battery life dramatically
- Charge batteries so they can provide more available power to your vehicles and accessories
- Help protect the environment by not having to discard batteries prematurely
Dielectric Testing
Presenter: Jaymee Strasbaugh, Terex Utilities
Dielectric test equipment, facts and functions, frequency.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
8:30-10:00 a.m.
Caution "FLAT TIRE" Ahead!
Panel Facilitator: Rich Cetnarowski, Tire Distribution Systems
Panelists:
Chris Nau, Doran Manufacturing
Randy Willman, Link Manufacturing, Ltd.
Joseph Zaroor, Advantage Pressure Pro
Tony Kockritz, Hendrickson International
Learn how flat tires can become a thing of the past. Reduce your tire costs by selecting the appropriate system for your fleet. The industries leading manufacturers will explain their systems in detail. Examples of systems will be displayed. Become familiar with different systems: automatic, passive and alert. Discover the differences?
8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Management Skills for Shop Foremen
Presenter: Phil Barto, Fleet Engineering Services
This session is for those who are thinking about going into management or have recently become managers.
Part one is the "Introduction to Management". Come and hear straight talk about the duties of a manager and the advantages and disadvantages of being a manager. What are the differences in responsibilities between the shop foreman and crew members? We will talk about interacting with the crew members, other managers and your supervisor. We will also talk about the importance of performance evaluations and how to do a good evaluation.
Part two is "Supervising Employees with Bad Attitudes". Learn practical ways to deal with difficult employees that you find in any work group. Take home some leadership skills that you can put to work immediately. There will be plenty of time for discussion. Bring your real-life problems; they are welcomed.
Electric Hybrid Drive Systems Medium Duty Commercial and Transit
Panel Facilitator: Christina Wear, Snohomish County PUD #1
Panelists:
Chris Collet, Allison Transmission
Mike Finney, Daimler Trucks North America
Tim Fuller, Valley Freightliner, Inc
Mark Lloyd, Roadranger Field Marketing
Bill Mammen, Dueco, Inc
This two-part session includes presentations from market leaders who have developed cutting edge electric hybrid technology for medium duty, commercial and transit vehicles.
Part one: An Allison Transmission representative will describe the benefits of their electric hybrid powertrain and how it operates in the transit application. Then, an Eaton Corporation representative will present their electric hybrid powertrain applications and products.
Part two: Learn more about heavy duty plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) as a DUECO representative describes the benefits of their PHEV unit in fleet applications such as utility trucks, refuse trucks and buses. Then, a representative Terex will present technical details on telematics and how mounted aerial equipment interfaces with the electric hybrid power system. In addition, the equipment exhibit area will feature hybrid vehicles for all to see.
10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Reducing Tire and Wheel Costs
Panel Facilitator: Rich Cetnarowski, Tire Distribution Systems
Panelists:
Scott Green, Michelin Tire Company
Loren Gwilliam, Bridgestone/Firestone, LLC
Dan McDonough, Bandag, Inc
Dale E. Overton, Accuride Corporation
J. David Walters, ALCOA Wheels & Forged Products
Drive your fleet's tire costs down! Hear from the experts who know how. Challenge these manufacturers to reduce your tire and wheel costs. Tire manufacturers will explain specific treads. Wheel manufacturers will explain how lighter wheels can be cost effective wheels. Retreaders will insure an in-depth understanding of what works and doesn't work for your specific application. Put the tire inflation knowledge gained in the "Caution 'FLAT TIRE' Ahead!" session to work as you manage your fleets overall tire and wheel costs.
1:30-3:00 p.m.
Vehicle Fleet Rightsizing
Presenter: Paul Lauria, Mercury Associates
Given the current economic situation, optimizing the size of our fleets will help minimize the effect of budget cuts. Vehicle rightsizing is a core process of turning today's fleet into tomorrow's fleet.
Product Safety and Regulatory Compliance
Presenter: Josh Chard, Altec Industries, Inc.
This session will cover the latest update to the ANSI standards for Aerial and Digger Derricks and Cranes and how that will impact you.
1:30-5:00
New Technologies in Light Duty Diesel
Presenter: Jerry Baarson, CARQUEST Technical Institute
This session focuses on new engine control systems including but not limited to electronic direct injection systems, regenerative exhaust systems, and the AdBlue BlueTec systems manufactured by Mercedes. In addition, the technician will understand how to properly test and diagnose the major systems including fuel supply, direct injection, and computer control systems. Topics will include the use of the scan tool during diagnosis. This session will cover Cummins, Duramax, and late model Ford engine systems.
3:30-5:00 p.m.
Alternate Fuels – CNG
Panel Facilitator: David Adler, Washington State Department of Ecology
Panelists:
Garret Alpers, World CNG
Stephanie Meyn, Northwest Biofuels
Jeff Stephens, Propel fuels
This year's panel will focus on compressed natural gas, E-85, bio-diesel production and hydrogen. Learn from the industry experts about presently used and future fuels.
Fiberglass Booms
Presenters:
Ryan McKinney, Altec Industries, Inc
Alan Salmela, Salmela Fiberglass
Fiberglass booms: care and maintenance, and replacement criteria.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
8:30-10:00 a.m.
Air Brake Safety and Maintenance
Presenters: Wayne Seaman, Bruno Hagstrom, MGM Brake Company
Wayne and Bruno will present new technologies in commercial truck brakes, covering electronic stroke alert, troubleshooting and maintenance, foundation systems, spring brake operation, the affects of poor brake adjustment, removal and replacement of brake chambers, and safety and maintenance procedures will be reviewed. Attendees will have a better understanding of safety factors in maintaining and inspecting air brake components.
Fuel Saving Techniques and Equipment for Over the Road and Transit Vehicles
Panel Facilitator: David Adler, Washington State Department of Ecology
Panelists:
David Adler, WA State Dept. of Ecology
Amy Warren, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
Find out about fuel saving techniques for your fleets by using better driving practices, add on equipment and services. Learn about aerodynamics, tires, anti-idling techniques and cab heating devices.
Crane Regulations and Upcoming Rules / Accreditation of Crane Certifiers
Panel Facilitator: Gary Lentsch, Chelan County PUD
Panelists:
Larry Markee, WA State Dept of Labor & Industries
Ron Overton, Overton Safety Training, Inc
Last year we brought you information about new crane regulations for operators. This year we will provide you information about accreditation of crane certifiers. We will help you understand the changes associated with inspecting and/or operating a crane. Our professional panel will translate recent regulations and upcoming rules on cranes and concepts into terms you can use.
10:20-11:50 a.m.
Brakes, Anti Roll Over Vehicle Avoidance
Presenter: Art Herrnberger, ArvinMeritor
This session will cover Meritor WABCO's roll stability control, electronic stability control, and roll stability support systems. Meritor WABCO stability systems technologies have been available since 2002. Attendees will learn how the stability system operates and will have the opportunity to discuss maintenance, repair and troubleshooting procedures with factory representatives.
What is Going to Happen in 2010?
Panel Facilitator: Mel Lofquist, Cummins Northwest LLC
Panelists:
Cory Cather, Navistar, Inc.
Louis LaFranchise, Detroit Diesel
Fred Murphy, Cummins, Inc
Engine manufacturers will provide a glimpse of their 2010 engines. New models, emissions control systems and maintenance issues will be discussed. How will the 2010 engine changes affect your operations? Bring your questions.
Preventative Maintenance on Aerial Devices
Panel Facilitators:
Mark Bramhall, Puget Sound Energy
Bruce Abbott
Learn new maintenance inspection procedures and what steps can be taken to reduce downtime.
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Technical Roundtable Forum
Forum Facilitator: Ed Schaplow, Allview Services, Inc.
The technical roundtable is a great way to network with technicians from both private and government fleets. This forum will stimulate thought provoking dialogue. This is an excellent opportunity to address your issues and concerns and provide feedback and problem solving based on the experiences of your fellow participants.
Puget Sound Green Fleet Program
Presenter: Leslie Staton, Puget Sound Clean Air
Vehicle fleets may represent your organization's largest and most visible environmental impact. "Greening" your vehicle fleet minimizes environmental impacts and can reduce your costs significantly. This program provides fleet managers with tools to help public and private fleets reduce pollution, protect our climate and save money. This step-by-step guide can identify the most effective ways to reduce pollution, whether it's buying different vehicles, switching to alternative fuels, or improving fleet efficiency.
Managing and Accounting for Your Fleet's Carbon Footprint
Panel Facilitator: Gary Splattstoesser, Benton PUD
Panelists:
Neil Caudill, WA State Dept. of Ecology
Nancy Pritchett, WA State Dept. of Ecology
Gail Sandlin, WA State Dept. of Ecology
Our panel of professionals will discuss what the regulations have in store for your fleet's carbon footprint.
1:00-4:30 p.m.
Steering, Axles and Suspensions
Panel Facilitator: Rudy Anaya, Retired, Peterbilt Motors Company
Panelists:
Art Herrnberger, ArvinMeritor
Tony Kockritz, Hendrickson International
Dirk Sullivan, Eaton Roadranger
The goal of this panel of industry experts is to provide the latest product information, and system service/diagnostic tips you can use in your shop. Bring your questions and fleet challenges to share with the panel and your peers.
2:50-4:30 p.m.
Management Roundtable Forum
Forum Facilitator: John Breland, Freedom Truck Centers
The heart of the VMMC can be found in the Management Roundtable session; vital, timely information is exchanged peer to peer in an informal setting. Last year's roundtable was extremely well received by those participating. Please bring your management challenges and solutions and join in the conversation.
Controlling Cooling Maintenance Risk and Expense
Presenters:
Jay F. Johnson, Dober of Glenwood
Elizabeth O'Neill-Nelson, Polaris Laboratories LLC
Modern cooling systems require proper maintenance to achieve maximum life while reducing risk and cost. Extended service interval (ESI) products and extended life coolants (ELC) can help. This session will cover the latest advances in cooling system maintenance.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
OBDII Advanced Diagnostics
Presenter: Ed Schaplow, Allview Services, Inc.
Keep current with the latest in board diagnostic systems. The session provides in-depth information on how to troubleshoot OBDII systems and HD Truck systems. Topics discussed include 1) how to use critical thinking skill to evaluate symptom driven DTC-driven, adaptive strategy driven and intermittent drivability and emission concerns, 2) strategies to diagnose no code OBDII drivability concerns and 3) the latest OBDII information. A question and answer session will follow.
Hydraulics for Your Equipment
Presenter: Harmon Quesenberry, Force America
This course is intended to inform you about the different types of hydraulic systems that are commonly used for mobile applications (open center and load sensing). We will explain the difference between the systems and discuss the features and benefits of each. We will then break the systems down to an individual component level and discuss their functions, designs, and provide troubleshooting tips. The systems that we will be discussing will be based on plow truck applications, but it is basic hydraulic information that will also assist you when working on other equipment. This will be an open format so questions are welcomed throughout the presentation.
Engine Diagnostics Using Pressure Signature Analysis
Presenter: Jerry Baarson, CARQUEST Technical Institute
Many times during the history of the automobile, revolutionary diagnostic techniques have come along that changed the way we diagnose and verify the systems on the vehicle in our bay. Pressure Signature Analysis is the latest technique that can save you time and make you money when servicing any vehicle that rolls in the shop. This session covers the use of pressure transducers and flow devices that present a graphic representation of the pressures in the intake manifold, fuel rail or exhaust stream. By understanding the dynamics of these signatures, you will be able to pinpoint problems in seconds that may have taken hours or days in the past. Coupled with scan data analysis, this information will take your diagnostic skills to new heights.
Engine Sessions:
Cummins Automotive Diesel Engines
Presenters:
Mel Lofquist, Cummins Northwest, Inc.
John Hernandez, Cummins Northwest LLC
Topics to be covered: emission controls and maintenance for 2010 engines.
Navistar International Engines
Presenter: Cory Cather, Navistar International
Navistar engine group will discuss their mid-range diesel engines under its global MaxxForce™ brand, and MaxxForce™ engines power on-highway commercial vehicles, off-highway commercial vehicles and agricultural, and industrial equipment.
Detroit Diesel Engines
Presenter: Louis LaFranchise, Detroit Diesel
1:30-3:30 p.m.
TOUR: B&G Machine, Inc.
B&G Machine, Inc., is dedicated to the highest standards of quality, innovation and technical superiority for the industrial aftermarket. Through active involvement in the Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association (AERA), B&G Machine, Inc., has access to a wealth of technical information. In 1993, it was rated the #1 Diesel Machine Shop in the country by a nationwide trade magazine, and in 1998, it was the recipient of the City of Seattle Mayor's Small Business Award. B&G Machine, Inc., invites you to tour this very impressive facility. The criteria by which quality is judged will be discussed and demonstrated. You will see state-of-the-art machinery used to recondition heavy-duty engine parts. Demonstrations will include the machining of crankshafts, blocks, cylinder heads, camshafts, connecting rods, and more. You can also view a new process used to repair diesel crankshafts…one of only two in the USA. This is a terrific opportunity–don't miss out! Driving directions will be included in your conference materials.