NHTSA Recall Notice 3.23.15

Please click on the following NHTSA Campaign ID links to view the recall information.

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V132
Manufacturer :	PACCAR Incorporated
Make / Model Years :	PETERBILT / 2006-2016
Subject :	Incorrect Tire Information on Label/FMVSS 110
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V135
Manufacturer :	Winnebago Industries, Inc
Make / Model Years :	ITASCA / 2015 WINNEBAGO / 2015
Subject :	Abutting Wedge Incorrectly Installed
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V153
Manufacturer :	Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Make / Model Years :	HONDA / 2001,2004,2008
Subject :	Driver Side Air Bag Inflator may Rupture

NHTSA Recall Notice 3.16.15

Please click on the following NHTSA Campaign ID links to view the recall information.

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V104
Manufacturer :	Gulf Stream Coach, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	GULF STREAM / 2010-2014
Subject :	Incorrect Tire Labels/Part 567
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V107
Manufacturer :	Prevost Cars, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	PREVOST / 2014
Subject :	Seat Belt Retractor may not Lock
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V109
Manufacturer :	Lance Camper Manufacturing. Corp.
Make / Model Years :	LANCE / 2015
Subject :	Screws for Awning Lateral Arm Brackets may Fail
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V111
Manufacturer :	McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	MCNEILUS / 2005-2014
Subject :	Secondary Brake Pressure Insufficient/FMVSS 121
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V112
Manufacturer :	Farber Specialty Vehicles
Make / Model Years :	BLUE BIRD / 1993 FARBER / 2009 FORD / 2006-2013 FREIGHTLINER / 2010-2014 GMC / 2007 STRICK / 2006-2007 UTILIMASTER / 2005-2013 WINNEBAGO / 2005-2014 WORKHORSE / 2010
Subject :	Wheelchair Lift Platform Cracking
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V113
Manufacturer :	General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years :	CHEVROLET / 2015
Subject :	Parking Brake Cable Brackets/FMVSS 135
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V114
Manufacturer :	Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
Make / Model Years :	DODGE / 2015
Subject :	Damaged Fuel Rail Hose Connection
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V117
Manufacturer :	Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
Make / Model Years :	KAWASAKI / 2009-2013
Subject :	Police Use Modifications/Electrical System Issues
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V118
Manufacturer :	Blue Bird Body Company
Make / Model Years :	BLUE BIRD / 2016
Subject :	Steering Shaft Interference may Affect Steering
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V119
Manufacturer :	Prevost Cars, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	PREVOST / 2014-2015
Subject :	Kidde Handheld Fire Extinguisher
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V120
Manufacturer :	Wheeled Coach Industries, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	WHEELED COACH / 2010
Subject :	Various Electrical System Failures
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V121
Manufacturer :	Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Make / Model Years :	HONDA / 2014-2015
Subject :	Connecting Rod Bolts may be Improperly Torqued
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V122
Manufacturer :	Prevost Cars, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	PREVOST / 2007-2012
Subject :	Fuel Line Abrasion Causing Fuel Leak
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V123
Manufacturer :	Kia Motors America
Make / Model Years :	KIA / 2014-2015
Subject :	Accelerator Pedal may Fracture
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V124
Manufacturer :	Blue Bird Body Company
Make / Model Years :	BLUE BIRD / 2016
Subject :	Steering Shaft Interference may Affect Steering
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V126
Manufacturer :	Forest River, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	FOREST RIVER / 2015
Subject :	Incorrect Certification Label/FMVSS 567
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V127
Manufacturer :	Daimler Trucks North America LLC
Make / Model Years :	FREIGHTLINER / 2007-2011
Subject :	Water Intrusion Causing Electrical Shorts
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V128
Manufacturer :	Forest River, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	FOREST RIVER / 2015
Subject :	Incorrect GVWR Rating on Label/FMVSS 567
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V129
Manufacturer :	NABI Bus, LLC
Make / Model Years :	NABI / 2014
Subject :	Tie Rod Nuts may be Incorrectly Torqued
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V130
Manufacturer :	Forest River, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	FOREST RIVER / 2015
Subject :	Fueling Station too Close to Ignition Source
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V131
Manufacturer :	Forest River, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	FOREST RIVER / 2015
Subject :	Fueling Station too Close to Ignition Source
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V142
Manufacturer :	Indian Motorcycle Company
Make / Model Years :	INDIAN / 2015
Subject :	Loss of Rear Brakes

NHTSA Recall Notice 3.9.15

Please click on the following NHTSA Campaign ID links to view the recall information.

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V092
Manufacturer :	Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
Make / Model Years :	LAND ROVER / 2015
Subject :	Wheel Lug Nuts May Crack
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V094
Manufacturer :	Daimler Trucks North America LLC
Make / Model Years :	FREIGHTLINER / 2015
Subject :	Incorrect Brake Boost Pump Switch
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V096
Manufacturer :	Altec Industries Inc.
Make / Model Years :	ALTEC / 2011-2014
Subject :	Cylinder Base End Lug May Crack
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V097
Manufacturer :	Hyundai Motor America
Make / Model Years :	HYUNDAI / 2015
Subject :	Water may Leak into Rear Combination Lamp Assembly
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V098
Manufacturer :	Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Make / Model Years :	TOYOTA / 2015
Subject :	Improperly Tightened Rear Axle Bolts
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V099
Manufacturer :	Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Make / Model Years :	TOYOTA / 2015
Subject :	Incorrect Tire Placard Information/FMVSS 110
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V101
Manufacturer :	Altec Industries Inc.
Make / Model Years :	ALTEC / 2012-2014
Subject :	Short Circuit may Result in Module Overheating
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V102
Manufacturer :	Keystone RV Company
Make / Model Years :	KEYSTONE / 2013-2015
Subject :	Quad Entry Step Failure
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V103
Manufacturer :	Cruiser RV
Make / Model Years :	CRUISER RV / 2016
Subject :	Opening Slide Floor May Expose Owners to Fumes
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V105
Manufacturer :	Daimler Trucks North America LLC
Make / Model Years :	FREIGHTLINER / 2014-2015
Subject :	Corrosion of Fuel Hoses may Result in CNG Leak
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V108
Manufacturer :	PACCAR Incorporated
Make / Model Years :	PETERBILT / 2009-2015
Subject :	Improperly Torqued Tie Rod Clamp
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V115
Manufacturer :	Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
Make / Model Years :	DODGE / 2012-2013 JEEP / 2012-2013
Subject :	Fuel Pump Relay may Fail Resulting in Stall
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V116
Manufacturer :	Nissan North America, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	NISSAN / 2013-2015
Subject :	Secondary Hood Latch may Bind and not Latch

NHTSA Recall Notice 3.2.15

Please click on the following NHTSA Campaign ID links to view the recall information.

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V068
Manufacturer :	OBS, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	BLUE BIRD / 2007,2010 CHEVROLET / 2012 COLLINS / 2007
Subject :	Wheelchair Lift - Platform Cracking
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V070
Manufacturer :	Altec Industries Inc.
Make / Model Years :	ALTEC / 2005-2013
Subject :	Un-Impeded Movement of Telescopic Jib
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V080
Manufacturer :	Forest River, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	FOREST RIVER / 2014
Subject :	Risk of Fire due to Contact with Heating Element
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V081
Manufacturer :	Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Make / Model Years :	TOYOTA / 2014
Subject :	Intermediate Steering Shaft Weld may Fail
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V082
Manufacturer :	Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC - DBA Sprinter
Make / Model Years :	MERCEDES BENZ / 2015
Subject :	Abutting Wedge Incorrectly Installed
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V083
Manufacturer :	Novae Corporation
Make / Model Years :	NOVAE / 2015
Subject :	Lift Cylinder Mount may Fail
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V084
Manufacturer :	Navistar, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	IC BUS / 2015
Subject :	Fuel Line Leak Due to Wiring Harness Chafing
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V085
Manufacturer :	General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years :	CHEVROLET / 2014
Subject :	Electronic Parking Brake may Drag
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V086
Manufacturer :	Airstream, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	AIRSTREAM / 2014-2015
Subject :	Liquid Propane Tank Tray may not be Secured
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V089
Manufacturer :	Kia Motors America
Make / Model Years :	KIA / 2016
Subject :	Vehicle may not be able to Accelerate
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V090
Manufacturer :	Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
Make / Model Years :	CHRYSLER / 2015
Subject :	Automatic Transmission Not Shifting Into Park
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V091
Manufacturer :	Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
Make / Model Years :	JAGUAR / 2013
Subject :	Fuel Starvation may cause Vehicle Stall
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V095
Manufacturer :	Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
Make / Model Years :	CAN-AM / 2013
Subject :	High Engine Compartment Temperatures
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V100
Manufacturer :	Hyundai Motor America
Make / Model Years :	HYUNDAI / 2008-2010
Subject :	Electric Power Steering Assist may be Disabled
NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V106
Manufacturer :	General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years :	CADILLAC / 2013-2015
Subject :	Inadvertent Press of Roof Panel Switch/FMVSS 118

How Work Truck Fleets Could Benefit from Lean Six Sigma practices:

Often fleets assume that work trucks are outfitted with equipment that meet the standards of the Chassis Manufacturer.  In the case of the truck mounted equipment this may not be totally correct. Although there are some federal standards for lights, brakes, crash worthiness, etc. that the vehicle alterer or final body manufacturer must comply with, often there are little or no standards for equipment that is mounted to the chassis at the final manufacturer. Aftermarket manufacturers and installers vary in sophistication and the depth of their attention to the design, the production, and variation control.

Vehicle specifications should reflect the needs of the user department, fitness for use, conformance to laws, and maintainability. Often vehicles develop breakdowns caused by defects or variations in the manufacturing process effecting reliability of the unit over time. 

If fleets are interested in buying products with high reliability, best quality and are as safe as possible to operate, they should review their purchasing process and the specifications for the mounted equipment. 

Here are two suggestions - using Six Sigma Methodology: 

1) Add DFSS and Lean Six Sigma to the bid specifications:

Choose vendors that use DFSS (Design for Six Sigma) in their product development.  Add DFSS into the equipment specs, the vendor will acknowledge that they either have or have not complied with the process in their design stage.

In other words, give preference to vendors that practice DFSS. It shows that the vendor / equipment manufacturer has approached the design of their product using DFSS methodology.

DFSS enables the manufacturer to prevent defects from occurring. The manufacturer can then produce superior products and offer services that are more stable and should not allow occurrences of “special cause” variation. It’s been described as a “vaccination against variation”.

 

Design for Six Sigma, DFSS, is a business procedure utilizing Six Sigma methodology. There are several tools and methods to utilize within Six Sigma to assure the process will be running in the correct direction. These DFSS techniques include tools and processes to predict, model and simulate the product delivery system (the processes, the personnel and organization, the training, the facilities, and logistics used to produce the product/service). Many of the tools used by DFSS are often used in the classic DMAIC Six Sigma process to analyze new products and processes.

Remember, all business processes present an opportunity for a variation to occur. These deviations are often associated with human controlled process operations. Each deviation can potentially become a defect; some of these defects may not show up immediately and could potentially cause safety related accidents. It is because of this that the Design for Six Sigma, DFSS is important for every manufacturing business.

2) Use of DMAIC for the manufacturing process:

It would follow that the manufacturing process be designed and controlled by Lean Six Sigma methodology. Lean Six Sigma is a methodology that relies on team effort to improve performance by systematically removing waste and reducing defects. The process is a collaborative effort using a team made up of a Champion, process owners and others chosen within and often consultants from outside the  organization as well. The LSS methodology follows steps within DMAIC – Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control and relies heavily on data to assure that a correct path is followed and the goals are met.

If six sigma methodologies are followed, the end result will be a higher quality, more reliable product. Defects will be reduced to 3.4 per one million opportunities or less. Therefore, there should be a maximum of 3.4 defects for each one million products produced or service opportunities. Most manufacturers and service providers do not come close to this. 

But as an example, one industry has a mixed record, one to brag about, and yet another that does not come close to meeting Six Sigma. It’s the airline industry, far fewer than 3.4 passengers per million end up not making their destinations because of crashes. However 6200 pieces of luggage do not make it to their destination for every 1 million pieces carried!

Although the manufacturer is not required to have a Lean Six Sigma Black or Green Belt on staff, they should be able to demonstrate that they routinely practice continuous improvement initiatives. These initiatives may also be facilitated by an outside consultant. Lean Six Sigma consultants should have obtained their certification from a credible organization such as the ASQ or Public or Private Universities.

PHOTO SOURCE: 
Source:  http://www.transecoenergy.com

By Steve Taylor: Steve is a certified lean six sigma consultant specializing in process improvement. He may be reached at steve@truckarchitect.com His LinkedIn profile is https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevectaylor  Steve has vast experience in the work truck manufacturing field and is an expert author specializing in writing and blogging about work trucks.

 You may find interesting posts on work truck news and truck safety, including NHTSA Recall Notices at http://truckarchitect.blogspot.com/

Pothole Patcher - How it Works!

Kenworth Crew Cab with a Bergkamp Pothole Patcher

 

By Steve Taylor

I spotted a crew working a new Bergkamp FP5 Pothole Patcher while driving through my neighborhood in Tampa, Florida. I understand Hillsborough County bought 6 of these babies to take care of the potholes in County Roads.

I thought I'd stop and take a few pictures of this truck and then provide an explanation of the operation of the process.Many years ago I had the opportunity to operate a similar work truck.

 

Bergkamp Patcher-Filled with Hot Asphalt and Ready to Work

How it works:

Usually every working day the truck is loaded with hot asphalt at a local asphalt plant. It then goes out and patches potholes that day. It can be kept heated overnight if all the material is not used up.

This truck has many features not found on all others, first of all is the Kenworth Crew Cab. This cab will accommodate the whole crew for big jobs without bringing another vehicle to transport them. If my research is correct, this cab is a custom addition to the standard Kenworth cab.

The patcher body is a Bergkamp model FP5, it will carry 5.1 cubic yards of asphalt.The FP5 has a hydraulic-driven AC generator, providing onboard electric hydraulic power at all engine or travel speeds. 

The hopper heaters are using 220 VAC 4 kW electric heaters. It has a full hopper length auger which is hydraulically driven and reversible. There is an apron at the end of the auger.. The multi-spool control valves operate the hopper auger, agitator, doors and auxiliary tools,and have a built-in adjustable relief valve.

It has an insulated 80 gallon ASME asphalt emulsion system tank, spray hose for spraying  the tack coat, a spoils bin to carry the debris from clean up, and a vibrating single drum roller compactor.with a 4 hp gas engine for compacting the asphalt. It has a hand torch for drying out the wet holes. As well, it has an arrow board and brackets for carrying the wheelbarrow and hand tools.

Cutting a Square out of the pavement with Circular Saw

Hole is Cleaned out

The asphalt is shveled offf the apron, the hole is sprayed with Tack Material
and Hot Asphalt is shoveled into the hole

Hole is Filled

Vibrating Tamper compacts the Asphalt -it's Done!

Left Side View of Emulsion Tank

Another option on this truck is the InPave tracking system. Using the latest technology, it reports the patch location, the amount of material used and the temperature of the material being placed etc.The InPave System also maps the location of each reporting data point and allows you to click on it to review the status and full details. All this is reported back to management over the cellular system real time.

Bergkamp provides one year of free cellular data transmission service that allows for quick, reliable downloading of information. Moving forward, you can continue with this service or easily transition to a radio receiver system. You pick the method that works best for your needs and budget.

Find out more at http://www.bergkampinc.com/pothole_patching.html

Post by Steve Taylor.: Steve is a certified lean six sigma consultant in the the work truck equipment business  specializing in fleets and process improvement. Find his Linked in Profile at:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevectaylor He may be contacted at steve@truckarchitect.com or steve@upstreamsource.com