FROM THE EDITOR
Command Your Fleet
Managing your fleet of vehicles and equipment is not as daunting
as an admiral managing a fleet of warships — it probably just feels
that way. And although fleet management typically refers to managing
one's fleet of vehicles — from financing to maintenance and everything in between — we also use the term fleet management on a
wider basis to describe management of one's equipment fleet.
This issue of Arbor Age, provides equipment fleet managers with tips
to maximize chipper performance (see page 16), and also outlines the
benefits of investing in a "greener" fleet (see page 18). These feature stories
highlight a range of focal points for any equipment fleet-management
plan. Of course, no matter how diligent you are about your equipment
financing/purchasing, diagnostics or maintenance, the vehicle driver/
equipment operator must understand your fleet management goals
and the proper operation and care of the vehicle or equipment. A big
part of that effort is proper fueling practices.
Leading engine manufacturers, including Kohler Engines, recently
warned users of all gasoline-powered outdoor power equipment to be
vigilant when fueling their equipment. Gasoline blends containing
more than 10 percent ethanol — such as E15 and E85 — can cause
permanent and irreversible damage that is not covered under warranty.
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) continues to challenge Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rulings that allow higher
concentrations of corn-based ethanol in gasoline.
"EPA has acknowledged there will be mis-fueling with E15; there
will be engine and product failure," said Kris Kiser, president and CEO
of OPEI. "EPA denied our petition to have an E10 legacy fuel for the
marketplace; we remain adamant that an E10 fuel stay in the marketplace for all products not approved for E15 use."
OPEI also released the following tips to help operators properly fuel
their equipment:
• Read and follow your owner's manual. The manual will clearly
explain what fuels can be used to ensure a properly functioning product.
• Don't put any fuel containing more than 10 percent ethanol (E10)
into small engine products unless otherwise stated.
• Check the gas pump to be sure that it is dispensing E10. Some
pumps at local gas stations may offer both E10 and E15, or have blender
pumps that dispense mid-level ethanol fuels for "flex-fuel" automobiles.
• Higher ethanol fuel (E15) may be less expensive than regular (E10)
fuel, but putting E15 into an E10 approved product could cause product failure and void its warranty.
• Don't assume fuel pumped into your
vehicle can also be dispensed into your
gasoline can. Be sure to fill your gas can
with E10 fuel only.
There are many aspects to fleet management, but keeping your crews, drivers
and equipment operators up to date on
all relevant equipment and vehicle use
and maintenance issues will put you well
on your way to commanding your fleet.
John Kmitta
Associate Publisher, Editor
847-720-5613
jkmitta@m2media360.com
6 Arbor Age / March 2013
1030 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 230, Park Ridge, IL 60068
www.arborage.com
jkmitta@m2media360.com
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Publisher's Notice: We assume no responsibility for the validity of advertising claims in connection with
items appearing in Arbor Age. Reader Service Numbers are given to facilitate further inquiry. Commercial
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For additional information, visit:
• http://opei.org/ethanolwarning
• http://newsroom.aaa.com/2012/11/
new-e15-gasoline-may-damage-vehiclesand-cause-consumer-confusion
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