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Don’t Get Clogged Up – Diesel Particulate Filter

Diesel Flat Bed Tow Truck

Diesel Flat Bed Tow Truck

DPF Filter

ECM on Black

In real world work applications, repeated short drive times at less than highway speeds are very common. Also, trucks are increasingly used as machines requiring long idle and extended use in PTO (Power Take Off) Mode. Both scenarios prevent a truck from properly going into its regen cycle which is supposed to clean the DPF filter.

This is where the trouble begins. A clogged DPF filter can result in diesel soot backing up into the engine, causing damage to the VGT actuator, turbo, fuel injectors and EGR solenoid. Also, the unburned fuel injected into the exhaust system, as part of the regen cycle, can go into the crankcase contaminating the engine oil.

The most common Cummins DPF related symptoms are clogged and cracked DPF filters; high cleaning / replacement costs; lost income due to truck down time; excessive regeneration cycles; and reduced power / limp mode in PTO. These DPF problems are so common that Dodge/Cummins owners have filed a class action lawsuit which has yet to be settled.

Jim Comack at ECM Performance says, “We can get any off road or export DPF equipped vehicle back to full reliability with our unique programming service and customer removal of the DPF filter. Most customers ship their ECM to us, but we can also send a technician anywhere in the world for onsite service.”

Customers unbolt the ECM from the engine block, unplug the harness connections and ship it to ECM Performance. The original engine data is read from the ECM and backed up three ways for the customer’s protection. A technician then modifies the calibration to shut off the after treatment system / DPF cleaning cycle. Within 48 hours, the new calibration is flashed to the ECM resulting in 100% Code Free operation. After the customer receives their ECM via next day air, they bolt the ECM back to the engine block, replug the harness connections. They must then remove the DPF.

Cummins Dyno Room

Alex M., a vehicle exporter under military contact said, “We exported 30 DPF equipped rollback trucks with Cummins 6.7 ISB engines. For 6 months, they were all sitting dead in some foreign yard due to clogged DPF filters. The DPF’s clogged almost instantly due to the use of high sulfur content diesel fuel. This caused the trucks to shut down or go into a limp mode. Though it was the end user’s fault for misreporting the fuel standard for that country, let me tell you, no one was happy about this situation. It held us up delivering additional vehicles to the same customer. We contacted Ecm Performance after receiving a recommendation from a local diesel mechanic that had a similar problem on a farm truck. After ECM Performance reprogrammed the ECM, the end user reinstalled it and removed the DPF. They were so happy that we had ECM flash all the trucks. Now the trucks are in the field, running great on the local fuel. Mileage and power were also increased.”

ECM’s Jim Comack said, “Alex’s problems with Cummins/Paccar DPF equipped trucks are very typical overseas, and very common here in the states for other reasons. Unlike Alex who is a bulk exporter, most owner’s are just trying to make a living with trucks that not reliable. The sole reason of the unreliability is the DPF Filter and a regeneration cycle that just doesn’t work in the real world. It doesn’t matter how many times you tow the truck back to factory service facilities. The only way to restore full reliability is to shut off the Regen Cycle through reprogramming the ECM. They can then remove the DPF. Like magic all their DPF related problems disappear & they can go back to making money.”

Cummins, Paccar, Ford, Peterbilt, Kenworth & Sterling Trucks do not endorse, have any affiliation or connection with ECM Performance or its services. All Product names & trademarks featured here are the property of their respective trademark holders. For export & off-road use only.

A Lot of Exciting Things Have Been Happening at Dynamic Since Expanding Their Location This Year

We are implementing new paint processes. Currently, we are adding new compressors and refrigerate dryers to handle a new sand blasting booth. We will be adding a new powder coating booth and system sometime after Baltimore.

With now having an in-house engineering staff, we are working and planning to have (in Baltimore) a new design rotating flatbed with a much better load angle, lower center of gravity, many less hoses and other moving parts. Also, in Baltimore, we will have a new rollback with what we think is the best linkage system for the towing industry. Plus, our service truck, Fusion, and our new, fast-selling 755, plus all of our proven line of wreckers and slide ins. Both with many improvements for service ability are in the works.

It will be a very exciting years at Dynamic!

The towers will see and feel the benefits of being a Dynamic customer. The original self loader just seems to be getting better and bigger.

Dynamic Towing Equipment and Manufacturing
800-831-9299
www.dynamicmfg.com

Agero RoadsideConnectTM: The Next Generation Arrives

Agero has officially launched the next generation of their Roadside ConnectTM mobile app for Android smartphones.

The newly designed app includes the same smart, useful features as the popular original version – including dispatch details at the driver’s fingertips, guided navigation, and job status management resources – but now also incorporates tools to benefit the mobile dispatcher.

Useful innovations offer practical benefits for dispatchers and drivers.

With the newly revised app, mobile dispatchers can now receive and assign Agero jobs to their drivers via smartphones. In addition, dispatchers can now locate and manage their drivers on a map in real-time. Since Roadside Connect now empowers the dispatcher to see where each of their trucks is located, dispatchers are now able to assign the best-qualified driver to a job based upon the driver’s equipment and current location.

Plus, with the new version of the app, drivers will see only the actual jobs that are assigned to them. The cleaner interface eliminates confusion and provides more focus on the job at hand.

The updated Roadside Connect app is FREE to Agero Service Providers.

Best of all, because the Roadside Connect app is free to Agero providers, now even small towing and recovery businesses can benefit from technology previously affordable only to larger service providers.

Agero
One Cabot Road
Medford, MA  02155
Phone: 781-393-9300
www.agero.com

Agero RoadsideConnectTM: The Next Generation Arrives

Agero has officially launched the next generation of their Roadside ConnectTM mobile app for Android smartphones.

The newly designed app includes the same smart, useful features as the popular original version – including dispatch details at the driver’s fingertips, guided navigation, and job status management resources – but now also incorporates tools to benefit the mobile dispatcher.

Useful innovations offer practical benefits for dispatchers and drivers.

With the newly revised app, mobile dispatchers can now receive and assign Agero jobs to their drivers via smartphones. In addition, dispatchers can now locate and manage their drivers on a map in real-time. Since Roadside Connect now empowers the dispatcher to see where each of their trucks is located, dispatchers are now able to assign the best-qualified driver to a job based upon the driver’s equipment and current location.

Plus, with the new version of the app, drivers will see only the actual jobs that are assigned to them. The cleaner interface eliminates confusion and provides more focus on the job at hand.

The updated Roadside Connect app is FREE to Agero Service Providers.

Best of all, because the Roadside Connect app is free to Agero providers, now even small towing and recovery businesses can benefit from technology previously affordable only to larger service providers.

Agero
One Cabot Road
Medford, MA  02155
Phone: 781-393-9300
www.agero.com

Tiger Tool 10102 – Heavy Duty U Joint Puller

Engineered for use with up to a 1-inch impact wrench, this tool provides the ultimate “brute strength” to disassemble the most severely seized driveshaft yokes.

When it’s time to disassemble one that’s seized, it requires up to 25,000 lbs of force. You don’t want to be without this heavy-duty one-piece tool!

For further information contact Tiger Tool, 1-800-661-4661 or visit www.tigertool.com.

BigEasy Lock Out Kit for Professionals

Security Access to Unlock Cars for Emergencies in seconds without damaging cars

Tow Drivers unlock cars in seconds without damaging car doors by using Steck Manufacturing’s BigEasy Lockout Tool. Over the last 10 years this one tool has become the tool of choice for tow truck drivers. It is simple to use by first inserting the Easy Wedge into the top of the door to allow enough room to then insert the BigEasy tool to press or hook the door lock from inside the window rather than using the door panel. The ease of the BigEasy to open doors from the inside the window reduces liability issues with traditional lockout tools which have the potential to disable wiring systems inside the door panel.

Also available is our optional BigEasy Night Light (P/N 32933) which is flexible PVC suction cup illuminates the inside of a vehicle at night to allow the tow drivers to locate the vehicle interior door lock or keys while using the BigEasy Lock Out tool or other similar devices to unlock the vehicle.

We have several versions The Big Easy Kit #32900 retails for $36.00. The Big Easy ‘Glo’Kit #32950 retails for $44.95. The Big Easy Kit #32955, our most popular kit, retails for $68.25 consists of the ‘Glo’ BigEasy tool with a glow in the dark tip, non-marring wedge, lock knob lifter and the popular inflatable Easy Wedge.

The optional Night Light #32933 retails for $49.95 and BigEasy Carrying Case #32935 retails for $29.95.

Kits are available at most truck and parts supply dealers as well as from local tool supply jobbers.

Further information check our website for a complete listing of all our products www.steckmfg.com and videos or by contacting Steck Manufacturing at Sales@steckmfg.com or calling 1-800-227-8325.

4th Wheel Loader

Steck Manufacturing Company has released another winning tool: Ability for Tow Truck drivers to safely load and secure a vehicle with broken ball joints, lost wheels, locked wheels or brakes, collision damage and control arm failures on their roll back wreckers. Also will allow mechanics and body technicians to steer the vehicle into the shop and guide it to lifts or frame racks for repair.

4th Wheel Loader is a tough 24” x 14” hardened aluminum fabricated platform with two 4” x 10” Polypropylene roller wheels, six 5/8” holes for mini-J hooks for loading assistance and 1” axles which provides a safe platform to easily hold and secure up to 5 tons while loading a vehicle with broken ball joints and/or a damaged wheel/tire on a roll back. For wheel failures like locked brakes or broken wheels simply lift the damaged vehicle and place the wheel in the large 10” x10” recessed pocket of the 4th Wheel Loader and chain the wheel assembly with our Load Binder with a t end to the locking slots on the Loader platform. Each 4th Wheel Loader comes with a 6’ x 3/16” chain, hand adjustable screw type Load Binder and 3/8” extension nut that will easily connect to the chain and Loader base unit by hand or wrench to secure the load and pull the car up on the roll back or allow the technician to steer the damaged vehicle into the shop. The Loader is 4” high (without shim blocks) with a built in 6” X 1 ¼” handle which will allow you to store the 25 lb. Loader behind your seat or tool box.

4th Wheel Loader comes one 10” x 10” x 3” and one 10” x 10” x 1 1/2” Polypropylene interlocking shim blocks, which fit into the recessed Loader pocket. The shims allow the driver to raise the vehicle with busted ball joints, lost wheels and severely bent axles and place it at a desired height for secure loading on the roll back. Simply insert the desired shim(s) in the pocket then lift the damaged vehicle and place the rotor, solid axle or control arm to the desired level on the shim block(s) placed in the 4th Wheel Loader pocket and chain to the locking slots on the Loader platform. Note: Shim design also has a 3” slot cutout to allow the lower control arm to nestle securely on the shim.

Labor/Material Savings: Quicker loading and unloading while preventing further damage to vehicles with broken ball joints and other wheel problems by allowing the driver to center, pull and properly secure the vehicle on the roll back bed as well as preventing bed damage to the roll back. Also provides a safe and secure method for shops to bring the vehicle into the repair bays and frame racks.

This timesaver sells for a mere $395.00. Check out the “4th Wheel Loader” on Steck’s web page at www.steckmfg.com Check it out with smart phones and computers on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/SteckMfg#p/u. See your Steck dealer and pickup your 4th Wheel Loader today!

B/A Synthetic Winch Lines

  • Lightweight
  • Durable
  • Safer to Handle than Wire Rope
  • Color Coded by Size

B/A – Always Bringing You The “Best Available” Products.

For more information www.baprod.com or call 800-327-3301

Tie Rod Coupler – Upgraded Material

Steck Manufacturing Company has upgraded the Tie Rod Coupler (P/N 71470) which allows Tow Truck Drivers and lot drivers the ability to temporarily steer a damaged vehicle that suffered a broken tie rod as part of the collision damage.

Now made from tough T6 grade Aluminum coupler with dual I-bolt set screws provide a quick temporary steering repair for vehicles with a broken tie rod:

  1. Tow Truck drivers can properly center the loading of the vehicle eliminating the frustration and time currently required to stop load process to re-direct the damaged wheel to properly secure the vehicle as well as unloading vehicles from roll back wreckers to lot storage.
  2. Lot drivers can drive the damaged vehicle to the frame bench or repair stall for the collision repair.

Tie Rod Coupler I-bolt set screws secures the coupler to the broken tie rod by hand tightening and/or locking down the set screws by using a small leverage bar.

Labor/Material Savings: Tie Rod Coupler’s temporary steering fix saves the tow driver up to 15 minutes by ensuring the driver’s ability to center and properly secure the vehicle on the roll back bed as well as maneuvering the vehicle around the lot without using tow trucks, rolling out MIG welders from the shop to the lot so that the technician can temporarily weld the tie rod together, wheel or car dollies so the damaged vehicle can be steered into the shop for repair.

This timesaver sells for a mere $34.95. Check out the “Tie Rod Coupler” on Steck’s web page at www.steckmfg.com See your Steck dealer and pickup your Tie Rod Coupler Tool today!

Worm Gear Winch Package

Pierce Sales is your source for winches from 2,000 lb. to 20,000 lb. capacities, accessories and wrecker installation. Pierce makes ordering winches easy and affordable. Buy the PS654-11HK Pierce winch and get free cable, angle mounts and roller guide. Code: PSTOWDEAL. Offer for call-in orders only. Serving the wrecker industry since 1976. www.piercesales.com

Oil Pan Damage Stops Here

For far less than the cost of a single oil pan damage claim, the revolutionary Pan Pillow will virtually remove oil pan damage from your operation. Made from the highest quality components, the Pan Pillow will give you years of worry free towing. Minute to install, the Pan Pillow is simple to use and the ONLY product on the market that solves the costly and wide spread problem of oil pan damage. Don’t wait until your next claim before you introduce the Pan Pillow to your operation.www.panpillow.com

Steck 4th Wheel Loader

Safely load and secure a vehicle that has a broken ball joint.The 4th Wheel Loader handles wheel failures, such as locked brakes or broken tie rods. Once the wheel is placed in the recessed pocket, chain the wheel assembly to the locking slots on your loader’s platform. Lightweight and compact for easy storage. Tough 24″ x 14″ hardened aluminum fabricated platform easily holds and secures up to5 tons.4th Wheel Loader # STM5

B/A Products Twist Lock™ Grab Hook Chain Assemblies

Eliminates accidental hook release to stop potential dangers before they start This chain assembly utilizes a Twist Lock™ grab hook — once locked in place, it’s not coming loose. Use for everything from equipment safety chains and chain-to-chain hooking to tie down chains and vehicle stabilization. Features a latch (which may be padlocked) for extra security. Available in Grade 70 or80 and working load limits up to 12,000 lbs.

Twist Lock™ #s TLG01 — TLG19

Twin State Equipment Welcomes Scott Rahner

Twin State Auto Equipment

Scott Rahner - Product Specialist/Sales and Marketing Manager for TwinState Equipment (Las Vegas).
Scott Rahner – Product Specialist/Sales and Marketing Manager for TwinState Equipment (Las Vegas).

After spending 6 years with Recovery Solutions, Inc., as Sales and Marketing Manager, we welcome Scott to this new position. Scott’s industry experience and product knowledge will be key in developing our Sub-Distribution Base in the Southwest. Scott will direct the day to day sales activities, and continue to develop our existing customer base.

Scott Rahner comes to Twin State Equipment with over 25 years experience in the Towing and Recovery Industry. Starting as a driver for a local New Jersey Towing Company in 1985, Scott moved to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in 1990 opening Quality Towing partnered with his brother. In 1994 Scott became Wreck Master certified and went on to Level 6/7. Scott owned, operated and managed Quality until 2000 when he moved into Wrecker and Carrier Sales at Smith’s Services in Orangeburg, SC, a Jerrdan Distributor. In 2001 Scott became the Northeast/Midwest Factory Representative for Dynamic Manufacturing. During that time he also worked on designing and introducing new products until 2005. Scott took a brief hiatus to work at a Chevrolet Dealer in North Carolina in Commercial Fleet Sales and then returned in 2006 at Recovery Solutions as Product Specialist and then Sales and Marketing Manager as well as designing and introducing new products. Scott, now based in Las Vegas, Nevada is looking forward to putting his extensive industry experiences to work in developing new customers and distribution for Twin States Equipment and the Jerrdan Cooperation.

CONTACT
Scott Rahner
TWIN STATE EQUIPMENT
4495 Copper Sage Street
Las Vegas, NV 89115
702-283-5487
scott.rahner@twinstateequipment.com

Custer Products is Attracting Attention

Custer Products Lighting it Up

With the new LITE*IT brand Beacon Strobes

Custer Products LLC announced a product line expansion by introducing 7 new LED, Strobe and Battery powered beacons. The new line consist of 3 LED beacons including a 16-watt LED rotator, a 3 watt LED equipment strobe, and a battery operated LED rotator. Four of our new LITE*IT beacons are powerful tube type strobes with up to 17 joules and SAE CLASS 2! One beacon in our new line is a magnetic suction cup with a 10′ cord cigarette plug and 12 joules of power as well battery powered Beacon that is perfect as a temporary warning light.

The new LITE*IT beacons will provide safety and warning solution for a multitude of towing, agricultural, transportation and safety customers. This new LITE*IT brand beacon line is manufactured with the same quality and affordability that Custer Products is known. Custer Products has plans to launch many more new or improved products this year which you will find on our website.

Custer Products Ltd has been supplying quality products to the towing, agricultural, trucking, trailer and safety industries since 1993 selling to a network of customers throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, South America and Europe. Custer Products strives to provide first class customer service, quick order fulfillment and innovative solutions to fulfill our customer’s needs.

For more New Products and information see www.custerproducts.com or contact us at 800-490-3158 for a current catalog.

New Product Releases Help Propel Steck’s Product Lines

Steck Big Easy in use
Steck Big Easy in use
Steck Big Easy in use
Steck Big Easy in use
Steck - Innovative Autobody Tools and Equipment
Steck – Innovative Autobody Tools and Equipment

New product ideas are the keys to growth in today’s global market. Steck Manufacturing embraces ideas from its tool users. According to John Brill, President, “new ideas are the life blood of our company”. Steck will evaluate each tool and work with the inventor to protect the idea as well as pay a royalty to the inventor based on the net sales of the tool. Last year it was the Axle Popper (71410) which provides even pressure to break loose half shafts from the transaxle on front wheel drive cars and Air Tool Oiler (16600) with its adjustable oil nozzle allows technicians to easily and conveniently oil their air tool after each use.

While Steck’s focus is on auto body repair business where they develop and sell body shop specialty repair tools they also provide products to the Towing industry, their BigEasy Lockout tool kits (32900 and 32955) allows technicians to unlock cars without damaging the car door. Their most recent announcement, 4th Wheel Loader (71480) allows Tow Truck drivers to safely load and secure a vehicle with broken ball joints, lost wheels or locked wheels on their roll back wreckers. Also will allow mechanics and body technicians to steer the vehicle over unlevel surfaces as well as gravel and dirt into the shop and guide it to lifts or frame racks for repair.

Visit our website or YouTube to view our product offerings and videos of some of more popular.

Steck Manufacturing Company, Inc.
1115 S. Broadway
Dayton, Ohio 45408
1-800-227-8325
sales@steckmfg.com