Weighing in on Truck Overloading-Maintaining the Balance Between Safety and Profit



   

Maintaining the stipulated weights in trucks is important for the proper functioning and maintenance of the fleet. Overloading has several negative consequences for the fleet as well as the overall profitability of the organisation.

Safety Risk

Overloading of heavy duty trucks increase the chances of accidents. It poses safety risk for logistics companies. Several deaths have been reported across the world related to accidents caused by overloading of trucks. Overloaded trucks not only cause damage to property but is also a threat to passengers on the road. Overloaded trucks are difficult to manoeuvre and thereby the driver loses control of the vehicle.

Vehicle Maintenance

Overloading also leads to increase in unscheduled maintenance of trucks. It is the top cause of unscheduled maintenance in truck fleets, according to several surveys conducted in this regard. It can lead to poor braking performance as it takes a longer distance to bring a vehicle to stop. The chance of collisions with vehicles ahead and in heavy traffic conditions increases when the truck is overloaded. If the load is not proportionately distributed across the axles, it leads to imbalance of axles, premature wear and tear on the suspension and tyres. Tyres run hotter leading to wear and tear. It is also likely to deflate more rapidly. Overloading of trucks will also violate warranty conditions for the vehicle given by the manufacturer. Improper use of replacement parts and modifications to vehicles changes the integrity of the vehicle and weight to the chassis.

Overloading Indicators

The overloading of a vehicle can be known by weighing the vehicle on a weighbridge. But there are certain indicators which show that the vehicle is overloaded. This includes a sagging rear end, poor braking performance, unresponsive suspension and steering and increased stopping distance. Irregular wear and tear of tires and suspension are indicators of overloading.

Fuel Usage

Fuel usage increases with each extra pound of weight in the truck as the engine has to work harder leading. This leads to increase in consumption of diesel or gasoline. With increasing crude oil prices, transportation costs are increasing for the logistics industry. Keeping the fuel costs at an optimum level is important to ensure sustainability of operations.

Road Maintenance

Overloaded trucks also lead to collapse of bridges and damage to roads. Materials that fall out of overloaded trucks can cause damage to vehicles and people on the road. It also causes surface degradation on highways leading to development of potholes. Overloaded trucks increase the requirement for maintenance of roads and bridges and repeated relaying of road surfaces.

Penalties

Truck overloading is prohibited in many countries and there are stipulations regarding the total mass of the vehicle and the weight on each axle. Each vehicle is mandated to carry only a stipulated weight and breach of such rules invite penalties. This in turn affects the profitability of logistics operations. Fines can vary from a few thousand dollars to huge penalties depending on the category of violation. Minor savings in overloading vehicles is offset by larger penalties to be paid in highways.

Penny Wise Pound Foolish

Business owners should realise that overloading may bring temporary gains for the logistics operations but entail huge costs on repairs, maintenance, penalties and accidents that ultimately affect the delivery of goods. Proper awareness of maintaining appropriate loads on vehicles among drivers and fleet managers can reduce the cost of logistics operations. Investing in weighbridges can help monitor that truck drivers do not overload the vehicle and cause damage to trucks. The weighbridges also have to be kept in proper condition to get accurate weighing results.



If you are looking forward to investing in weighbridge in India, Essae Digitronics is a leading weighbridge manufacturer in India.

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