The Heavy Duty Parts Report

Send us Fan Mail Episode 22: When a class 8 commercial truck is involved in an accident what do you need to know about the repair process? Semi-trucks and trailers have been radically changed by technology. You may be surprised by the process a truck goes through when it is being repaired and if you own a semi-truck or a fleet of trucks there are some fundamental questions you need to ask before y...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 21: Running a heavy-duty repair shop is a fulltime job. Our listeners have requested that we talk about shop management software and in this episode, I am happy to introduce you to Jacob Findlay, Founder, and CEO of Fullbay. Fullbay gets everyone in your shop on the same page. It unchains owners from the shop, makes techs more efficient, lets service managers quarterback t...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 20: The most talented heavy-duty technician in the world without the correct tools is going to be severely limited. Many of the tools of the trade are obvious and can be purchased online, from a tool truck or from a local retailer. But what about when you need a specialty tool to do a very specific job? That is where my guest, David Martin, Owner of David’s Heavy-Duty Tool...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 19: Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) are sold as new replacements and as reman units. The reman units are cheaper than replacing the filter with a new aftermarket option like what our guest Dave Jerman from RoadWarrior sells. You can listen to Dave talk about their aftermarket options in episode 6 .  Another option is having your DPF cleaned and today’s guest will explain...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 18: Brakes are one of the most common places where the cost-per-mile vs. purchase price debate intersects.  Over the last 20 years, I have seen fleets and repair shop owners be seduced into buying a skid of low-cost brake material in the hopes that they will save money.  It is not entirely surprising that disc brakes (which cost significantly more initially) have not been...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 17: Your fan clutch is necessary to keep your truck running properly at optimal temperatures. When the fan clutch fails should you just replace it with a new or rebuilt unit, or should you rebuild it yourself? If you are going to rebuild it yourself, what kit should you use? Brian Swanson is the Sales Manager at Kit Masters. Kit Masters is an engineering company that creat...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 16: Spicer U-Joints have been the industry standard for heavy-duty applications for years. Most of my customers work in off-road conditions and they swear by the Spicer U-Joint.  If you’re thinking about the Spicer U-Joint in the red box then you are thinking about what Spicer calls their Genuine OE Quality u-joint. But did you know that Spicer has another line of u-joints...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 15: There is a wide range of opinions about diesel and fuel additives. In this episode, my guest will educate us about what you need to know and how to properly test additives in a quick do-it-yourself 15-minute test.  I would like to introduce you to Marc Palud, head of sales at XP3 in Canada. Marc was unable to do his interview from his office as we planned and so we imp...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 14: Today’s modern commercial trucks have a lot of additional technology in them that didn’t exist even 20-years ago. Since these trucks, all have air systems the need for clean air remains unchanged but in order to keep up with all the technology the air dryer and its role have changed a lot in the last 20-years.  In this episode, our host Jamie Irvine will explain exactl...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 13: The parts industry has changed dramatically since I started in 1998. Technology continues to advance and that presents challenges and opportunities.   I would like to introduce Tyler Robertson, CEO of Diesel Laptops. Tyler is blazing a new trail developing resources that are empowering independent mechanics and parts technicians.   The Diesel Laptops mission is simple:...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 12: Learn why providing the right kind of training for your heavy-duty mechanics and parts technicians is an important part of keeping your fleet or repair shop profitable. You’re listening to the Heavy-Duty Parts Report. I’m your host Jamie Irvine and this is the podcast where you will get expert advice about the heavy-duty parts you buy and keep you informed about what&a...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 11: It seems like there is a shortage of truck drivers, mechanics, and parts people in the heavy-duty truck and parts industry. But, is it just our perception or is it a legitimate problem that we need to solve?  In this episode, we are going to discuss the shortage of skilled workers in the heavy-duty trucking industry.   To help us with that I would like to introduce Kae...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 10: Have you ever been faced with an expensive repair bill? It is very stressful and having to decide whether to rebuild an engine is one of the most expensive repairs decisions you will face.    To help us understand when you should rebuild an engine and what the best options are for engine parts I would like to introduce you to Bill Mirth, Director of Business Developmen...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 9: Large mobile maintenance companies and national parts distributors are consolidating what they call a “fragmented marketplace.” But, is that good for independent mobile mechanics? My guest today is Ray Gross of the Mobile Maintenance Association and he explains why consolidation is terrible for independent mobile mechanics and what he is doing about it.  To learn more a...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 8: In this episode, we are going to discuss what happens when a fleet is sold. To help us with that I would like to introduce you to Neil Gerritsen, Neil is part of the leadership group at Alberta Business Sales, a business brokerage firm located in Edmonton, AB, Canada that specializes in connecting business buyers and sellers.  Neil was a guest on the Build a Better Busi...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 7: When you think of buying a heavy-duty part for a truck or trailer you probably think about buying original equipment parts through a dealer or aftermarket parts through a parts distributor.  When you think about buying used parts, you probably think about going to a “junkyard” and finding a part with unknown performance and reliability because the part is, well, used. I...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 6: Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs), Diesel Oxidation Catalysts (DOCs) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCRs) for post-2007 medium to heavy-duty trucks and buses have created a lot of controversies.  On the one side of the argument governments, regulators, environmental groups, and individual people want to see more technology introduced to reduce or even one-day elimin...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 5: With the summer weather causing temperatures to rise, a functional air conditioning system is a necessity. From driver comfort, to warding off heatstroke this is something you don’t want to have broken down unexpectantly.  In this episode, you will get 5 tips for identifying problems with your air conditioning system so you can keep it working all summer.  Next Steps: V...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 4: We are going to discuss how to put the brakes, on buying cheap brakes.  To help us with that I would like to introduce Bob Hicks, President of Marathon Brake Systems.  Bob has been in the heavy-duty brake business for 30+ years. Bob was the Director of Sales at Carlisle for 23-years and has been the president of Marathon Brake for 10-years. This month Bob is celebrating...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 3: You want the best price possible for the heavy-duty parts you purchase. Your parts distributor wants to make as much money as possible on the heavy-duty parts they sell you.  You need each other but your needs are diametrically opposed, and it seems like it is an intractable problem. Learn how to work with your parts distributor in a way that aligns your mutual needs de...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 2: My name is Jamie Irvine and I am the Host of The Heavy-Duty Parts Report. In this episode, I tell my story of where I am from, how I got into the heavy-duty parts industry, and why I started this podcast. Think of it as a mini-audio biography.  3 Questions Answered in this Episode: Where did Jamie Irvine grow up? How did Jamie Irvine get started in the heavy-duty parts...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 1: It is my pleasure to welcome you to The Heavy-Duty Parts Report. In this episode, I am going to answer some of the questions you may have about what you can expect when you listen to The Heavy-Duty Parts Report. Questions Answered in this Episode: What will The Heavy-Duty Parts Report be all about? The Heavy-Duty Parts Report is an industry-leading podcast where my gues...