Fleet and Heavy Duty Auto Parts
Fleet and industrial vehicles meet special driving demands, which is why they require unique auto parts. Fleet vehicles are owned by government of business entities rather than individuals, so they tend to have higher mileage than most vehicles. Industrial, or heavy duty, vehicles include buses, trucks, and other large vehicles. Both fleet and industrial vehicles need specific belts, hoses, hydraulics, and other accessories in order to function properly. In this post, we’ll provide an overview of some of the most common fleet and heavy duty auto parts.
Common Fleet and Heavy Duty Parts
Read our brief descriptions of the fleet and heavy duty parts that have the highest levels of demand below.
- Belts - heavy duty power transmissions require larger, more durable belts. V-belts, micro-V belts, and belts for backside idler drives are examples of the belts required by heavy duty vehicles.
- Hoses - hoses transport coolant, steam, air, oil, water, gas, and other fluids. Hoses for industrial and fleet cars must be able to withstand heavy use. Heavy duty fleets and equipment for off-roading can be especially taxing on hoses.
- Power steering - power steering hoses and couplings are commonly needed by fleet and industrial vehicles. Examples of parts include the power steering hose, power steering return line hose, and power steering coupling with hydraulic crimpers for assembly in the field.
- Fleet accessories - most trucks require splash guards, or mud flaps, to minimize the amount of splashing from rain and other water. Fleet vehicles may also require static straps to discharge the static electricity from equipment.
- Pulleys and automatic tensionsers - the diesel engines of industrial and fleet vehicles are especially hard on automatic belt tensioners. These engines can vibrate and shake original equipment until it wears out prematurely. Installing heavy duty belt tensioners can help extend the life of this equipment.
Auto Equipment
Fleet/heavy duty auto parts are also used on automobile equipment, such as hydraulic-powered lifts. A cherry picker is one example of a hydraulic lift that requires unique auto parts. Also known as a boom life or a basket crane, a cherry picker provides an aerial platform for workers. Any form of hydraulic lift will require a hydraulic pump, lift arms, a hydraulic lift cylinder, and many other parts. The pumps, motors, parts, and valves required by a hydraulic lift system may be purchased new or refurbished in most cases. Some of the largest manufacturers of hydraulic parts are Racine, Denison, and Vickers.