Keep Your Cool: Diagnosing and Preventing Summer Cooling System Failures

Episode 6: In this summer-themed episode of the Parts for Trucks Podcast, host Jamie Irvine dives into the critical topic of keeping commercial vehicles cool during the hottest months of the year. With rising temperatures posing serious risks to drivers and equipment, Jamie is joined by Ken Brandt from Horton and Mike Helm from Arctic Traveler Canada to explore preventative maintenance strategies, cooling system technologies, and practical tips for fleets. The episode emphasizes the importance of proactive care to avoid costly breakdowns and ensure driver safety and comfort.Key Topics Covered: Heat Risks for Drivers and Equipment: How extreme summer temperatures impact truck drivers, mobile technicians, and cooling systems.Cooling System Failures: Common causes of overheating, including fan clutch issues and AC system leaks.Fan Clutch Technologies: Overview of on/off, two-speed, and variable-speed fan clutches and their applications.Preventative Maintenance: Best practices for inspecting and maintaining cooling systems, including air pressure checks, component inspections, and rebuild intervals.Remanufacturing Insights: Horton’s high standards for reman fan clutches and how fleets can benefit from reman programs.Inventory and Support Tools: Horton’s VIN decoder, Quick View tool, and Power BI reporting to streamline parts identification and availability.AC System Maintenance: Tips from Arctic Traveler Canada on preventing AC failures, including running systems in winter and replacing dryers after repairs.Vocational Equipment Support: Specialized solutions for off-road, agricultural, and mining equipment cooling systems.Resources Mentioned: Parts for Trucks WebsiteHorton’s 17-digit VIN Decoder ToolHorton Quick View Inventory ToolPreventative Maintenance Checklists from HortonArctic Traveler Canada’s HVAC support and custom coil manufacturingGuest Bio: Ken Brandt – Director of On Road, Horton: With over 40 years in the heavy-duty industry and 25 years at Horton, Ken Brandt brings deep expertise in fan clutch technology and fleet support. He oversees Horton’s On Road division and is a passionate advocate for preventative maintenance and customer training. Ken has played a key role in developing Horton’s remanufacturing standards and support tools for distributors and fleets.Mike Helm – Arctic Traveler Canada: Mike Helm represents Arctic Traveler Canada, a company specializing in HVAC systems for commercial, agricultural, and off-road vehicles since 1960. With a strong focus on preventative maintenance and customer education, Mike supports fleets across Canada in maintaining reliable AC systems and minimizing downtime during extreme weather conditions.Connect With Us: Available on PartsForTrucks.com/podcast, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms. Disclaimer: The Parts For Trucks podcast is produced by Parts for Trucks, Inc. for informational and entertainment purposes only. The content, opinions, and views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of Parts For Trucks, Inc. Read more... Visit PartsForTrucks.com/podcast for all links.