| |
|
|
from the issue of February 28, 2008
|
| |
|
|
| |
Transportation Services garage keeps campus vehicles on the road
Top-rated Mechanics
BY TROY FEDDERSON, UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
The Transportation Services garage isn't your ordinary auto repair shop.
| |
| | | PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE - John Salzman, an ASE-certified diesel mechanic who works half-time for Transportation Services, lubes the NET remote satellite truck. Photo by Troy Fedderson/University Communications.
|
Sure you'll find auto parts calendars on the wall, big red Snap-on toolboxes at each repair station and the Zen-like calm of any well-run garage. But among the ratchets and creepers, you'll find the logo of a blue cog adorned with three letters, ASE.
"That means we are blue-seal certified by the National Institute of Automotive Excellence," said Patrick Barrett, director of Transportation Services. "There are only two shops in Lincoln that can say that."
Only 19 shops in Nebraska are ASE certified. And, according to the ASE Web site, UNL is the only Big 12 campus to boast an ASE certified repair shop.
ASE is a national organization that rates repair shops based on their experience and repair knowledge. To earn ASE certification, 70 percent of a repair facility's mechanics pass an ASE exam.
The UNL repair shop has seven mechanics - six full-time, one part-time. Six of the seven are ASE certified - John Branson, lead mechanic; Larren Schneckloth, Earl Sinkler, Bill Svehla, Kelly Waggoner and John Salzman. The seventh is Rod Covault, who works only on oil changes, tire repair and exhaust systems.
Even Barrett and the parts/services writer, Warren Nettleton, are ASE certified.
"We're far beyond what you normally think of when it comes to a repair garage," Barrett said. "It's not Mayberry and we don't allow Gomer or Goober to work on our vehicles. Our mechanics are highly trained with years of experience. They have the knowledge and ability to do any repair."
The garage services about 300 of UNL's fleet of 450 vehicles. The remaining 150 are used by university units - such as UNL Extension - across Nebraska and serviced at a local level.
The Transportation Services garage is a full-service facility. The majority of the work completed is preventative maintenance - tire changes/rotations, oil changes and annual safety inspections.
| | BODY SHOP - Kelly Waggoner, an ASE-certified body mechanic, prepares the rear door of a minivan for a coat of primer on Feb. 22. Waggoner does all the body work for Transportation Services. The only body work done by an off-campus vendor involves straightening vehicle frames. Photo by Troy Fedderson/University Communications.
| |
"Our vehicle failure rate is very low because we have a strong preventative maintenance program," Barrett said. "Generally, if we do have a problem, it involves a newer vehicle, which is usually still under warranty."
Along with engine repairs, the shop also offers body repair, a full-service fueling station and vehicle rentals.
"A lot of pride goes into the work done in this shop," said John Lesiak, a service attendant who helps detail rentals. "We all treat these vehicles like they were one of our own."
The shop is also environmentally oriented.
All tires on university vehicles are filled with nitrogen. Barrett said the change - made two years ago - provides better tire wear and a small improvement in fuel economy.
The shop also works to recycle when possible.
Barrett said all used oil is sold to a vendor for other uses. Also, used oil filters are cut in half and the tin from each is recycled. The shop also collects and reuses air conditioner refrigerant when possible.
The shop operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. After hours services are offered in the event of a failure or accident.
Services are for university vehicles only.
"We truly are a top-end facility that offers the best service possible to our university fleet," Barrett said.
GO TO: ISSUE OF FEBRUARY 28
NEWS HEADLINES FOR FEBRUARY 28
Top-rated Mechanics
Lesson in History
Physicists use pixels to track particles
Act expands military service leave options
Fulbright expands Basolo's research
Hominid evolution expert begins UNL visit March 5
Tips on reacting to violence added to emergency Web page
733100S37929X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|