Fleet Focus: AMX Trucking, Inc.

Alabama Motor Express Improves Maintenance ROI with Marathon

Alabama Motor Express, a.k.a. AMX Trucking, Inc., runs a tight ship, which of course is pretty much a necessity if you're going to succeed in today's hyper-competitive trucking industry. As a general dry box carrier that hauls freight throughout the US lower 48, the AMX fleet carries widely varying loads across even more widely varying terrain. Finding the right brake lining to stand up to such a range of conditions while delivering consistent stopping power with a long lining life was a challenge and priority for AMX.

In order to maximize uptime for their trucks and trailers, AMX pays close attention to maintenance details and demands the products used within their fleet perform to an extremely high standard. Headquartered in Ashford, AL, AMX has a full service maintenance department that handles a fleet of more than 250 trucks and 600 trailers.

For years AMX had struggled to find a brake lining that would satisfy their safety concerns for reliable stopping under often difficult conditions while providing wear characteristics that would fit their desired brake reline schedule. About 10 years ago, AMX's brake shoe reline partner, Tri States Brake Center, suggested to Jackie Dansby, AMX Maintenance Director, that he give Marathon Brake Systems' HeatStar friction material a full trial.

Mr. Dansby summarized the transition to HeatStar "Our fleet is a tough customer, we haul a lot of different loads all over the US and Canada. We were having a hard time finding a brake lining that could give us the lining life we wanted while stopping our trucks every time. From the moment we gave Marathon's HeatStar a try, it's truly been a star."

HeatStar is a premium brake lining rated for 23,000 lb. axle loads and specifically formulated to handle varied loads over varied terrain, including tough mountains. Dansby concluded by saying, "We've been running HeatStar for more than 10 years now, with consistent performance and no problems. Our brake reline cycle has been extended and HeatStar has definitely helped our maintenance ROI. And our drivers are happy with the way our trucks stop."

"From the moment we gave Marathon's HeatStar a try, it's truly been a star."

Jackie Dansby
AMX Maintenance Director

Brown Trucking relies on Marathon's Floe 23k Brake Lining

Brown is a heavy hauler that has achieved exceptional results out of Marathon's Floe, high density, friction material. "Our operation is a demanding one! Marathon's material provides us with long lining life, exceptional braking confidence and low cost per mile savings, all of the things that we expect from a worldwide manufacturer of heavy duty friction products." Lanny Kimbrell Operations Manager Darrel Brown Trucking Inc. Adamsville, AL.

My lining life has increased by over 20 percent on drive axle shoes and over 50 percent on the steer axles

Prior to discovering Marathon Brake linings, my fleet had chronic issues with rust jacking leading to premature removal of the brake shoe. Although I tried many different brake products, nothing solved my problem. Once I found Marathon's Heat Star lining I was completely hooked. Converting to Heat Star has completely solved my rust jacking issues. Since I began using Heat Star 5 years ago, I've never had a brake shoe issue, and my lining life has increased by over 20% on drive axle shoes and over 50% on the steer axles. Because I know that Heat Star is a stronger, higher density material, I no longer have concerns about stopping safely, which is important for my fleet - a truckload carrier. Overall, Heat Star has saved me the cost of a brake job over the life of each of my vehicles, which has resulted in a great savings for Houff Transfer Inc. Michael Fulk VP of Maintenance Houff Transfer Inc. Weyers Cave, VA

Marathon Floe 23K Provide Exceptional Stopping Power

Black Diamond Leasing, LLC is a coal hauler in North Alabama and has been using Marathon brake lining for several years. "We use Marathon's 23k FLOE material. We have been thoroughly satisfied with it's performance. The brakes provide exceptional stopping power, yet are extremely drum compatible. Extended lining and drum life have contributed to the reduction of our overall maintenance operation costs, thus lowering our cost per mile expense". Lanny Kimbrell Maintenance Supervisor Black Diamond Leasing, LLC Quinton, Alabama

Stopping power of the Heat Star is very good, with no brake fade

Anderson Concrete has 55 mixers, and we switched to the Marathon Brake Heat Star™ product several years ago. We used to change our brakes every other year, and often had problems with cracking of the lining that caused us to have to change brakes even sooner. Since we switched our brake purchases to Marathon's Heat Star product, we are changing brakes only once every 3 to 4 years. We have never had a cracked brake shoe since we switched to Heat Star. Heat Star has performed consistently well and saved our maintenance folks hundreds of hours in brake maintenance. Stopping power of the Heat Star is very good, with no brake fade. Our longest haul is about 15 to 20 miles, and the braking power is very consistent. Half of the time the mixer is loaded and heavy and the other half of the time the mixer is empty and runs light. The Heat Star material provides the right amount of braking under both conditions. We couldn't be more happy with Heat Star linings and Marathon Brake. Stanley G. Ward Shop Superintendent Anderson Concrete Corp. Columbus OH

Marathon Heat Star Doubles Lining Life and Drum Life

We switched to Marathon's Heat Star™ brake block 5 years ago. We operate a general hauling, dump truck operation and are extremely impressed with the product's performance. Once we began using the Heat Star, our brake lining life more than doubled. Heat Star provides sure, safe, stopping power for our trucks. The product has also allowed us to double our drum life, affording us tremendous savings on our annual brake maintenance costs. Mike Dills Owner Dills Trucking LLC Jefferson, GA

Marathon Heat Star Outperforms Meritor MA-312

Extensive test results convinced us to switch over to Marathon's Heat Star™ brake lining on all of our severe duty, refuse and recycling applications. We had been using Meritor's MA-312 lining. The Heat Star more than doubled our brake lining life on our vehicles. Our drivers make over 120 stops per day and put close to 1000 miles per week on our vehicles. The Heat Star linings provide us with 4 to 4 1/2 months of service along with the stopping power that we require in our day to day operations. Lenny Signorile Operations Manager American Waste and Recycling Gainesville, Georgia