In October 2003, Land Line featured OOIDA member Robert Jordan, a Juneau, WI-based owner-operator who has spent the past decade fine-tuning equipment on his 18-wheeler so he can go 100 percent idle-free without sacrificing in-cab comforts.

In June, Jordan entered three of his idle elimination inventions into the Minnesota Inventors Congress’ annual contest. Ten gold medals were awarded, and Jordan won three of them. He also was honored with the “Friend to the Environment” award.

Jordan’s entries were his Orbit engine heat transfer system, his reefer link system and his Bunk Mate conversion heater.

Jordan has been an owner-operator for 12 years. A self-described “innovator,” he spends his spare time thinking of ways to make his 1997 Mack CH tractor more energy efficient. He says he has recouped the money he spent on his idle-prevention systems many times over.

“At 1.5 gallons per hour, eliminating only 40 hours per week of idling will save you $3,000 per year in fuel costs alone,” he says. “In addition, you will save 2,000 hours of engine and component wear each year.”

More information on Jordan and his innovations, go to www.idlefree.net, a Web site he is building to provide helpful tips to prevent idling.