Freightliner’s M2 106V
Freightliner’s (www.freightliner.com) new Business Class M2 106V vocational vehicle, unveiled at last month’s Great American Trucking Show in Dallas, joins the truck maker’s Business Class M2 product line. The 106V truck complements the Business Class M2 112V, which was launched in the second quarter of 2004. The 106V and 112V are designed for specialized applications, which require heavy-duty, front-end stability and power. The M2 V truck models are designed for vocational applications such as snowplows, cranes, construction, agriculture, fire and emergency, refuse, utility and municipal and governmental services.
Features of the 106V include a front engine power take-off (PTO) provision for powering snowplows, refuse packers, cranes and utility equipment. Additionally, front frame extensions, with a resistance-bending moment of up to 3.7 million inch-pounds, provide a solid mounting point for hydraulic pumps, winches, front stabilizers and snowplows. These integral frame extensions are offered in 6-, 12- and 24-inch increments.
Along with the other vehicles in the Business Class M2 product line, the new M2 106V features the Freightliner Trucks Multiplex Wiring System for ease of service and maximum customization. This wiring system is especially beneficial for the M2 106V as it enables body builders to modify the PTO interlocks with software instead of designing a new harness.
Additionally, a clean back-of-cab allows for easy body installation, while exhaust stacks can be mounted on the right or left side, vertically or horizontally.
The 106V’s lightweight aluminum cab is designed to maximize payload and resist corrosion. The 106V also features a standard stationary grille and optional hood access hatches for ease of service, which reduces maintenance time and costs. The 106V offers an up-to 55-degree wheel-cut, allowing for maximum agility, while the 2,500-square-inch windshield and low-profile dash provide an expansive view. Fresnel windows are available for a wide-angle passenger-side view.
The 106V comes standard with Freightliner’s proprietary 6.4-liter Mercedes-Benz MBE 906 engine, which offers up to 260 hp and 520-700 pound-feet of torque. The 7.2-liter MBE 926, with up to 330 hp and 800-1000 pound-feet of torque, is available as an option along with the Caterpillar C7 and C9 engines. A full range of transmission options is available, including the Eaton Fuller manual, Allison automatic and the Mercedes-Benz automated gear shift.
The 106V also can be effective for jobs that require increased front-end stability, Freightliner says. Available with front suspension ratings up to 20,000 pounds and single or dual steering gears, the 106V can handle jobs previously unsuited for a truck its size. A complete front axle selection, rated from 10,000 to 20,000 pounds, is available on the new 106V to meet the most demanding applications. Rear axles range from 21,000 to 46,000 pounds.
