Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America has signed 25 new dealers.
Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire is the standard supplier of tires for all new Mack and Volvo trucks sold in North America.
International Truck and Engine Corp. will offer a 600-hp Cummins diesel in its new ProStar tractor. The truck maker also recently was named Transportation-Capital Equipment Supplier of the Year by SYSCO.
Chevron announced that its Delo 400 LE meets the new Mercedes-Benz diesel engine oil specification, and that its CJ-4 and API CI-4 Plus diesel engine oils meet the new Caterpillar ECF-2 specification.
Michelin produced the first X One wide single tire at the company’s plant in Waterville, Nova Scotia.
Citgo’s new Transgard Multi-Purpose automatic transmission fluid is designed specifically for use in General Motors and Ford equipment, as well as Allison electronically controlled transmissions calling for Dexron-II, III and IIIE and Mercon-type fluids. Reportedly, the new fluid features superior friction and oxidation control, foam and aeration suppression, cold-weather performance and wear protection.
Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake plans to commence operation of a new production facility in fourth quarter 2007. Its Frankfort, Ky., facility will shut down later this year. The location of the new facility will be announced later.
Sterling has selected Goodyear tires in size 225/70R19.5 as standard for its new light-duty Bullet truck.
Penske Truck Leasing announced the grand opening of a newly designed facility in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Utility Trailer has made the five-year Stemco Platinum Performance System the standard wheel end equipment on all of its reefer, dry van, flatbed and Tautliner trailers.
A purchasing program offered by Auxiliary Power Dynamics supports fleet managers and owners who install and maintain auxiliary power units on their own trucks.
ConocoPhillips announced several improvements to its AnalysisPlus oil analysis program, including a consolidation of oil analysis service providers and a switch in software service suppliers. The changes were designed to improve pricing and efficiency.
The Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) of the American Trucking Associations is taking applications for a diesel truck technician scholarship to WyoTech. Applications can be downloaded from this site.
Pricedex, a software supplier, has been named recipient of Detroit Diesel’s Outstanding Service Award
for 2006.
Consolidated Metco (ConMet) introduced an interactive PreSet hub training program, which is available online at this site.
Hybrid technologies developed jointly by Peterbilt Motors Co. and Eaton Corp. have been integrated into an aerodynamically styled, heavy-duty vehicle designed for superior fuel efficiency and environmental friendliness.
Wal-Mart Stores, which operates the nation’s second-largest private fleet, is supporting the development by helping to validate the concept and refine the final design as part of its “Sustainability 360” program.
During third-party testing, the Eaton Hybrid Power System reportedly has achieved a 5 to 7 percent fuel saving versus comparable non-hybrid models. It also may result in a saving of one gallon of fuel per hour that normally would be lost when idling.
The heavy-duty hybrid electric power system features an automated manual transmission with a parallel-type “direct” hybrid system, incorporating an electric motor/generator located between the output of an automated clutch and the input to Eaton’s Fuller UltraShift transmission. The system captures energy generated by the diesel engine and recovers energy normally lost during braking, and uses it to charge the batteries. Electricity is sent through the motor/generator, and the torque produced is blended with engine torque to improve vehicle performance, and operate the engine in a more fuel-efficient range for a given speed. The vehicle also can operate only with electric power in certain situations.
When the idle reduction mode is active, engine operation is limited to battery charging, an automatically controlled process that takes about five minutes per hour. In the proposed system design, a proprietary feature minimizes engine vibration during startup and shutdown during the recharge periods, allowing the driver to rest without interruption.
International delivers first ProStar
International Truck and Engine has delivered its first production ProStar. International Truck officials presented the keys to Bernie Cassetori, vice president of U.S. Foodservice, during ceremonies at the truck maker’s Chatham, Ont., manufacturing plant.
Tired of cordless-tool battery woes?
To support its new line of cordless tools, Ingersoll Rand partnered with global leaders in electronics and battery technologies to produce the IQV cordless power system. IQV technology, says IR, makes it possible to have one charger that charges all voltages and chemistries, including nickel-cadmium and lithium-ion batteries from 7.2-volts to 19.2-volts.
An IQV charger automatically detects battery voltage and chemistry, and chooses the correct charge algorithm. By reading the battery, the charger can optimize its charge to improve performance and longevity. The charger’s renew feature restores the battery to like-new condition and calibrates onboard battery electronics. For nickel-cadmium batteries, the renew feature eliminates memory effect, extending the usable battery life up to five times and significantly decreasing the number of replacement batteries over the life of the tool.
Ingersoll Rand backs its IQV Series cordless tools with a one-year tool and charger replacement; a two-year or 1,000 charges limited battery warranty; and a three-year limited warranty on tool and charger.
Users may choose from an extensive line of cordless tools, batteries and accessories, buying only what is needed.
DCX launches CompleteLease
DaimlerChrysler Financial Services has entered into the full-service leasing market with its Sterling Trucks and Chrysler Financial Complete-Lease initiatives.
DCX says it’s offering the convenience of a single-source transportation package for vocational operators whose primary business is not trucking. The programs feature DCX vehicles and tailored financing, including maintenance, repair, titling, registration, compliance services and a fuel card.
The programs initially are offered at select Sterling and Chrysler Group BusinessLink dealers.
EquipmentPuzzler
In February, we asked: Why is the term “accelerator” appropriate for the go-pedal on a diesel-engined vehicle, while “throttle” is more correct for gasoline-powered vehicles?
Bill Keller, retired engineering manager for Sea-Land Services, based in Cranbury, N.J., writes: “Accelerator is correct to describe a diesel engine’s ‘go-pedal’ mechanism since the diesel’s air intake system traditionally runs wide-open on excess air all the time, and fuel is injected just enough to handle the load.
“Throttle is correct to describe a gasoline engine’s go-pedal because a gas engine’s air intake is always restricted, or throttled, via the pedal linkage, to allow the engine to only receive enough air (to maintain the stoichiometric mixture of 14.7 to one air-to-fuel).”
Bill was first on the draw, and he’ll receive an elegant CCJ pen and Air Brake Book. You can join him in his success if you’re the first to e-mail [email protected] with the correct answer to this month’s Puzzler, or if you send in a Puzzler of your own and we use it.
This month’s Puzzler:
If you have an engine that’s governed at 2,000 rpm, a direct-drive transmission and 11R22 tires, what ratio rear axle would you use to achieve a 69-mph top speed?
