Fleet Equipment back issues from May 2008:
In search of a "green" shop.(Editorial)
May 01, 2008; ... As one famous frog once said, "It's not easy being green." Fleets that operate in today's regulated environment have found out just how true that statement can be. In the last couple of decades, the EPA has been "nudging" our industry along. For on-highway heavy-duty diesel ...
"Brother, can you spare a dime?".(Industry Insights)
May 01, 2008; ... "Brother, can you spare a dime?" This was a phrase that was once all too common and even made it into a popular song during the Great Depression. Unfortunately, it might well make a comeback in these relatively hard economic times. The federal government did much to end the Depression some ...
Scrap tires: opportunities, problems.(Tires & Wheels)
May 01, 2008; ... Every two years, the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) publishes a report titled "Scrap Tire Markets in the United States" (www.rma.org./scrap_tires), widely respected for its comprehensive data collection, analysis and trending. Approximately 300 million fires reach scrap ...
Troubleshooting hydraulic hose.(Timely Tips)
May 01, 2008 ... Hydraulic hose and fittings found on modern diesel trucks can have a limited service life that is directly dependent on the conditions to which they are applied. Continuous use of hydraulic components at maximum working pressure, maximum recommended operating temperature and minimum bend ...
Wide-ranging initiative.(Light- & Medium-duty)
May 01, 2008; ... The Colorado State Fleet Management agency is helping cut fuel consumption and enhance its protection of the environment. With approximately 6,000 vehicles in the state fleet, the potential for reducing the operation's environmental impact is considerable. For Art Hale, Colorado State ...
Food for thought--for the future.(Management Techniques)(Editorial)
May 01, 2008; ... Recently, I was invited to participate in a panel discussion at a meeting of the Automotive Communications Council, whose members are primarily marketing and communications personnel from the suppliers to the automotive aftermarket. The focus of this panel discussion was issues facing the ...
How about those diesel fuel prices?(Fuels & Lubes)
May 01, 2008; ... Whenever I fuel up a vehicle these days, I automatically think about truck fleet operators. How can you possibly survive these high diesel fuel prices? This month, I'd like to discuss diesel fuel economy in hopes that I might say something which could help direct your thinking to improve ...
DDC adopts Daimler BlueTec for EPA 2010.(Industry News)
May 01, 2008 ... Detroit Diesel Corp. (DDC) announced plans to introduce Daimler's BlueTec System as its chosen technology to meet the upcoming stringent EPA 2010 standards for heavy-duty trucks. According to the DDC, BlueTec is the latest in clean diesel engine technology and will incorporate enhanced ...
EPA makes $50m available to clean up diesel engines.(Industry News)
May 01, 2008 ... The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the availability of almost $50 million in grant funding to establish clean diesel projects aimed at reducing emissions from the nation's existing fleet of diesel engines. The grants, authorized by the EPA in 2005 and ...
Greatec wide base tires earn SmartWay certification.(Industry News)
May 01, 2008 ... Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC (BFNT) announced its Greatec wide base drive and Greatec wide base trailer radials have been added to the EPA SmartWay-certified list of commercial tires. Besides meeting SmartWay's fuel efficiency specifications, Greatec radials offer the ...
Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products.(PEOPLE PROFILES)
May 01, 2008 ... Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products has promoted ...
DENSO Corp.(PEOPLE PROFILES)
May 01, 2008 ... DENSO Corp. plans to elect Nobuaki Katoh as new president and CEO after the annual shareholders meeting in June. Current President and CEO Koichi Fukaya will ...
East Manufacturing.(PEOPLE PROFILES)
May 01, 2008 ... East Manufacturing has promoted ...
Heil Environmental.(PEOPLE PROFILES)
May 01, 2008 ... Heil Environmental has hired ...
Horton, Inc.(PEOPLE PROFILES)
May 01, 2008 ... Horton, Inc. has appointed Tom Hujik to the position ...
Silver Eagle Manufacturing Co.(PEOPLE PROFILES)
May 01, 2008 ... Silver Eagle Manufacturing Co. said Mark Jurman ...
Goodyear announces 25th Highway Hero.(Industry News)
May 01, 2008 ... To Goodyear's 25th North American Highway Hero winners, the actual hero is 9-year-old Abby Bern. Despite their lofty life-saving efforts, they insist they're merely "Abby's Angels." Although truck driver Richard Filiczkowski, of Zion, Ill., jumped into an icy South Dakota pond on April 26, ...
Michelin demonstrates commitment to SmartWay.(Industry News)
May 01, 2008 ... Michelin said its eight tire models, which deliver outstanding performance and low rolling resistance, are approved for use by SmartWay to enable truck carriers to certify their tractors and trailers. Michelin also received a SmartWay Excellence award in 2007 in recognition of the ...
Fontaine International wins award.(Industry News)
May 01, 2008 ... International Truck and Engine Corp. has named leading fifth wheel manufacturer Fontaine International--North America a Diamond Supplier for 2007. Fontaine is one of only three suppliers to earn this prestigious award five years in a row. According to ...
ASE updates refrigerant program.(Industry News)
May 01, 2008 ... The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has updated its Section 609, EPA-approved Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Program. This latest version includes EPA's adoption of a new standard for refrigerant handling equipment, along with updated awareness of acceptable ...
Truett Novosad wins Truck-Lite trophy from NAST.(Industry News)(National Association of Show Trucks )(Brief article)
May 01, 2008 ... Truett Novosad has won the Truck-Lite Trophy. Throughout its 2007 truck show season, the National Association of Show Trucks (NAST) awarded trophy finalist status to one champion truck at ...
Kenworth medium-duty hybrids enter full production.(Industry News)
May 01, 2008 ... Kenworth will begin full production of medium-duty, diesel-electric hybrid trucks this summer, the company announced recently. The truck maker said it offers the fuel-efficient, hybrid option on its new T270 Class 6 and T370 Class 7 conventional models and will produce the trucks at the ...
Freightliner's Cascadia now SmartWay-certified.(Industry News)
May 01, 2008 ... Freightliner Trucks announced that the Cascadia has been designated as SmartWay-certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Cascadia marks the third Freightliner Class 8 truck--along with the Columbia and Century Class S/T--to earn this certification. Freightliner ...
Accuride launches new website.(Industry News)(Website overview)
May 01, 2008 ... Accuride International announced the launch of their newly refreshed website (www.accuride.com) designed with enhanced imagery and navigation features ...
NTEA announces 17 new members.(Industry News)(National Truck Equipment Association)(Brief article)
May 01, 2008 ... Seventeen additional National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) member companies have achieved Member Verification Program (MVP) status for the first quarter of 2008. This brings the total number of companies who have achieved MVP status to 363 since the program began in May 2005. ...
Mid-America returns to full force.(Industry News)(truck industry arranged exhibition)(Brief article)
May 01, 2008 ... Exhibit Management Associates Inc. has announced that the MidAmerica Trucking Show (MATS) once again proved its mettle. With 1,174 exhibitors representing 47 states and 12 foreign countries, MATS 2008 forged its place in the industry record books by delivering the largest heavy-duty ...
Volvo engines meet California clean idle certification.(Industry News)
May 01, 2008 ... Volvo said its family of D11, D13 and D16 engines can be ordered with an optional Low NOx Idle, or LNI, feature. With LNI, Volvo engines are certified to emit 30 g/hr. or less of NOx while idling. California regulations prohibit trucks that do not meet this standard from idling for more ...
PSI recognizes Great Dane with excellence award.(Industry News)(Pressure Systems International)(Brief article)
May 01, 2008 ... Pressure Systems International (PSI) has presented Great Dane Trailers with its 2007 Customer Excellence Award. Great Dane was chosen by PSI to receive this annual award for their contribution in making the Meritor Tire Inflation System (MTIS) by PSI the most widely used tire inflation ...
Celadon Trucking Services earns EPA's top SmartWay score.(Industry News)
May 01, 2008 ... Celadon Trucking Services Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Celadon Group Inc., has earned the top score awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for freight carriers that participate in their SmartWay Transport Partnership. Celadon has earned a Shipper Index ...
Arrow Truck Sales announces contest winner.(Industry News)(Financial report)
May 01, 2008 ... Arrow Truck Sales, a source of pre-owned heavy- and medium-duty trucks, has selected Donald Turkelson of Battle Creek, Mich., as the winner of its Back On The Road 2008 Contest. Arrow and its industry associates announced the winner of Back On the Road at the 2008 Mid-America Trucking ...
PPG selected as paint supplier for Sterling Trucks.(Industry News)
May 01, 2008 ... Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has announced it has selected PPG Industries as its OEM and aftermarket paint supplier for the Sterling Truck Corp. manufacturing facility in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada. Daimler said it already uses PPG's standard black ...
Hengst of North America Inc. exhibits at the MATS.(Industry News)(Brief article)
May 01, 2008 ... For the first time, Hengst of North America Inc. exhibited at the Mid America Trucking Show. Hengst said it presented numerous patented innovations for the trucking industry ....
Puradyn receives POs for $1,100,000 plus.(Industry News)
May 01, 2008 ... Puradyn Filter Technologies Inc. said it has received purchase orders totaling over $1,100,000 for 3,000 puraDYN oil filtration systems and 5,800 filters from one of its international distributors. The systems and filters are ...
WIX announces Heavy Duty Guardian Sweepstakes.(Industry News)
May 01, 2008 ... During the WIX Filters' Heavy Duty Guardian Sweepstakes heavy-duty technicians will have the chance to score great instant and grand prizes, including a Harley Davidson XL 1200N Nightster. Technicians can receive an official WIX Filters Heavy Duty Guardian Instant Win Game card ...
Decisiv delivers Navistar service program.
May 01, 2008 ... Decisiv Inc., the provider of an advanced web-based technology designed to enable more informed and timely decisions critical to maintaining commercial vehicles, announced that Navistar has launched the Decisiv-developed Service Partners program for dealers and fleet customers. ...
Freightliner customers win Truck Beauty Competition.
May 01, 2008 ... Freightliner Trucks named its winning customers from the eighth annual Paul K. Young Memorial Truck Beauty Show conducted at the Mid-America Trucking Show in March. Major overall winners of the Pride & Polish event include Robert and Shelley Brinker, of Grayling, Mich., who won Best of ...
PPG MVP training receives accreditation.
May 01, 2008 ... PPG's MVP Business Development Training Series has recently been approved for inclusion in both the I-CAR Industry Training Alliance and The Automotive Management Institute (AMI). According to PPG, the series encompass all aspects of managing a ...
Emission control--2010: whether the choice is SCR or enhanced EGR, suppliers describe their solutions as 'proven technology'.(Management Techniques)
May 01, 2008; ... Good news! You won't be faced with any new engine technology in a couple of years. While engine makers are planning on using various means to qualify their products for the enhanced emissions regulations that will take effect in 2010, all will use technologies long proven on the road. Most ...
Fleet managers grade 2007 engines.(Brief article)
May 01, 2008 ... At the recent annual meeting of the Technology and Maintenance Council, three fleet managers offered their analysis of diesel engine performance since the first EPA regulations became effective in 2002. Although Steve Duley, vice president of vehicle purchasing for Schneider National, Dan ...
Application specific: alternatively powered vehicles.(Spec'ing for ...)
May 01, 2008; ... During the recent Hybrid Truck & Alternative Fuels Ride-and-Drive held at The Work Truck Show 2008, attendees had the opportunity to test drive as many as 14 new hybrid and alternative fueled vehicles (AFVs). Significant growth in the development and increased use of medium-duty hybrid ...
Navistar.(BUS NEWS)
May 01, 2008 ... Navistar, through its wholly owned affiliate, the school and commercial bus manufacturer, IC Corp., will begin production of hybrid school buses in partnership with Enova Systems. The buses, according to the manufacturer, can improve fuel efficiency by 70 to 100 percent while reducing ...
CALSTART has launched contracts for five major fuel cell bus technology development projects with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).(BUS NEWS)
May 01, 2008 ... CALSTART has launched contracts for five major fuel cell bus technology development projects with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The newest $24-million effort involves multiple fuel cell and drive system providers, and three transit districts and three major bus makers. The ...
Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp.(WALK-IN AFV NEWS)
May 01, 2008 ... Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. (FCCC) now offers a compressed natural gas (CNG) powered chassis for the walk-in van market. In early 2008, UPS will deploy 167 new FCCC CNG-powered walk-in vans in California, Texas and Georgia. FCCC builds both the MT-45 and MT-55 CNG-powered ...
Azure Dynamics Corp., a developer of hybrid electric and electric powertrains for commercial vehicles, has signed a supply agreement with Utilimaster Corp., a builder of step vans, commercial truck bodies and utility vehicles, for the assembly, hybridization and manufacturing engineering of its P1 hybrid electric commercial delivery vans and shuttle buses.(WALK-IN AFV NEWS)
May 01, 2008 ... Azure Dynamics Corp., a developer of hybrid electric and electric power-trains for commercial vehicles, has signed a supply agreement with Utilimaster Corp., a builder of step vans, commercial truck bodies and utility vehicles, for the assembly, hybridization and manufacturing engineering ...
"Green" and productive: all-electric drivetrain on Purolator Quicksider demonstrates how alternative powertrains contribute to greater productivity.(Equipment Technology)
May 01, 2008 ... It's all well and good to promote a "green" corporate image, but ultimately companies expect alternative-powered vehicles to deliver a return on the investment. What good is a smaller carbon footprint when it can so easily be washed away by a rising tide of acquisition and operating costs? ...
Filter advancements: older vehicles can benefit from technology developed for newer engines, with benefits that include longer service intervals and reduced emissions.(Aftermarket Insights)
May 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mandates to reduce emissions and improve performance of on-highway heavy-duty diesel engines in the past decade have spurred enhancements in filtration products. Filter technology developed for modern high-heat generating engines, for example, can also ...
Back to the basics: for Tango Transport, focusing on PM training is already paying dividends in lower operating costs.(Fleet Profile & Specs)(Company overview)
May 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Late-model trucks, notes Ken Eggen, director of maintenance at Tango Transport, require a focus on preventive maintenance. "The key to uptime and low costs is to find issues needing repair when PMs are performed," he says. "Technicians on the shop floor ...
Peterbilt offers green technology, new suspension, navigational system and more.(Truck Equipment)
May 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bill Jackson, vice president, PACCAR and Peterbilt general manager, outlined a number of technical advancements recently during the Mid-America Trucking Show. Citing industry interest in green technology and the push toward alternative fueled vehicles, ...
Mack introduces Titan for vocational market.(Truck Equipment)(Brief article)
May 01, 2008 ... Designed for heavy transport and heavy construction applications, the Mack Truck's new Titan model is powered by its new MP10 engine, a 16-L modem-day workhorse with a top rating of 605 HP and a massive 2,060 lb.-ft. of torque, the company said. While the Titan by Mack raises ...
Kenworth travels "Green" highway.(Truck Equipment)
May 01, 2008 ... Kenworth's comprehensive environmental program is focused on alternative fuels, hybrid technologies, idle reduction, aerodynamic performance and driver awareness technologies. "High diesel fuel prices and new environmental rules will drive innovative new technologies in the commercial ...
Cascadia now has new model and SmartWay certification.(Truck Equipment)(Brief article)
May 01, 2008 ... Freightliner Trucks announced that its Cascadia is now available in a 72-in. XT model. The new model of the Class 8 vehicle is the second sleeper variation of the on-highway truck to be introduced. Constructed with Freightliner Truck's Run Smart philosophy to be the most ...
Thermo. King has DPF, arctic kits for TriPac.(Truck Products)
May 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Thermo King said it has developed a diesel particulate filter (DPF) for its TriPac Hybrid Auxiliary Idle Reduction and Temperature Management System. The DPF is designed to meet APU emissions requirements required by the California Air Resources Board ...
Toyo introduces two new truck tires.(Truck Products)
May 01, 2008 ... Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. has introduced the new M154 ultra-premium, all-steel regional highway tire for medium trucks and the M137 premium high performance steer radial for long haul, on-highway applications. The M154 tire was created using e-balance, Toyo's new proprietary design ...
Horton introduces Stratis viscous fan drives.(Truck Products)
May 01, 2008 ... Horton Inc. has announced the introduction of its Stratis viscous fan drives in anticipation of the 2010 and Euro V emissions standards. Managed by the engine's electronic control unit for precision fan speed control, Horton said these directly controlled viscous fan drives are designed to ...
Proprietary air disc brakes for Class 8 Freightliners.(Truck Products)
May 01, 2008 ... Freightliner Trucks recently announced the introduction of air disc brakes to its factory-installed options for its Class 8 commercial vehicles, including the Cascadia, Columbia, Coronado and Century Class S/T. The new Bendix ADB22X-V Air Disc Brake, designed specifically for ...
Webb Wheel unveils new brake technology.(Truck Products)
May 01, 2008 ... Webb Wheel Products Inc. recently unveiled the Webb Vortex, which the company said is a new idea in light weight brake drum design utilizing dependable full cast iron metallurgy. Webb engineers designed a brake drum profile which results in a lighter weight drum that does not compromise ...
Phillips Industries introduces i-Box.(Truck Products)
May 01, 2008 ... Phillips Industries has introduced the i-BOX, a larger, more efficient nosebox to handle the expanding electronic requirements of today's trailers, the company said. The iBOX, short for "Information Box," was developed by Phillips Industries at the request of a major U.S. trucking fleet, ...
Cummins ComfortGuard APU complies with CARB 2008.(Truck Products)
May 01, 2008 ... Cummins Inc. recently announced two new ComfortGuard APU solutions that are compliant to meet the 2008 California Air Resources Board's (CARB) idle reduction regulation. The new CARB idle reduction regulation, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2008, established more stringent standards to ...
Timken has wide singles solution.(Truck Products)
May 01, 2008 ... Timken said its innovation has resulted in bearing solutions for the heavy truck industry for more than a century. Its new 454-Series wheel bearings, incorporating proprietary design, continue the legacy by delivering tomorrow's high-performance wheel-end technology today. ...
Michelin introduces new retread technology.(Truck Products)
May 01, 2008 ... Michelin Retread Technologies (MRT) has introduced another breakthrough in retread technology. The Michelin XDN2 Pre-MoldM retread is designed as an all-weather drive retread and is optimized for exceptional traction and mileage. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The XDN2 ...
UltraShift HV transmission available on Hino trucks.(Truck Products)
May 01, 2008 ... Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corp. announced that the UltraShift Highway Value (HV) transmission will be offered by Hino Trucks on their 2009 model year 268A and 338 truck models. According to the company, by combining the UltraShift HV with the ...
New Air-Weigh entry-level scale announced.(Truck Products)
May 01, 2008 ... Air-Weigh is expanding its onboard scale product family with the addition of a new entry-level weighing solution, the company said. The new scale, named QuickLoad, incorporates state-of-the-art hardware and software technology packaged in a compact in-dash display. It also ...
Cole Hersee introduces 200 amp electronic relay.(Truck Products)
May 01, 2008 ... Cole Hersee Co. said it is offering a new 200 Amp Electronic Relay (part number 48520), which is designed for ultra-high power electronic applications in the trucking industry. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The 12V DC 200 Amp Electronic Relay is fully sealed and ...
Tuthill Drive Systems premieres EZ Trac.(Truck Products)
May 01, 2008 ... Tuthill Drive Systems said it is steering a new course for heavy equipment mobility by introducing the first commercially available steerable, hydraulic drive axle for trucks that require both on- and off-highway capabilities. EZ Trac, which has been in development since June ...
Reyco Granning introduces Class 8 IFS.(Truck Products)(Brief article)
May 01, 2008 ... Reyco Granning has introduced what it describes as the industry's first viable Class 8 independent front suspension, allowing Class 8 trucks to attain automobile-type handling, with minimal cost and weight penalty. Designed for over-the-road trucks and trailers, the suspension promises to ...