Fleet Equipment back issues from April 2009:
Heavy duty dialogue provides insights.(Editorial)(Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association )(Editorial)
Apr 01, 2009; ... The Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association recently hosted its annual Heavy Duty Dialogue, a day-long conference that brings together senior executives in the commercial vehicle industry to discuss current business trends and strategize about the future. More than a dozen top-level ...
SmartWay welcomes Hankook-tire as technology vendor.(Industry Insights)
Apr 01, 2009; ... There's a new participant in the Program! Hankook Tire America recently qualified three of its commercial fleet tires for SmartWay certification, meeting the Program's requirement to reduce rolling resistance by three percent. The TL01 line-haul trailer tire is a new tire design ...
In the news.(Light- & Medium-duty)(Conference news)
Apr 01, 2009; ... North America's largest gathering of vocational trucks and transportation equipment--The Work Truck Show 2009 held in early March in Chicago--featured displays by 490 exhibitors this year. Attendees also took part in the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) 45th annual convention, ...
Steel wheel and rim refinishing.(Timely Tips)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Refinishing steel wheels and rims is a key component of good wheel maintenance. TMC Recommended Practice (RP) 240 gives a comprehensive overview of the proper procedures: Initial inspection: Prior to the refinishing process, the wheel/rim should be thoroughly inspected for any ...
Biodiesel making strides.(Fuels & Lubes)
Apr 01, 2009; ... In previous columns I've mentioned the fact that biodiesel fuels make sense for a variety of reasons unlike corn-based ethanol. So, this month let's investigate how biodiesel fuels are progressing after a few years in the marketplace. Thanks to a lot of pressure from people in ...
When simple choices aren't enough.(Tires & Wheels)
Apr 01, 2009; ... Selecting the best truck tires, or more specifically, matching tires to expected service conditions, has traditionally been accomplished by following a few simple guidelines. The three main service categories suggested by nearly all tire manufacturers have been: 1. high speed line haul, 2 ....
President Obama previews plug-in hybrid.(Industry News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... President Barack Obama recently previewed a plug-in hybrid electric utility truck with a power system developed Eaton Corp. and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). The plug-in hybrid truck, which is estimated to deliver fuel economy improvements of up to 70% compared to a ...
MATS '09; a successful event.(Industry News)(Conference news)(Brief article)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Exhibit Management Associates Inc. (EMA) announced that the Mid-America Trucking Show has eclipsed all pre-show expectations. Prior to the opening of the show, the exhibitors and attendees anxiously awaited the release of the 38th chapter in the legend of Mid-America. As the curtain was ...
Volvo trucks announces surcharge for EPA'10 technology.(Industry News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Volvo Trucks North America said its trucks with EPA'10 emissions reduction technology will include a surcharge of $9,600. This cost is associated with the new technology necessary to meet the strict new emissions standards for ...
Did you Know ...(Industry News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... When deciding whether to do vehicle maintenance in-house or outsource it, the five most important factors in making that determination are: 1. Service quality 2. Skill level of technicians 3. Length of vehicle downtime 4. Ability to control ...
Darry Stuart joins Decisiv board of advisors.(Industry News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... 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 Darry Stuart, founder and principal of DWS Fleet Management Services, an independent "Limited Time Executive" ...
Kenworth Clean Power qualifies for FET exemption.(Industry News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... The Kenworth Clean Power no-idle system has qualified for an exemption from the 12% U.S. Federal Excise Tax (FET). Kenworth Clean Power is available as a factory-installed option for the Kenworth T660, T800 and W900 models ...
Eaton assists fleets with ARRA grants.(Industry News)(Brief article)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Eaton announced it has established a program to assist diesel truck fleet owners in applying for the $156 million in grants for diesel hybrid trucks that are available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Under the Environmental Protection Agency's related Diesel ...
DTNA opens plant in Saltillo, Mexico.(Industry News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) recently opened a new, $300 million manufacturing plant in Saltillo, Coahuila, in northern Mexico. The new facility, which utilizes advanced lean manufacturing processes ...
PSI announces 'MTIS Stimulus Package'.(Industry News)(Pressure Systems International )(Brief article)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Pressure Systems International (PSI), along with Wirth Financial and Velociti, recently announced the MTIS Stimulus Package, a program that will allow fleets to purchase four Meritor Tire Inflation System (MTIS) by PSI retrofit kits, including installation, directly from Velociti, for any ...
Thermo King cuts prices on aftermarket parts.(Industry News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Thermo King Corp. announced it has lowered prices on over 160 key aftermarket parts for Thermo King refrigeration units and TriPac APUs. The price ...
Peterbilt medium-duty hybrids qualify for tax credits.(Industry News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Peterbilt's medium-duty hybrids vehicles purchased in the U.S. are eligible to receive a tax credit of up to $12,000 from the federal government. The maximum $12,000 credit for Class 7 hybrids is available for the Model 335 Hybrid Electric in both utility-boom and pickup and delivery ...
Haldex reaches milestone.(Industry News)(Haldex Commercial Vehicle Systems)(Brief article)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Haldex Commercial Vehicle Systems announced the production of their two-millionth brake shoe at a New Generation Friction Center. Over the past two years, Haldex has invested over one million dollars to ...
FleetNet America incorporates full VMRS coding program.(Industry News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... FleetNet America Inc., a third-party vehicle maintenance company, has expanded its usage of Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards (VMRS) to enhance its ability to apply costs to emergency roadside and preventive maintenance events more precisely across all vehicle types. ...
Grote Industries recently unveiled LightForm technology.(Industry News)(Brief article)
Apr 01, 2009 ... "In the evolution of lighting, this is a totally new species," said Dominic Grote, vice president of sales and marketing. The basic configuration of LightForm is a sheet of plastic material embedded with a pattern of tiny diodes. Only 1 millimeter thick, the illuminated sheet can be ...
Pilot Travel Centers roll out DEF at truck stops.(Industry News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Pilot Travel Centers LLC has announced diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) availability at its North American truck stops. DEF is a required fluid for 2010 selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems that reduce NOx through a catalytic process in the ...
Kenworth hybrid trucks qualify for up to $12,000 in tax credits.(Industry News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Purchasers of certain Kenworth medium-duty diesel-electric hybrid trucks in the U.S. are eligible for a tax credit of up to $12,000, under a qualified hybrid motor vehicle credit available from the federal government. The U.S. Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service recently ...
Colonial Chemical gets API license for DEF.(Industry News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Colonial Chemical Co. has been awarded the first license by the American Petroleum Institute (API) under the API Diesel Exhaust Fluid Certification Program. The API license certifies that the materials used and fluid produced and marketed by the company meets international standards for ...
SAF-Holland begins axle manufacturing at Warrenton.(Industry News)(Brief article)
Apr 01, 2009 ... SAF-Holland has started axle production at its revamped Warrenton, Mo. facility with initial shipments of both drum and disc braked axles. The plant will eventually provide axles for all ...
Onboard safety system analyses released.(Industry News)(Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)(Brief article)
Apr 01, 2009 ... The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has released the findings from three onboard safety system (OSS) studies. The research, sponsored by FMCSA and led by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI,) ...
American Honda Motor Co. begins use of Class 8 hybrid truck.(Industry News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... American Honda Motor Co. Inc. introduced a Class 8 hybrid diesel electric truck into its truck fleet at its parts center in Alpharetta, Ga. Built for Honda by Peterbilt Motors Co., the Smartway-certified Model 386 hybrid truck with a parallel diesel-electric hybrid system developed by ...
Parker introduces hybrid system for Class 8 vehicles.(Industry News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Parker Hannifin Corp. said it continues to refine the company's hydrostatic-mechanical series hybrid drive system designed to reduce fuel consumption in vehicles with high start-and-stop applications, notably for refuse collection vehicles. The latest version, featuring a patent-pending ...
Frost & Sullivan names Snap-on best in five categories.(Industry News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Snap-On Inc. was named best in hand and power tools, tool storage devices, scan tools and floor ...
Oil Purification Systems partners with Polaris Laboratories.(Industry News)(Brief article)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Oil Purification Systems (OPS) has announced a partnership with Polaris Laboratories to perform oil testing and analysis as part of the OPS TruTest Fluid Analysis program. This program uses fluid analysis to identify dirt, wear particles and other contaminants that can ...
Schneider National grows in 2008 despite tough conditions.(Industry News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Schneider National Inc. posted revenues of $3.7 billion in 2008, up from $3.4 billion in 2007. In addition to growing revenue, Schneider achieved its earnings plan in 2008, continuing the company's ...
Phillips Industries wins second consecutive NAPA HD Award.(Industry News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Phillips Industries has won the NAPA Heavy Duty Manufacturer of the Year Award for 2008, the second year in a row the distributor has ...
SPX Service Solutions to supply diagnostic solution to AGCO.(Industry News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... SPX Service Solutions has entered into a five-year agreement with AGCO Corp. of Duluth, Ga., to supply its dealers worldwide with the newly released AGCO Electronic Diagnostic Tool (EDT). AGCO will develop the program diagnostic content and SPX will provide the ...
Wabash National to hold industry open house.(Industry News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Wabash National will host an industry-wide open house this summer at its headquarters in Lafayette, Ind. Invitees will include current and potential customers, investors, ...
Solid footing: correctly specifying and protecting trailer floors can lead to longer service life.(TRAILER TOPICS)
Apr 01, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In the simplest of terms, trailer floors consist of floorboards spread across the width of the trailer and secured lengthwise to crossmembers that run between the bottom rails. In truth, a trailer floor is much more complex. It is, in fact, a system of ...
Fuel efficiency: aluminum wheels, wide base singles.(Spec'ing for ...)
Apr 01, 2009; ... In the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay Transport Partnership's specifications for Class 8 combination vehicles, lighter-weight tractor and trailer components are recommended as potential fuel saving options. Reducing 3,000 lbs. from a heavy-duty vehicle, EPA notes, could ...
Cooling system: old maintenance problems, new technology: manufacturers have addressed many cooling system problems, but regular maintenance is still important.(Management Techniques)
Apr 01, 2009; ... Heat is one thing diesel engines produce in abundance. The role of the engine and truck design engineer is to take that heat and do something useful with as much of it as possible and get rid of the rest in the most efficient way. The heat of combustion in diesels is roughly ...
Beyond the basics: at Epes Transport System, equipment programs are effectively enhancing safety and efficiency, and meeting customer needs.(Fleet Profile & Specs)(Company overview)
Apr 01, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The business strategy of Epes Transport System Inc. is equally simple and clear: "To form long-term partnerships with select customers and bring true customer-recognized value to the relationship by doing more than providing basic transportation." Inherent ...
Resource directory 2009.(Equipment Management)(Directory)
Apr 01, 2009 ... The following directory is intended to provide a quick reference of contacts for both product and training resources. When possible, the listings follow the Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards (VMRS) codes for major groups and systems, which have been developed by the Technology and ...
Truck idling regulations 2009.
Apr 01, 2009 ... The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) recently compiled idling regulations that are in effect in various jurisdictions across the country. Because these are all local ordinances, it is very difficult for fleets to know what laws govern idling. As a service to the industry, ...
Navistar introduces International LoneStar Harley-Davidson Special Edition.(Truck Equipment)
Apr 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Navistar Inc. has introduced the International LoneStar Harley-Davidson Special Edition Class 8 truck, which was designed in collaboration with the legendary motorcycle manufacturer. "The Harley-Davidson Special Edition takes LoneStar to the ...
Western Star introduces Limited Edition "67 Truck.(Truck Equipment)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Western Star Trucks has announced the availability of its limited edition Western Star 4900 model. The Limited Edition 67--representing the year Western Star was introduced to the North American market--will be equipped with a specially built Detroit Diesel DD15 engine and commemorative ...
Vantage Vehicle launches line all-electric utility trucks, vans.(Truck Equipment)(Vantage Vehicle International Inc.)(Brief article)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Vantage Vehicle International Inc., a Corona, Calif.-based manufacturer, announced the release of its all-electric utility truck and passenger and cargo van line through a national network of distributors. The vehicles feature all U.S.-made electric components in a mini-vehicle ...
Truck-Lite debuts LED headlamp.(Truck Products)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Truck-Lite says its new 7-in. round LED headlamp offers the extended life and energy efficiency of light emitting diode technology. The 7-in. round LED headlamps feature solid-state circuit board assemblies for shock and vibration resistance and hard-coated polycarbonate lenses that offer ...
A1 CARDONE diesel fuel systems expands into medium- and heavy-duty applications.(Truck Products)
Apr 01, 2009 ... A1 CARDONE's line of remanufactured diesel injectors recently expanded to include the International DT466E transit bus and the Detroit Diesel 7.6L Series 40E engine (part # 2J401). Several more ...
Freightliner now offers Holland FWAL aluminum fifth wheels as option.(Truck Products)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Daimler Trucks North America LLC now offers Holland FWAL aluminum fifth wheels as an option on its Freightliner long-haul and heavy-duty models. Developed through an engineering collaboration between SAF-Holland and Alcoa, the forged aluminum FWAL Series is more than 100 lbs ....
Cummins ISX Series engine available for Freightliner Cascadia.(Truck Products)
Apr 01, 2009 ... The Cummins ISX Series engine is now available as an option for the Freightliner Cascadia 125-in. BBC product line. The Cummins ISX is available with ...
Thermo King launches new T-Series line.(Trailers & Bodies)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Thermo King has announced the all-new T-Series of temperature control units for straight trucks. The first of the new units will be available for order beginning in May. The T-Series provide improved performance, new state-of-the-art features and a lower life cycle cost, according to ...
Maxon has new slide-type liftgate.(Trailers & Bodies)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Maxon Lift Corp. has introduced the GPSLR series, a slide-type liftgate that rides level from bed to ground. Unlike most liftgates that require multiple steps when storing the gate, press one button to stow and SmartStow ...
FCCC offers new powertrain features.(Trailers & Bodies)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. (FCCC), a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, recently introduced a new powertrain features for its diesel walk-in van, including its vehicle acceleration rate management system (VARMS) and load-based shift scheduling (LBSS). When combined, ...
CIMC introduces new reefer.(Trailers & Bodies)
Apr 01, 2009 ... CIMC and Direct Chassis LLC has jointly introduced a new refrigerated trailer, the CIMC R8000. This new reefer trailer has been completely engineered to meet all U.S. DOT regulations, the manufacturer said. It will be available in June with North American distribution primarily ...
Hunter's RKHD power rack offers alignment options.(Shop Equipment)
Apr 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hunter said its drive-on style RKHD heavy-duty power rack for alignment and general service can be surface mounted or installed in shallow-pit configurations of 24- or 30-in. depths. Each leg of the RKHD bolts directly to the bay floor for maximum strength ...
Bosch introduces multimeter for electric hybrids.(Shop Equipment)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Bosch has introduced the MMD 540H Hybrid Multimeter to allow technicians to test high-voltage electronics on hybrid vehicles. This auto-ranging digital multimeter is CAT HI 1000V-safety- rated, the highest rating ...
OTC offers TPM electronic torque wrench.(Shop Equipment)
Apr 01, 2009 ... OTC, an SPX brand, has introduced its new TPM Electronic Torque Wrench (P/N 3833-25). This torque wrench was designed specifically for use on TPM sensor nuts and will cover torque requirements from 10 to 120 in.-Ibs., eliminating the need for multiple wrenches, the company said. Other key ...
Decisiv integrates with Detroit Diesel eParts catalog.(Shop Equipment)
Apr 01, 2009 ... The Decisiv Service Management Platform (DSMP) has been integrated with eParts, the Internet-based catalog for Detroit Diesel engine information. The maker said the latest integration continues the expansion of features and capabilities in the DSMP, ...
New combustible gas leak detector from Tracerline.(Shop Equipment)
Apr 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Tracerline TP-9363 PRO-Chek CG combustible gas leak detector is designed to find leaks in CNG vehicles, acetylene welding tanks, propane tanks and more. It also detects gasoline, methanol, ethanol, methane, ethane, ...
Snap-on's Fast-Track Troubleshooter updated.(Shop Equipment)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Software Bundle 8.4 for Snap-on's Fast-Track Troubleshooter includes over 40,000 new or enhanced tips and timesavers for 2001 through 2006 vehicle models, including GM, Ford, Mazda and Chrysler drivetrain tips. With the latest software, technicians can search from 25+ ...
Reducing electrical systems costs.(So, what's new ...)
Apr 01, 2009 ... When asked how they reduce electrical system maintenance and replacement cost, a group of your peers responded with a wide range of solutions. Chris Kemmer, researcher at CK Commercial Vehicle Research, recorded the responses of from a list of high-level fleet maintenance directors. Here ...