Equipment

Captured by our intrepid reporter at the big ExpoTransporte truck/bus show in Guadalajara, Mexico, last month was this spectrally minimalist Navistar International that appears to have been purpose-built in the Batcave for strategically positioning a platoon of Caped Crusaders all over Gotham City. In any event, it sure can’t be Ralph Kramden’s idea of a busman’s holiday ride....More

The 2013 U.S. Capitol Christmas tree was harvested from the Colville National Forest in Washington State.  Its cross-country trek will take the 80-year-old, 88-ft.-tall Engelmann Spruce from near Usk, WA, to the West Lawn of the Capitol in Washington, DC.  The tree was slated to make 24 stops along the way. Hauling the evergreen load of holiday cheer was a 2014 Mack Pinnacle Axle Back model.  The truck is wrapped with a custom decal featuring a resolute Mack Bulldog who is, yes, pulling a Christmas tree toward our nation’s capital....More

Backed by its owner’s preferences, and lured by the low cost and green benefits of the fuel, Dillon Transport has made the leap into the world of natural gas tractors. The Burr Ridge, IL-based liquid and dry bulk carrier has taken delivery of 25 Kenworth T800s with the Cummins Westport ISX12 G natural gas engine, bringing its fleet of natural gas tractors to around 60. Dillon has another 100 units on order, which would bring its total natural gas units to about 35% of its 450 or so trucks by the middle of 2014....More

Maintaining clean lube oil in today’s emissions-compliant engines is a tall challenge, notes Martin Barris, engine liquid & hydraulics product director at the Donaldson Co.  “With the potential for multiple sources of contamination—externally and internally generated debris, oil degradation and even combustion by-products—lube oil filters are required to perform in a wide range of contaminant conditions,” he says.  “These challenges are magnified further in extended service applications where lube oil filter design greatly impacts service li...More

Manager: Dan Engelsen Title: Sales engineer Company:  Innovative Products of America, Woodstock, NY Operation: Automotive and truck maintenance shop tool supplier   Problem: Every fleet recognizes the critical role tires and proper tire care play in keeping trucks up and running.  Poor tire inflation, for example, not only affects overall fuel economy but shortens tire life expectancy—creating a double-whammy to the bottom line of carriers....More