Western Star touts 80,000-lb. hauler

LAS VEGAS—Western Star Trucks has paired its 6900 XD truck with J&J Truck Bodies & Trailers’ heavy-duty dump body to create a truck for extreme-duty mining and quarry applications built to haul loads of up to 80,000 lbs., the company said.

Currently on display in the Western Star booth here at Conexpo-Con/Agg 2008, the truck features 110,000 lb. planetary drive axles, a Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine with Tier 3 off-highway emission ratings Allison 4500 RDS automatic transmission.

"Western Star is known for its rugged construction and durability, and this is the first time we've offered a body program that caters specifically to the extreme-duty operator," said Chuck Whitehead, vocational segment manager for Western Star Trucks.

According to the company, the 6900 XD is up to 35% more fuel efficient than traditional off-road haulers when haul distances exceed one mile.