Lubrizol and Cat team up to develop new fuel
Lubrizol Inc. and Caterpillar Inc. are jointly developing a low-emissions diesel fuel designed to power commercial-use engines.
Lubrizol says the fuel will benefit from its performance chemistry and system capabilities along with Cat's knowledge of engine combustion and emissions. The new fuel will be sold by fuel marketers and distributors, and be supported by fully integrated chemical, electronic, and mechanical components sold by Lubrizol under the trade name "PuriNOx Performance Systems."
According to Lubrizol, PuriNOx fuel is a stable blend of additives, water, and commercial diesel fuel. The company says tests indicate that PuriNOx significantly reduces two of the most critical emissions from compression-ignition diesel engines-nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulates.
NOx emissions are reduced by 5-30% and particulate emissions by 20-50%. PuriNOx can be used in both older and newer diesels, and requires no modifications to fuel systems or engine hardware.
Lubrizol says the fuel will be blended using its proprietary PuriNOx blending units "to meet the needs of fuel marketers and distributors, and fuel users."
PuriNOx Performance Systems are currently undergoing both laboratory and market evaluation for various applications. Once the evaluations are concluded, the product will be offered commercially to fuel marketers and distributors in emissions-sensitive regions.
A joint development by General Motors' Service Parts Operations and the newly organized GM Fleet and Commercial Operations, GM Goodwrench Fleet Service provides vehicle maintenance and management specially created for commercial truck fleets.
The program, which extends the consumer GM Goodwrench brand name to the fleet market, includes dedicated service advisors for commercial customers, extended weeknight and weekend service hours, consolidated recordkeeping, centralized billing, up-front pricing, and an optional fuel and maintenance card. It also promises commercial truck users a two-hour maximum on repair diagnosis, expedited parts delivery, and repairs made by GM-certified technicians with GM parts.
The fleet Goodwrench service will be available at qualified GMC Truck and Chevrolet commercial truck dealerships. The optional GM Wright Express Card can be used by drivers to pay for maintenance at participating dealers, as well as for fuel and oil.
The 4964SX is the newest member of Western Star's Constellation Series. With a design that improves visibility over the fenders and hood corners, the truck is easy to maneuver in construction and logging applications. With a 4-in. increase in hood slope, turning clearance is also improved. A tapered, swept-back logger style bumper complements the aerodynamic hood design.
Reflector optics reduce driver fatigue
Truck-Lite has increased light output in its new headlamp assembly. Designed for a major vehicle manufacturer to be performance-oriented and afford customers low maintenance, the headlamp complements the styling of the OEM's 2000-model truck.
The design incorporates a 9007 bulb with complex reflector technology to increase both brightness and intensity. According to the manufacturer, the beam pattern formed by the uniquely designed reflector optics is fuller and projects farther.
One of the major benefits of the new design, Truck-Lite notes, is a reduction in driver fatigue due to eyestrain during night driving. The 9007 burner is readily available, inexpensive, and easy to replace through the rear of the headlamp assembly. And since it snap-locks into the exact position as the one removed, the time-consuming job of re-aiming the headlamp is eliminated.
The new headlamp assembly also incorporates LED technology for brightness and visibility, as well as longer lasting performance. It features a housing and clear lens that is molded from engineering grade thermoplastic material and is further protected with a silicone hard-coat. The aerodynamic styling of the headlamp housing was formed to match the vehicle's body and includes metalized details that are visible through the clear lens, projecting a jewel-like appearance.
Featuring a compressible kingpin insert and a sealed thrust bearing, the new low maintenance system (LMS) for the Spicer E-12001 Integral Arm steer axle family is designed to reduce total ownership costs, extend axle life, and minimize downtime, according to Dana Corp.'s Spicer Heavy Axle and Brake Div.
The LMS steer axle package, which will also be available on the Spicer E-13201 and E-1200W wide-track models, offers a 1-yr./100,000-mi. extended lube interval with standard chassis grease.
A new tie-rod end design is also said to better resist wear while improving vehicle alignment performance. In linehaul applications, the LMS tie-rods will carry an extended 3-yr./350,000-mi. warranty.
Freightliner Corp.'s Portland, Ore., truck manufacturing plant recently produced its 300,000th truck. The milestone vehicle, a Century Class tractor, was presented to fleet customer Transport America in a special ceremony at the facility. The plant first opened on nearby Swan Island in 1952 before moving to the new location in 1968.
Mobil Delvac 1 and Mobil Delvac 1300 Super commercial engine oils have been upgraded to new performance levels. While the products already exceeded the new lower emissions standards issued by the American Petroleum Institute (API), Mobil upgraded them to enable vehicle operators with 1999-certified engines to operate to their maximum potential in both transient and steady-state conditions, the manufacturer reports.
The advanced formulations are also designed to operate with higher amounts of carbon soot at the same oil drain intervals as engines that were certified prior to 1999.
Mobil has also initiated distribution of Mobil Delvac Xtreme Service Grease, a new heavy-duty extended-service truck grease.
The product, the company reports, offers customers expanded service intervals matching the extended drain intervals of Mobil's line of engine motor oils.
Michelin North America has launched a program to provide fleets with a customized plan for streamlining overall tire management costs.
TEAM Agreement is a contract between the fleet, Michelin, and an independent tire dealer.
The contract covers all tire services, including the purchase of new Michelin tires, tire repair and service, mounted wheel programs, alignment, retreading, wheel and rim balancing, wheel refurbishing, and emergency road services.
Before a TEAM Agreement is signed, fleet tire and usage information is gathered and analyzed by Michelin and an independent tire dealer in cooperation with the fleet. Once this is done, a customized plan is developed to meet the fleet's specific needs.
Throughout the life of the contract, the fleet, the tire dealer, and Michelin continue working together to make decisions and adjustments to the agreement.
TecBrake has released the T765A Series 60 engine brake for use with the 12.7-liter Detroit Diesel engine, along with the T760A Series 60 engine brake for the 11.1-liter Detroit Diesel engine. Both models can be installed on DDECII or DDECIII brake-ready engines. The controls for the DDECII and DDECIII engine are listed as an option and must be ordered separately.
Cummins announced it is combining its automotive and industrial business units into a single engine unit to be headed by F.J. Loughrey, executive-vp and group president. Loughrey will also continue as chief technical officer for the company. The company has also named Tim Solso as successor to chairman and CEO James Henderson, who will retire at the end of the year.
Carrier Transicold has introduced CARE (Carrier Applied Refrigeration Experience), a recruitment and training program to address the transport refrigeration industry's technician shortage problem. The 10-mo. program combines classroom and practical instruction with paid employment.
Mack Trucks' Parts and Service Div. now offers two new emergency service assistance programs; a revitalized fleet credit line program, MACKCHARGE; an "all-makes" product line that includes a list of preventive maintenance items; "smart" warehouses; and on-line assistance.
The Lift Buyer's Bible from Rotary Lift addresses the economics of lift ownership, safety, industry standards, fundamentals of lift design, what to look for in a manufacturer, and how to buy a lift. For more information, visit www.rotarylift.com.
A prototype Truck Rollover Warning System was introduced at a recent NTSB hearing on advanced safety technology for commercial vehicles. The system features Raytheon Control-By-Light technology that uses the interaction between on-board sensors and roadside beacons to alert commercial drivers of dangerous curves.
Testing of the prototype system began last month on a fleet of U.S. Xpress trucks operating in Tennessee, where roadside transmitters positioned at high-risk curves along I-75 will interact with the on-board systems to alert drivers of the heightened risk of rollover.
The system includes trailer instrumentation and a dash-mounted computer/display device. Rollover risk is determined by trailer status and other information such as vehicle speed. If risk is high, a visual and/or audible alarm is triggered to alert the driver.
Raytheon Control-By-Light is part of a consortium that includes federal and state agencies, U.S. Xpress, Volvo Trucks, and Wabash National. Major suppliers to the project include Eaton VORAD and Qualcomm.
Prestolite Electric has introduced the Leece-Neville 140 amp, 12V brushless alternator. Delivering improved low-end, low-rpm output, the alternator is designed for high- mileage Class 8 truck, bus, and off-highway markets.
The new model is rated at 5,000 rpm and exceeds 65% of rated output at 1,800 rpm, resulting in reduced operating speed and increased bearing life while yielding power output in a normal diesel-engine operating range. It also offers cut-in speed below 870 rpm.
The new brushless alternator series has a structure similar to the industry-standard 110-555 platform, with the advantage of interchangeability of many key parts. Design life exceeds 500,000 miles.
This unit is offered with either the SmartChek self-diagnostic regulator or a standard regulator. It has the same vibration-resistant features as the 110-555 brush-type units, with ball bearings used in both the front and rear of the product. Since it uses many standard Leece-Neville components, buyers will reduce future service part inventory with items such as rectifier systems, bearings, and regulators.
The new International Guaranteed Equity Used Truck Finance Plan offered through Navistar Financial Corp. and International Used Truck Centers offers low monthly payments and interest rates, a 1-yr./100,000-mi. System One Powertrain limited warranty, and a trade-back option to protect down payments for future purchases.
Multi-oil fired heaters in Shenandoah Mfg.'s new Horizon series are offered in 200,000 and 315,000-Btu sizes. Suitable for multi-unit installation, heaters require little headroom and feature multi-directional venting.
Cummins Engine Co. and National Truck Protection have unveiled a program of owner protection plans for used heavy-duty trucks powered by Cummins engines. Three terms of coverage are offered: 6 mo./50,000 mi.; 12 mo./ 100,000 mi.; and 24 mo./200,000 mi. Plans cover all internal lubricated engine parts and major components, plus offer owners protection against excessive oil consumption and performance concerns.
The Universal Fleet Card from Wright Express can now be used for vehicle service and parts, as well as fuel, under the company's new WEX Service Program.
Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size, heavy-duty pickups for model-year 2001 will be available with a new direct-injection diesel engine. The Duramax 6600 V8 is the product of DMAX Ltd., a joint venture between General Motors and Isuzu Motors Ltd. Designed by Isuzu, the engine will be manufactured by DMAX at its Moraine, Ohio, plant. The 6.6-liter turbocharged engine, with four valves per cylinder, will be an option on Sierra and Silverado 2500 and 3500 series trucks. According to GM, the precision-controlled fuel-injection system will feature improvements in power, torque, fuel economy, and quiet operation.
Mack Trucks Inc. has added the S582 cast-iron axle to its vocational product line. The new unit is 114 lb. lighter than the cast-steel S58 axle it replaces, yet provides the same 58,000-lb. capacity rating. The S582 features a cast ductile iron housing with induction-hardened spindles designed for use with Mack's top-mounted double reduction carriers.
Directory of Shippers, 1999-2000 edition, covers more than 15,000 high-volume shippers, providing name and title of decision maker, company, address, phone/fax numbers, plus revenues, employment, 4-digit SICs, and, where available, Web sites and/or e-mail addresses. Contact Transportation Technical Services, 888-ONLY-TTS, for formats and prices.
Toyo's M-615Z premium all-steel radial drive-axle tire is designed for heavy-duty, longhaul operations. Tread depth is 28/32 in., and it's available in 295/75R22.5, 285/75R22.5, 11R22.5, and 11R24.5 sizes.
Hutchens Industries has incorporated its HutchRide 2000 enhanced spring suspension into its 9801/9811 slider series with EZ-Pull pin release to create the 2001/2011 series. Designed for 49-in. tandem applications, the new slider series, when combined with a 9700 series suspension, offers capacities up to 24,000 lb. per axle
Heavy-duty battery load tester, J-44700, offers a test range from 50 to 4,000 CCA, 1.0 to 14 volts. The hand-held SPX/Kent-Moore tester checks the battery, starter, voltage regulator, alternator, and diodes in just 40 seconds.
Kumho Tire's new low-profile, 19.5-in. Power Fleet 963 is an all-position steel radial tire that can be used for regional highway and heavy-duty commercial applications. It is available in three sizes: 245/70R19.5, 265/70R19.5, and 285/70R19.5.
The Ultra MAC 2000 automotive air-conditioning service tool from F.T. Industries is said to be the first A/C servicing unit to incorporate a fully integrated refrigerant identifier. System will not recover refrigerant (R-12, R-134a) unless it is 98% pure, reducing chance of refrigerant cross-contamination.
Standard warranty issued by Thermo King extends coverage for major components in the company's trailer refrigeration units to three years or 6,000 hours. It also covers parts and labor for the entire unit during the first year and major components with unlimited hours for two years.
A newly designed parcel van from Morgan Corp. features cross-laminate Apitong decking and a mechanically fastened ladder subframe design. The van also sports the three-piece front roof radius that is so popular on Morgan's dry van units, as well as the Poly-Tuff corner cap for improved impact-resistance, fuel efficiency, and ease of repair. A Polymer-laminated roll-up rear door allows full access to the rear cargo compartment, and a user-friendly, 12-ft. monorail walk ramp makes loading easier
Two-part system from Auto Tech Mfg. removes graphics adhesives without damaging paint and applies decals without bubbles or wrinkles. Quick 'n Easy Remover removes adhesives and sticky substances in 60-90 seconds; Decal-Graphic Solution prepares the surface and bonds the decal to the surface.
Trailer ABS indicator lamp featuring Dialight's DiodeLite light emitting diodes signals the operational status of the trailer's antilock brakes. The series 15 marker lamp offers extended service life and reduced current draw.
System Saver 318 single-cylinder air compressor from Meritor WABCO offers reduced discharge pressure, resulting in less air-system contamination; minimized excess pressure buildup; and extended air-system component life as a result of decreased oil passage.
All trailer lights - stop, hazard, sides, and top - are turned into to flashing hazard lights immediately by Linkk Safety Systems' self-powered Hazard Warning Pack if power fails or the trailer is disconnected or parked.
