Product Showcase
by Jamie Popp
2004 Truck Show Review
This year’s
Mid-America Trucking Show was an opportunity for more than 74,000 attendees
from across the United States and 57 other countries to visit the showcase
of the latest products and new technology for the over-the-road and pick-up
and delivery markets, including beverage. More than 1,000 companies
exhibited at the show, which was held at the Kentucky Fair & Exposition
Center in Louisville, Ky.
The mood at the show was optimistic and major
operation equipment managers projected strong growth for the rest of the
year based on growing freight tonnage, low interest rates, clean air
legislation leading to early buying of new technology, and aging fleets. On
the other end of the spectrum, operating margins impacted by rising fuel
costs and fleets still hampered by an ongoing driver shortage are realistic
concerns.
A collection of new products from the show floor is featured below.
A collection of new products from the show floor is featured below.
Transmission enhancement
Sterling Truck Corp. has announced enhancements to its
medium-duty Acterra product line, which include
two new pedal-automated shift transmissions and factory-installed all-wheel
drive. The two-pedal Mercedes-Benz Automated Gear Shift (AGS) transmission
is based on the Mercedes-Benz manual six-speed transmission, and the AGS
offers improved efficiency, according to the company. The transmission
control unit and automated clutch actuation also facilitate smoother
shifts. Additionally, Acterra offers Eaton Fuller Ultrashift six-speed
transmission, which combines the durability of manual transmission with
automated shifting, and features a five-degree improvement on its wheel cut angle. — Sterling
Truck Corp., 4420 Sherwin Rd., Willoughby, Ohio 44094; 503/745-5471;
sterlingtrucks.com
Emission standard achievement
Detroit Diesel Corp. has announced it will use exhaust gas recirculation
(EGR) and diesel particulate filters on its heavy-duty engines to meet the EPA’s
2007 emission requirements. The DDC Series 60 and the Mercedes-Benz engines
marketed by the company will feature EGR. DDC and parent company DaimlerChrysler
will also release a new heavy-duty engine that employs EGR and diesel particulate
filters in 2007. Currently, the MBE 900 Series of engines marketed by DDC offers
fuel economy, high power-to-weight ratio, high torque at a lower rpm and meets
2004 emission standards with EGR. — Detroit Diesel Corp., 13400 Outer Dr. West,
Detroit, Mich. 48239-4001; 315/592-5000; detroitdiesel.com
Tractor upgraded
Peterbilt has introduced the Model 335, its medium-duty vehicle
available in Class 6 and 7 truck and tractor configurations. The Model 335 features
an aerodynamic hood with integrated fenders made of Metton, a durable, impact-resistant
material. The new fenders are compatible with 19.5-inch tires and 22.5-inch
tires. Other new features include improved interior styling, repeater lights
in the quarter fender, a forward lighting system, a side-view window that is
85 percent larger, a hood-tilt assist and anti-blowdown locking mechanism. —
Peterbilt Motors Co., 1700 Woodbrook St., Denton, Texas 76205; 800/4-PETERBILT;
peterbilt.com
Engine Rating Expansion
Caterpillar will be introducing the “King of the Hill” 625 horsepower
C15 and new ratings for the C11 and C13 this fall. The C15 will feature 2,050
pound per foot of torque at 1,200 rpm and constant torque as high as 1,700 rpm.
Maximum horsepower of 625 is developed at 1,800 rpm. It also features higher
flow series turbochargers and the next generation Caterpillar electronic control
module (ECM), which is four times faster than the former C15 ECM with twice
the memory. New horsepower ratings for the C13 include 470 horsepower with 1,550
pounds per foot of torque; 470 horsepower with 1,650 pounds per foot of torque;
an economy rating of 470 horsepower Multi-torque with 1,550/1,750 pounds per
foot of torque; 470 horsepower Multi-torque with 1,550/1,750 pounds per foot
of torque; and 500 horsepower with 1,650 pounds per foot of torque available
as a field upgrade. The C11 will be available in two new horsepower ratings:
350 horsepower with 1,450 pounds per foot of torque and 370 horsepower with
1,450 pounds per foot of torque. — Caterpillar Inc., Power Systems Marketing
Division, P.O. Box 610, Mossville, Ill. 61552-6110; 800/321-7332; cat.com
Wing Dash Innovation
Freightliner Trucks has announced an optional wing dash will
be available on the new Business Class M2112V, and Cummins ISC engines will
be offered on Business Class M2 this summer. The dash offers extra space for
additional gauges and switches, and is designed to make operation of the M2112V
easier, according to the company. Featuring easier-to-reach controls, the ergonomically
placed wing dash uses the Driver Information Module that is used on the standard
Business Class M2 dash. Extra space on the new dash allows for eight additional
switches or as many as four more gauges. The Cummins ISC diesel engine is a
six-cylinder, 8.3-liter engine ranging from 240 to 330 horsepower with a torque
range as high as 950 pounds per foot. The diesel engine is offered on Business
Class M2 106 truck models. — Freightliner Trucks, 4747 N. Channel Ave., Portland,
Ore. 97217-7699; 503/745-5471; freightliner.com
Brake System Upgrade
Volvo Trucks North America Inc. now offers the ABS-6 antilock
brake system made by Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC on the Volvo VN and
Volvo VHD. The Bendix ABS-6 is Volvo’s standard antilock braking system available
in North America and the Bendix ABS-6 Advanced with electronic stability program
(ESP) will be a customer option in 2005. Bendix ABS-6 will be available in configurations
including four-wheel speed sensors and four brake modulators, with six sensors
and four modulators and with six sensors and six modulators. — Volvo Trucks
North America Inc., 7900 National Service Rd., Greensboro, N.C. 27409; 336/393-2000;
volvo.com
Drive Addition
This summer, factory-engineered four-wheel drive will be added
to General Motors’ medium-duty Chevrolet Kodiak and the GMC TopKick. The four-wheel
drive TopKick and Kodiak models are available in a variety of wheelbases ranging
from 152 inches to 235 inches in both Regular Cab and Crew Cab configurations.
The medium-duty trucks are powered by either the standard Vortec 8,100MD V-8
gasoline engine or the available Duramax 6,600 V-8 Turbo Diesel engine. Both
powertrains are mated to the Allison 1,000 Series five-speed automatic transmission.
The trucks also feature the electronically controlled New Venture Gear Model
NV273 two-speed transfer case, an instrument panel-mounted rotary selector switch
for 4L, 4H and 2H drive settings, manually activated front-locking hubs and
an electronic throttle control. — General Motors Corp., Fleet Operations Call
Center, 31 East Judson St., Pontiac, Mich. 48342; 800/FLEETOPS; gmfleet.com
Communication Integration
International Truck and Engine Corp. has introduced International
telematics to complement the International Diamond Logic electrical system.
Providing driver and vehicle performance tracking, mapping capabilities and
real-time information, International telematics technology integrates wireless
communication, vehicle-monitoring systems and GPS location devices. Telematics
hardware consists of an electronics module, cellular antenna and GPS receiver
antenna, and a device in the vehicle communicates wirelessly to a desktop computer.
Additionally, system architecture makes the technology compatible with heavy-,
medium- and severe-service trucks, as well as buses. — International Truck and
Engine Corp., 4201 Winfield Rd., Warrenville, Ill. 60555; 630/753-2910; internationaldelivers.com
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