Watch: Putting Volvo’s Adaptive Loading suspension through its paces
Earlier this year, Volvo Trucks unveiled its Adaptive Loading, a new 6×2 liftable forward axle that automatically adjusts to load weight changes and offers 4×2 operation under certain conditions. To show off the new equipment, Fleet Equipment Editor Jason Morgan took a road trip with Volvo to check out the key benefits and put the
Smoot Brothers Transportation: Conquering CSA citations
Smoot Brothers Transportation (SBT) was founded in 1988—with one truck—by Mike and Matt Smoot. In 1991, Kenny Smoot, who is now the vice president, joined his brothers in the company. SBT has since grown to more than 50 trucks and can be seen on highways across the entire continental United States and Canada. The fleet
Heavy-duty truck leasing primer
The ability to lease vehicles adds flexibility, not only because it increases equipment in boom times, but also because it helps fleet control capital investment. With this in mind, Fleet Equipment asked three of the top leasing companies to outline the features and benefits of the programs they offer. Choosing your lease package Joe Gallick,
Fuel efficiency options: Looking to application to inform your specs
“With the cost of equipment today, typically one of the first questions raised by our full service lease customers is about fuel efficient specifications,” says Paul Rosa, senior vice president of procurement and fleet planning at Penske Truck Leasing. “Customers always weigh the idea of whether or not a spec is the right fit for
Understanding the value of retreading
More than 85% of commercial fleets retread. Depending on the specific tread design and tread depth, a retreaded cap/casing generally cost about 50% versus the cost of a new tire. If the fleet supplies the casing and only purchases the tread, the retread is only about 25% the cost of a new tire. There is
Cummins highlights Connected Diagnostics
Cummins provided more insight into its support capabilities with the development of Connected Diagnostics, a new application being designed to work seamlessly with leading telematics systems. Cummins Connected Diagnostics will provide customers with expert recommendations for the best action to take when a driver is alerted to an engine system fault. Check out the video above
Fifth straight month of declining Class 5-8 net truck orders
For the month of August, 37,200 Classes 5-8 vehicle orders were booked, down 8% from July and down 14% compared to August 2014, according to ACT Research. (Note: these numbers are preliminary. Actual numbers will be published in mid-September). “The year-over-year decline marked the fifth consecutive negative reading for Classes 5-8 orders,” said Kenny Vieth,
August Class 8 truck orders at their lowest in two years
FTR has released preliminary data showing August 2015 North American Class 8 truck net orders at 19,550 units, the lowest level since September 2013. Orders for August were down 18% versus July and 22% year-over-year. With the exception of July, which was positively impacted by a new large fleet order, the pace of recent Class
Eaton aftermarket clutches get additional warranty option
Power management company Eaton has extended the warranty coverage on the company’s aftermarket Advantage Series and EverTough clutches with the purchase of a Genuine Eaton Clutch Installation Kit. Advantage series warranty coverage increases from two years to three and EverTough coverage increases from one year to two. Eaton recommends a clutch installation kit be used
Kenworth Predictive Cruise Control now in production
Kenworth Predictive Cruise Control is now in production for new Kenworth T680s and T880s specified with the PACCAR MX-13 engine. Available as a factory-installed option, the new Kenworth system combines cruise control with GPS. Kenworth Predictive Cruise Control is available with Eaton UltraShift and Eaton Fuller Advantage automated and manual transmissions. “By anticipating the terrain
Trailer orders decline month-over-month but rise year-over-year
Trailer net orders in July, at more than 20,300 units, declined 27% from the outlier 27,900-unit June pace, but still did rise 7% on a year-over-year basis, according to the most recent State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers published by ACT Research Co. “While total net orders were off 27% m/m, the majority of that decline
Allison CEO talks automatic transmissions, expansion into class 8 market
Allison Transmission is one of the biggest names in the automotive industry, but not one that’s often associated with Class 8 trucks. Automatic transmissions like those at Allison simply haven’t had much of a place at the table in a world dominated by manual (and lately, automated manual) transmissions. This is a perception that Allison
