Let’s talk downspeeding: how it works
Any on-highway truck you spec today will likely employ downspeeding to some degree. Engine downspeeding is enabled through faster axle ratios that allow the engine to maintain a lower RPM—thus saving fuel—while still providing the necessary power to the axle. Axle ratio is written as a ratio, such as 2.16:1. But what does 2.16:1 mean?
Let’s talk medium-duty truck tire spec’ing
Medium-duty applications can vary wildly—from pick up and delivery to construction and refuse tasks. The two most important variables to consider are the specific application of the vehicle and weight considerations. Beyond that, gross vehicle weight rating and ride-height requirement, along with durability, traction and climate considerations should all be taken into account. Click here
Watch: Let’s talk trailer telematics
In addition to the location tracking capabilities that immediately spring to mind when thinking of trailer telematics, today’s offerings take advantage of the latest technology to provide deeper trailer analytics. To make informed trailer management decisions you need as much information in as near as real-time as you can get–everything from cargo status, door status
Watch: Heavy-duty Aftermarket Week—On the show floor
Las Vegas played host to the 2018 Heavy-Duty Aftermarket week recently, and the show offered a bevy of press announcements. (Click here for all the news from HDAW 2018.) Here are some of the highlights. Meritor announced a new product portfolio strategy with distinct aftermarket brands that includes multiple price points. The portfolio offers Mach
Watch: Let’s talk drivers, equipment and the driver shortage
Let’s talk equipment and drivers. American Transportation Research Institute pointed to the driver shortage as the industry’s top concern. As the many of the Class 8 OEMs rolled out their new trucks over the past two years, driver comfort and productivity was a top focus. New cabs, new creature comforts and new uptime solutions
Let’s talk truck electrical connection maintenance
All tractor-trailer electrical connections need to be secure and properly maintained. Typically, the seven-way electrical assembly is disconnected 99% less on the tractor side than on the trailer side. This means the connection is cleaned only 1% of its life on the tractor, causing it to corrode faster. The most common warranty claim for a
Let’s talk diesel engine coolant contaminates
Even with the proliferation of extended life coolants, it’s not a fill-it-and-forget-it process. The chemistry of today’s extended life coolants is complex, and it’s important that you are maintaining the proper mix to ensure that you’re making the most of the “extended life” and not cutting its coolant lifespan short. Let’s say that you’re running
Let’s talk heavy-duty truck diesel engine health and fuel filtration
Tougher emissions regulations have led to engines with high-pressure fuel systems, which require extremely clean diesel fuel and also increase demands on the engine components like fuel filters. Fully synthetic, multilayered media is a big step forward in terms of being able to remove the smallest particles of contamination with high efficiency. For example, consider
Test drive: International HV Series, A26 Engine
Over the past two years, International has introduced the LT Series, RH Series, HX Series and, most recently, the HV Series. If that weren’t enough, it also pulled the curtain off its A26, 12.4-liter engine. Clearly, International has a lot going on. So I drove out to its test track in New Carlyle, Indiana, to
‘Not a me-too truck’: Inside the Mack Anthem cab
The first thing you notice about the Mack Anthem is that Mack’s new Class 8 on-highway offering wears its edge on its sleeve. But the new truck is more than its chiseled lines and bold highlights; it’s been designed from the ground up both inside and out. The Mack Anthem’s aerodynamic enhancements improve fuel efficiency
From driver ELDs to truck electrification: On the ATA MCE show floor
The show floor of ATA’s 2017 Management Conference and Exhibition (MCE) is packed with the latest technology, trucks and connected solutions—from ELDs to electrified powertrains. Come along as we walk the show on this episode of On the Road.
Hands on: Truck steering assist systems with ZF
On the road toward an automated truck, the majority of trucks ordered today are already outfitted with automated manual transmissions that offer adaptive cruise control to maintain a safe following distance. We have collision mitigation systems that can apply the brakes to help prevent or minimize the severity of an accident. The next piece of
