Held annually in Louisville, Ky., the Mid-America TruckingShow (MATS) lives up to its billing as the “the largest trucking show in theworld.” This year, the event was the showcase for 935 companies that displayedtheir latest technologies, several of which were developed specifically formedium-duty fleets.

Cummins unveiled its MidRange engines designed to meet 2010Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions regulations. The three modelsfeature selective catalytic reduction (SCR) as part of the CumminsAftertreatment System. The SCR technology for 2010 builds on the Cummins ParticulateFilter, introduced in 2007 in North America.

 “Cummins MidRangeengines for 2010 are designed to perform in all types of applications and dutycycles,” said Jim Cramer, 2010 ISB Technical Program Leader. “The use of cooledEGR and selective catalytic reduction offer a substantial fuel economyimprovement––up to 9% percent over an in-cylinder solution. With the use ofSCR, we’re able to tune the combustion recipe in the engine to dramaticallyreduce diesel particulate filter regeneration. That means less fuel use andgreater simplicity.”

Cummins 2010 MidRange models include the ISB6.7, ISC8.3 andISL9 engines with a single VGT turbocharger. The ISC8.3 and ISL9 also have themanufacturer’s XPI fuel system introduced on its 2010 heavy-duty engines. CumminsMidRange engines also will share a common electronic control module (ECM) withheavy-duty units that is designed with increased input/output and processingcapability for integration of the aftertreatment system.

The Cummins ISB6.7 will be offered in ratings of 200 to 325HP and peak torque of 520 to 750 lb.-ft. The ISC8.3 will be offered in 260 to350 HP and 660 to 1,000 lb.-ft torque ratings. The ISL9 will have ratings of345 to 380 HP and peak torque of 1,150 to 1,300 lb.-ft. Engine models and calibrationsfor the bus, recreational vehicle and emergency vehicle markets will beavailable, as well as an ISB6.7 hybrid model.

For fleets operating refrigerated delivery trucks, ThermoKing introduced its all-new T-Series of temperature control units. The unitsare available in T-500R, T-600R, T-800R and

T-1000R models with reciprocating compressors and T-600,T-800, T-1000, T-800 Spectrum multi-temperature and T-1000 Spectrummulti-temperature with new scroll compressor technology versions. The newscroll compressor, according to Thermo King, offers improved reliability,higher capacity and greater fuel efficiency.

With the T-Series, there is also the choice of stationary orthe optional over-the-road hybrid SmartPower electric operation for enhancingfuel savings, and the units feature a new TSR-2 controller that employs LEDtechnology and is designed to ensure correct parameters are set for every load.

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC rolled out its newpneumatic booster system (PBS). Currently undergoing internal, field and enginetesting, PBS is applicable to 80% of new engine platforms. Currently, twomodels include the PBS 200 for 4- to 8-L engines and the PBS 400 for 8- to 13-Lpowerplants.

The PBS air management solution, Bendix says, simultaneouslyimproves fuel economy and vehicle acceleration while also reducing emissions.The PBS is placed near the air intake manifold and monitors the controller areanetwork (CAN). Once the conditions for activation are met, the PBS injectscompressed air from an auxiliary air tank into the engine manifold, deliveringthe desired amount of air that the diesel combustion processes require. Initialtest results show that the addition of PBS to a 7.8-L engine results in betteroverall performance than a typical 10-L engine, allowing for the use of smallerengines.

Advanced technologies from the industry’s leading suppliers are clearlynot limited to heavy-duty vehicle applications––a point proven again at theworld’s largest trucking show again this year.