It’s all about maximum efficiency for Jim Fox, vice president & general manager of Pinnacle Express Inc. “Making deliveries on time and doing so as efficiently as possible is what has allowed us to steadily expand our customer base and do so cost effectively,” he says.
In 2004, Fox relates, senior management at Pinnacle Express decided to carve a niche by specializing in the delivery of aviation fuel. Today, the Ann Arbor, Mich.-based specialized carrier averages 300 deliveries a week to approximately 30 large accounts, and makes about 400 deliveries a year to smaller customers. While roughly 90% of its business takes place in the Great Lakes region, the company also has expanded geographically into southern states, as far west as Nebraska and east into places like Maryland and Massachusetts.
Pinnacle operates 15 Freightliner tractors and 17 Polar tank trailers. The newest power units in the operation are Cascadia models, while a few older Columbias are scheduled for replacement in January 2013. “We chose the Cascadia for both the comfort of the cab as well as fuel economy,” Fox states. “That’s also why we’re spec’ing Detroit Diesel DD15 engines for our operation.”
Fuel efficiency also was one of Pinnacle’s goals when it decided to spec Eaton’s new UltraShift Plus transmission on its latest order of tractors. “Our local Freightliner dealer, which has supplied us with just about every new truck we’ve bought for the past 10 years, wanted us to take a look at the automated gearbox,” Fox recalls. “We took one of our senior drivers, went to Eaton’s proving grounds to test drive some units and we were impressed.”
Paying dividends
The decision also is now paying dividends in day-to-day operations at Pinnacle. “With one of the new 18-speed UltraShift Plus transmissions that replaced a 13-speed manual,” Fox reports, “the same driver over the same route is getting about 7.2 MPG as opposed to the 5.6 MPG we were getting before making the switch. That’s a pretty significant fuel economy gain.”
Other fuel-saving technologies embraced by Pinnacle in its recent equipment orders include Michelin wide-base single tires on tractor drive and trailer axles, which Fox says is providing a 10% fuel economy gain over traditional dual tire assemblies, as well as doubling tread life. “We also use Stemco’s AirBAT tire pressure monitoring system to continually monitor tire pressures and alert drivers to any under-inflation, which could cost us in fuel efficiency and tread life,” he adds. “The AirBAT system also has the HandBat RF handheld unit that wirelessly gathers tire data, which makes for quicker turnaround times for maintenance and inspections.”
The Eaton UltraShift Plus transmissions, meanwhile, also are effectively addressing another issue for Pinnacle Express. “We immediately recognized that the automated 18-speed was a very flexible piece of equipment,” Fox says. “We need that flexibility to handle payloads that run between 80,000 lbs. for interstate deliveries and 140,000 lbs. on the six-axle trailers that we run within the state of Michigan. The unlimited gross combination weight rating for the 18-speed model solved a lot of issues we had operating between the two different disciplines, and allowed us to capture good fuel economy in both applications. Now we can have one spec fleet wide that does well in both cases.”
The fully automated 18-speed UltraShift Plus Multipurpose Extreme Performance (MXP) transmission, based on the Fuller 18-speed manual, uses an electronic clutch actuator and intelligent shift selection software that calculates changes in grade, weight and throttle to choose the most efficient shift points. The result, according to the manufacturer, is faster shifting and smoother engagement. In addition, the design provides drivers with added control, including an Intelligent Hill Start Aid, which prevents rollback and roll-forward while launching on grades.
Reducing fatigue
The automated Eaton transmissions also are helping Pinnacle address the inherent safety concerns it has hauling a product like aviation fuel. While the fleet is improving safety with specs for air disc brakes and roll stability control systems on all new equipment, Fox says he believes the automated gearboxes help reduce driver fatigue.
“The automation is a sweet application in many areas,” Fox states, “because our drivers do not constantly have to use the clutch in traffic. We do a lot of training to make sure our products are transported safely and on time. Our drivers are a special breed, and they’re giving the UltraShift Plus transmissions high marks, as well.
Fox also is quick to praise Eaton’s support, which included training for the fleet’s maintenance manager at the Roadranger Academy. In addition, after the initial UltraShift Plus transmissions were in the fleet, Eaton reps helped get everyone up and running, and assisted with making software changes so the transmissions would operate at their most economical setting.
Due to the sensitive nature of Pinnacle’s cargo, its employees and equipment need to be ready and able to make deliveries safely and on time. With its technology choices, the fleet also is ensuring that its operation runs as cost-efficiently as possible.
Pinnacle Express Tractor Specs
Model: Freightliner Cascadia; 125-in. mid-roof sleeper
Wheelbase: 218 in.
Engine: Detroit Diesel DD15, 505 HP
Transmission: Eaton UltraShift Plus (MXP), 18-speed
Driveshafts: Meritor
Front Axle: 14,000-lb.
Front Suspension: taperleaf
Rear Axle: Meritor R-Series Dual Track; 40,000-lb., 3:55 ratio
Rear Suspension: Freightliner Airliner
Wheel Seals: CR Scotseal
Brakes: Bendix air disc
ABS: Meritor WABCO 4S4M, traction control
Wheels: Alcoa Durabrite
Tires: 11R22.5 Michelin XZE2 steer; 455/55R/22.5 Michelin X One drive
5th Wheel: SAF Holland; aluminum, No-Lube
Air Compressor: Bendix BA-921
Air Dryer: Bendix
Fan Clutch: Borg Warner
Batteries: (4) Alliance, 3,200 CCA
Starter: Delco 39MT
Alternator: Delco, 160-amp
Block Heater: Phillips, 1,500 watt
Mirrors: dual hood mounted
Lighting: LED
Seats: National
Tanks: 120-gal. diesel; 23-ga. DEF
Trailer Specs
Model: Polar Tank; 9,400-gal., single compartment
Landing Gear: SAF Holland Mark V
Axles: Hendrickson; 13400 Michigan 6-axle
Suspension: SAF Holland CBX-23
Oil Seals: Stemco Voyager
Wheel End: Stemco Pro-Torq axle spindle nuts
Brakes: Bendix air disc
ABS: Meritor WABCO, with RSS
Tires: 455/55R/22.5 Michelin X One
Lighting: LED
