The challenge of reducing service wait times
Uptime is everything to a fleet. The most important thing for an individual truck’s profitability is the amount of time it spends on the road, running its route and doing its job. When the truck needs service, it needs to be done right, but expedience is also key—fleets don’t want that asset out of commission
The sophisticated evolution of truck engines continues to amaze
Over the last couple of decades, commercial truck engines have undergone significant changes to adapt to the demands of fleets and of government mandates. Engine manufacturers worked to reach EPA 2016 and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) 2017 requirements, which included onboard diagnostics requirements with enhanced monitors to ensure that exhaust tailpipe emissions stay within EPA limits.
Peterbilt breaks ground on Denton plant expansion
Peterbilt Motors Co. recently broke ground on a 102,000 sq.-ft. expansion to its heavy-duty truck manufacturing facility in Denton, Texas. The new building will be located just north of the plant and provide additional capacity for production and testing. “This expansion is Peterbilt’s largest facility investment since the construction of the Denton plant and it
Fleet profile: Marten Transport meets challenges, changes the status quo
It’s one of the trucking industry’s best-known names, and for good reason. Since 1946, trucks sporting the Marten Transport logo have been traveling the highways hauling temperature-controlled goods. “Over the last several years, we’ve transformed our business from a primarily long-haul temperature control carrier to a multi-faceted temperature control carrier,” says David Meyer, the company’s
Peterbilt names its North American ‘Dealer of the Year’
Citing impressive growth in medium- and heavy-duty truck sales, parts and service growth, and the addition of three new locations, Peterbilt Motors Co. named The Larson Group its 2015 North American Dealer of the Year. “On behalf of everyone at The Larson Group Peterbilt, we are honored to receive Peterbilt’s highest dealer recognition,” said Glenn
Aftermarket brake friction: Know what you need and what you are getting
When replacing brake friction material, Dan Dunkleberger, Haldex Friction’s product manager, says that fleets “need to understand the application, duty-cycle and environment in which the vehicle in is performing. These three key things will give the end-user the necessary information needed to spec the correct friction material for the job. Application and duty-cycle are also
The perfect combination: The Zen of creating the optimum downsped engine/axle/drivetrain mix
Most truck engines, today, run at around 1,450 RPM at cruising speed to provide the 200 HP needed at the wheel-end. Engine downspeeding allows the truck to operate consistently in a more efficient range, generally between 1,100 to 1,200 RPM, while maintaining the same 200 HP at the wheel end. As a result, fuel efficiency
Peterbilt launches Red Oval Certified pre-owned truck program
Peterbilt Motors Co. has announced a new program, known as the Red Oval program, which offers certified pre-owned trucks to its customers from throughout its dealer network and PACCAR Financial Used Truck Centers. The trucks come with a free warranty, a 150-point inspection, a customer loyalty program and the option of financing through PACCAR Financial.
Peterbilt’s SmartLINQ goes into production
Peterbilt’s new SmartLINQ technology, a factory-installed, fully integrated remote diagnostics system that will come with all trucks equipped with a Paccar MX-13 engine, is now in production. Introduced in March, the SmartLINQ remote diagnostics system provides customers with quick fleet health to maximize uptime, keep deliveries on schedule and manage service events. “SmartLINQ gives customers the tools they need
Peterbilt selects PeopleNet as remote diagnostics system partner
PeopleNet, a Trimble company and provider of fleet mobility technology, has been selected by Peterbilt as its partner for the truck manufacturer’s new SmartLINQ system, a fully integrated, factory-installed remote vehicle diagnostics system that will be standard on all Peterbilt models equipped with a Paccar MX-13 engine. The new technology, which will launch this summer,