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
Alliance Autogas gains EPA engine certifications
Alliance Autogas, through their equipment developer Blossman Services, Inc., has gained EPA approval for the two of its medium-duty spark-ignited engine platforms, the 6.8 V10 from Ford and the 6.0 V8 from General Motors. Depending on the engine certification, model year coverage ranges from 2010 up to 2016. “With the development of these engine platforms we
The future of manual transmissions
Automated manual transmissions (AMTs) are becoming a bigger part of the trucking market than ever, and the growth of AMTs is showing no sign of slowing down. Yet, it should be no surprise that AMTs are catching on given the importance of spec’ing for consistent fuel efficiency, plus the driver retention benefits. It also improves
Detroit to produce new medium-duty engines, DT12 AMT in Michigan production facility
Daimler Trucks announced a $375 million investment to enable production of the new DD5 and DD8 medium duty engines at Detroit brand headquarters and manufacturing facility in Redford, Mich. Additionally, Daimler Trucks’ powertrain celebrated the production commencement of its automated manual transmission (AMT), the DT12. With the launch , the company is delivering on the
Southeastern Freightlines leverages the latest technologies to stay competitive
Southeastern Freightlines (SEFL) has been successfully delivering freight for more than 60 years and has always been a competitive fleet. Fleet Equipment talked with the fleet to learn how incorporating new technologies has figured into the company’s success. Choosing equipment According to Kerry Stritt, vice president of fleet services for SEFL (pictured left), “Having the
Matchmaking and downspeeding
Choosing an engine, transmission and axles that are specifically matched to work together for optimum performance is a fast emerging trend. When I say “optimum performance,” I mean maximum fuel efficiency with the right horsepower engines, coupled with an automated manual transmission that shifts at exactly the right RPM, and an axle with the best
The latest innovations in tractor tire inflation
All indicators lead in the same direction. A 2013 report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that under-inflation is the leading cause of tire failure. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) cites defective tires as a leading factor in crashes involving commercial vehicles. A 2010 Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) report
Alt Power: Utility fleets continue to lead the charge
The theme of the 2015 Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference— Fleet Strategies to Maximize Total Company Performance— did not disappoint the record-setting 125 fleet representatives from 70 investor-owned electric utilities, electric cooperatives and electrical contractors in the U.S. and Canada who attended the annual educational event. One topic of great interest was electric and alternative
Five truck trend takeaways from October
A look at the five biggest takeaways from the month of October in the world of heavy-duty trucks.
ACT Research releases September ‘State of the Industry’ report
Used Class 8 truck metrics were mixed in September, with same dealer sales inching closer to the six-month moving average, according to ACT Research. Volumes gained 8% month-over-month, but were up just 1% year-over-year, while average mileage remained flat month-over-month, dropping 8% year-over-year. The average age of U.S. Class 8 used trucks climbed to 93
