Torc Robotics to scale self-driving fleet with Daimler test trucks
Torc Robotics announced that it will scale its self-driving truck testing in the southwest in early 2021 using an enhanced prototype truck developed with Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA). This new generation of Freightliner Cascadia test trucks bolsters Torc’s capability to develop and test its Level 4 self-driving technology, Torc says. The test trucks are
Jacobs Vehicle Systems produces 50,000th engine brake at new Brno plant
Jacobs Vehicle Systems recently shipped the 50,000th engine brake manufactured at its European facility, near Brno in the Czech Republic, to Daimler. Jacobs currently supplies all European Daimler orders from Brno. With headquarters in Bloomfield, Connecticut, and a manufacturing facility in Suzhou in Eastern China, Brno has become Jacobs’ third production location as the company
Putting the brakes on poor service practices before the weather does it for you
How you service your trucks’ brakes now will determine how well they perform when the weather turns frigid. Consider this: Every year here at Fleet Equipment, the most-read story in January and February is about frozen air brake lines. Every year. That’s not a surprise to Jake Schell, associate product manager for Mitchell 1’s Commercial
Tracking tool ROI in the fleet shop
It’s more than just having the right tool. It’s also knowing how you use it.
Fleet Profile: Queen Transportation & Logistics
Since 2006, the family-owned Queen Transportation & Logistics has been focused on providing shippers with trucking and logistics services they can always trust, notes Daniel Queen, the fleet’s vice president. “Our customers appreciate our ‘whatever-it-takes’ spirit and our expertise in meeting their transportation needs,” Queen says. “What really sets us apart from the competition, however,
Connecting brakes, wheel ends and other trailer components with telematics
The majority of fleet managers are used to the capabilities of truck telematics, but they may not be as familiar with trailer telematics, which are newer and just now starting to grow into their potential usefulness. Why have trailer telematics lagged behind their tractor brethren? It’s a complicated question, with an uncomplicated answer. “At the
Kenworth introduces new airbrake package for K370 Cabover
Kenworth has introduced an airbrake package with a 23,000-lb. rear axle for enhanced road capacity for the K370 cabover. Combined with the K370’s standard 12,000-lb. front axle, the new axle offering increases the K370’s gross combination weight rating to 35,000 lbs. The package features the Dana S23-172 or S23-172E rear axle, 1710 drivelines, 22.5-in. tires,
Keeping an eye on brake wear
A vehicle cuts in front of your truck and stops abruptly. The truck driver slams on the brakes only to find that the truck’s stopping distance isn’t what it once was—these brakes haven’t been inspected recently. Without the proper stopping distance, an accident becomes inevitable. It’s an extreme example to be sure, but it’s just
Preventative maintenance to avoid brake wear
It’s important that your technicians are trained on how to spot brake wear, and that your shops have systems and schedules in place aimed at avoiding wear issues on brakes. “The only real way to keep an eye out for irregular brake wear is visual inspection on both drum and disc systems. Spotting irregular wear provides
NRS Brakes highlights benefits of galvanized steel brake pads
NRS Brakes highlights the benefits of truck brake pads made with galvanized steel. Galvanized brake-pad sets have mechanically attached premium friction on a galvanized-steel backing plate. This galvanized-steel plate helps fight against rust and corrosion and allows the friction to wear out instead of fall apart, NRS Brakes says. This construction prolongs the life of
