Trucking fleet achieves solid savings
Equipment and maintenance programs are ensuring that Abilene Motor Express is cutting costs and remaining highly productive and efficient.
IPA releases portable battery powered trailer testers
A new line of portable, battery powered trailer testers for testing lights and electric brakes on a wide range of trailers is available from Innovative Products of America. The Mini-MUTT and Smart-MUTT testers allow technicians to easily diagnose short circuits, open and crossed circuits, poor grounds and test electric brakes, all by remote control.
Bold moves
Celadon Trucking Services is taking several steps to position itself successfully for the future.
It pays to outsource tire maintenance
When it comes to outsourcing tire maintenance, the best programs are “custom-built” in conjunction with service providers.
Meritor WABCO’s ride-n-drive reaches fleets and dealers
Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems’ ride-n-drive is traveling the country to demonstrate the company’s active Safety Systems technologies to fleet, owner-operators and dealers. Included in the display are the SmartTrac Stability Control System, OnGuard Collision Safety Systems, Roll Stability Support and Telematics currently offered by the company.
Spec’ing for operational advantages: lightweight components
Tractor and trailer component manufacturers are finding ways to reduce weight without sacrificing strength and durability
Peterbilt unveils production-ready Model 320 hybrid
The new Model 320 Hybrid Class 8 refuse truck from Peterbilt is designed for vocational stop-and-go applications such as refuse collection. The low-cab-forward model utilizes Eaton’s Hydraulic Launch Assist (HLA) technology, which captures the truck’s kinetic energy during braking to assist in launching and accelerating the vehicle. Testing has shown a reduction in maintenance costs, and indicated the potential to reduce annual brake replacement costs by more than 4 times over a similar non-hybrid baseline truck, Peterbilt said.
Meritor trailer suspension series adds performance benefits
ArvinMeritor’s new Trailing-Arm Air suspension series is designed to meet the needs of North American truck-trailer operators in vocational markets. The suspension series features technology advancements that include patented pivot bushing, more robust shock absorbers and a unique, patent-pending axle wrap design.
New commercial van from Isuzu Commercial Truck, Utilimaster
Isuzu Commercial Truck of America and Utilimaster have teamed up to introduce a new commercial van. The van, with full production scheduled for the second half of 2011, will combine the functionality and design flexibility of a custom-built work truck with the styling and ergonomics of a cargo van, the companies said.
Training paradigms are shifting
While training methods and techniques continue to evolve, the need for basic and advanced training has never been more important—and technology is here to help