Are pusher axles positioned for a lift in spec’ing popularity?
When I caught up with Joel Morrow, senior driver and vice president of equipment procurement at Ploger Transportation, for a deep-dive into 6×2 axle configurations and downspeeding, he made a surprising axle comment that stood out when it came to address the stigma 6×2 axle configurations face when it comes time for truck resale. “Resale
The case for 6×2 axle spec and faster ratios with Joel Morrow
Joel Morrow has long been a proponent of pushing fuel efficiency possibilities. He’s what I’d call a Super Spec’er. Morrow charges headlong into the nitty gritty equipment details to eke out another fraction of a percentage of fuel efficiency because if he does that enough times throughout a spec, it turns into big bottom-line savings.
The unglamorous drive axle—don’t ignore it
Drive axles are the silent heroes in a truck’s powertrain, but due to their position at the back of the truck, the drive axles remain more or less out of view and out of mind. Sharp looking custom wheels may be the only reason the drive axle gets so much as a glance from anyone
Hendrickson ships 500,000th SteerTek axle to J.B. Hunt
Hendrickson Truck Commercial Vehicle Systems has produced its 500,000th SteerTek fabricated front steer axle, which was delivered to J.B. Hunt Transport Inc. on their latest International LT Series tractor. Available in capacities from 8,000 to 14,600 lbs. per axle, SteerTek NXT is approved for on-highway and medium-duty truck, bus and motor home applications. “The relationship
What’s new with truck axle technology
With ongoing development, the latest technologies for axles on heavy-duty commercial vehicles are focused on maintenance and performance improvement. Recently, Fleet Equipment spoke to several heavy-duty axle manufacturers about design initiatives, new axle specifications and the advent of electronics. Taking part in the discussion were: • Steve Mastroianni, senior manager of product planning, Dana• John
Allison Transmission expands eGen Power e-Axle offering
Allison Transmission, a designer and manufacturer of conventional, electric hybrid and fully electric vehicle propulsion solutions, announced the addition of its eGen Power 100S and 130D e-Axles to its fully electric portfolio of propulsion solutions at ACT Expo in Long Beach, Calif. Allison first launched its eGen Power 100D in 2020 and has since spent
ZF highlights clean technologies, plans launch of new generation of electric drives
At ACT Expo 2021, ZF highlighted what it calls its line of clean and efficient technologies, the AxTrax electric axle and the CeTrax electric central drive which supports OEMs’ greenhouse gas (GHG) challenges. “We are nearing 1 million miles of real-world experience with AxTrax on the Freightliner eCascadia with tremendous results,” Feldhaus explained. “By 2023,
Dana to launch e-axles for heavy-duty electric truck applications
Dana Inc. announced a new line of Spicer Electrified Zero-8 e-Axles designed for a wide variety of Class 7 and 8 applications. The line includes single and tandem electric axles, including systems for direct drive and now 4×2, 6×2, and 6×4 multi-speed e-Axle systems. Dana says the new e-Axles are designed to integrate into most
Dana, Switch Mobility partner on electrified commercial vehicles
Dana Inc., a manufacturer of drivetrain and e-propulsion systems, and Switch Mobility Ltd., the electrified commercial vehicles company and subsidiary of Ashok Leyland Ltd, a commercial vehicle manufacturer, announced the signing of a strategic agreement between the two entities. Under the terms of the agreement, Dana will make a strategic investment in Switch Mobility and
Dana expands Spicer Life Series service-free u-joint portfolio
Dana Incorporated has added new SPL 140SFX service-free u-joints for medium-duty applications to its portfolio of Spicer Life Series service-free u-joints for commercial vehicles. Dana says the new Spicer SPL140SFX eliminates the zerk hole lube drill and tap, and includes a tube of Spicer ultra-premium synthetic grease that is compatible with all NLGI-2 greases. Once
Podcast: The role of e-axles and power systems in the electric future
The electric future has arrived, with several major OEMs making battery electric trucks available now, some that will be available soon, and even a growing push toward hydrogen fuel cell power. So what will the role of suppliers be in this electric future? To answer that question, I talked with Jeremy Frenznick, senior director of
Mack Trucks pairs mRIDE spring leaf suspension with Mack axles
The Mack Trucks mRIDE spring leaf over rubber block suspension, which Mack says is ideal for vocational customers needing improved stability and greater traction on jobsites, now offers additional weight savings for increased payload when paired with proprietary Mack axles, the company says. Available at 40,000-lbs. and 46,000-lbs. suspension ratings and with standard track axles,
