Powertrain integration: Transmission focus
While the engine supplies the power, the transmission puts the integration to work. “Integration allows the engine and transmission to streamline communications and decision making,” said John Moore, Volvo Trucks product marketing manager-powertrain. “The transmission is programmed to shift based on the peak torque of the engine and not specific RPM points. Trucks can maintain
Powertrain integration: Engine focus
Integration is not a new idea in the trucking industry, but the amount of efficiency OEs are pulling out of engine, transmission and axle combinations are reaching staggering new heights. One of the biggest talking points in today’s performance-packed powerplant arena is “downspeeding.” There are different levels of downspeeding and the experts at Detroit, which
Spec’ing the proper suspension support
A range of factors impact air suspension design, notes Reyco Granning’s vice president of Engineering, John Stuart. “One requirement showing no signs of diminishing is the ever-present demand for weight reduction,” he says. “If you had told me 10 years ago that the market required a 1,300-lb. slider air suspension, I would have said it
PacLease celebrates 35th anniversary
June marks the 35th anniversary of PACCAR Leasing Co. The Bellevue, Wash.-headquartered company, has grown to become the fourth largest rental and leasing company with nearly 40,000 trucks in its fleet and over 550 locations, the company reported. It’s also continued to grow internationally with PacLease entering the Australian market last month. “We launched PacLease
Let’s talk progress!
Some of you may recall the iconic drawings of detective Dick Tracy, of comic book fame, talking into his wristwatch—most likely relaying valuable information back to headquarters. I doubt that when those drawings were penned anyone looking at them thought that some day we’d have the capability to talk into wristwatch type-devices. Yet here we
Peterbilt adds TPMS to Model 587
The Bendix SmarTire TPMS is available for Peterbilt’s cab-and-sleeper Model 587. “TPMS provides operators with real-time, on-demand tire status that helps ensure peak performance and can give the operator early warning before potential tire failure,” said Scott Newhouse, Peterbilt chief engineer. “The TPMS display is integrated with the vehicle’s main instrument cluster for convenient, quick
Peterbilt, PACCAR Financial offers complimentary extended warranty
Customers who purchase a new Peterbilt truck and finance through PACCAR Financial can receive a complimentary extended warranty coverage. The offer is available until March 31, 2016, on trucks in dealer inventory or truck orders received by Peterbilt prior to Dec. 31, 2015, according to the company. According to Peterbilt, the extended warranty includes: Three
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,
The latest in OE natural gas offerings
Revised in the fall of 2014, the Heavy-duty Truck and Bus Natural Gas Vehicle Technology Roadmap by the California Hybrid, Efficient and Advanced Truck (CalHEAT) Research Center operated by CALSTART concludes that, “The recent increase in supply of natural gas in the United States along with a highly attractive price point, nearly half that of
Valley Chrome Plating showcases products at MATS
Ray Lucas, president of Valley Chrome Plating, gives Fleet Equipment an inside look at the company’s existing products on display during the 2015 Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky. Stay tuned for more FE Video coverage and more news from the show.
Peterbilt’s latest truck packages push for productivity, efficiency
Peterbilt Motors Co. is coming off a big year, as the company celebrated its 75th anniversary and launched two new truck package offerings—the Model 579 EPIQ and APEX options—and its Driver Performance Assistant technology, but the truck OE has no plans of slowing down in 2015. “Peterbilt had a very good year in 2014, our
Investing in aerodynamics to improve fuel efficiency
Wind resistance is a total drag—literally. Wind resistance is one of the top forces working against the truck as it runs down the road. (The other factors being: grade resistance; tire rolling resistance; and engine accessory and/or drivetrain losses, according to Cummins MPG Guide: “Secrets of better fuel economy”.) Did you know that every 2%
