EZL Flipaway designed for low bed heights
Waltco Truck Equipment Co has introduced the EZL Flipaway series of liftgates for low-bed-height commercial trucks. The EZL Flipaway is a large-platform, low-bed-height-compatible liftgate that's easy to install, operate, and maintain.
Designed to accommodate Class 3-5 trucks with low bed heights, EZL folds under the truck bed for storage, yet unfolds and operates easily. It comes in two models, offering either a 2,500- capacity or a 3,000-lb capacity — with a 48" × 80" platform for trucks with bed heights of 38" to 44".
EZL folds and unfolds with only 25 pounds of force, compared with 75 pounds or more required by some competitive models. Then only a single-switch operation puts the liftgate into place; flush platform hinges make it easy to move wide cargo across the platform.
The single mounting dimension covers the entire bed range. Factory-preassembled components minimize installation time, and plug-in controls make wiring quick and foolproof. Plus, the parting bar that pivots with the liftgate arms to maximize ground clearance is installed at the factory.
Reduced-maintenance bearings at key pivot points do not require routine greasing, and EZL's compliance with all Technology and Maintenance Council recommendations for wiring ensure troublefree operation. In addition, the powder-coat finish is more corrosion- and abrasion-resistant than conventional wet-spray finishes.
Contact Waltco, PO Box 354, 285 Northeast Ave, Tallmadge OH 44278 for more details.
Wabash extends its DuraPlate warranty
Wabash National Corp announced that the company will extend the standard warranty period on DuraPlate trailer sidewalls to 10 years.
The warranty applies to the new model year DuraPlate dry van trailers manufactured on or after Feb 1, 2005. The 10-year sidewall warranty will be applied to all buyers purchasing new DuraPlate trailers directly from Wabash National, Wabash National Trailer Centers, or an authorized dealer, and is subject to standard limitations.
International factory-installs system that can deter theft, track trucks
International Truck and Engine becomes the first commercial truck manufacturer to offer factory-installed electronic theft-deterrent and tracking systems for medium and heavy trucks.
Debuting at the Homeland Security Summit in Washington DC recently, the International Aware vehicle intelligence system tracks trucks anywhere in the nation. When combined with a factory-installed theft-deterrent, the system becomes a two-stage crime prevention system manageable from a fleet manager's desktop.
With International's theft-deterrent system, a truck can be started, but the access code must be entered within seven seconds or the engine will shut down. The seven-second delay is a safety feature for drivers who may have to move a truck a short distance in an emergency situation. If the code is entered incorrectly too many times, it can be programmed to send an alert to the cell phone of a fleet manager or other official.
International Aware is a telematics system that allows authorized individuals to monitor trucks in real-time through a password-protected Internet connection. The system tracks the truck's exact location, direction of travel, and even how fast it is going. Other features include the ability to set up a “geofence,” a virtual electronic boundary on a map where trucks should not cross. For example, if a geofence was established around the nation's Capitol and a truck crossed that imaginary line, an alert instantly would relay to designated officials to inform them that a truck is out of its normal boundary and nearing the building.
It also works for highway tractors that veer off course on an Interstate highway. If a truck appears to be taking a different or a suspicious route, the geofence can alert a fleet manager, who can investigate further to see if it is a troublesome situation or a matter of a detour due to road construction.
Hitch-mounted flagpole receives a salute
The new truck/SUV “Trailer-Tail” flagpole will mount into ¼" or 2" universal trailer hitch receivers. Securely fasten a variety of flags within its 36"-wide × 42"-high mountable flag size pattern. This flagpole is more than 5 feet high, manufactured from rigged poly-flex plastic material and includes a DOT-style top-mounted red marker light that plugs into all standard four flat electrical trailer connectors. The pole is finished in a metallic silver, and its mounting base is in gloss black.
For more information, phone 800-891-8317, access www.TrailerTail.com, or contact San-A-Tech Co, PO Box 1471, Racine WI 53401-1471.
Throttlemax universal speed control works with all electronically controlled engines
Vanair Mfg has introduced the Throttlemax universal engine speed control, which can be integrated into any truck make or model that has an electronically controlled engine. This lets companies maximize engine performance while minimizing inventory, since they only need to stock one speed control system instead of multiple controls for different engine makes.
“The Throttlemax is ideal for projects that involve a single or multiple tasks,” said Ralph Kokot, Vanair president and chief executive officer. “By modulating engine speed according to demand and regulating engine speed for optimal operation, you can safely and effectively maximize the performance of your vehicle for virtually any application.”
Advantages include simple OEM “plug and play” connections, two preset and one variable programmable speed settings, instantaneous response time, load sensing, and the capability to integrate the Throttlemax with no engine programming required.
For more information, phone Vanair at 800-526-8817 or visit www.vanair.com.
Toggle switch seals out damaging elements
Waytek introduces its new sealed toggle switch, completely weather-resistant and sealed from the environment. The switch has a plastic coating with an O-ring seal in stem, a knurled face nut, hex back nut, and two plastic-coated wire leads 8" long. Equipped with a chrome bat handle, the switch has a mounting stem 15/32" in diameter, and 3/8" long. It also comes with a stamped metal on-off indicator plate.
For more information or to request a free catalog, contact Waytek, 7660 Quattro Dr, PO Box 690, Chanhassen MN 55317.
Bernard Welding lets users build their gun
Bernard Welding Equipment has created the CustomSelect ordering system, found at www.bernardwelds.com. CustomSelect interactively builds a Bernard Q-Gun or OXO APX Gun tailored to precise application requirements.
After logging onto www.bernardwelds.com, users can click on the “Build Your Gun Now” button, which takes them directly to the CustomSelect system. There they can select the right MIG gun to fit their application in a few easy steps. When complete, users will have a part number that they can print to bring to a welding supply distributor, save to revisit later, or submit to receive a quote.
Johnson stocks reefer truck body inventory
Pickup truck slide-ins and Xtreme refrigerated truck bodies are provided by Johnson Refrigerated Truck Bodies as part of a new dealer stocking program. Inventory will include:
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8-ft-long Johnson pickup refrigerated slide-in bodies — These fiberglass slide-in bodies for short routes and hot shot deliveries fit 3/4- and one-ton pickups. Refrigeration systems include cold plate or Carrier/ThermoKing mechanical blower units. All have an inside height of 64", outside width of 79", and a 28" × 58" single swing door. Approximate usable cargo capacity is 200 cubic feet.
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12- to 24-ft-long walk-in Johnson Xtreme refrigerated truck bodies — All are ideal for use in combination with smaller engine, fuel-efficient trucks. Johnson Xtreme bodies are available with an inside height of either 80" or 86", and most offer rear roll-up doors.
For more information, phone 800-922-8360.
TCS can prolong trailer landing gear life
Cross Shaft Innovation Inc introduces the new, patent-pending Telescopic Cross Shaft (TCS), which will absorb axial tension and eliminate compression stress generated in the cross shaft when landing gear is not in perfect parallel alignment. The automatically adjusting TCS will prolong the life of the landing gear.
Installation of the TCS takes about 15 minutes and requires no cutting or drilling. It only requires fastening the TCS to one gear box, extending the TCS to the other gear box, and fastening it with the supplied bolts and lock-nuts. Downtime is virtually eliminated. Removing a landing gear leg is not necessary; a driver could simply replace a broken cross shaft without having any special tools.
The TCS is made with high carbon structural steel (ASTM-500A) and has been put through several testing procedures including a five-month test module. Its square design makes it easy to turn in case of a broken crank handle.
For more information, phone 506-384-1044.
Tire inflation system's sales shatter records
Pressure Systems International Inc (PSI), manufacturer of the Meritor Tire Inflation System by PSI, reported that fiscal year 2004 sales of its tire inflation system for the heavy-duty trucking industry broke all previous sales records.
Since 1999, PSI has distributed its product to trailer manufacturers and aftermarket suppliers in 22 nations through an exclusive distribution agreement with ArvinMeritor.
PSI announced a 45% increase in sales over 2003, with record monthly volumes in 11 consecutive months. The Meritor Tire Inflation System by PSI now protects more than 1.5 million tires against underinflation every day.
Taking the air out of conventional tire inflation
New from Parker Hannifin Corp are the TireSaver nitrogen generators for truck and automobile tire filling. By using dry nitrogen gas instead of compressed air to inflate tires, one will maintain proper inflation pressure and prevent one of the major causes of tire failures.
Dry nitrogen gas will extend tire life up to 25% and boost fuel efficiency up to 4%. It also offers more consistent tire pressure and re-duces or eliminates having to check tire pressures and top off tires.
Other benefits to inflating tires with nitrogen include cooler run temperatures and elimination of rim corrosion and stem clogging.
Four different systems are available to service applications from a small repair garage to large fleet service stations. These wall-mountable systems are designed to produce nitrogen gas from standard compressed air. The systems are shipped complete with an integral two stage system of protective pre-filters and a carbon filter, enabling the tire inflation system to be used on any compressed air system.
For additional details, contact Parker Hannifin, Filtration and Separation Division, 242 Neck Rd, Haverhill MA 01845.
StoragePro organizes gear, deters thieves
The StoragePro trunk organizer from Havis-Shields Equipment Corp means no more emergency equipment rolling around or hard-to-access stacked bins. This product keeps all gear and equipment neat, orderly, and safely hidden from the eyes of potential thieves.
Slide-out drawers simplify access to equipment in an emergency. Pop-in dividers (three included) allow the storage drawers to be configured in various sizes. This economical product prevents people from seeing items stored in your cargo area and is available with an optional lock for more security.
StoragePro is lightweight (64 pounds), which allows the user to easily remove it if cargo area is needed for large items. Its structure will hold 150 pounds evenly distributed on top of a unit for hauling additional equipment. Installation can be done in minutes and requires no drilling into the vehicle.
Contact Havis-Shields, 75 Jacksonville Rd, PO Box 2099, Warminster PA 18974 for more details.
Great Dane, Hyundai Translead get VeriWise
GE's Trailer Fleet Services business has signed agreements with both Great Dane Trailers and Hyundai Translead to begin performing factory installations of VeriWise Asset Intelligence systems. The units will be installed on current model year trailers GE has ordered at the request of its lease customers.
Once the new trailers are installed with VeriWise, they can be remotely activated to transmit a variety of information using the optional sensor array also available from GE. This includes cargo and door sensors.
Cargo sensors virtually “show” customers the inside of their trailer via a web interface. By enabling fleets to monitor shipments in transit, and generating reports when cargo status changes from loaded to empty, or vice versa, they can help improve trailer utilization and increase security.
Sensors enable event reporting with location, time, and date of a trailer's door opening or closing. They can provide more detail about trailer activity and improve security. Sensors are compatible with swing and roll doors.
SKF tapped to enhance Dana Spicer hubcap
SKF has been awarded a contract to provide a lightweight hubcap system to enhance the Dana Spicer Low Maintenance System (LMS) wheel-end for heavy-duty axle wheel-end applications. The hubcap system was developed in conjunction with Dana Corp's Commercial Vehicle Systems group and will be available for use on Dana Spicer steer axles and trailer axles for several major North American truck and trailer manufacturers.
The new lightweight Dana Spicer LMS hubcap combines a multiple labyrinth design and high-strength polymer material to provide improved venting performance and strength, thus preventing wheel-end contamination. This weight-optimized, hybrid-design efficiently vents the wheel-end without using a continuously open port or filter membrane that could become clogged. The hubcap design also includes a magnetized side-fill plug that captures metallic particles to provide more protection to the wheel-end bearings and seals, as well as reduce product life-cycle costs.
Webasto heaters still eligible for rebate
Heavy-duty truck cab and coolant heaters produced by Webasto Product North America continue to be eligible for up to $350 (Canadian) rebates from the government of Canada's Commercial Transportation Energy Efficiency Rebate program, recently extended until April 2006.
Canada launched the Commercial Transportation Energy Efficiency Rebate as part of its commitment to improve fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Canadian government set aside money to pay a rebate of 20%, up to $350 Canadian ($283 US), for purchase and installation of pre-qualified equipment that provides coolant heating and truck-cab or bus-interior heating. Canadian-owned Class 6, 7, or 8 trucks or buses licensed for commercial service in Canada and fitted with Webasto heaters purchased on or after Aug 12, 2003, may be eligible for a rebate from Natural Resources Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency.
Delta-Waseca bodies OK for Sprinter chassis
DaimlerChrysler has given formal approval to Delta-Waseca Inc as an authorized body supplier for Sprinter cab chassis. After a review of Delta-Waseca products and procedures, DaimlerChrysler said the company's box and utility body meet all the requirements of the DaimlerChrysler Customer Assurance Program for modified trucks and vans.
Besides producing new bodies for the Sprinter cab chassis, Delta-Waseca also customizes Sprinter interiors with a variety of additions including insulation.
Delta-Waseca manufactures a full line of dry freight, refrigerated, and curtainside van bodies. Phone the factory in Waseca MN at 507-835-1172 for further information.
Tool handy for slack adjuster maintenance
One Eye Industries is shipping the Koo-Way Socket, a patented automatic slack adjuster tool that prevents splines from stripping during regular maintenance.
The Koo-Way Socket allows the user to take the pressure off the slack adjuster without damaging the internal splines, and then tightens it again after brake maintenance is complete. It can also be used to adjust brake travel.
Typical customers now find their slack adjusters are lasting almost twice as long, and routine brake maintenance is completed in a fraction of the time, according to One Eye.
More information can be found by phoning 877-888-8727 or visiting www.OneEyeIndustries.com.
ArvinMeritor, ConMet enter into agreement
ArvinMeritor Inc Commercial Vehicle Systems (CVS) business group has signed a marketing agreement with Consolidated Metco Inc (ConMet) of Portland OR. The agreement allows for the combination of the MeritorLite ductile iron hubs and the ConMet PreSet bearing packages to create the new PreSet hub assemblies. This exclusive agreement begins a long-term alliance between the two companies, authorizing ArvinMeritor to market globally the PreSet iron hub assemblies for trailer applications.
The new assembly is designed for low maintenance and extended life, using ConMet's technology for setting wheel end play and controlling tolerance between inner- and outer-tapered roller bearings. The assembly also incorporates premium seals and an advanced gasket/venting hub cap technology. Hubs are delivered pre-assembled to customers.
Effective immediately, ConMet will begin machining the Meritor ductile iron hub. The PreSet bearing package and premium seal will then be added to produce the new hub assembly. The hub assembly will be available for trailer applications exclusively through ArvinMeritor with all sales and marketing activities being managed at the company's headquarters in Troy MI. Warranty coverage on this new assembly will be five years/500,000 miles and will be administered through ArvinMeritor's On-Trac Warranty Center.
Mirror Mitts help prevent service accidents
Mirror Mitts offers a new line of padded, safety mirror covers that help prevent accidents when trucks, buses, RVs, and other vehicles with fender spot mirrors are parked for service.
Bright yellow foam pads that slip on over fender spot mirrors, Mirror Mitts feature the phrase “Safety Is No Accident” on the front and back sides. Developed to help prevent service accidents, they also reinforce safety in the workplace.
Measuring 18" wide by 16" high, Mirror Mitts are octagonal and consist of two flame-retardant, moisture-resistant foam pads joined by Velcro one-wrap straps to provide flexibility for easy mounting. They are available in standard pairs and in larger quantities with custom imprinted messages.
Literature and quantity pricing are available upon request. For more information, contact Mirror Mitts, 420 Boston Turn-pike, Shrewsbury MA 01545.
Universal Bulkhead fits most any size trailer
ITW Insulated Products, manufacturer of the Skinny Bun portable bulkhead, has introduced a new Universal Bulkhead that fits virtually any size trailer. Bulkheads will no longer have to be ordered for a specific size of trailer and kept in that trailer. The UB1 Universal Bulkhead can be ordered from inventory, which eliminates production lead times and will fit various trailer dimensions. The patent-pending design is easier to operate than oversize conventional bulkheads and will provide a thermal efficient seal to older, bowed trailers.
For more information, contact ITW, 200 Lukken Industrial Dr East, LaGrange GA 30241; or phone 800-233-6180.
Studs simplify truck battery recharging
Cole Hersee Co announces its battery feeder studs for the trucking industry. These battery feeder studs transport DC power through firewalls, allowing truck batteries to be recharged or supplied with power from external sources.
The battery feeder studs are solid brass with impact-resistant plastic insulation. Suitable for heavy-duty systems ranging from 6 to 36 volts DC, the studs come in red (part #46211-R) and black (#46211-01). As current can flow in only one direction, current cannot drain from one battery to another, so every battery stays properly charged.
For more information, contact Cole Hersee, 20 Old Colony Ave, Boston MA 02127-2467.