Isuzu’s new Class 6 truck. Isuzu Commercial Truck of America unveiled its Class 6 medium-duty truck that will be released as a 2018 model. The Isuzu FTR is slated to go into production in the United States in mid-2017.
“This truck represents our vision of the future of the medium-duty truck industry,” said Shaun Skinner, executive vice president and general manager of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America. “As the adult population grows and as people move to urban centers, there will be an increasing need for delivery trucks that can carry a lot of cargo but at the same time be fuel efficient, maneuverable, environmentally friendly, and that offer a low cost of ownership.”
The FTR will be powered by Isuzu’s 4HK1-TC 5.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine. The powerplant will be mated to an Allison 2000 Series automatic transmission.
The FTR will feature a low-cab-forward design that increases visibility and markedly improves maneuverability—especially important in the crowded city centers where the FTR is expected to be in greatest demand. “A 50-degree wheel cut will produce a tight turning radius.
Pricing, available configurations, power ratings and additional features and specifications will be released in mid-2017. www.isuzucv.com.
A year of in-use testing has demonstrated that the FUSO E-Cell trucks can generate a 64% savings in operating costs compared to an equivalent diesel-powered vehicle in the same service. Tests included with flatbeds, vans installed. Trucks were operated in Europe.
Tests are planned in the US over the coming months. www.mitfuso.com
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The van crane has a maximum capacity of 1,000 pounds, and it is designed to place loads throughout the cargo area. The key is the two-piece horizontal jib that folds to enable the load to clear the rear doors of the van and then extends to reach the front of the cargo area. It can handle 1,000 pounds when fully extended. Roller bearings allow the jib to pivot freely, while rotation locks hold the crane in place when necessary. It comes standard with a 12-ft corded pendant controller and 25 feet of wire rope. www.venturo.com
www.rki-us.com
Super Duty Chassis Cab. Ford displayed its new 2017 Ford F-Series Super Duty chassis cab at this year’s Work Truck Show.
The truck boasts a front gross axle weight rating of 7,500 pounds, enabling it to carry larger, heavier upfits. And Ford has given the F-Series Super Duty chassis cab a gross combination weight rating of 40,000 pounds.
A Super Duty chassis cab’s Ford 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 diesel engine has increased ratings to 330 horsepower and 750 -lb.-ft. of torque.
The all-new frame features 95 percent high-strength steel with eight times more torsional rigidity than the previous frame, through-welded crossmembers, and fully boxed rails under the cab and forward for strength and safety. Open C-channel frame rails behind the cab enable easy body and vocational equipment upfits.
For the first time, the Super Duty body uses high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy throughout the cab, which improves dent and ding resistance while saving weight for significant increases in towing and payload capability. www.ford.com
With Mack ClearTech One, the diesel particulate filter (DPF), selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology, and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) dosing system are all combined into one unit. Bringing the systems together into one package enables customer flexibility and allows for increased space for chassis-mounted equipment, which is often needed on work trucks and short-wheelbase tractors. Customers also can opt for larger fuel tanks without the need to lengthen the wheelbase.
ClearTech One is more compact than a two-component system, allowing for a shorter wheelbase for improved maneuverability. The smaller package also is about 15 pounds lighter than the current two-unit EATS.
ClearTech One is optimized for passive regeneration and SCR performance. The SCR catalyst is mounted downstream of the DPF, preventing hydrocarbon, ash or soot from entering the system. There is also no need for a second Diesel Oxidation Catalyst to be located before the SCR system.
ClearTech One will be available for order in August 2016 in Mack Pinnacle and Mack Granite models. Mack also will continue to offer the two-unit ClearTech EATS for specific applications such as tandem steering.
Mack also announced two new versions of the mDRIVE HD automated manual transmission (AMT). As the first truck manufacturer in North America to offer low reduction gear ratios in a proprietary automated manual transmission, Mack’s mDRIVE HD 13-speed and mDRIVE HD 14-speed meet the needs of an even wider range of customer applications with the power and performance that only a fully integrated powertrain can offer.
Available in direct or overdrive configurations, the new Mack mDRIVE HD 13-speed offers a low reduction gear ratio designed for easier starting on steep grades or when the truck is under heavy load. The Mack mDRIVE HD 14-speed, available only in an overdrive configuration, adds a second ultra-low-speed reduction gear designed for curb pouring applications or low-speed, heavy-haul maneuvering. Both transmissions offer up to four reverse gear ratios.
The new Mack mDRIVE HD models share their architecture with the standard mDRIVE HD, including reinforced internal components and the same gear ratios for the 12 forward speeds. The addition of the low reduction and multispeed reverse gears is made possible by a short extension added to the front of the transmission case. Despite the additional capabilities, the new mDRIVE HD models are less than five inches longer and only 90 pounds heavier than the standard mDRIVE HD, maintaining a weight advantage of nearly 150 pounds compared with automatic transmissions.
For the first time, customers will also now have the option to spec the mDRIVE HD in Mack Pinnacle models. The new low reduction gears not only improve performance in off-road, heavy haul and construction applications, they enable as well the use of a faster rear axle ratio to improve on-road fuel economy while maintaining startability.
In addition to the two new models, all Mack mDRIVE transmissions, including the standard mDRIVE and mDRIVE HD, also received numerous updates for improved performance and durability. The transmissions are controlled by a redesigned gearbox control unit, while a new clutch with a larger torsional damper helps reduce driveline vibration. Component wear monitors were also added to enable predictive maintenance.
The mDRIVE updates also included several improvements to power take-off (PTO) controls, including new main cab harnesses for all mDRIVE models, a reinforced range housing to handle higher PTO bending torque and an all-new cab-mounted Body Builder Module. The Body Builder Module is customizable, with user-configured software parameters to control engine speed and block reverse gears when the PTO is engaged. In addition, dual PTOs are now supported.
Available exclusively with Mack’s MP series engines, the Mack mDRIVE HD 13- and 14-speed AMTs will be available for order in August on Mack Pinnacle, Granite, and Titan by Mack models. www.macktrucks.com
Constantly meshed. Parker Chelsea, has introduced its new 287 Series, a constant-mesh PTO design that utilizes wider gears and larger capacity bearing to provide a single continuous-duty torque rating, eliminating intermittent ratings.
Pump clearance issues have been improved with rotatable cast iron flanges, and the Wet Spline Pump Flange option provides 7 to 10 times greater shaft life. Chelsea has expanded its coverage of speed ranges by offering nine ratios.
The standard output shaft features a new positive stop for driveline outputs that eliminates the ability for shaft couplings to damage oil seals. www.parker.com/chelsea
The B6.7 offers 200 to 325 horsepower and a 520 lb-ft-to-750 lb-ft ratings range. New for 2017 is an increase in fuel economy for the entire range of B6.7 ratings. Optimized for stop-and-go duty cycles, the B6.7 efficiency ratings—200 hp to 260 hp—offer an increase in fuel-economy of up to 7% over current product. The B6.7 performance ratings—280 hp to 325 hp—also offer enhanced efficiency while still meeting demanding duty cycles; customers can expect up to a 5% increase without sacrificing power. Further fuel-economy improvements can be realized with innovations like the Stop-Start system, now capable on the 2017 B6.7. This technology allows the engine to operate only when necessary - saving fuel while creating a quieter ride for the driver.
With ratings from 260 hp to 380 hp and 720 lb-ft to 1250 lb-ft, the 2017 L9 will continue to lead its class with the highest power-to-weight ratio, offering optimized ratings for some of the toughest duty cycles. New for 2017 is a 350 hp/1150 lb-ft rating that maintains more power and torque across a wider rpm range, ideally suited for tough vocational duty cycles. With some further enhancements in reliability on an already proven heavy duty design, the L9 will continue to be the productivity champion, especially in the most demanding work truck applications.
The Single Module aftertreatment system is a customer-voice-driven design that combines the Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC), Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems into a single canister. This MidRange system features up to 70% reduction in space claim and up to 30% reduction in weight over current aftertreatment systems. Simple and optimized Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) dosing with the UL2 Urea Dosing System eliminates the need for engine coolant lines to and from the DEF injector, reducing installation complexity and allowing for easier serviceability. www.cummins.com
The FR3C allows for higher torque capacity by providing the maximum torque available from the Ford Torqshift transmission. Built with complete, integrated wiring harnesses, the FR3C also contains an enhanced clutch pack, bearings and gear set. Its one-piece housing boasts fewer leak points and ease of installation. www.munciepower.com
Kenworth T880 adds severe-duty suspension. Kenworth’s T880 is now available for order with the Hendrickson ULTIMAAX advanced severe-duty rubber suspension, Kenworth officials announced at The Work Truck Show.
The ULTIMAAX suspension offers a balance of empty ride quality and loaded stability. For the T880, the suspension is available with axle ratings from 46,000 to 52,000 pounds, axle spacings of 54- and 60-inches with 11-inch ride height for applications such as refuse, sand and gravel, crane/boom, platform, construction, and logging.
The suspension features bar pin end bushings, a progressive load spring design, and a rugged axle connection to extend its service life. The progressive load spring design also makes replacement easier and the rugged axle connection can reduce re-bush time. Rubber shear springs carry a majority of vertical load in the empty condition, creating a smoother ride. As the load increases, the suspension’s ride and stability characteristics change to meet the application’s needs without an abrupt change in spring load. www.kenworth.com
The proprietary engine platform was first announced in October 2014, and in November 2015 it was announced that DTNA would invest $375 million to bring medium duty engine production to its Redford, Michigan facility. Initial production of the medium duty line will take place in Manheim, Germany before shifting to United States in 2018. The DD5 will be available for orders later this year in Freightliner Class 5/6 M2106 trucks ideally equipped for pick-up and delivery applications. More extensive availability throughout DTNA’s product portfolio will begin when production shifts to the Redford facility in 2018.
The DD5 will initially offer two power ratings, a 210HP/575 ft-lb torque and a 230HP/660 ft-lb torque, with the plans for additional ratings once the production shifts to the Redford facility in 2018. In addition, Detroit also announced the engines will have a 45,000-mile maintenance interval and the engines will be equipped with the award winning Detroit Connect Virtual Technician remote diagnostics service. The DD5, along with all other Detroit engines, will meet the GHG17 standards early. www.DemandDetroit.com
