The Volvo VHD vocational truck now has Volvo Enhanced Stability Technology (VEST) as standard equipment on all concrete mixers. VEST is also standard equipment across Volvo's entire range of highway tractors in North America: the Volvo VN and Volvo VT.
VEST is a full electronic stability program, specifically engineered for Volvo trucks, that brings a higher level of protection from truck rollover and jackknife, using a standard pneumatic foundation brake system. The Volvo VHD also has a standard antilock brake system (ABS), as well as highly effective ABS-based traction control. This stability system is the most advanced system of its type offered in the market today.
In addition to mixers, this advanced vehicle stability and anti-rollover protection is being implemented on other VHD models as each configuration and application is validated by Volvo's engineering department.
The VHD is a flexible truck platform that accommodates a wide variety of work bodies.
“By providing additional control in adverse situations, VEST enhances a driver's ability to avoid accidents — which the U S government estimates cost from $245,000 to $3.4 million per incident,” said Scott Kress, senior vice-president of sales and marketing. “Vocational trucks like the Volvo VHD are particularly well-suited for this technology, since they can have a high center of gravity and dynamic loads.”
VEST uses a steering angle sensor, a lateral acceleration sensor, and pressure sensors in the rear suspension air bags to determine driver input and vehicle response in rapidly changing situations. A modified ABS electronic control unit uses an advanced software algorithm to determine from sensors and other inputs when the vehicle is approaching a critical safety threshold. This algorithm is developed through extensive testing for each vehicle configuration. As the truck approaches critical safety limits, VEST begins to reduce engine power while immediately applying braking pressure as needed to individual wheel ends. This reduces speed and avoids the imminent risk of rollover or jackknife.
Volvo Trucks North America assembles its Volvo VT, VN and VHD trucks in the United States, at the New River Valley Plant in Dublin, Virginia. Volvo engines for North America are assembled in Hagerstown, Maryland.
International showcases entire line-up
International Truck and Engine Corporation showcased a complete line of 08MY International “Star” series trucks along with its new MaxxForce engines.
“Navistar will continue to invest in and deliver integrated transportation solutions from across our global business lines — vehicles, engines and parts and service — that enable our customers to capitalize on business opportunities in the U S and around the world.”
“We used the approach of new 2007 emissions regulations as a strategic opportunity to upgrade several of our key products,” said Dee Kapur, president of the company's Truck Group.
A few distinct areas of focus for the company's commitment to innovation have been aerodynamics and fuel economy, ergonomic research and design, driver comfort and handling satisfaction, and serviceability.
New for 2008, will be a 113-inch bumper-to-back-of-cab (BBC) offering. The daycab, for example, offers a shorter wheel base for even better maneuverability and a lighter weight to maximize fuel economy and payload for regional customers.
In addition to the updates to the International ProStar for 2008, International has been announcing throughout the last year the re-branding of individual trucks across its entire product line with “Star” badges. Initiated with the reintroduction of the International PayStar and ProStar launch last year, the additional “Star” badges go into production with the '08 model year and include TranStar, DuraStar, WorkStar, and CityStar. Each name corresponds to a previous product in the International “thousand” series.
New for 2008 are International's MaxxForce 11 and MaxxForce 13 engines. The big bore design provides up to 1,700 lb ft of torque at 1,000 rpm. The efficiency and power characteristics of the MaxxForce 11 and MaxxForce 13 are made possible by technologies that include a high-pressure common-rail fuel system, twin-series turbochargers with interstage cooler, and Eco-Therm heat-management system. The big bore offering rounds out the MaxxForce product line already meeting the needs of International's Class 4 through 7 customers.
New medium-duty trucks from Kenworth
Kenworth unveiled a new lineup of medium-duty trucks at the Mid-America Trucking Show.
Kenworth introduced the T370 Class 7, T270 Class 6 and T270 hybrid-electric conventional models and the K260 Class 6 cabover, which joins the K360 Class 7 cabover.
The new lineup handles a broad range of diverse applications, including food and beverage distributors, propane and fuel fleets, towing and recovery operators, general construction and landscape firms, and dry, refrigerated, and side-curtain van operations.
The T370 and T270 are available with the PACCAR PX-6 engine rated to 325 hp and 750 ft-lb of torque, and with the PACCAR PX-8 engine rated to 330 hp and 1,000 ft-lb of torque. Customers can choose manual or automatic transmissions and air or hydraulic brakes. Both models offer many exhaust options for the various wheelbases, especially important to body builders that work with medium duty customers.
The Kenworth T270 Class 6 hybrid-electric medium duty conventional is powered by the new PACCAR PX-6 engine and features an integral transmission-mounted motor/generator, a frame-mounted 340-volt battery pack, and a dedicated power management system. The T270 hybrid operates like a standard diesel vehicle with all power coming from the engine during steady driving conditions above 30 mph, and uses a combination of diesel and electricity below 30 mph. The system automatically switches between the two modes of operation and is seamless to the driver.
The Kenworth K260 Class 6 cabover is for companies in many applications, especially for those that need excellent maneuverability to make tight maneuvers in city conditions.
Both the K260 Class 6 and the K360 Class 7 are based on the DAF LF55, which has received European Truck of the Year honors. European customers cite that model's high-volume payloads through its low chassis weight and clear back of cab as among major reasons for its success.
The 26,000-lb GVWR Kenworth K260 will initially be launched with a PACCAR 5.9-liter engine rated at 220 hp with maximum torque of 600 lb-ft.
The Kenworth K260 is currently equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, air or mechanical rear suspension, and front and rear air disc brakes. The 63.2-inch BBC (front bumper to back of the cab) has plenty of room for a large van body and provides a 55-degree wheel cut.
Heavy haul and other vocational operators will benefit from Kenworth's new 1,780 square-inch radiator for the Kenworth T800 wide hood model.
The new Kenworth radiator becomes one of the largest radiators on the market today for Class 8 over-the-road trucks and resulted from Kenworth efforts to help offset added heat from the latest engines.
Kenworth's 1,780 square-inch radiator is available for up to 140,000 pounds GCW for all road conditions. It offers the cooling needed when running up to a 600-hp engine in slow-speed, high-power applications or in stationary applications — including pumping or drilling with a split-shaft, power-take-off to drive body-mounted equipment such as an oilfield cementer.
Kenworth Truck Company has added the Cummins ISM 425-hp engine for Kenworth's W900S and T800 vocational models to help customers enhance productivity by reducing weight and increasing payload.
Peterbilt in production with 2008 models
Peterbilt Motors Company announced during its press conference that both heavy-duty truck manufacturing plants and the PACCAR facility that produces Peterbilt's medium-duty models are in full product with the company's 2008 models.
Peterbilt introduced its new models at last year's Mid-America show, but the units were in limited production during the second half of the year.
New Cummins engine produces 600 hp
Cummins Inc, Columbus IN, has announced the release of its ISX engine with 600 horsepower and 2,050 lb-ft of torque. The ISX announcement was part of several engine and engine-related products Cummins presented at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky.
Manufactured in Jamestown, New York, the Cummins ISX is a heavy-duty diesel engine built with dual overhead camshafts and an integrated engine brake as standard equipment. The ISX 600 with 2,050 lb-ft peak torque is scheduled to become available in the fall of 2007.