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Diesel News Australia / February 2019 There seems to be no stopping the Isuzu bandwagon, as the company prepares to celebrate 30 years as the top selling brand in Australia, it just keeps pushing further ahead. Diesel News checks out the new N Series range from the Japanese truck maker. A truck brand doesn’t end up being the dominant brand in a truck market for a period as long as 30 years without doing quite a bit right. In the case of Isuzu, the company is constantly pushing itself to keep ahead of the curve and challenges competitors to keep up. There is also an efficient system for channeling the feedback from the truck buyer on the ground back to the decision makers specifying the next iteration of a particular model. Knowing what the customer wants and delivering it are vital if you want to stay number one. This introduction of a renewed N Series range of light duty models illustrates these points very well. Innovations keep Isuzu ahead of the game and adjustments have been made to satisfy customer needs. There’s also been some consideration of the comfort of those customers with the introduction of an independent front suspension on some of the NNR models at the lighter end of the range. These are the trucks which buyers are often moving up to from cars or utes and the IFS provides the kind of ride quality which could be described as car-like. Another car-like feature is the introduction of two pedal operation on the NPS 4×4 models in the new range. The automated manual transmission (AMT) has been calibrated to take the grief out of gear changing in difficult conditions where four wheel drive is needed. As is common in just about every new truck launch these days, the audio visual entertainment system gets an upgrade, bigger, with a new operating system and many more features. With their competitors all running modern entertainment systems, Isuzu just go one step further. On the engine front, the power and torque available continue to creep up, but the complexity actually goes down. Improvement to the engine’s design means the 5.2 litre 4HK1 engine no longer needs a diesel particulate filter, which can be problematic during the regeneration cycle. The diesel particulate filter (DPF) has been replaced by a maintenance-free diesel oxidisation catalyst but still meets Euro-5 emission limits. “We are always looking to develop and implement the most appropriate technology to empower Australian businesses to improve both operational efficiency and functionality,” says Phil Taylor, Director and CEO at Isuzu Australia. “We believe we are continuing to achieve that goal for our customers. Isuzu continues to have the most comprehensive truck range on the market in Australia today.” .

Power Torque Magazine / February 2019 There’s something very special for any fleet when a new truck arrives, and PowerTorque was privileged to join in the celebrations as Sydney-based Gear Shift Haulage commissioned its latest combination with a special tribute. Formed in 2013 by managing director Lee Fahey as an offshoot of a civil construction business, Gear Shift continues to become a dominant player in heavy earthmoving equipment transport from its company base in Ingleburn, south-west of Sydney. Drawing on the success, experience and infrastructure already in place, Gear Shift Haulage transports heavy machinery and plant to all areas of the Sydney basin, as well as regionally within NSW and interstate. At any time, the scope of work for Gear Shift may span hauling small equipment such as remote trench rollers, up to 45 tonne compactors, dump trucks or crushers. Currently the workload is split, with 85 percent attributed to external customer requirements and the remaining 15 percent catering for internal company movements. Kyle Bunning is the transport manager for Gear Shift Haulage and explains the company’s business philosophy. “The machinery movement business can be extremely delicate, and you need to be on your A-game all the time,” he said. “Service is a big thing. Realistically, customers do not necessarily remember all those little jobs you managed to complete on their behalf at the last minute in order to keep their jobs on track. They do, however, remember if a truck doesn’t turn up, or you might have previously said that it was not possible to handle a specific job, so we are extremely customer focused. “We find now that a lot of our clients are searching us out to do work for them, even if they traditionally have ties to other transport carriers. We don’t actively chase other company’s clients as that is not the way that we operate. However, if they come to us and request a job because another service provider can’t get a job done for them, we’ll try to help them out”. Prior to the early part of 2018, Kyle handled all the operational planning and allocations himself. It was at this stage that the decision was made to employ Rick Sookee, to take responsibility for allocation. “My phone never stopped ringing, ” said Kyle. In another bid to streamline operations, Gear Shift implemented a single email system for contact, using Excel Online. This informs several staff members of the whole process of booking jobs, relieving a lot of the burden from any single staff member. “It helps share the operational load more evenly and keeps all concerned well and truly in the loop, in real time,” Kyle said. “This game can also be a bit hit-and-miss with workloads. One day you can be flat out and be dreaming of another couple of trucks available in the fleet, and the next there is the risk that they might all be sitting in the yard with no work, so we have to carefully plan our equipment purchases”. The latest prime mover to join the Gear Shift fleet is a Kenworth K200, bringing the total number of trucks operated by the company to six. In addition to the new flat roof K200, the fleet comprises two Volvos in the form of one FM and One FH, together with a K200 Aerodyne and a Kenworth T359 tilt tray. Finally, working on back-up duties predominantly in the yard is an older K104 model. The fleet also comprises three trailers − two deck-widening, steerable quads, one 3 x 8 full widener and a bogie axle step-deck used behind the smaller FM Volvo. Another K200 Big Cab and accompanying Drake trailer with a gooseneck dolly are scheduled for arrival in the first quarter of this year. Kyle said the delivery of the new Drake trailer and gooseneck dolly would enable the company to accommodate loads of up to 60 tonnes. Whilst the latest acquisition is from the Kenworth stable, the existing Volvo trucks in the fleet play an equally important role in the company’s success. “The little FM Volvo with the bogie axle, step-deck trailer is a great little unit and is perfect for tight city jobs. It can take payloads of up to 27 tonnes, and with its tight turning circle and 12-metre length, it is right at home on these jobs. The FM can get to most places a tilt tray can access, with the added benefit of increased payload over a 6×4 truck,” Kyle said. “The driver we have in the FH Volvo was offered the Kenworth to drive, but remained content to stay with the big Volvo”. Gear Shift Haulage handles all its own maintenance requirements within the company from its Ingleburn workshop, with the excess workload picked up by local company RV Mobile Truck and Trailer Repairs. Within the broader scope of the company group, Kenworth has a strong presence among the trucks, explaining Lee Fahey’s allegiance and loyalty both to the brand and the local dealership, Suttons Arncliffe. Whenever new vehicles are required, the company evaluates the various options from different manufacturers and dealerships. For now, though, the dice seems more often than not to roll back to Kenworth. Suttons Sales Manager Michael Maranda handled the latest purchase, working with Lee to optimise specifications for the new truck. The flat roof K200 is kitted out for heavy work with an X15 Cummins engine at 605 hp (450 kW) utilising an Eaton UltraShift PLUS automated manual transmission. The final drive ratios are 4.56:1 and the wheelbase spread is 4250 mm. Heavy duty aluminium guards were fitted, incorporating toolboxes in the empty space between the guards, and dual intake pipes and exhaust stacks add a bold stance to the appearance. The K200 was ordered intentionally without cab side wings at the recommendation of Kyle, who believes it gives a little bit of old-school class to the truck. When questioned about the names on the side of the truck and the significance of the title “Ted’s Shed” on the front of the cab, Kyle explained: “The truck was ordered and specced up by Lee, but I wanted to do something a little bit special with this one. I wanted to keep it on the quiet, and surprise Lee. “I liked it when there were a lot of owner/drivers out there with the family names on their trucks and thought that might be a nice touch. “Without Lee knowing, I got in contact with Adam Blair of Blair’s Signco Pty Ltd. at Heathcote and devised a plan to have the names of Lee’s kids and a tribute to his dad, Ted, hand-painted onto the truck. “As Adam is an old mate of Lee, and with Lee being very hands-on in his management style, it was a real struggle to keep him from seeing the truck before our official unveiling, which took place in front of the whole family at a job site. I even had to go as far as to instruct the satellite tracking installers not to activate the tracking on this truck until I gave the go-ahead, because I knew if Lee could find out where the truck was, he would head out to check up on its progress,” laughed Kyle. Orchestrating the unveiling of the new truck to Lee was a difficult affair. Lee was requested a few days prior to attend a worksite, and had been told by Kyle to wear his best Gear Shift shirt. This immediately got Lee wondering what was going on. Lee’s wife Melissa was in on the secret and also arranged to bring out Lee’s parents, Ted and Ruth, and daughter, Sarah. PowerTorque was also present to capture the unveiling and hand-over of the new truck. The truck was driven out by Kyle connected to the company’s three-week-old Drake quad-axle trailer. For authenticity, Komatsu at Ingleburn lent a refurbished 20-tonne excavator for the day. In an industry fast becoming dominated by big business and multinationals, the transport game could do with more old-fashioned family value displays such as this offered by a transport manager to his owner. Lee and the extended family were treated to quite the surprise upon arriving at the work site to view the truck and its signwriting. A nervous few minutes passed with Kyle not knowing if Lee would approve of his use of company funds to spring the surprise, or whether he had to look for a new job. It didn’t take long for the smiles to kick in as the family took in the small, yet humbling, gesture. .

Diesel News Australia / February 2019 Heading out of Cairns early morning to avoid what passes for a rush hour in the north Queensland city, we were out on the road with the new Scanias. We have now reached a point where it is a no-brainer to let the truck drive itself as much as possible. The driver simply needs to handle the steering and, occasionally, take over on the accelerator and the brake. They can use all of their attention to look at what’s going on and make sure everybody in the truck and around the truck are safe and travelling as efficiently as possible. This test drive included two trucks, the 620hp fitted with a V8 engine and a 500hp running the 13-litre in-line six engine. These are both prime movers which are likely to pull B-doubles. The 620 can expect to work this hard day-in-day-out, but the 500 is more likely to pull a variety of combinations, including a B double. This engine reaches maximum power at 1900 rpm but it’s maximum torque at 3000 N metres is available from 950 to 1400 rpm. On these roads in northern Queensland, which are generally flat, the tachometer needle rarely moves outside that maximum torque band. These trucks have adaptive cruise control (ACC) and with this comes an active prediction topographical interface. The topographical data is rarely needed on these flatter roads, but the ACC is ideal. The truck is travelling along a two-lane highway with traffic coming on and off it regularly. The ACC ensures the truck stays away from slower vehicles and can simply be switched off if an opportunity to overtake and get back up to 100 km an hour comes along. As the truck passes through the smaller towns on the route it is very easy to get into a rhythm of engaging the retarder as you approach a slower speed limit. The Opticruise transmission understands there is a need to slow down and will change it down a cog or two to keep the revs high. Once up to cruise speed, the eco-roll function starts to come into its own. These kinds of system are becoming more common on trucks, so we now have to look at the subtle differences between the different applications of this idea. They can often be too conservative and only wait until the conditions are absolutely perfect before disengaging the clutch. Others may be a little too aggressive and disengage the clutch when perhaps it would have been better to retain that element of control within the driveline. Driving the truck in manual along an undulating section of the road, the truck’s coaching system will give tips to back off on the accelerator at a certain point and get the driver to make the conditions right for eco-roll to automatically come on and neutralise the clutch. This is the point to which we have come with the modern electronic truck. We are not talking about whether or not we want automatic transmission, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and so on. Instead, we are comparing all of these systems being fitted by the different truck manufacturers. In essence, the differentiating factors will be those of the software design used, effectiveness of any sensors involved and which parameters the manufacturer chooses to go with. We can only judge the overall effectiveness of all of these different systems, especially when they are all working at the same time together, by the smoothness of the ride and the interaction of the automated systems. The driver has to remain alert at all times and in doing so should be saying to themselves, ‘the truck should be going up a gear or down a gear at this point, the accelerator should be backing off because of this car in front’, and noting whether the system does what is safe and effective at the right time. One of the takeaways from this drive is how seamlessly all of the electronic control systems seem to work together, as one. All of the different systems are combining, talking to each other and assessing the situation to ensure safety, efficiency and effective driving. .

Prime Mover Magazine / February 6, 2019 The first stage of the planned works anticipated as part of an ambitious expansion for commercial vehicle manufacturer, Paccar, has recently taken place at a groundbreaking ceremony at its Bayswater site in southeast Melbourne. A 1,500 metre factory extension that includes a new onsite warehouse and incorporates improved layouts and upgraded facilities will be part of a planned three year expansion program. Completion of the project in 2021 is set to coincide with Paccar’s 50th year of manufacturing in Australia. The facility currently produces up to 15 Kenworth prime movers a day. In 2018 it also commenced assembling DAF trucks locally. Present at the ceremony was Craig Membrey from Membrey’s Transport and Crane Hire, Daniel Crawford General Manager of Hallam & Bayswater Truck Centres, Paccar Australia Managing Director Andrew Hadjikakou, Paccar Australia Operations Manager Tom Cooper and Paccar Australia operations Project Manager Graeme Clementson. In August last year the company announced its plans to double the size of its facilities. Hadjikakou said the investment for the company’s more than 1200 employees meant a vote of confidence in their abilities and a commitment to their future. “We will be able to build more trucks with higher levels of quality and even better safety,” he said. “One thing is certain, investment in the plant, equipment and training to make this day possible will impact our future in many ways we cannot yet imagine,” said Hadjikakou. The ground-breaking ceremony took place on Friday 25 January. .

This extended footage of a head-on collision in the Pilbara shows the moments before the crash, in which the lights of an oncoming road-train travelling in the opposite direction are seen in the driver's window. .

Volvo Trucks Australia / January 28, 2019 On the open road in the Pilbara, an in-cabin camera captured live footage of Volvo’s safety features in action. It records the moment one of our Volvo FH16 60 metre Quad Roadtrain trucks travelling at 85km/hr collides head on with a detached trailer from a road-train travelling in the opposite direction. This is the first time, to our knowledge, that a live crash has been captured globally in a Volvo truck. The driver demonstrated exceptional professionalism and respect for other road users by alerting other operators by radio of the impending danger they were approaching, including the detached trailer. The driver stayed alert and was able to walk away from the incident unharmed. .

Scania Australia Press Release / January 29, 2019 Charter and tour operators will love the new Scania Touring 57-seater, two-axle coach. It’s a Scania from bumper-to-bumper so there’s only one point of contact. At 12.3 m long, 3.8 m high and 2.5 m wide, it’s ideal for school and short and long-distance charter work. And with 9 cubic metres of luggage space, no suitcase gets left behind. .

Like any new technology, the AMT has improved over time. Today, most function extremely well. While there are some I like over others, none are bad. I run semi-dump around Chicago (lots of stop and go and bumper to bumper traffic) In your application, I would consider paying up for the Allison. It's worth the investment, and then there's the higher resale value.

Parties are nothing more than a distraction for elected officials, who should be 100 percent focused on their place in government. Simply stated, parties should be banned. I have never encountered a "party" that was good for "the people" and/or the efficient execution of government.

Paul, I'll say it again......"Cultural decay and declining standards of behavior". The government is the only entity tall enough to lead society in a healthy direction, but Eisenhower was the last respectable president actively doing it. So now, decades later, we have this. Maybe they're from Detroit.

What has happened to the America I used to know ?

Associated Press / February 9, 2019 Five underage suspects were arrested Friday and charged with criminal homicide for the murder of Kyle Yorlets. Three of the five suspects arrested Friday in connection with Yorlets' murder were named by police as Roniyah McKnight, 14, Decorrius Wright, 16, and Diamond Lewis, 15. The names of the two youngest suspects, a 12-year-old girl and 13-year-old boy, have been withheld because of their age According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police, the five kids were in a stolen Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck in the alley that runs behind Yorlets' house in the 32000 block of Torbertt Street when they spotted him outside on Thursday afternoon. The minors accosted the man, took his wallet and demanded the keys to his car, which he refused to hand over, prompting the suspects to open fire on him. The mortally-wounded victim managed to make it inside his home, where he was found by one of his roommates at 3pm. Yorlets was rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead from his injuries. In the hours after the shooting, officers recovered the stolen Chevy Colorado, which had been abandoned in the 1600 block of Timberland Drive. Witnesses in the area reported seeing three juveniles get out of the vehicle. Two of them got into another car and drove off, while the third fled on foot. Police said in the course of the investigation, they learned that the underage suspects had traveled to the West Nashville Walmart on Charlotte Pike, where all five suspects were apprehended. A loaded 9mm pistol, which had been reported stolen, was recovered from them. A second loaded, stolen pistol was recovered from inside the store. The vehicle in which they traveled to the Walmart, a Hyundai Santa Fe, was also stolen. .

If illegals are stopped at the border, then any human trafficking is also stopped at the border......end of story. It's all about enforcing our already existing laws......and sending a strong message. Then, 95 percent of this will end.

This is but one example of what I said recently. They're no longer copying, rather they're self-innovating and pulling forward.

Based on the Qingdao division's JH6 model, the new cab arrangement includes a stand-up shower and battery-operated auxiliary air conditioner unit. .

"I think we need immigration laws that focus on people who pose a real threat and I don't think [illegal immigrant] moms and babies are the place that we should be spending our resources. Separating a [illegal immigrant] momma from a baby does not make this country safer." Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I couldn't agree more. They should have been immediately deported.......no resources spent.......end of story.

I honestly believe she has good intentions. And I can admire "that", given the intentions of so many politicians appears questionable from afar. However, she seems too "green" to be doing a lot of talking to the media at this early time in her career. I would at first get in there and learn the ropes. Taxing the rich at 70 percent (the wealthy aristocracy that controls US Inc.)........good luck with that.

Volvo Group Press Release / February 8, 2019 Volvo Penta has signed its first agreement to design and deliver an electric driveline for an industrial OEM. This strategic partnership follows the recent announcement that Volvo Penta is providing the propulsion system to Gothenburg’s first all-electric ferry, and demonstrates an important step in the company’s journey to offer electrified power solutions to both the industrial and marine segments by 2021. Volvo Penta’s partner in this latest endeavour is Rosenbauer, one of the world’s top manufacturers of fire-service vehicles and with whom Volvo Penta has already provided Stage IV/Tier 4 Final and Euro VI emissions-compliant diesel engines. Volvo Penta will develop the electric driveline in Rosenbauer’s first electric fire truck, the Concept Fire Truck (CFT), taking a system delivery approach. Fire truck uses proven Volvo technology For Volvo Penta, the project represents an exciting opportunity to demonstrate and further develop its electromobility platform in a prestigious and demanding application. Rosenbauer, meanwhile, benefits from a proven Volvo Group technological solution that is tailored to its needs; it is a win-win situation for both companies. The launch of the Concept Fire Truck is scheduled for 2021. “Emission-free driving is a key feature of our innovative Concept Fire Truck,” says Dieter Siegel, CEO at Rosenbauer International. “For this reason, I am very glad that the heart of the CFT – the electric driveline – will be provided by Volvo Penta. Thus, we are going to be the lead user of proven electromobility technology, today used in Volvo buses and trucks. We have been cooperating with Volvo Penta for many years, which, as a pioneer, has started looking after pollutant reduction early and is putting a strong focus on electromobility.” Volvo Penta is leveraging the benefits of proven technology and competence in the field of electromobility, combined with a deep understanding of customer needs to develop electric power solutions that future proofs their customers’ businesses. “This partnership with Rosenbauer is the first of many as Volvo Penta expands its competence in the field, and builds an innovative electromobility platform for the future,” says Björn Ingemanson, President of Volvo Penta. “Every day, Volvo Penta is taking steps forward in meeting the demands for cleaner, quieter and more efficient power solutions, both on land and at sea. We are excited to contribute to the Rosenbauer journey, bringing fire fighting trucks of the future to the market.” .

MAN Truck & Bus Press Release / February 8, 2019 Significantly more than an evolution. The truck with that certain "Something": Cutting edge design with exclusivity and comfort. .

Ford Trucks International / February 8, 2019 The New Big: The Ford Trucks F-MAX is now in the Czech Republic for a special product launch! Ford Trucks - Ready when you are! .

Correct, the ISL (even though Volvo Group has their own UD-designed 7.7-litre 280-350hp D8K engine that would be ideal for the MHD application).

Scania Group Press Release / February 6, 2019 A groundbreaking customised Scania P 410 truck designed for wind turbine oil changes has been conceived and developed by Maser Engineering, a French company. The new truck reduces maintenance time by 400 percent. Guillaume Allaire, Business Manager at Maser Engineering explains: “I wanted to develop equipment that was capable of carrying out oil changes quickly and easily.” Unique customised Scania P 410 The four-axle Scania P 410 with its three steered axles is unique not only in France, but even in Europe. Two years of research and design were needed to bring about this ‘Swiss Army knife’: a Scania weighing 19 tonnes at no load, including a 12,000-litre tank separated into three compartments (for used and new oils), a mechanical compartment equipped with a 600-litre heating tank, a power generator and a 120-metre double hose reel. “With this truck, an oil change can be done four times faster. Products have absolutely no contact with air. In short, operations are made safe and the risk of pollution is limited,” Allaire says. Scania – an attentive partner Maser Engineering hopes to gain a foothold in the French market with the new truck which is assembled according to the short-circuit principle. “All participants, from Scania to the coachbuilder, are based in Pays de la Loire, in western France. We are involved in renewables and green energy, so sustainable construction makes sense to us,” says Guillaume Allaire. Scania’s quick and positive response with this chassis, which is sized to meet the needs of the activity made all the difference to Maser Engineering. “When we approached them, we felt that the project elicited their interest because of the technical sophistication of the truck, and the environmental focus of our work,” he recalls. Read more about Scania P-series here .

"It's all about performance."

Commercial Motor / February 4, 2019 Why does MA Ponsonby run a V8? It's all about performance. .