kscarbel2

(Please don't call me Mister........I work for a living) It was custom-built by Rowe Motors in Tauranga, New Zealand from a Western Star tractor for the purpose of pulling oversize loads. It has a Hino motor mounted low between the frame rails paired with an Eaton 13-speed tranny. http://www.rowemotors.co.nz/index.html .

Hillary Clinton top aid Huma Abedin worked years at a radical Muslim journal Paul Sperry, The New York Post / August 21, 2016 Hillary Clinton’s top campaign aide, and the woman who might be the future White House chief of staff to the first female US president, for a decade edited a radical Muslim publication that opposed women’s rights and blamed the US for 9/11. One of Clinton’s biggest accomplishments listed on her campaign website is her support for the UN women’s conference in Bejing in 1995, when she famously declared, “Women’s rights are human rights.” Her speech has emerged as a focal point of her campaign, featured prominently in last month’s Morgan Freeman-narrated convention video introducing her as the Democratic nominee. However, soon after that “historic and transformational” 1995 event, as Clinton recently described it, her top aide Huma Abedin published articles in a Saudi journal taking Clinton’s feminist platform apart, piece by piece. At the time, Abedin was assistant editor of the Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs working under her mother, who remains editor-in-chief. She was also working in the White House as an intern for then-First Lady Clinton. Headlined “Women’s Rights are Islamic Rights,” a 1996 article argues that single mothers, working mothers and gay couples with children should not be recognized as families. It also states that more revealing dress ushered in by women’s liberation “directly translates into unwanted results of sexual promiscuity and irresponsibility and indirectly promote violence against women.” In other words, sexually liberated women are just asking to be raped. “A conjugal family established through a marriage contract between a man and a woman, and extended through procreation is the only definition of family a Muslim can accept,” the author, a Saudi official with the Muslim World League, asserted, while warning of “the dangers of alternative lifestyles.” (Abedin’s journal was founded and funded by the former head of the Muslim World League.) “Pushing [mothers] out into the open labor market is a clear demonstration of a lack of respect of womanhood and motherhood,” it added. In a separate January 1996 article, Abedin’s mother, who was the Muslim World League’s delegate to the UN conference, wrote that Clinton and other speakers were advancing a “very aggressive and radically feminist” agenda that was un-Islamic and wrong because it focused on empowering women. “‘Empowerment’ of women does more harm than benefit the cause of women or their relations with men,” Saleha Mahmood Abedin maintained, while forcefully arguing in favor of Islamic laws that have been roundly criticized for oppressing women. “By placing women in the ‘care and protection’ of men and by making women responsible for those under her charge,” she argued, “Islamic values generate a sense of compassion in human and family relations.” “Among all systems of belief, Islam goes the farthest in restoring equality across gender,” she claimed. “Acknowledging the very central role women play in procreation, child-raising and homemaking, Islam places the economic responsibility of supporting the family primarily on the male members.” She seemed to rationalize domestic abuse as a result of “the stress and frustrations that men encounter in their daily lives.” While denouncing such violence, she didn’t think it did much good to punish men for it. In a 1996 article, Saleha Mahmood Abedin wrote “Among all systems of belief, Islam goes the farthest in restoring equality across gender.” She added in her 31-page treatise: “More men are victims of domestic violence than women . . . If we see the world through ‘men’s eyes’ we will find them suffering from many hardships and injustices.” She opposed the UN conference widening the scope of the definition of the family to include “gay and lesbian ‘families.’ ” Huma Abedin does not apologize for her mother’s views. “My mother was traveling around the world to these international women’s conferences talking about women’s empowerment, and it was normal,” she said in a recent profile in Vogue. Huma continued to work for her mother’s journal through 2008. She is listed as “assistant editor” on the masthead of the 2002 issue in which her mother suggested the US was doomed to be attacked on 9/11 because of “sanctions” it leveled against Iraq and other “injustices” allegedly heaped on the Muslim world. Here is an excerpt: “The spiral of violence having continued unabated worldwide, and widely seen to be allowed to continue, was building up intense anger and hostility within the pressure cooker that was kept on a vigorous flame while the lid was weighted down with various kinds of injustices and sanctions . . . It was a time bomb that had to explode and explode it did on September 11, changing in its wake the life and times of the very community and the people it aimed to serve.” Huma Abedin is Clinton’s longest-serving and, by all accounts, most loyal aide. The devout, Saudi-raised Muslim started working for her in the White House, then followed her to the Senate and later the State Department. She’s now helping run Clinton’s presidential campaign as vice chair and may end up back in the White House. The contradictions are hard to reconcile. The campaign is not talking, despite repeated requests for interviews. Until now, these articles which Abedin helped edit and publish have remained under wraps. Perhaps Clinton was unaware she and her mother took such opposing views. But that’s hard to believe. Her closest adviser served as an editor for that same Saudi propaganda organ for a dozen years. The same one that in 1999 published a book, edited by her mother, that justifies the barbaric practice of female genital mutilation under Islamic law, while claiming “man-made laws have in fact enslaved women.” And in 2010, Huma Abedin arranged for then-Secretary of State Clinton to speak alongside Abedin’s hijab-wearing mother at an all-girls college in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. According to a transcript of the speech, Clinton said Americans have to do a better job of getting past “the stereotypes and the mischaracterizations” of the oppressed Saudi woman. She also assured the audience of burqa-clad girls that not all American girls go “around in a bikini bathing suit.” At no point in her long visit there, which included a question-and-answer session, did this so-called champion of women’s rights protest the human-rights violations Saudi women suffer under the Shariah laws that Abedin’s mother actively promotes. Nothing about the laws barring women from driving or traveling anywhere without male “guardians.” If fighting for women’s rights is one of Clinton’s greatest achievements, why has she retained as her closest adviser a woman who gave voice to harsh Islamist critiques of her Beijing platform? Note: Huma Abedin is, surprisingly, still married to pervert and disgraced congressman (sexting scandal) Anthony Weiner.

Wonderful. Giving free money to foreign aggressor Volvo, of Sweden, so that they can better profit in.......the United States. Odd, I don't recall the referendum in which United States taxpayers voted in favor of providing free money to foreign aggressors.

If the US was certain that these prisoners were guilty of killing one or more Americans in the US or abroad, they should have been discretely interrogated, and then executed, without it being made public knowledge.

C'mon guys, let's keep this in perspective. The Iranians paid a hefty deposit for additional Grumman F-14s. They didn't get them. They wanted the airplanes, or their money back. The U.S. side provided neither. The international tribunal in The Hague ruled that Iran should get their money back. We were compelled to comply with the ruling, since we're always pushing other countries to observe the rule of law (and because we're pushing China to comply with the Hague ruling on the South China Sea). But, Obama refused to let the cargo plane with money depart Switzerland for Iran until he was sure that the hostages were released and airborne. Any one of us would have done the same thing, and felt wise for doing so. It wasn't a ransom. It was a prudent move.

Those parts are going to be hard to find. What did your Mack Australia dealer in Tasmania say when you called them? If they weren't helpful, try calling Mack Australia directly at 1300 69 6225.

And behold, a revised video is presented today. The video........has no sound. The bizarre and unattractive green glob background is a mystery. .

Bendix Offers Remedy for Recalled Parking Brake Valve Heavy Duty Trucking / August 15, 2016 Bendix has released a repair kit in connection with the voluntary recall of around 200,000 of its SR-5 trailer spring brake valves. The no-cost permanent remedy kit, Bendix part number K140496, fixes an issue with the SR-5 valve that allowed an internal leak to develop in the unit, resulting in slow application of spring brakes when parking a trailer. The leak is heard if observed at the supply gladhand when uncoupled from the tractor, or if coupled, from the exhaust of the park control valve. Bendix is directing owners of the affected trailers to work through their vehicle OEM or an authorized Bendix parts outlet to obtain the remedy kit. Back in May, Bendix notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the start of a voluntary safety recall for the SR-5 valve. The recall includes all Bendix SR-5 trailer spring brake valves manufactured between Jan. 1, and Mar. 4, 2016. The SR-5 is made for trailers only, and could affect any trailer that uses the valve. The action does not impact SR-5 valves manufactured prior to or after the stated dates. These valves were made available through vehicle OEMs and the aftermarket. As part of the reporting requirements, OEMs will indicate which of the trailers they manufactured – identified by year and model number – are among the trailers containing valves reported by Bendix as a part of this voluntary action. Bendix Product Action Center representatives are available to assist vehicle owners with questions about this voluntary recall Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, toll-free at 1-877-345-9526, or by email at SR5campaign@bendix.com. Information is also available at the online Product Action Center under the Services & Support tab on bendix.com

Mack gives Dave prize of a lifetime Big Rigs / August 15, 2016 In December last year, Mack Trucks Australia vice president Dean Bestwick called Dave Martin to tell him he was the lucky winner of the 'Win a Mack for a year' competition, and that he'd better start thinking about what Mack he'd like. For Dave, whose company D & A Martin Transport hauls bulk stock feed to the dairy and beef farms in Victoria's Gippsland region, the choice was easy; a 600hp Mack Super-Liner equipped with an mDRIVE AMT (automated manual transmission). Last week Dave was given the keys to his brand new 600HP Super-Liner, and as you can probably see in the photo, he was stoked! "I've been dreaming of this moment ever since getting that call from Dean," Dave said. "To jump up into the drivers' seat and fire her up for the first time was absolutely magical. "I'll remember this day for a very long time." Dean Bestwick says Dave defines what Mack is about as a brand, making him a deserving winner. "Honestly, there couldn't have been a more deserving winner than Dave," he said. "Dave is exactly what Mack is all about. "He is your typical salt-of-the-earth transport operator out there having a go. "He's got a great business running a few trucks around here, but this new Super-Liner in his fleet is going to make a huge difference. "The MP10 and mDRIVE is a dream combination for his bulk-haul work in the hilly Gippsland region." Dave has been a long-time fan of Mack trucks, having previously owned a Super-Liner and Trident. "I've been eyeing off the new Super-Liners for a little while now, so when the Mack Heartland Tour rolled into town, Jason from CMV suggested I come down and have a drive," Dave said. "That's when the guys suggested I enter the competition to win one for a year. I wasn't going to bother because I'm not the luckiest bloke, but I'm bloody glad I did - take a look at this truck!" Dave's re-acquaintance with the Mack family started in June with a tour of Mack's production facility in Wacol with his son, Cameron, where they got to see his Super-Liner being assembled. "I've always known the Macks are bloody tough trucks, but I have a whole new level of appreciation for their quality after seeing them being built with my own two eyes," he said. "Last time I saw this truck it was still just chassis rails, engine, a cab - all spread out over the factory. The guys have done a great job with the truck, it looks a million bucks." After spending the afternoon with Mack product trainers, Dave is confident his drivers know how to get the most out of the Super-Liner. "The technology is constantly changing, so it's been great to be taught exactly how to use it properly. "Mack Telematics will be really helpful for the contracts that require GPS tracking. "I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks after-all. "I can't thank the guys at Mack enough. "This whole experience has been amazing, and I can't express how grateful I am. "The addition of a new Mack Super-Liner to the fleet means really big things for our business." .

Steve Brooks, Trade Trucks AU / August 15, 2016 Final details being negotiated but direction is compelling After almost a year of protracted negotiations and barring any last minute corporate hiccups, it now appears just a matter of weeks before Iveco will be officially announced as the Australian distributor of International trucks. If everything goes ahead as planned, International’s versatile ProStar model could be on sale at Iveco outlets around the country by late this year. More likely, however, is that it will be early 2017 before trucks are widely available here. Right now, everything hinges on the final details being agreed by International parent Navistar in the US and Iveco holding company, Case New Holland Industrial (CNHI). According to CNHI’s head of corporate and external affairs for the Asia-Pacific region, Ron Grasso: "It is not yet a done deal but it is very close and there is every likelihood that Iveco will soon acquire distribution rights for International trucks in Australia. "We are working through the final details with Navistar and it’s entirely possible that we are just weeks away from making a joint announcement. "Like I said, it is very close and we have communicated that to Iveco staff." Speaking at the launch of Iveco’s new Daily 4x4 range, Grasso emphasised the strong relationship that exists between International and Iveco, stretching back to Iveco’s formation in 1992 of International Trucks Australia Ltd until the change to Iveco Trucks Australia Ltd in 2000, which saw the relatively short-lived reintroduction of several International models to the Australian market. "There is an entrenched association between the two brands," Grasso commented, "and there’s a lot of excitement within Iveco about the prospect of having the International brand back in the company."

Truck Engineer / August 12, 2016 Construction material supplier Gleeson Quarries has taken delivery of two Renault Range C trucks, the first of this marque to join its 40-strong fleet. Supplied by distributor Surehaul Commercials, the Tipperary-based operator’s new additions are Renault model C380 10x4s, both fitted with Gleeson Steel half-pipe bodies to deliver stone, wet mix, sand and gravel to its customers in Ireland. http://www.gleesontruckbodies.co.uk/Tippers/E100-Half-Pipe-Tipper-Body The new Range Cs have a specially-fitted fifth pusher axle, allowing the trucks to handle an increased payload of up to 24.45 tonnes. Renault’s five-axle combinations, with complete vehicle type approval, meet the demand for heavier applications without the need or expense of retrofitting an additional axle, and come with full warranty and aftermarket support to deliver lower operating costs in the long run. Peter Gleeson, Gleeson Quarries’ managing director, says Renault was the only marque able to offer a pusher axle of this type: “Other manufacturers could only offer us a tag axle... Having the fifth axle in the centre is better suited to our particular operation and it is far more versatile – for example, tipping into paving machines for road works.” The trucks are supplied on a five-year warranty. .

Despite adjustments, Kenworth remains optimistic for 2016 and beyond Truck News / August 12, 2016 Kenworth Truck Company and Paccar held an editor’s event at its office in Kirkland, Wash. Aug. 12, where it highlighted several company initiatives, including the launch of the more fuel efficient T680 Advantage Day Cab, bidding adieu to an old favorite and how the year has been shaping up so far. Mike Dozier, general manager of Kenworth and vice-president of Paccar, said the first half of the year has been profitable. “We feel very good about the first half,” Dozier said of Kenworth and Paccar’s 2016 numbers. “We’ve capped off 111 years for Paccar of very superior performance and our 77th year of net profit.” The company has generated $8.7 billion in revenue during the first half of the year. Dozier said the company’s year-end sales numbers have been adjusted to better reflect the current market, with estimates going into 2016 between 260,000 to 280,000 units sold being downgraded to between 220,000 to 240,000. Kenworth also made a number of adjustments on the manufacturing side to be ‘well positioned’ to fit production with where the market sits. Dozier said fleet profitability has continued to be positive, despite not being on the same level as 2015. “I think we’re certainly looking at 2016 as a good year,” he said, “but requiring more focus than perhaps last year did. With the year overall, we’re looking at a good year. Certainly things have come off slightly since last year, but from a standpoint when we look at the metrics, fundamentals, GDP growth through the second quarter, we do have growth…we have an economy that continues to grow.” Part of the growth, Dozier said, is thanks to positive performance in the construction sector. Freight tonnage also continues to climb, but rates can be a concern for some. “We noted freight rates in yellow,” Dozier said. “That’s one thing we hear from customers, that the common theme is freight pressures. That highlights that it’s so important to be close to the customer and understand their businesses and how we can help them be more successful, because those rate pressures obviously translate into the overall success of their businesses.” With the release of the T680 and T880 models a few years back, Dozier, who was chief engineer at the Kirkland location prior to relocating to Australia until his return to the Kirkland location in April, said he was proud to see the project he worked on come to fruition. “It’s not often in a career in this industry you get to see an entirely new product platform come to life,” Dozier said. “The growth of those products to essentially 80% of what we build today, being those 680 and 880 platforms…it’s something we’ve very proud of.”

Fleet Owner / August 12, 2016 U.S. sales of medium and heavy trucks in July saw their largest drop in almost seven years, and it was a similar story for sales in Canada. Class 8 sales were the driver in both cases. In the United States, Class 8 sales fell 39.8% compared with sales in July 2015. International, Freightliner and Volvo had the biggest year-over-year sales losses for the class, dropping 56.7%, 46.1% and 41.2%, respectively. In Canada, Class 8 sales were down by less but still significantly: sales fell 32.0% vs. July 2015. Class 7 sales faired better, down 15.2% in the U.S. and rising 2.1% in Canada compared with sales a year ago. Freightliner was the top U.S. seller (up 41.9%) for Class 7 trucks but had one of the sharpest losses in Canada (down 40.9%). Peterbilt's Canadian sales fell 68.4% for the biggest drop. For the United States, Class 6 was the best performing group. Sales rose 11.3% from a year ago. Chalk that up to gains by Ford (up 59.3%) and Freightliner (up 13.5%), but Peterbilt sales also saw gains — 7.4% — compared with July 2015. Class 6 Canadian sales fared quite poorly last month compared with July 2015, however, falling by more than half. Class 5 sales in the United States were about break-even last month vs. July 2015, down by only 0.3% overall. In Canada, Class 5 sales fell 9.6%. U.S. Class 4 sales fell by 16.7% year-over-year. In Canada, Class 4 sales fell 22.0%. The medium-duty classes were another mixed bag in the U.S. versus Canada. Ram’s Class 5 sales in July rose 56.8% in the United States but fell 11.4% in Canada compared with July 2015 sales. Mitsubishi-Fuso’s Class 4 July sales fell 71.0% in the U.S. and 85.7% in Canada, compared with July 2015 sales. Click here for more on U.S. truck sales for the month or here on Canadian truck sales from Ward's Auto.

Kenworth enhancing day cabs, ending T660 Today’s Trucking / August 13, 2016 Kenworth has unveiled several new and coming product enhancements, particularly to its lineup of day cabs, but has also announced that it will officially end production of the venerable T660. The company has sold 60,000 of that aerodynamic tractor since it was first introduced in 2007, essentially replacing the T600. A final 500 of the T660 cabs will be built this year until the last model rolls off the assembly line. About 80% of the trucks that the company builds today are the T680 or its vocational sibling, the T880. The T680 itself accounts for about 60% of sales, with the T880 at just under 30%. The changes come as Kenworth, like every other truck manufacturer, faces slumping Class 8 truck sales across North America. It is now projecting a retail market of 220,000 to 240,000 Class 8 sales this year, down from earlier projections set between 260,000 to 280,000 units. Still, the company did adjust its production rates last year to account for a smaller market. “Certainly things have come off slightly since last year,” said Mike Dozier, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice president since April. And it has been a slow summer, but summers are historically slow. Putting the sales into context, 2016 will still be a good year for truck makers. “A strong market would put it in the Top 5 markets that we’ve seen,” he said. “The fleet is as new as it’s been in a long, long time … We see 2017 as a continuation of 2016, as we get a normalization.” Several factors are feeding the projections. The U.S. Gross Domestic Product is up 2% in the second quarter of the year, and a strong construction sector is supporting segments served by dump trucks and mixers, he noted in a media briefing. Even auto sales, which have slowed, are still up 0.4% year over year. Looking specifically at trucking, freight tonnage is up 2% year over year, while fleet utilization has bumped up 1% to 87%. The challenge for fleets is freight rates, which have dropped 0.06%, he said. For Kenworth stockholders, Dozier presented other positive news. The company has now enjoyed 77 consecutive years of net profit, and paid dividends every year since 1941. An A+/A1 credit rating also helps to ensure cash is on hand for further investments in the company and its products, Dozier said. The latest addition to the PACCAR tech center is a climatic-controlled wind tunnel, which can simulate everything from summer desert conditions to frigid winter temperatures at altitude. It’s one of only two such systems in North America. In the midst of it all, Kenworth expects its market share to edge up to 15%, and account for 9% of medium-duty trucks. Roughly 45% of the new trucks also come with proprietary engines, including the MX-11 that was introduced at the beginning of the year. By the end of the year, the company expects there will be 130,000 PACCAR engines on the road. “The future continues to be very, very bright,” Dozier said. More to come “We’re very proud of what we’ve accomplished, but we’re not done,” said chief engineer Kevin Baney. Kenworth had projected that it would boost fuel economy about 3-5% per year, and delivered a 15% increase in 2013, Baney said, adding that further enhancements are planned for next year. The T680 Advantage day cab is one of the latest trucks to receive aerodynamic and powertrain upgrades. Launched this month, it includes a front air dam, roof cap “bulb” seal, lower fairing extensions and lower fairing closeouts. The aerodynamic improvements boost fuel economy 1% over a model without the Advantage package, while powertrain upgrades – including an MX-11 or MX-13 engine, 10-speed Eaton Fuller Advantage Automated Manual Transmission, and Meritor MT40-14X drive axles rated at 40,000 pounds -- increase fuel economy 5% on their own. Kenworth is also leveraging three grants valued at a collective US $8.6 million to develop a low-emission T680 day cab for drayage operations, complete with systems that use Compressed Natural Gas to general electrical power. The first day cab included in the investments will be a T680 hybrid electric drayage truck. A second will feature a hydrogen fuel cell. And both will have a 30-mile range under electrical power. Another four hybrid-electric day cabs will be created under the $4.8 million in funding that comes from the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Day cabs are not the only trucks to be enhanced. The T370 vocations with a 46,000-pound rear axle and suspension will now include a straight channel steel bumper, larger 385/65R22.5 steer tires, and molded fender extensions to improve air flow around those wheels. About 30% of all T680s also come with the Bendix Wingman Advanced system. The option combines cameras and radar to better identify objects for adaptive cruise control and emergency braking. Assistance to keep in lanes is also being developed, Baney says. It all feeds into the evolution of semi-autonomous trucks. Any barriers to those have more to do with public acceptance than technology, he said. “The technology is there. It’s more about how do you carry out platooning when you get it out into the infrastructure.” The regulatory environment presents other challenges, Dozier added. “There’s a significant difference between a passenger vehicle that has autonomous capability and a commercial vehicle that has autonomous capability.” Kenworth engineers are even testing that with a recently acquired driver-assisting Tesla. Support Kenworth now has 370 dealer locations across North America, including a growing number that have qualified for the Premier Care Gold designation that identifies sites that offer two-hour triage service, extended hours, certified PACCAR engine technicians, and personnel dedicated to TruckTech+. More than 18,000 trucks are now equipped with the latter remote diagnostics platform, said Jason Skoog, assistant general manager – sales and marketing. Collectively, they’ve now logged about 600 million miles under the system’s watchful eye. “The beauty of the system is in its simplicity,” he said. Messages for fleets and drivers are as simple as stop now, service now, service soon, or keep driving. Demonstrating the system, engineer Micah Einterz showed how a truck demonstrating a coolant fault code showed up as a red dot on a map of fleet assets. Drilling down into the report, it not only showed that coolant levels were too low, but how rapidly those levels were lost. Information is provided on the three closest dealers and feedback from sensors collected 60 seconds before and 10 seconds after the fault code was triggered. Likely maintenance needs were identified on top of that. “Today it’s diagnostics. Very shortly it will be prognostics,” Dozier said, referring the possibilities of Big Data.

Low- and Zero-Emission T680 Day Cabs to be Tested in California Ports Heavy Duty Trucking / August 12, 2016 Kenworth has received $8.6 million in federal grants for low-emission T680 Day Cab drayage truck projects in California. The three government grants will support low-emissions projects involving Kenworth T680 Day Cabs targeted for use as drayage tractors in Southern California ports. The first two projects are funded at $1.9 million each by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, with Southern California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District as the prime applicant. Kenworth will build two proof-of-concept T680 Day Cab drayage tractors to transport freight from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to warehouses and railyards along the I-710 corridor in the Los Angeles basin. The first will be a hybrid electric drayage truck producing near-zero emissions using a currently available compressed natural gas engine to generate electrical power. The second will feature a hydrogen fuel cell offering true zero-emissions operation. These trucks are expected to be identical, except for their power generation systems. Both trucks will have an all-electric range of 30 miles, as well as on-board CNG and hydrogen capacity, respectively, of 100 diesel gallons equivalent. The third project is funded at $4.8 million by the California Air Resources Board, again with the SCAQMD as the prime applicant. Kenworth will build four hybrid-electric T680 Day Cabs and support the customer field test of the units in Southern California drayage operations. “Hybrid-electric powertrains are expected to be required within seven to 10 years to meet emissions requirements in several major metropolitan areas of the United States," said Mike Dozier, Kenworth general manager and Paccar vice president. "Already California is considering regulations requiring port drayage trucks to run at zero-emission levels when operating in economically disadvantaged communities. These T680 Day Cab projects are a great opportunity for Kenworth to advance the development of key technologies that may play a critical role in the trucks of the future.” .

Kenworth upgrades T370 medium-duty vocational truck Heavy Duty Trucking / August 12, 2016 In other news, Kenworth announced that it is enhancing its T370 medium-duty truck with additional new options that further expand its capabilities for vocational customers. These upgrades include a new, durable straight steel channel bumper, larger size 385/65R22.5 steer tires, and rugged, molded thermoplastic fender extensions. The heavy front axles can be paired with 46,000-lb. rear axles to create specifications ideally suited for vocational applications, such as dump, fuel delivery, utility, crane, service trucks, or mixers. Additionally, Kenworth CEO Mike Dozier noted that after a successful 10-year run, the company will "sunset" production of its T660 Class 8 tractor. The final production run of 500 units is underway now. Dozier noted that more than 60,000 T660s have been sold over the past decade.

Kenworth Prepares to Launch Fuel-Economy Spec'ed Day Cab T680 Heavy Duty Trucking / August 12, 2016 Kenworth will extend its T680 fuel economy Advantage package into vocational applications soon with the launch of two new, T680 Advantage Day Cab models, but will cut production of the T660 by the end of the year. The announcement came Friday at Kenworth headquarters in Kirkland, Wash.*, ahead of a demonstration of Bendix's new Fusion Advanced Vehicle Safety system. Kenworth Chief Engineer Kevin Baney said the new trucks will help pickup and delivery and regional haul operators save money with enhanced fuel economy benefits pioneered and refined on the company's Advantage highway tractor. The new T680 Advantage Day Cab features an optimized powertrain built around the 2016 Paccar MX-13 or MX-11 engine. A fuel efficiency-optimized Eaton Fuller Advantage series 10-speed automated transmission is standard, combined with Meritor MT40-14X drive axles rated at 40,000 lbs. Other key features include Kenworth Driver Performance Assistant, Kenworth Predictive Cruise Control, Kenworth Neutral Coast, and FlowBelow aero wheel covers. Aerodynamics provide the foundation for any fuel-efficient truck design today, and the T680 Advantage Day Cab is no different, with aerodynamic treatments designed to further reduce aerodynamic drag and improve fuel economy. These include a front air dam, roof cap “bulb” seal, lower fairing extensions, and lower fairing closeouts – all carefully engineered to expedite airflow across all surface areas on the truck and negate aerodynamic drag and vacuum areas as much as possible. All told, Baney said, the combination of a highly efficient powertrain and super-slippery aerodynamic profile give the T680 Day Cab up to a 6% boost in fuel economy, compared to a non-optimized version of the truck. The new model will debut later this month.

Fleet Owner / August 12, 2016 Characterizing the 2016 economic climate as “a good year overall though off slightly from last year,” Kenworth Truck general manager Mike Dozier nevertheless sees U.S. retail Class 8 sales falling off from an initial forecast set a range of 260,000 to 280,00. Given softer than expected sales in the first half, that forecast is now down in the range of 235,000 to 240,000, he said during a press conference at company headquarters. Coming off 2015’s exceptionally strong sales, the average age of the U.S. heavy truck fleet is at it’s lowest in years, so combined with sluggish economic growth and softer freight demand, the downturn in truck sales wasn’t a surprise. “We’ve been making adjustments in manufacturing capacity since the end of 2015,” Dozier said. As for 2017 heavy-duty truck sales, “we think the market will hold at 2016 levels,” he said. Turning to Kenworth performance, Dozier said the (DAF) MX-13 and newly introduced (DAF) MX-11 engines are now powering about 45% of Kenworth’s new trucks and that it’s T680 and T880 models now account for 80% of that build. Separately Kenworth announced that it will sunset the older T660 at the end of the year with a final production run of 500 units. The T660 was introduced in 2007 as a replacement for the original aerodynamic heavy-duty tractor, the KW T600. Over 60,000 have been produced in the last nine years, according to Jason Skoog, assistant GM for sales and marketing. “This final [production run] will give customers one final chance to own a T660,” Skoog said. The T660 is available as a day cab or in 38-inch, 62-inch, 72-inch and 86-in. sleeper configurations. Standard power is the MX-13 rated at 455-hp and 1,650 lb-ft of torque. Other product news announced at the press event includes expansion of the T370 vocational model to include a “Baby 8” version with 46K-lb. rear axles and 385/65R22.5 steer tires. Applications for the heavier capacity T370 include dump, fuel tanker, utility crane and mixer. The T680 lineup has also been expanded with an aerodynamic package for the day cab model. Combined with powertrain refinements, the Advantage package can improve fuel economy by up to 6% over non-Advantage day cabs, according to Kevin Baney, KW chief engineer. Aerodynamic features, adopted from Advantage sleeper configurations, include a front air dam, new roof cap seals and lower fairing extensions. The optimized powertrain includes either the MX-13 or MX-11 engine, Eaton Fuller Advantage 10-speed automated transmission and Meritor MT40-14X drive axles. The T680 day cab is also serving as the platform for a near-zero-emissions drayage truck being developed by Kenworth. With three grants totaling $6.8 million from Federal and California clean air programs, the company will deliver a total of six hybrid diesel-electric versions of the T680. At least one will use a CNG engine to produce electric power and another a hydrogen fuel cell, both with an all-electric range of 30-mi. and both assigned to port drayage duties at Long Beach. Technical specs for the other four hybrid electrics aren’t finalized, but they will run in a Southern California customer field test, according to Kenworth. .

Fleet Owner / August 12, 2016 Kenworth Truck introduced its fuel-efficient Kenworth T680 Advantage Day Cab for pickup and delivery and regional haul operators. The new Kenworth T680 Advantage Day Cab features an optimized powertrain that includes the 2016 Paccar MX-13 engine or Paccar MX-11 engine and the Eaton Fuller Advantage(TM) series 10-speed automated transmission, combined with fuel-efficient Meritor MT40-14X drive axles rated at 40,000 lbs., Kenworth Driver Performance Assistant, Kenworth Predictive Cruise Control, Kenworth Neutral Coast, and Flow Below(TM) wheel covers. The T680 Advantage Day Cab also includes aerodynamic treatments designed to further reduce aerodynamic drag and improve fuel economy, according to the company. The featured enhancements are a front air dam, roof cap “bulb” seal, lower fairing extensions, and lower fairing closeouts. “We’ve leveraged some of the key fuel-efficiency optimization specifications and special aerodynamic treatments on the Kenworth T680 Advantage 76-inch sleeper – our most fuel-efficient truck – and brought them to the day cab market,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing manager. “Customers who purchase new T680 Day Cabs will receive real-world, fuel economy benefits from these specifications and key aerodynamic features designed to help maximize operating efficiency.” Altogether, the T680 Advantage Day Cab offers up to a 6% fuel economy benefit compared to a non-optimized Kenworth T680 Day Cab with the previous generation of Paccar MX-13 engine, Eaton Fuller automated transmission, and standard drive axles, according to the company. “For driver retention and recruitment, the T680 Advantage Day Cab offers a design that optimizes comfort and provides an excellent drivers environment,” Kenworth said. “Drivers appreciate features such as the 2.1-meter wide quiet cab, adjustable advanced suspension seats with climate control, air-assisted hydraulic clutch, ergonomic dash, easy-to-use Driver Performance Center, and LED interior lighting.” .

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US declares state of emergency in Puerto Rico over Zika epidemic Associated Press / August 13, 2016 The US government on Friday declared a public health emergency in Puerto Rico as a result of a Zika epidemic. The declaration allows the US Department of Health and Human Services to award grants, access emergency funds and temporarily appoint personnel where needed, among other things. “This administration is committed to meeting the Zika outbreak in Puerto Rico with the necessary urgency,” says Secretary Sylvia Burwell. Burwell traveled to the US territory in late April to evaluate its response to the outbreak. The announcement came hours after Puerto Rico reported 1,914 new cases in the past week, for a total of 10,690 since the first one was reported in December. The mosquito-borne virus has infected 1,035 pregnant women, which is a concern to authorities because Zika has been tied to a severe birth defect known as microcephaly. Puerto Rico reported the first case of microcephaly acquired on US soil in May, involving a dead fetus that a woman turned over to health authorities. No microcephaly cases have been reported since then, but federal officials say it’s only a matter of time. Governor Alejandro García Padilla said he had asked federal officials to declare a public health emergency. García recently authorized the use of Bti, an organic larvicide, to fight the spread of Zika after rejecting aerial spraying with the insecticide naled as proposed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Puerto Rico Health Secretary Ana Rius said 90 people have been hospitalized because of Zika. Officials say 30 people have been diagnosed with a temporary paralysis condition known as Guillain-Barre that has been linked to Zika. Health authorities believe the number of Zika cases is much higher because eight of 10 people show no symptoms and many don’t go to the doctor. The emergency was declared one day after the US surgeon general visited Puerto Rico and said he expected 25% of Puerto Rico’s nearly 3.5 million people will be infected with Zika by year’s end.

Houston mother drowns children Associated Press / August 14, 2016 Two children were found dead under a neighbor's house Sunday after their mother told someone helping her move that she had drowned them in a bathtub. The 30-year-old mother was in custody and not yet charged with murdering her 7-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter, Houston police spokesman Kese Smith said. The woman said she drowned the children Friday. She was turned into police by an acquaintance who came upon her throwing away trash in a field, where she allegedly told him she needed help moving right away. When the man asked about her kids, she calmly said she had killed them. “She was so matter of fact about it he didn't think she was serious. He thought she was joking,” Smith said. “He continued to help her pack.” Smith said the man eventually realized something was wrong when he asked again and got the same answer. He then drove the woman toward a nearby police precinct and flagged down an officer. The mother tried burying the children at first but put them under a neighbor's house when that proved too difficult. Smith said police had been to the home before but for 'nothing major.' Child Protective Services said they had also visited the home in the past, but would not elaborate why. The woman has a 12-year-old son who was not at the home at the time of the incident. He is safe and staying with his father. Police say the mother has a minor criminal record, but refused to go into detail, citing privacy laws. In 2001, Houston mother Andrea Yates drowned her five children ranging in age from 7 years to 6 months in the bathtub of her family's home. .

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