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Diesel News Australia / May 5, 2016 An announcement by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator will mean operators running many of the PBS truck and dog combinations will no longer need permits. The NHVR released Australia’s first gazette Notice for PBS truck and dog combinations. The Notice will replace the need for state based permits for heavy vehicle combinations comprising of a three or four-axle truck, towing a three, four or five-axle dog trailer. “The network will slash red tape for trucking operators, by removing the need for the trucking industry to apply for and later renew some 1,500 permits,” said Chris Melham, Australian Trucking Association CEO. “It will also encourage more operators to use these high productivity vehicles. “The network is an example of how the NHVR is working with industry to reduce compliance costs. There’s a lot more to do, but any day when 1,500 pieces of unnecessary government paperwork gets scrapped is a good day.” NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Duncan Gay congratulated NHVR and RMS on the Notice and said it’s a big win for NSW trucking operators who will no longer be required to obtain individual access permits. “The change removes around 300 permits in the state, it is a common sense improvement that supports the NSW Government’s commitment of making it easier for trucking companies to do business,” said Gay. “Since 2011, the NSW Government has made it our priority to cut red tape and increase access, with more than 95 per cent of state roads now open to higher mass limits for vehicles operating under this Notice.” PBS truck and dog operators working at Concessional Mass Limits will benefit from increased access on the NSW network, gaining use of 25/26 metre B-Double routes without the requirement for IAP. IAP remains a requirement for vehicles operating at Higher Mass Limits. NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said the Regulator had co-designed the Notice following detailed consultation with state and local government representatives. “Encouraging industry with better access for newer, safer, high-productivity vehicles means less trips and that’s a good outcome for all road users,” said Petroccitto. “These vehicles are delivering safer transport while a higher degree of access certainty will improve efficiency and improve productivity for operators.We’ll continue to work with road managers across the country to expand this network.” The NHVR points out in its statement, PBS Vehicle Approval will continue to be needed. For more information visit the NHVR website.

Another log truck rolls in Northland Radio New Zealand / May 4, 2016 Another log truck has rolled this morning in Whangarei, the fifth in a month, prompting angry residents to consider taking the law into their own hands. The truck, which was empty, rolled on a bend about 5.30am on Otaika Road, bringing down power lines and closing the road. It is the fifth log truck to roll in Northland in a month and the second, in that period, to roll on the same bend. Spokesman for Northland's Grow Rail lobby group Albie Barr said local residents felt the situation was out of control and there had been talk of barricading Otaika Road. "They're talking pretty drastic measures, and I don't blame them," he said. "The last truck that rolled on that bend, it happened at 2.30 in the afternoon, and there's a school bus packed with kids that rocks along that road after three. But we've advised them not to take the law into their own hands." Mr Barr said it was a matter of good luck, not good management, that no-one had yet been injured or killed as a result of the rollovers. He said log truck drivers were in some cases immigrants, inexperienced, or both, and under pressure. "They are poorly paid - they only get $16 an hour. "So the pressure is on them to do long hours, and to get in as many trips as they can from the forest to the port in a day." The police said the driver of the truck that rolled this morning suffered minor injuries, and their Serious Crash Unit was investigating. The bend on which the crash happened has an advisory sign of 55km and police have previously said the main cause of the rollovers was excessive speed, or inattention on corners. Mr Barr said a public meeting about the log trucks had been organised for next Tuesday, 10th May at 7pm in the Otaika Hall. He said there would be an extra 100 log trucks a week on the road by spring, if KiwiRail went ahead with plans to mothball the rail line north of Whangarei. .

Owner/Driver / February 23, 2016 Steve Brooks takes a tour of Cleary Bros museum, where a pair of immaculately restored early 1940s' NR Macks hold pride of place. Cleary Bros Port Kembla site is home to a fascinating and hugely impressive museum which not only highlights the company’s mechanical heritage but perhaps more emphatically, demonstrates the skill and pride of the tradespeople who have for generations continued to be such an intrinsic and vital part of the Cleary business. As a placard within the museum states: ‘These machines on display have been restored to fully operational standard in Cleary Bros workshops. The restoration work symbolises the dedication and workmanship skills of the apprentices and staff at Cleary Bros.’ Pride of place goes to a pair of immaculately restored NR Macks – one a 1942 model, the other a 1943 version – loaded with equally superb restorations of early Caterpillar and International machinery. As Dennis Cleary explains, neither of these two Macks actually worked in the Cleary stable but they were bought and restored to portray the trucks operated in the company’s early days. For more on the Cleary Bros and their Mack stronghold, see the March 2016 edition of Owner//Driver. Video - http://www.ownerdriver.com.au/industry-news/1603/dogged-devotion-cleary-bros-museum/ Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dLxO8BLXZk Note: Steve Brooks is the CAT Trucks Australia spokesman.

235 trucks crawl the Hume Owner/Driver / April 26, 2016 A nostalgic rumble echoed through Victorian towns long bypassed from Highway 31 when 235 classic trucks crawled the old Hume. Trucks dating back to the 1920s were among the 235 vehicles registered for the Crawlin’ the Hume classic truck run from Melbourne to Albury on April 16. The oldest truck to travel the Victorian section of the old Hume Highway was Brian Smith’s 1923 T Model Ford. Powerful rigs from the 1970s and 1980s also delighted crowds along the way. David Connor felt privileged to drive Canny Carrying Co’s 1956 International AS 160 on the run. In February the International took part in the funeral procession of Wangaratta trucking legend, Brian Canny, who had driven the AS 160 on the Hume in the 1950s and 1960s. The International’s restoration was completed early this year and Brian was shown the finished project only a week before he passed away. Many beautifully restored Internationals took part, including Graham Wright’s 1965 AB 184D with a 1965 McGrath trailer. Dodges, Fords, Kenworths, Macks, Whites, Peterbilts, Volvos, Mercedes, Atkinsons, Reos, Bedfords, Commers, Chevrolets, Diamond Ts, Austins, Studebakers and Fodens were all represented. Hundreds of people took the opportunity to see the trucks up-close when they stopped for lunch at Winton Motor Raceway. The run finished at Albury Racing Club where Arch McLeish’s stories from his days as a transport operator entertained 280 people attending the dinner. Crawlin’ the Hume was organised by Rob French, Roger Marchetti and Trevor Davis with assistance from volunteers who helped on the day. It will be held again in 2018. Meanwhile Bruce Gunter and his Haulin’ the Hume committee are organising a similar event between Sydney and Yass on April 1 and 2, 2017. Details of both runs will be posted in Owner//Driver’s events diary as they become available. Photo gallery - http://www.ownerdriver.com.au/events-news/1604/235-trucks-crawl-the-hume/

Highway 31: A journey down the Old Hume Owner/Driver / April 19, 2016 After weeks of comparing the White and Western Star prime movers, it is time for Matt Wood and Steve Brooks to hit the Old Hume Highway to answer the age-old question; is trucking what it used to be? It’s funny how time can speed up and slow down depending on what you may be doing at any given time. If you’re waiting for a train or stuck in traffic, time drags, if you’re having fun at a party, time flies. Watching your team lose an important game? It always happens in slow motion. While our relationship with time may be a little stretchable, four decades is a long time in anyone’s book. Time, trucking, and technology have trundled down the road of progress over the last 40 years. Truck engines have become more powerful and more reliable all the while becoming more fuel efficient and cleaner. Yet, it seems a part of human nature to mythologise the past, hence that old saying ‘the older I get the better I was.’ And you’d be hard pressed to find another road in Australia that would be shrouded in as much myth and legend as the Hume Highway between Melbourne and Sydney. So we thought it may be interesting to put two trucks on that famed stretched of now-bypassed highway to see just how much has changed. Were things really that much better in the old days? The Old Hume Highway out of Camden NSW, seemed a fitting stretch of road to compare just how much trucks, engines and highways have changed. We wanted to pit a survivor from the halcyon Hume Highway days of the 1970s and ’80s against its present day incarnation to see just how much has changed. Comparing specs In one corner we had a current model Western Star 4900FXT and in the other we had a fully-restored 1975 White 4000. Both are conventional prime movers with classic lines and both are powered by Detroit engines. But that’s where the similarities end. The ‘Star has a Detroit DD15 under the bonnet that cranks out 560hp and 1850lb/ft. The White uses an 8V71N Detroit with 318hp and 800lb/ft. The ‘Star uses an 18-speed Eaton UltraShift-Plus automated transmission, while the White has an old 15-speed overdrive ‘box with a shifter shaped like a broom handle. The newer truck towers over its ancestor. That 15-litre Detroit EGR has a comparatively massive cooling package. The cab sits high off the chassis to allow engine heat to escape. An electronic engine management system oversees engine operation and fuel delivery, much in the way of the DD’s ground breaking forefather, the Series 60 Detroit. High pressure fuel is delivered in a finely metered spray. The White Motor Company used to own the Western Star brand alongside the iconic Autocar brand. But by the late 1970s White was ailing and in 1980 Volvo bought the company and consequently, a foothold in the lucrative North American market. These days Western Star nestles under the umbrella of Daimler’s North American interests, while Autocar lives on as an independent vocational brand. Alas, White is no more. But our beautifully restored White is typical of the trucks that used to ply the old Hume Highway of the 1970s and ’80s. Finesse isn’t a big part of the White’s repertoire. The 9-litre supercharged V8 is fed diesel by a mechanical fuel system that relies on quantity rather than quality. As with all old GM Detroits, it leaks oil and a little coolant, and a boot full of revs fills the sky with fuel smoke. And the sound? Pretty much like a horny tyrannosaurus rex gargling wet cement. It is however, very cool. Hitting the Old Hume My colleague Steve Brooks got the job of steering the sensitive new age ‘Star while I wrestled with the barely power assisted steering of the White and the back-to-front gear pattern of the overdrive ‘box. As Steve idled sedately up the Razorback Range I had to take a more proactive approach. Meaning I had to keep the right foot flat and the gear changes on the money. The White certainly isn’t lacking any aural drama and I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t enjoying the demanding job of piloting the old 4000. Before the completion of the Hume Freeway the Old Hume Highway through Camden, Picton, and Bargo would have been alive with a nocturnal Detroit, Cummins, and Caterpillar bellow. These towns are now sedate little tourist villages that do little to hint of an earlier time. Every stop was a giveaway to just how far things have progressed. Steve sauntered away from the 4900 like he’d just hopped out of the family sedan. I was however, walking like Buffalo Bill with my ears ringing. The comparisons between the two are endless. The massive Stratosphere sleeper on the 4900 with its massive king bed is a very pleasant place to be. The dog box sleeper on the White requires feats of anatomic contortion to even get into it. The tarp load on the old spread triaxle flat top behind the White speaks of a time when ropes and tarps were the norm. The Auto-Hold-Auto Mezzdeck Freighter curtain-sider behind the Western Star points to a future where the driver need only throw a strap or two over a load. What it all means The old road houses are now shut and the old Highway 31 is now a tourist drive. Yet in places, bluestone walls bear the scars of a misjudged corner now over grown with age. The mists of time gloss over the sheer sweat and determination required to pilot these old trucks down undulating two lane backdrops. The Western Star 4900 with its blind spot cameras, automated gearbox and lean green powerplant in many ways represents the future of long haul trucking in Australia. The White? It’s a constant reminder of how far we’ve come. Our drive down history’s highway certainly showed me that the past is a nice place to visit. But, you really wouldn’t want to live there. Photo gallery - http://www.ownerdriver.com.au/product-news/1604/highway-31-a-journey-down-the-old-hume/

Owner/Driver / May 9, 2016 Thousands lined the streets to welcome 235 classic trucks as they crawled along old Victorian sections of the Hume Highway in April. Organiser Rob French tells us about 2016 Crawlin’ the Hume Organised by Rob French, Roger Marchetti, and Trevor Davis with assistance from volunteers, 235 vehicles were involved in the Crawlin’ the Hume classic truck run from Melbourne to Albury on April 16. Dodges, Fords, Kenworths, Macks, Whites, Peterbilts, Volvos, Mercedes, Atkinsons, Reos, Bedfords, Commers, Chevrolets, Diamond Ts, Austins, Studebakers and Fodens were all represented. Videos: http://www.ownerdriver.com.au/events-news/1605/2016-crawlin-the-hume/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHHcqYgx2NI

Mack makes mDrive HD 13-speed standard on Granite models Truck News / May 9, 2016 Mack Trucks announced today it that its mDrive HD 13-speed automated manual transmission (AMT) will be standard on Mack Granite models. The AMT features a low ratio creeper gear and helps boost customer productivity thanks to improved performance and reduced weight, Mack says. The mDrive HD 13-speed (aka. Volvo I-Shift with crawler gears) is also available on the Mack Pinnacle and Titan by Mack models. “Making the mDrive HD 13-speed standard on the Granite is a natural evolution of our industry leadership,” said Dennis Slagle, president of Mack Trucks. “Since its introduction, the mDrive has become incredibly popular – starting first with highway and more recently with many heavy-duty vocational applications. The introduction of the 13- and 14-speed gears expands the range and performance in vocational applications so much so that it is only natural for it to become our standard offering in the Granite model.” The AMT is available in both direct or overdrive configurations and offers a low reduction creeper gear ratio designed for easier startability on steep grades or when the truck is carrying a heavy load. This improved startability also allows customers to select a faster rear axle ratio. The faster ratio decreases engine rpm at highway speeds, saving fuel as the truck travels between job sites. It is also monitored by Mack GuardDog Connect. In March, Mack also announced the availability of the mDrive HD 14-speed. “Response to the mDrive and mDrive HD has been tremendous,” said Roy Horton, director of product strategy. “Currently, mDrive penetration for Pinnacle axle back and axle forward models is at approximately 80% and 60%, respectively, while mDrive HD penetration for Granite models is about 20% and growing. The penetration level of mDrive in all our models has continued to increase since its introduction.” The Mack Granite model is available in axle forward or axle back configurations. The Mack mDrive HD 13- and 14-speed AMTs are scheduled to go into full production in October. Volvo Group Press Release - http://www.volvogroup.com/group/global/en-gb/volvo%20group/worldwide/volvo-group-north-america/_layouts/CWP.Internet.VolvoCom/NewsItem.aspx?News.ItemId=151864&News.Language=en-gb

Yet another example of American companies being acquired by overseas aggressors. Once upon a time, America led the world in innovation and industrial might. But as a result of government casting a blind eye to the fast declining state of American industry, a significant portion of U.S. industry is now under foreign ownership. In order for a major country like the United States to regain its position as a world leader, we must have a solid economy, which inherently requires a solid industrial foundation. Today, we no longer have that. Much has been allowed to go abroad, while the meager remnants remaining is being sold to foreign companies. - Germany’s Mann + Hummel bought Affinia Group, producer of Wix, Napa and other brand filters - Germany's ZF has acquired TRW - Italy's Fiat owns Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep - China's Wanxiang has acquired over 20 U.S. businesses including U.S. government-funded battery maker A123, Dana’s coupled-products business, Neapco and D&R Technology. - Germany's Daimler acquired Freightliner, Western Star, Detroit Diesel and Thomas Built Buses - Sweden's Volvo acquired White, Autocar, GMC heavy truck and Mack Trucks - Germany’s Knorr-Bremse owns Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems - Sweden’s Haldex acquired Anchorlok and the Neway suspension control valve business - Germany’s SAF acquired Neway air suspensions, and 5th wheel makers Holland and Simplex - Prestolite Electric, which includes the Leece-Neville brand, was acquired by Zhongshan, China-based Broad Ocean Motor Company and Beijing-based Ophoenix Capital. - Nexteer Automotive aka GM Global Steering Holdings LLC (formerly Delphi Steering and GM’s Saginaw Steering Division) was acquired by Chinese government-owned Pacific Century Motors - Germany’s Mahle acquired Delphi’s automotive air conditioning division, Delphi Thermal - Korea's Doosan owns Bobcat - Aircraft and industrial engine maker Teledyne Continental Motors was acquired by Chinese government aircraft maker AVIC - Canada's Bombardier acquired Learjet Corporation - Mexico's KUO Group acquired Borg-Warner and Spicer transmissions - Italy's Fiat thru subsidiary CNH Global owns Case-IH and New Holland - Sweden's Volvo acquired the road construction equipment division of Ingersoll Rand - Japan's Bridgestone owns Firestone and Bandag - France's Michelin owns Uniroyal and BF Goodrich - China’s Beijing West Industries acquired Delphi’s brake and suspension divisions - Netherlands-based Mittal Steel acquired (asset holder of Bethlehem Steel, LTV, Weirton Steel, Georgetown Steel and US Steel) - Mexico's Metalsa S.A. acquired 10 Dana plants that produce structural components for chassis and body structures in light and commercial vehicles - Germany's Siemens acquired Houston-based Dresser-Rand - China's Shuanghui owns Smithfield Foods - Belgium's InBev owns Anheuser-Busch - South African Breweries (SAB) acquired Miller Brewing - Germany's Merck KGaA acquired St. Louis-based Sigma-Aldrich - Switzerland's Nestle owns Gerber baby foods and Purina - Sweden's Electrolux owns the Frigidaire, Kenmore and Tappan appliance brands - South Korea's LG owns Zenith - Netherlands-based Philips acquired Magnavox, Philco and Sylvania - China's Lenovo acquired IBM's personal computing division - Japan's Seven & I Holdings owns 7-Eleven - The UK's InterContinental Hotels Groups owns the Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza hotel chains, and Candlewood Suites - China's Wanda Group owns the AMC cinema chain - The Venezuelan government owns Citgo - Mexico's Bimbo Group acquired Sara Lee's bakery business and the following brands: Arnold, Ball Park, Boboli, Brownberry, Cinnabon Bread, EarthGrains, Entenmann’s, Francisco, Freihofer’s, Marinela, Milton’s Bread, Mrs Bairds, Oroweat, Roman Meal, Sara Lee, Stroehmann, Sun-Maid Bread, Thomas’ and Tia Rosa. - The British-Dutch conglomerate Unilever owns Ben & Jerrys, Vaseline, Hellmann’s, Best Foods, Ponds, Good Humor and Breyers - Germany's Henkel owns Dial soap, Loctite, Orbseal and Bergquist - Germany's Bayer acquired Miles Laboratories and Cutter Laboratories (including Cutter insect repellent, Alka-Seltzer, One-A-Day, Flintstones vitamins and Bactine), and the consumer care business of Merck & Co. which included the brands Claritin (allergy), Coppertone (sun care), MiraLAX (gastrointestinals), Afrin (cold) and Dr. Scholl’s. - Bayer CropScience acquired biological company AgraQuest - Thailand’s Thai Union Frozen Products owns Chicken of the Sea and Orion Seafood International - South Korea’s Dongwon owns StarKist - The UK’s Lion Capital owns Bumble Bee Foods - Jim Beam was acquired by Japan’s Suntory in 2014 - Krispy Kreme has been acquired by Luxembourg-based JAB Holdings - Giant Carlisle (Martin's Food Markets, Ukrops), Stop & Shop and Giant-Landover supermarkets are owned by Dutch retailer Koninklijke Ahold N.V. - Food Lion and Hannaford supermarkets are owned by Belgium-based Delhaize Group - Colombia's Cementos Argos has acquired the cement and ready mix producing assets of Vulcan Materials and LaFarge - UK-based Tarmac PLC acquired the cement and ready mix producing assets of Stamford, Conn.-based Lone Star Industries (for many years the largest U.S. cement maker) - Two-wheeled electric people mover Segway has been acquired by China’s Ninebot - China’s HNA Group acquired Carlson Hotels Inc. (Radisson, Park Plaza, Country Inns) The list becomes longer with each passing year.

Fleet Owner / May 9, 2016 The parent company of WIX Filters and Filtron has been acquired by Mann+Hummel. Mann+Hummel will lead Affinia Group as a new business unit based in North Carolina. Keith Wilson, previously CEO and president of Affinia, will retain his executive function as president and CEO of Mann+Hummel Filtration Technology and report to Manfred Wolf, the supervisory board chairman of the acquired company, the firm said. “The addition of the Wix and Filtron brands to Mann+Hummel strengthen our global presence with an expanded product portfolio and access to new markets,” said Alfred Weber, president and CEO. “Our joint 150 years of experience, complementary competencies, and 20,000 valued employees worldwide ensure that we will continue to grow and serve our customers with the best in filtration solutions.” Affinia's filtration business specializes in the oil, fuel, hydraulic and coolant filter aftermarket. Mann+Hummel is a privately-held global filtration company offering filtration solutions to original equipment and aftermarket customers in both the automotive and industrial sectors.

Vlad, have you tried running 6 bar in the front, and 4 bar in the rear?

Yatvitrini / February 26, 2016 The Ford-Otosan unit of Ford Motor Company has introduced an all-new diesel marine engine range at the 9th annual Eurasia Boat Show exhibition. The line-up includes both Ford’s 9-liter engine, and 12.7-liter “Ecotorq” powerplant rated up to 700 horsepower. Marine versions of the engines have been tested over 80,000 hours, and been designed to offer record low NVH levels (noise, vibration and harshness) with emissions levels up to Euro-6. .