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When a standard series truck can‘t deliver the performance required for more demanding transportation operations, French specialized heavy haulage truckmaker Nicolas has the answer – “the Tractomas“. The 27-liter Caterpillar C27-powered Tractomas TR 10x10 has the highest tractive force in the world. With an empty weight of 40 tons, this monumental vehicle is capable of moving a convoy of about 700 tons. Sales Brochure - http://www.nicolas.fr/fileadmin/shared/Prospekte/Tractomas/Tractomas_GB.pdf

FYI

Good day to my fellow BMT members and truck enthusiasts! Since February 16, 2013, I have been using my corporate truck news feeds, in support of BMT’s ever growing popularity, to make the website’s “News” thread one of the best in the truck industry. As many know, the BMT has grown from a humble U.S. website into one with a truly global footprint. As a decades-long Mack Trucks alumni, and individual with immeasurable passion for the truck industry, it has been a genuine pleasure to donate my time each day. However, an issue arose on February 18 of this year. Primarily from my supporting the BMT news thread, I have used up my allotted disc space. As a result, I am no longer able to continue at the present time. It is in the nature of “news” that a supporting photograph, chart or other is often required. If I had only used my attachment capacity for personal posts on Mack history and other, I would still have an abundant amount of attachment space. I have contacted Barry Holden (website administrator) and kindly requested that, primarily in support of his website’s “News” thread, he consider providing me with attachment space once again so that I may resume posting the truck industry's latest developments. Providing BMT viewers with a comprehensive high-quality “one-stop” news thread has been a distinct pleasure. I am willing to continue........if provided with the means. Warmest regards, Kevin

No, I'm just a regular guy who will always be a Mack man through and through. Under legends like Zenon C.R. Hansen, I had the best family with the best teachers in the truck industry......ever. "The bulldog is more than just a hood ornament. It represents the dynamic approach Mack has to business. It represents the strength and durability of its trucks, and the pride of its employees." Zenon C.R. Hansen "What Volvo has done, reduce an American icon down to a mere shell of its former self, should be a crime."

Please do post those pictures here...........all truck knowledge needs to be shared........particularly in the case of truck history so that it may never be forgotten.

My fellow BMT member, I have scanned the info that will support your friend's research. However, the website's system says I "have exceeded my allotted disk space for attachments". One of the core values of the BMT website, a key pillar that has allowed it to leap forward in popularity and become global in scope and viewership, is the exchange of knowledge. As inexpensive as disc space is today, it would be a shame for the website to plateau here. I will e-mail you the information (scanned photographs). But please post those four scans here so that all BMT viewers may benefit. I again want to emphasize that the ability to share such truck knowledge with all BMT viewers is the core element which has, up to now, allowed BMT to soar.

KrAZ Trucks Press Release / February 11, 2016 On February 10, KrAZ Trucks held a ceremony at the company’s truck museum to honor its retired workers. The former employees, many over 80 years of age, were warmly greeted and presented with gifts as a token of the truckmaker’s continued appreciation. Meetings with retirees are regularly held at KrAZ Trucks thru the joint efforts of the Council of Veterans and plant management. Today the organization of retirees at the KrAZ plant is the largest of any employer in the city of Kremenchug, numbering over 5,000 people. Over 300 former employees annually receive material aid, gifts, and food packages on the anniversaries of Victory Day and International Women’s Day (March 8). In the case of elderly company veterans who require physical assistance, special transportation is arranged to transport the retirees to the company. In 2015, over 500 former employees who dedicated half of their lives to the truckmaker visited their former plant to see the latest developments and recall their achievements. A Russian proverb states “There is no future without past“. Young workers come up to take place of elderly laborers at KrAZ. Today, 28 percent of the company’s employees are below 34 years of age, and the average employee’s age is 45. The new generation of KrAZ employees adopts the life values and traditions of their predecessors, the veterans of the truck plant. This is why KrAZ Trucks is developing and progressing forward. KrAZ is proud not only of its trucks, but also of its employees. Our employees are our most valuable resource. .

Associated Press / February 16, 2016 An investigation that began after flames devoured a $4.5 million mansion led to a grand jury indictment Wednesday in the killings of three people from a prominent Washington family and their housekeeper. Darron Dellon Dennis Wint, 35, faces 20 felony charges, including first-degree murder while armed, burglary, kidnapping, extortion, arson, and theft, federal prosecutors said Wednesday. Wint, of Lanham, Maryland, is facing 555 years in prison after he was charged with brutally murdering 46-year-old Savvas Savopoulos, his wife Amy, 47, their 10-year-old son Philip and housekeeper Veralicia Figueroa, 57, before setting their house on fire on May 13, 2015. The list of indictments has revealed that he beat his victims with a baseball and then stabbed them with a samurai sword. Wint burned 10-year-old Philip Savopoulos alive, after knifing him. Guyanese-born Wint entered their home, kidnapped the family and extorted $40,000 from them as ransom before killing them. The grand jury in the D.C. Superior Court found the murders were 'especially heinous, atrocious or cruel.' The seventh charge on the indictment reads: 'While armed with a bat and other blunt force object and a sharp object (believed to be a samurai sword), in perpetrating and attempting to perpetrate the crime of kidnapping, as set forth in the second count of this indictment, killed Savvas Savopoulos by, among other things beating him with a bat and other blunt force object and stabbing him with a sharp object.' Wint entered the Northeast Washington D.C. home on May 13 and held the family and their housekeeper. After Mr Savopoulos' assistant dropped off $40,000 the following morning, the victims were killed and their bodies were found after the killers set the mansion on fire and fled. The adults all suffered fatal blunt force trauma before the blaze, while Philip died from sharp injuries and then burned to death. Police arrested Wint the next week after his DNA was allegedly found on a pizza crust at the scene, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation. Forensic analysis also matched traces of blood on Wint's shoe to at least one of the murder victims, two law enforcement officials said. .

Associated Press / February 17, 2016 The Indiana man who murdered his niece and her 4-year-old son in their Zionsville house was found dead in a downtown Indianapolis hotel room following a manhunt that began Wednesday morning. Officers were called to a home in the 6800 block of Old Hunt Club Road around 8:50 a.m. in rural Zionsville after a neighbor found the bodies of 31-year-old Katherine Janet Giehll and 4-year-old Raymond Peter Giehll. Police say Giehll and her son died from gunshot wounds. Authorities soon launched a manhunt for Giehll's uncle, 61-year-old Lucius Oliver Hamilton III, a Wabash College employee. “I will not stop until I find you. We have a great team assembled here, and we will find you," Boone County Sheriff Mike Nielsen said at a press conference. "And we will find you today. I suggest if you see this or if you hear this that you turn yourself in immediately.” Nielsen said the Boone County Sheriff's Office was collaborating with police in Zionsville, Whitestown and Lebanon as well as the Indiana State Police, U.S. Marshals Service and FBI. Around 3:30 p.m., Sheriff Nielsen said they tracked Hamilton to the Hilton Indianapolis Hotel and Suites in the 120 block of West Market Street downtown, and about 20 minutes later, he announced that Hamilton shot and killed himself inside a hotel room. Investigators believe the motive behind the killings was financial gain from a family trust. According to Indiana State Police, law enforcement officers knocked on the door, and Hamilton responded, “Yes.” Upon realizing it was law enforcement at the door, two shots were fired. “I could not be more proud of all the law enforcement officers involved today. Agencies from across the state, including our federal partners, offered every resource available to locate Hamilton. We were able to track Hamilton down to a specific location in downtown Indianapolis where he cowardly took his life instead of choosing to face justice for his actions. My heart goes out to the Giehll family and to the first responders that witnessed this horrific scene," said Sheriff Nielsen. .

Hendrickson Aero Clad Bumper Available on HX Series Heavy Duty Trucking / February 17, 2016 Hendrickson Bumper and Trim’s “Aero Clad” stainless steel clad aluminum bumpers are available for the new International HX Series of vocational trucks. Aero Clad is optional for both set back axle and set forward axle models. The bumpers are produced using a material and manufacturing process that gives them a mirror bright finish for styling, while still meeting functional design and durability requirements for heavy-duty truck applications, according to the company. The Aero Clad bumpers are also designed to be lightweight, saving 52 pounds compared to the standard painted steel bumper that is also supplied by Hendrickson. The weight savings improve fuel economy, and by not using chrome plating, the bumpers are also more environmentally friendly, the company says. The bumper features a bright stainless steel finish and luster and is 10 times thicker than chrome plating, according to Hendrickson. Aero Clad has a limited 5-year warranty. Aftermarket options will become available later in the year. Photo - http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/story/2016/02/hendrickson-aero-clad-bumper-available-on-hx-series.aspx

Fleet Owner / February 17, 2016 Driver turnover and retention continue to be the top challenges for fleets across the country. Within private fleets, however, the problem doesn’t seem as bleak. Tom Moore, senior vice president of the National Private Truck Council (NPTC), told attendees at last week’s Fleet Advantage Changes in Attitudes Fleet Safety and Technology Conference that private fleets have only a 14% driver turnover rate. Compare that to the 100% annualized turnover rate at large truckload carriers – according to 2015 third quarter data from ATA. Industry-wide, not only are fleets dealing with an aging driver workforce – potentially leading to more workers’ compensation issues – Moore explained, but 70% of drivers are leaving due to disciplinary problems. “To me, that number shouldn’t even be on the table,” he said. “We’re hiring our own problem.” One of the biggest mistakes fleets make happen during the initial hiring process. According to Moore, the typical driver should be treated as a representative of the company, considering drivers see and interact with customers most frequently. During hiring, Moore suggests thoroughly analyzing how the driver looks, acts and will work with people out in the real world. Private fleets seem to be gaining ground and becoming more progressive, which could help with driver retention. According to Moore, 95% of NPTC’s members are using some sort of onboarding technology to breakdown and decipher data, and more are starting to spec safety technology to help enhance efficiency and productivity. Private fleets are also becoming more specialized in the equipment they’re using, plus they’re getting better at selling their services, he added. “If it’s not safe, it’s not going to be efficient,” Moore explained. “You’ve got to be safe. Most private fleets operate with the mentality that you’re one accident away from going out of business.” Because of that, he noted, CSA scores are three times better among private fleets. Gary Petty, CEO and president of NPTC, explained that there are 10 million CDL drivers listed in the U.S., but only an estimated 3.4 million are active drivers. Private fleets represent 46% of the trucking industry, and capacity within private fleets is growing 5-10% annually, he added. According to the federal database, there are more than 1.3 million U.S. DOT carriers – 97% of which operate with 20 or fewer trucks. Petty added that the top 10 carriers represent less than 3% of market share. Freight volume has increased for all of the trucking industry and is expected to rise 3.3% in 2015 and 4.3% in 2016, he said. Upcoming government regulations – the ELD mandate, GHG Phase II, CSA scores, and driver management practices –are meant to excise what Petty called “the bottom dwellers” out of the industry. “The trends show good news for private fleets,” Petty said. “Private fleets will continue to attract the best drivers. Professionally trained in-house management teams are essential. Along with their expertise, supplier/vendor partnerships will continue to be the keys to success for private fleets.” Moore agreed, adding that when it comes to the ELD mandate and the driver shortage, the rule will have a net gain for the best drivers and fleet operations. “I think drivers inherently want to please people,” he said. “[The ELD mandate] gives drivers and the dispatch community the intelligence and the ability to say ‘We can’t dispatch that.’ I think a driver wants to operate as legally as possible, and they don’t want people cheating them out of that.”

The Bridgestone R290 remains my favorite on-road steer tire. The combination of R290s on the steer and Goodyear G367s on the drive was hard to beat.

Transport Topics / February 17, 2016 Bridgestone has introduced a new, SmartWay-certified steer tire for long-haul and regional trucks. The R283A Ecopia model is available in two sizes and will be made available in two more in April. It is compliant with California Air Resources Board low-rolling-resistance standards. Bridgestone engineered the tire “to deliver the best combination of wear performance and fuel savings,” said Matt Loos, director of truck and bus marketing. “Sophisticated fleets today measure tire performance based on the total life cycle. The R283A Ecopia tire is an innovative solution that will help them maximize every mile.” The tire gets 21% longer life and 3% less rolling resistance than the previous model. To achieve that, Bridgestone said it made improvements in sidewall design, tread compounding and the casing. Related reading - https://commercial.bridgestone.com/en-us/truck-and-bus/product/r283a-ecopia

GM renames powertrain unit to emphasize alternative technologies Automotive News / February 17, 2016 GM Powertrain is no more. General Motors said today it has renamed its powertrain unit after 24 years to GM Global Propulsion Systems. GM said the name change more accurately portrays the work the unit does as the company increasingly invests in electric vehicles, fuel cells and other technologies. “Gone are the days when a gasoline engine and a transmission designed independently meet a customer’s expectations,” Dan Nicholson, Global Propulsion Systems vice president, said in a statement. “The diversity of our propulsion systems requires a name that reflects what we are already working on and delivering to our customers.” The automaker said nearly 50 percent of its engineers in the former powertrain unit work on alternative or electrified propulsion systems. The Global Propulsion Systems unit employs about 8,600 people globally, GM said. Last month, GM said it is reorganizing certain vehicle engineering operations to speed efforts to develop autonomous and electrified vehicles. Doug Parks was named vice president for autonomous technology and vehicle execution, reporting to Mark Reuss, head of global product development for GM. The move was effective Feb. 1. .

Green Car Congress / February 17, 2016 General Motors will rename GM Powertrain to GM Global Propulsion Systems. GM’s Global Propulsion Systems is collectively the group of more than 8,600 people that design, develop and engineer all propulsion related products and controls for GM worldwide. Nearly 50% of the Global Propulsion Systems engineering workforce is involved with alternative or electrified propulsion systems. The new name is another step on our journey to redefine transportation and mobility. Global Propulsion Systems better conveys what we are developing and offering to our customers: an incredibly broad, diverse lineup—ranging from high-tech 3-cylinder gasoline engines to fuel cells, V8 diesel engines to battery electric systems, and 6-, 7-, 8-, 9- and 10-speed to continuously variable transmissions. —Mark Reuss, executive vice president, Global Product Development Gone are the days when a gasoline engine and a transmission designed independently meet a customer’s expectations. Today’s customer is demanding unprecedented technology integration that requires unprecedented engineering and supplier partnerships. The diversity of our propulsion systems requires a name that reflects what we are already working on and delivering to our customers. I believe this will establish an industry trend. —Dan Nicholson, vice president, GM Global Propulsion Systems GM Global Propulsion Systems is responsible for all GM vehicle propulsion systems’ design, development and validation, including engines, transmissions, electrification systems, fuel cell development and all associated control systems. The Pontiac, Mich. Global Propulsion Systems Engineering Center is the flagship of GM’s eight global powertrain engineering centers, which also include Brazil, Germany, Italy, India, China, Korea and Australia, collectively representing $1.5 billion in global investments in recent years, including joint ventures.

One of the factors is that the younger generations of people today have never known hardship. Those in their 80s and 90s recall the depression when you were glad to have a potato, and World War 2 which brought rationing, food stamps, scrap metal drives and letters from the War Department notifying next-of-kin. While Korea was somewhat ignored by an America enjoying the roaring 50s, when most homes became equipped with TVs and refrigerators, Vietnam again brought "reality" into the minds of many Americans. But the kids born, shall we say post-1980?, have no clue or interest in how challenging life can be. These individuals, from all income levels, not only take life and our country's good fortune for granted, but many either don't want to work, or expect to start half-way up the ladder. Look at the condition of America today. It leaves me speechless.

You are so right about the thin armor. If the German shells didn't go all the way through, they rattled around within the Sherman like marbles in a Maxwell coffee can. It was bad. The best tanks of the war were the T34, Panther and Jagdpanther. As I mentioned before, the Shermans didn't evolve into a formidable weapon until the British modified it. They needed more tanks but recognized the Sherman's deficiencies, having suffered heavy losses with U.S. M3 "Grants" against Rommel's Afrika Korps. The most important British modification was replacement of the short 75mm cannon with a lethal long barreled 17-pounder anti-tank gun that could take on most German armor. It could penetrate more armor than the 88mm in the German Tiger. Mid-way thru the war, U.S. Army Shermans were upgraded with the heavier T23 turret and a 76mm high velocity gun, giving our guys a chance (but still unequal to the British Sherman "Firefly"). With its early weaknesses resolved, the matured M51 Super Sherman was being used successfully against significantly more modern Russian T54 and T55 tanks as late as 1973 by the Israeli Defense Force. The Israeli Super Shermans mounted a deadly French 105mm Modele F1 gun in a much modified turret, with 460 horspower Cummins VT8-460Bi V-8 engines and HVSS suspension.

I'd love to see Ben Stein in the White House. At age 71, he's older than I'd prefer, but even one term would be refreshing.

I'm not so sure. Volvo Group has rather serious financial difficulties now, one reason being ousted CEO Olof Persson poor and costly decisions. Even Volvo Construction Equipment is on the board table for sale consideration, because it's faintly profitable. I feel, before Nissan Diesel was sold to Volvo, that Nissan for some time was failing to adequately invest in its commercial truck unit so as to keep it relevant. Did Volvo spend US$1.1 billion just to get UD's new four- and six-cylinder engines? That doesn't add up to me. I believe Volvo bought UD to embed in Asia. The problem is, Volvo doesn't understand Asia for the most part. Look at the failure of the Quester launch.

Land Line / February 16, 2016 Seven tractor-trailers and one personal vehicle were shot while traveling along U.S. 75 Highway near Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Sunday and Monday. Six of the vehicles were Wal-Mart trucks. Three of the vehicles were shot on Sunday night and three were shot on Monday night or Tuesday morning. Most of the drivers discovered bullet holes after arriving at their destinations. A Swift truck also was hit. The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office says two 14-year-old boys have been arrested for firing the shots at large trucks traveling on Highway 75. Both teens are facing charges on 9 counts of assault with deadly weapon and 9 counts of mishandling of a firearm. Detectives spoke with a man who said his boys were out hunting both nights. The two boys were questioned and they admitted to leaving the area and shooting at the vehicles on I-75.

Transport Engineer / February 16, 2016 Lombard Shipping has replaced its first Actros tractor units, acquired seven years ago, and adding five new examples of the latest Actros to its 40-strong almost entirely Mercedes-Benz truck fleet. The new tractor units are all Actros 2545s, powered by Mercedes 450bhp straight-six engines, driving through Mercedes PowerShift 3 automated transmissions. Lombard managing director Simon Fraser says that fuel efficiency is already impressive at “well over 10 mpg”, which he describes as excellent. “The Actros is a great all-round package. Our drivers like them and they’re reassuringly reliable, with downtime reduced to an absolute minimum,” states Fraser. “This is partly down to the fact that the Actros is a superb piece of engineering, but also because if we do ever have a problem, the team at [dealer] Orwell Truck & Van invariably deal with it quickly and professionally,” he continues. “They understand our business and are always willing to be flexible to help keep our trucks on the road, where they earn their keep,” he adds. For Fraser, the secret to his trucks’ fuel-efficiency is down to a combination of three factors. First, Lombard uses the FleetBoard telematics hardware, fitted as standard, to monitor driving style and highlight incidences of over-revving, harsh braking, etc, that impact fuel consumption. “It’s a highly effective educational tool,” comments Fraser. “By compiling a league table of scores we’ve fostered a real spirit of competition between our drivers, to see who can be the most economical.” Secondly, though, Lombards’ new Actros trucks have also been fitted with Mercedes-Benz PPC (Predictive Powertrain Control) system, which combines cruise control with GPS mapping – enabling the trucks to ‘see’ the road ahead and optimse gear shifts and throttle. Finally, Fraser says Lombard’s drivers took coaching from Orwell Truck & Van’s fuel-saver driver-trainer Lee Betts. Lombard’s new Actros tractors are the subject of Agility funding from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services – offering the benefits of hire purchase with a balloon payment plus additional flexibility at contract end. “The Agility payments are highly competitive and we’re able to put off deciding what to do at the end of the contract until much nearer the time,” confirms Fraser. “Orwell don’t just sit and listen. They come to us with suggestions if they think they can help us to operate more cost-effectively,” he enthuses. “For instance, they recently submitted a proposal to retrofit PPC to several 18-tonne Antos rigids, which we set on the road last year,” he explains. “We’re currently crunching the numbers to calculate what level of saving we could potentially achieve.” Mercedes’ own tests show PPC can deliver savings of 5%, although many UK operators report much higher gains. One of the new Actros is based in Ipswich, and hauls shipping containers from the dockside at Felixstowe to distribution centres in the Midlands. The remaining four work out of Liverpool, undertaking haulage and groupage duties between mainland Britain and Ireland. .

Transport Engineer / February 11, 2016 Readymix concrete, cement and aggregates supplier Cemex UK has added 15 new DAF CF 400 FAD 8x4 tippers to its aggregates and coated road-stone operation – six fitted with additional low-height nearside door windows to improve drivers’ visibility of vulnerable road users. The so-called Vision Doors were designed by Cheshire-based Astra Vehicle Technologies, and allow for a retractable main window, allowing drivers direct access to the nearside rear view mirrors. FORS (Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme) Gold accredited Cemex also specified DAF’s ‘Haulage’ chassis for these tippers in order to achieve the dropped cab height – six inches lower than DAF’s off-road ‘Construction’ vehicle – and hence again improved all-round driver visibility. While not mandated by legislation, further active safety features specified include DAFs AEBS (advanced emergency braking system), Lane Departure Warning and Vehicle Stability Control. The new DAF trucks have also been fitted with side under-run bars, near-side caution boards, side scan technology from Brigade Electronics and a six-camera VUE system for all-round monitoring and digital recording of incidents. It also has Continental tyres with the ContiPressureCheck TPMS tyre pressure monitoring sytem). Bodywork for all of the new tipper tucks comprises Weightlifter PPG bodies with Hyva front-end tipping-gear and Dawbarn Hydroclear sheeting systems. The new 8x4s will be joined by 40 CF 460 FTP 6x2 tractor units for the company’s cement fleet, which operatrs out of Rugby and which are now on programmed delivery. “We enjoy an excellent relationship with DAF and its dealer in Leicester, Ford & Slater,” comments Paul Clarke, logistics fleet engineering manager at Cemex. “But that doesn’t mean DAF is an automatic choice when we look at new vehicle acquisitions,” he continues. “For new fleet purchases, we go to the market with a formal tender process after which we scrutinise whole life costs to seven years. “Invariably, DAF Trucks comes up with the goods, and the DAF UK-network provides an excellent fit for our own country-wide locations.” Clarke says Cemex is “passionate” about passive and active safety for its own drivers and for other road-users. “We link-up frequently with the Met Police and the recent Exchanging Places event provides everybody concerned with road safety with an opportunity to engage,” he says. The latest of London’s Metropolitan Police’s ‘Exchanging Places’ events at Canary Wharf (29 January 2016) showcased one of Cemex’s first DAF tipper deliveries, allowing cyclists in London to see first-hand the difficulties commercial vehicle drivers face in an urban environment. These trucks were supplied and will be maintained on a seven-year DAF MultiSupport R&M package, through DAF trucks’ dealership in Leicester, Ford & Slater. .

Transport Engineer / February 2, 2016 Recyling and waste management operator Countrystyle has added seven 32-tonne Mercedes-Benz Arocs trucks its fleet, which has almost tripled in size in three years to 150 vehicles. Supplied by dealer Sparshatts of Kent, six of the eight-wheelers are Arocs 3242K trucks with compactor bodies by Inco-Mol, of Chesterfield, while the seventh vehicle is a 3243K mounted with Hyva hook loading equipment. The latest additions join a fleet of 8x4 Arocs refuse vehicles and hook-loaders, as well as tractor units that work with walking floor trailers. Most of the tractor units are 6x2 Actros vehicles, with a couple of double-drive Arocs versions. “Continued business growth means we needed more dustcarts for our trade waste rounds, and another hook-loader able to handle Ro-Ro bins with capacities of up to 40 cubic yards,” states Countrystyle’s commercial director Jamie Houston. “Mercedes-Benz has accounted for approximately 90% of our fleet purchases over the last 18 months, as we’ve sought not only to extend the fleet but also to reduce our carbon footprint by replacing older vehicles,” he continues. “The Arocs and Actros are both high-quality, fit-for-purpose trucks that have proved exceptionally reliable and represent excellent value for money. Our drivers speak very highly of them, too, while we receive a first-class service from Sparshatts.” The new trucks are being inspected and serviced by Sparshatts under CharterWay contract hire agreements from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. .