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Volkswagen Truck & Bus Press Release / September 21, 2015 The leader in the Brazilian truck market, Volkswagen presented a range of new models at the 2015 SAE Brazil Congress, held September 22-24 in Sao Paulo. The truckmaker’s new Constellation series model 19.420 6x2 tractor, featuring a steerable and liftable electronically-controlled wide track pusher axle with single mounted tires, allows for an additional 5,000 kg of payload for a gross combination weight rating of 52 metric tons. The 19.420 is equipped with a Cummins ISL engine rated at 420 horsepower and 1,850 Nm of torque, paired with a 16-speed V-Tronic ZF 16AS2230TD automated manual transmission (AMT). Recognized for versatility and maneuverability, Volkswagen’s Delivery light truck series sees the arrival of the new range-topping model 13.160 featuring a V-Tronic automated manual transmission (AMT) and factory-installed liftable tag axle. With a gross.vehicle weight of 13 metric tons, the 13.160 is had the carrying capacity of a medium truck at a light truck price, while the factory-installed auxiliary tag axle provides the flexibility required by São Paulo operators for compliance with urban freight vehicles (VUC) legislation. The new 13.160 is powered by a 160 horsepower Cummins ISF mated to a 6-speed V-Tronic ZF 6S1010B0 automated manual transmission (AMT). The star of the event was the new Volkswagen Constellation series model 25.420 8x2 tractor, a serious heavy hauler featuring a steerable and liftable electronically-controlled wide track pusher axle with single mounted tires, combined with a liftable electronically-controlled narrow track tag axle with dual-mounted tires. The 25.420 8x2 is powered by a 420 horsepower Cummins ISL engine rated at 420 horsepower and 1,850 Nm of torque, connected to a 16-speed V-Tronic ZF 16AS2230TD automated manual transmission (AMT). .

MAN Press Release / October 8, 2015 Between 8 and 10 October 2015, MAN Truck & Bus will be demonstrating its wide range of construction and heavy-duty vehicles, as well as its extensive expertise in these fields, live at the off-road park in Langenaltheim, Germany. Vehicle highlights at the MAN Traction Days 2015 MAN will be showcasing some 50 vehicles from its construction and heavy-duty transportation portfolio at this year's Traction Days, with the following amongst the main attractions at the event: MAN TGX vehicles with the D38 engine and MAN TipMatic TX gearboxTGS vehicles with HydroDrive and 4x4H, 6x6H and 8x6H axle configurations All-wheel drive vehicles in the TGM and TGS model ranges with 4x4, 6x6, 8x6 and 8x8 axle configurations.MAN has divided the grounds at the Langenaltheim off-road park up into several stations: Station 1: MAN will be offering guests the chance to go for a ride around the off-road circuit in a range of all-wheel drive vehicles from the TGM and TGS model ranges.Station 2: At this station the focus is on all things MAN HydroDrive. Guests can take TGS vehicles with HydroDrive and 4x4H, 6x6H and 8x6H axle configurations for a test drive around the off-road circuit.Station 3: Fans of all-wheel drive vehicles won't be disappointed at this station, where rear tippers, three-way tippers and crane tippers can be put to the test to see how they cope on challenging off-road terrain.Station 4: This station is the place to put vehicles with 6x4 and 8x4 axle configurations through their paces on the off-road circuit.Station 5: Here, eight different MAN TGX models with low loader trailers or tipper semitrailers can be driven on the road whilst loaded up.Around 15 further vehicles will also be on display as exhibits, with one particular highlight being the TGX 41.640 8x4/4 BLS heavy-duty semitrailer tractor with 640 hp.Driving experts will also be explaining features, including the turning brakethe hill-climbing brakethe paver brakeFurther information - http://www.corporate.man.eu/en/press-and-media/presscenter/MAN-Traction-Days-2015_-MAN-showcases-its-traction-prowess-with-50-vehicles-from-the-construction-and-heavy-duty-sector--223808.html

DAF Press Release / October 6, 2015 DAF is beginning construction of a € 100 million investment in a new, environmentally friendly cab paint factory in Westerlo, Belgium. The company is also investing to further increase capacity and efficiency of DAF’s state-of-the-art production facilities. At the Amsterdam BedrijfsautoRAI exhibition, DAF will introduce many product innovations that will assist DAF customers to lower their operating costs. “The European above 16 ton truck market through August 2015 was up 20% compared to the same period last year. DAF is increasing production to record rates at its Eindhoven truck assembly factory in the fourth quarter to meet customer demand," commented Harrie Schippers, DAF Trucks president. “I’m proud of DAF’s 10,000 employees who are producing the award winning DAF XF, CF and LF vehicles and supporting our customers on a global basis with excellent Paccar parts programs and Paccar Financial services. The ongoing investments in new production technologies will support DAF’s future growth. We are pleased that the versatile DAF CF series will begin local assembly in Brazil. This vehicle offers enhanced sales opportunities in South America to complement the DAF XF in the marketplace. In addition DAF continues to be the market leader in Taiwan.” DAF’s modern Euro 6 product range is on display at the Amsterdam BedrijfsautoRAI exhibition, which will take place from October 20 - 24, 2015. As part of the ‘DAF Transport Efficiency’ philosophy DAF is introducing the new LF 2016 Edition . The new LF 2016 Edition features many enhancements to the 4.5 liter Paccar PX-5 engine (aka.Cummins ISB), resulting in up to 5% better fuel efficiency. A new 12-speed ZF AS Tronic automated gearbox, longer wheel base options and enhanced fuel tank configurations contribute to the highest vehicle efficiency. In addition, a new aero package results in 4% better fuel efficiency, while advanced technologies such as Lane Departure Warning System, Advanced Emergency Braking System, Forward Collision Warning and Adaptive Cruise Control add to enhanced comfort and safety. “The new industry-leading products and services at the BedrijfsautoRAI exhibition reflect DAF’s ongoing investments to further enhance transport efficiency for our customers”, said Richard Zink, DAF sales and marketing director. .

Iveco Press Release / October 7, 2015

Paccar Launches the DAF MX-11 Engine in North America Paccar Press Release / October 7, 2015 Paccar is expanding its range of self-branded engines in North America with the introduction of the DAF-designed MX-11 engine, with an output of up to 430 HP and 1,550 lb.-ft. of torque. The MX-11, which complements the MX-13 engine, is scheduled to be available with Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks in January 2016. DAF launched the MX-11 engine in Europe in 2013, installing over 10,000 MX-11 engines in DAF trucks in the last two years. “The MX-11 engine is designed to deliver optimum performance and fuel economy, industry-leading durability and reliability, and a quiet operating environment for the driver,” said Landon Sproull, Paccar assistant vice president. “Paccar’s over 50 years of engine development and manufacturing expertise have established the company as one of the leading diesel engine manufacturers in the world.” The 10.8-liter MX-11 engine is characterized by its combination of state-of-the-art innovations and proven technologies that reduce weight and deliver features needed for a wide variety of over the road and vocational applications. The MX-11 engine’s double overhead camshaft design, coupled with a compact graphite iron (CGI) engine block and cylinder head, create long-lasting durability, achieving an industry-leading B10 life of one million miles. The MX-11 utilizes a common rail fuel system with injection pressures of 2,500 bar to optimize combustion and ensure the lowest possible fuel consumption and noise levels. .

Los Angeles Times / October 8, 2015 Virginia firm will pay a $100,000 fine and spend $290,000 on pollution-reduction programs for operating 73 trucks in California without diesel particulate filters, federal and state officials announced Thursday. The Environmental Protection Agency’s settlement with Estes Express Lines (https://www.estes-express.com/) was the first federal enforcement action against a company for violating California’s tough regulations to slash emissions of toxic diesel soot and smog-forming pollutants from diesel trucks. “Today we mark the closure of the first of what we hope are many cases,” said Todd Sax, chief of enforcement for the California Air Resources Board, adding that it “sends a strong message that trucking companies, even those based outside of California, must meet California’s requirements when operating here.” The 2008 regulations require heavy-duty diesel trucks either to meet 2010 engine standards or upgrade their vehicles with filters that reduce diesel particulate emissions by 85% or more. The rules, being phased in through 2023, apply to all 1 million diesel trucks operating in California, including 625,000 that are registered out of state. Jared Blumenfeld, the EPA’s regional administrator, said compliance with California’s rules is crucial because diesel trucks are one of the largest sources of smog-forming nitrogen oxide emissions in the state with the worst air quality in the nation. The EPA approved the state’s heavy-duty diesel regulations in 2012, giving the agency the authority to enforce them under the federal Clean Air Act. In the spring of 2014, the agency sent letters to Estes and about a dozen other large, interstate trucking companies requesting information on their compliance with California’s diesel emissions rules, Blumenfeld said. In response, Estes disclosed that about 15% of its 500-truck California fleet was not equipped with particulate filters and that it had failed to verify whether the trucks of subcontractors it had hired were in compliance. The EPA cited Estes, based in Richmond, Virginia, for those violations in February. The company now operates only new trucks in California, the EPA said. As part of its settlement with federal officials, Estes agreed to pay more than $250,000 to help with the replacement of old wood-burning stoves with cleaner devices in the San Joaquin Valley, one of the state’s most polluted regions. The company also will spend $35,000 to fund a UC Davis-run program to teach out-of-state trucking firms about California’s diesel regulations. “We think that's an appropriate use of the penalty and we look forward to a compliant future within California,” said Nick Scola, a spokesman for Estes. The company agrees with the EPA’s findings, he said, and is “working diligently” to meet regulators’ requirements. Blumenfeld said the EPA expects to announce other settlements involving similar emissions violations by large, out-of-state trucking firms in the near future. State air-quality officials estimated last year that about 85% of the trucks operating in California were in compliance with the new diesel rules. California regulators have enforced the diesel regulations as they have begun to take effect in recent years by conducting on-road inspections and other investigations and issuing fines for the companies found in violation. In May, the Air Resources Board fined Bakersfield-based Randy’s Trucking Inc. $524,675, the largest penalty to date, for failing to clean up its fleet in accordance with the regulations. California’s rules for heavy-duty trucks are the toughest in the nation and aim to sharply reduce health risks from air pollution by cutting the amount of cancer-causing soot in diesel exhaust. If fully implemented, they will prevent about 3,500 premature deaths in California between 2010 and 2025, according to state air-quality officials.

Goteborgs-Posten / October 2, 2015 The era of free residences for AB Volvo's top executives has come to an end. This fall, the luxury villa of former Volvo CEO Olof Persson in Långedrag will be sold to the highest bidder. Volvo’s purchase of the 500 square meter luxury villa for Olof Persson brought sharp criticism when the company was in a period of financial crisis in 2011. “We have decided to sell the villa where Olof Persson lives...........we will not offer residencies in the future, said Kina Wileke, press manager at AB Volvo. Persson's villa on the Defence Road was purchased for SEK 30 million (US$ 3.6 million). Under the terms of his contract, ousted Volvo CEO Olof Persson can remain in the villa until the spring of 2016. But he has announced that he will be moving this autumn. Volvo’s new incoming CEO Martin Lundstedt, who starts his new job on October 22, will reside in his own apartment in Gothenburg. He also retains his own house in Stockholm, where he has resided during his 25-year tenure at truckmaker Scania in nearby Sodertalje. .

Trucking firm Celadon sells tractor portfolio for $13.6 million Indianapolis Business Journal / October 5, 2015 Trucking company Celadon Group Inc. sold a portfolio of semi tractors and their associated leases for $13.6 million to a joint venture controlled by a private-equity firm, Indianapolis-based Celadon announced late Friday. Celadon said it made the sale to support its Quality Cos. business unit, which manages tractors. The purchaser was 19th Capital Group LLC, a joint venture controlled by Wayne, Pennsylvania-based equity firm Larsen MacColl Partners, with a minority investment by Celadon and Celadon management. Celadon said it made a minority investment in 19th Capital Group as part of the tractor sale, which also includes management participation. "The structure is expected to allow us to account for the investment under the equity method of accounting," Celadon said in a written statement. "In addition, with this investment, we will record a share of the joint venture's profit or loss on the lease income stream and residual sale value of the tractors, which we currently do not share in under the contract with our current financing partner." Celadon said it expects to make additional sales to 19th Capital in the future. Celadon's Quality Cos. unit has grown tractors under management from 750 to about 4,900 since June 30, 2013. Celadon said it buys the tractors "on favorable terms through our consolidated buying power," then sells them to a third- party financing company, which leases them to independent contractors who provide capacity to Celadon and other trucking companies. Quality Cos. provides driver recruiting for those tractors, as well as lease-payment remittance, insurance, maintenance and other services for a fee. The subsidiary has about 13,000 tractors on order from several manufacturers, scheduled to be delivered over the next three years, Celadon said. Celadon announced the sale after the market closed Friday. Company shares dropped 1 percent earlier in the day, to close at $15.84 each.

Related reading - http://trucks.autoreview.ru/_archive/section/detail.php?ELEMENT_ID=151308&SECTION_ID=8196

Transport Engineer / October 7, 2015 Chartrange has taken delivery of its first Volvo trucks – three Volvo FMX 8x4 tippers with 15m3 Boweld Taperlite HD tipper bodies – and is achieving 19.5 tonne payloads. All three have high ride chassis and are powered by the 410bhp Volvo 11-litre D11K engine, developing up to 1,950Nm of torque, mated to Volvo’s 12-speed I-Shift AMT gearbox. Simon Redfern, transport manager at the Dukinfield, Cheshire-based operator, says the team tried demonstrators from several manufacturers before making its decision. “Thomas Hardie Commercials initially gave us a Volvo FMX-420 to trial and then later in the process we took a Volvo FMX-410 on a one-week test,” states Redfern. “In the end we decided the Volvo FMX was absolutely the right truck for us [and] now the trucks have been delivered we are convinced this was the right way to go.” Redfern explains that Chartrange is predominantly in the bulk excavation industry, also supplying processed aggregates. “The three new Volvo FMX trucks are each expected to cover some 60,000km per year, hauling both material generated by bulk excavations and processed aggregate from Dukinfield, used for ground stabilisation and for sub-base in road construction,” he says. All three FMX trucks were supplied under three-year Blue R&M contracts with Thomas Hardie Commercials. .

Fleet Owner / October 8, 2015 The certification of Cummins Westport ISL G 8.9-liter to 0.02 grams per brake horsepower-hour (g/bhp-hr) for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) earlier this week is expected to be a “game changer” for natural gas in the truck market – especially as that same “near-zero NOx” technology gets added to the company’s ISB 6.7-liter and ISX 12G 11.9-liter units. “This is huge; this is equivalent to [the emission levels] of a completely electric tractor-trailer – even if one existed that could haul 80,000 lbs. up and down the highway,” explained Erik Neandross, CEO for consulting firm Gladstein, Neandross and Associates (GNA), during the CNG Industry Leaders Forum put together by Gain Clean Fuel and hosted by Anheuser Busch at its Biergarten facility attached to its St. Louis, MO, brewery operation this week. “This is really unbelievable stuff from an environmental performance perspective,” he said. Neandross stressed as well that the number one source of ozone-forming NOx comes from heavy trucks and off-road engines; a statistics that becomes all the more important in light of the EPA’s new rulemaking effort aimed at reducing ground-ozone levels. Hugh Donnell, North American OEM truck business and market segment leader for Cummins Westport, noted at the meeting that municipal fleets located in “non-attainment” areas for high-ozone levels could use the firm’s new “near-zero NOx” engines for faster compliance with the new rules – including the Phase II greenhouse gas (GHG) rules set for implementation in 2017. “This is a big deal – we’re talking about natural gas engines that offer a 90% reduction in NOx pollution. That’s a game changer,” he explained. He added that all of Cummins Westport’s natural gas engines meet the EPA‘s 2010 standard for particulate matter, which is 0.01 g/bhp-hr. Donnell also noted that the company’s “near zero” natural gas 8.9-literengine – designated the ISL G NZ – also meets CARB’s 2023 California Near Zero NOx schedule eight years early. He also said that three components proved key to driving the ISL G NZ’s NOX levels down to near-zero levels: new combustion calibrations; new crankcase venting techniques adapted from Euro VI compliance technologies being used in Europe; and the three way catalyst system used on Cummins Westport’s ISX 12G unit. “It only change [customers will see in the ISL G NZ compared to the ISL G] is an increase in the size of the catalysts of about an inch,” Donnell noted. “That’s it; there is no trade off in fuel economy and no cost to performance. That’s a pretty good recipe; don’t give up anything and get a lot more in return.” He added that the same “near-zero” technology will be added to the company’s ISB 6.7-liter and ISX 12 G products over the next two years. “The near-zero 6.7-liter will go into production in the fourth quarter of 2016 and will be commercially available in the first quarter of 2017,” he said. “We’ll start on the [near-zero] ISX 12 G in mid-2017 and make it commercially available in early 2018.” The main hurdle for Cummins Westport to getting this “near-zero” package to market across its natural gas engine lineup is compliance with onboard diagnostic (OBD) rules, Donnell emphasized. “Getting them OBD certified requires quite a bit of work; that and getting technicians certified to work on them and making sure parts are available when the engines hit the market,” he explained. “It’s like building a new road versus rebuilding an older one; a takes a little longer than expected.”

(related post - http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/index.php?/topic/42059-r-model-and-mh-model-frame-dimensions/?hl=frame) .

Woman kicks 17-month-old toddler to death Associated Press / October 3, 2015 A Washington woman has been arrested after kicking her boyfriend's 17-month-old son to death. Alicia Joni Goemaat, 20, of Seattle admitted to police that she became so angry following an incident on Sunday that she kicked the young boy, Drue Lehto, in the stomach, knocking him down. She told police that she then kicked him again apparently causing fatal abdominal injuries. Goemaat was arrested on Thursday for second-degree murder. A week prior to his death, Drue was treated at Seattle Children's Hospital for 'bruises and scratches that did not appear to be normal for a toddler'. On Sunday when Goemaat was caring for her own toddler son and her live-in boyfriend's son, the boys argued over a toy. She later admitted to authorities that she so got angry she kicked Drue in the stomach, and the victim was dead when his father, Derek Lehto, returned home from the store. A police report stated Goemaat, who is currently booked at the King County Correctional Facility on a $1million bond, would frequently scream at the child. Friends of Goemaat and Lehto also told investigators that she would become 'extremely agitated' when Drue cried and would 'physically punish him' by spanking or flicking him on his body when he cried. According to the police report, Goemaat, also struggles with drug addiction and attempted to commit suicide on Wednesday. .

Goteborgs-Posten / September 5, 2015 By the end of next year, AB Volvo will relocate from its long time headquarters in Torslanda to the previous Volvo Trucks headquarters in Pit Humlegårdsgatan in Lundby, Sweden. Approximately 150 people are employed at Torslanda.. We want to get closer to Lundby where we have a lot more activity. Our R&D unit, global sales and marketing organization, Volvo Penta and much more are located in Lundby. So then we end up with other business units that we work with on a daily basis, said Kina Wileke, director of the Volvo Group's media relations. Today’s headquarters is isolated away from the rest of the business in the old headquarters built in the 1980s, when PG Gyllenhammar led the group. This included Volvo car, which it does not today. During the coming year, the old office building in Lundby will be extensively renovated. Today, it is a fairly outdated building with small rooms, which will be rebuilt and refurbished to modern office environments where more people can fit.

Transport Engineer / October 2, 2015 Contract haulage business Gerrards of Swinton has taken delivery of seven 32-tonne Renault Range C430 8-wheel tippers. Supplied by dealer JDS Manchester, the Range Cs are additions to the operator’s fleet of 14 trucks to meet increased demand, but will also be used in Gerrards’ ‘Free Courses for ex Forces’ programme, which offers free driver training to ex-army personnel. Replacing Premium Landers, the Range Cs – with sleeper cab, alloy wheels and enhanced safety equipment – are double-shifted, 24/7 on contract haulage service to the construction industry. Sebastian Gerrard, managing director, says the Premium Landers performed well, so the Renault Range C was “definitely on the list”. A demonstrator proved the vehicle’s capability, he says: “It’s reliable, robust with its big high steel bumper, it offers superb ground clearance and the flat chassis is strong with no flex and no twist, so it’s ideal for off-road use.” He adds: “Even with the aluminium insulated body we can still carry over 20 tonnes. We’re also getting 2 mpg better fuel economy compared to our older vehicles... and the Range C’s outstanding warranty will save us a fortune because maintenance is one of our biggest outlays.” Gerrard, himself an ex-army man, set up the free driver training scheme last year. It’s a win-win, he says, with former service personnel gaining qualifications and experience, and Gerrards able to select the best to join its team.

Fleet Owner / October 7, 2015 Kenworth has announced three new options for its line of vocational trucks. Allison’s 4700 RDS 7-speed automatic transmission – with optional second “deep reverse” – can be ordered on Kenworth’s T880, T800, W900, and C500. The transmission is part of the Allison rugged duty series. “It’s a great choice for our customers operating mixers, dumps, cranes, and heavy-haulers, where the application calls for an increase in overall transmission ratios,” said Kurt Swihart, marketing director. “In the construction world, trucks often need better speed control for job-site maneuverability in steep and often tricky terrain. That’s the beauty of the Allison 4700 RDS, as it offers a lower reverse ratio, and a lower first gear ratio for maneuverability. The new Allison transmission also features no-power interrupts, which gives full power shifts and allows full use of the engine’s horsepower.” For those operating Kenworth’s T880, the company is now offering a “box bumper” in either steel or aluminum. According to Swihart, the new bumper features a tapered design, which allows for hood pivot clearance and more protection for the grill and headlight area. It is available on both short and standard T880 hoods. The steel bumper – with choice of 1/4- or 3/8-inch thickness – can be painted in either the body or chassis paint color. The chrome bumper comes in 1/4-inch thickness. For those running Kenworth’s W900S with the PACCAR PX-9 engine in a set-forward front axle configuration, a fixed grille option is available. “This allows our customer or body builder to utilize the front of the truck without impacting the ability to open the hood,” said Swihart. “This option is especially useful for crane operators or those using the W900S as vacuum trucks with a ‘steady leg,’ or boom supports.”

Fleet Owner / October 7, 2015 Ken-Tool has announced the introduction of the Ken-Tool 34555 Shark Fin Dual Wheel Separation Bag, engineered to help remove stuck and corroded wheels/tires from truck and trailer axles. According to the company, the bag is an extreme-duty, rubber coated, nearly puncture proof Kevlar bag which uses air pressure to create 5,000 lbs. of force to separate and remove stuck dual wheels off the axle studs and hubs. “Unlike any other dual wheel separation product on the market, it is safe for use on any wheel type – steel, aluminum or chrome – from 15- to 24.5-in. rim diameters,” the company said. “Stuck wheels are a growing problem due to the corrosion which occurs between wheels (particularly aluminum) and steel studs and hubs.” The Shark Fin bag is inserted vertically between the tires near the 11 and 2 o’clock positions after the tires are off the ground and the lug nuts are loosened, the company noted. Compressed air is added the bag, using the attached 3 ft. inflation hose. The Shark Fin bag, rated at 150 psi, delivers 2.5 tons of expansion force at 87 psi, breaking the corrosion which prevents removal of the wheels. The Shark Fin bag can also be used, with proper support cribbing, on steering axle wheels and inside dual wheels. Deflated, the bag dimensions are 9.75” x 8” x 3/8” (25 cm x 20 cm 0.95 cm), and inflated, it expands to 5.5 inches (14 cm) (maximum), according to Ken-Tool. The inflation tube features a slotted cap for deflation. .

Russia Today / September 30, 2015 The Avtotor Holding plant in the Russian city of Kaliningrad is about to begin assembling Ford Cargo heavy trucks. The vehicles will be spec’d specifically for the Russian truck market and comply with European safety standards. "We are in a pre-production stage of the four most popular models – tow trucks and road construction machinery ... Actual production will depend on market conditions, as well as currency and inflation that have a direct impact on this," Avtotor told RIA Novosti. The 4,000 parts for each truck will come from Ford’s Otosan plant in Turkey. Assembling the trucks from completely knocked-down (CKD) kits provides a high percentage of localization. CKD means importing parts to the country where the vehicle will be finally assembled; tariffs for parts are lower than for complete vehicles which makes the end product cheaper. Moreover, all vehicles will be equipped with Russian made options. Founded in 1994, Avtotor was the first plant in Russia to assemble foreign cars. Today it produces automobiles for BMW, Kia, Hyundai and Chevrolet. Last year the plant assembled 186,000 cars. Kaliningrad is located between Poland and Lithuania on the Baltic Sea. Its proximity to the EU has made it attractive for foreign auto makers to assemble cars there for the Russian market. The devaluing ruble has also made many producers turn to Russia. In August, the average salary across the country was 31,870 rubles (less than $500 a month), according to the official statistics agency Rosstat. Russian labor is now cheaper than in Romania and China. Related reading - http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/index.php?/topic/38066-ford-signs-heavy-truck-deal-in-russia/?hl=cargo

Australasian Transport News (ATN) / October 8, 2015 Western Australia is trialling super-quad combinations on highways in what state transport minister Dean Nalder says is a national first. The 60-metre road trains will undertake a three-month trial in the Pilbara on the Great Northern Highway between Munjina-Roy Hill Road and Utah Point, Port Hedland. "They have undergone – and passed – rigorous safety assessments to ensure they are safe to operate on public roads," Nalder says. "Even though they are longer, these are state-of-the-art vehicles with improved safety and superior handling compared to the standard 53.5m road trains, the longest currently allowed on our roads." The first two vehicles have been built by WA trailer manufacturers Bruce Rock Engineering and Howard Porter to transport iron ore and other minerals for Process Minerals International and Qube Bulk. Though capable of higher speeds, the road trains will be limited telematically to 90kmh, which the government says will allow "easier overtaking by other vehicles and ensuring superior on-road performance". Nalder says the trial aims to eventually provide the mining industry with greater productivity and lower operating costs, reduced the number of vehicles on the road in the long-term and introduced a safer vehicle. The trial will assess impact on the road infrastructure and other road users, such as pavement assessments, traffic data, community surveys and on-road monitoring. The vehicle combinations will be assessed by a panel of the Road Safety Commission, local government, WA Police, Main Roads Western Australia and the caravanning industry. Qube has wasted no time in getting the combination up and running and saying it is the first heavy haul company to trial a Performance Based Standards (PBS) quad road train in the Pilbara in support of junior iron ore and manganese miners using Utah point. "The first set run tipped off at Utah this afternoon at 1500[hrs] with a load from Atlas Wodgina mine," a spokesman says. "This unit is 60 metres in length and will carry up to 140 tonne payloads. "This compared with conventional quads that are 53.5 metres in length and carry 114 tonne payloads. "If adopted across all tonnes at Utah Point is has the potential to reduce the current required truck trips into the facility by 46,000 trips per annum. "This is a very significant road safety and productivity uplift. "Qube will deploy our PBS Quads on CML's Woodie Woodie operation and Atlas Widgina and Abydos operations." Bruce Rock Engineering managing director Damion Verhoogt says the trial is the culmination of almost two years negotiations with the WA Department of Transport, PBS assessors and clients. The company has approval for six sets in all, with the others awaiting commercial terms from clients. The process had focused on infrastructure impacts and traffic interactions, with Verhoogt saying that the eventual outcome has been a top-line product. "Through the PBS process, we have ended up with a vehicle that is actually dynamically superior to the existing quad set-ups that are on the road at the moment," he tells ATN. "We’ve actually got a much-higher productivity vehicle; the thing’s actually much safer than existing gear; it’s monitored a lot better through the IAP [intelligent Access Program]. "Apart from a bit bigger vehicle and more tonnes, there’s been a big safety and performance gain on what there is currently." Howard Porter managing director Roy Lombardi says the initiative is a whole of industry and government effort in support of junior miners facing hard times due to the fall in mineral prices. "There’s been a lot of pressure on junior miners over here to increase productivity and safety getting their product to the port with the downturn in iron ore pricing," Lombardi says. "There’s a good relationship between industry and government over here and they threw it all on the table to keep some of these smaller mines viable. "Just a bit of a coordinated effort between ourselves and few operators, Main Roads and the minister." Howard Porter worked with Qube for nine months on the Quad Roadtrain design. The design call for modern European prime movers, Driver Safety System (DSS) Seeing Machines, GPS monitoring and electronic braking systems. .