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Automotive News / July 15, 2015 GMC is refreshing its Sierra pickup for the 2016 model year with a redesigned front end in a bid to keep the sales momentum going for one of General Motors' most profitable vehicles. A video posted on GMC's YouTube site shows the 2016 truck equipped with C-shaped LED daytime running lights, new LED fog lamps and tail lamps, and new bumpers. Each trim level of the truck also will get its own grille design for 2016. A GMC spokesman said more information would be available about the '16 model closer to its on-sale date, sometime in the fourth quarter. The Sierra's sister vehicle, the Chevrolet Silverado, also is getting a refresh for 2016, GM said this week. Both trucks have been on a sales roll in the U.S. despite some gripes from some dealers and analysts about ho-hum styling when they were launched two years ago. U.S. sales of the Sierra jumped 8.2 percent through the first six months of the year. Silverado sales increased 15 percent. Overall, deliveries of large pickups have increased 4.7 percent across the industry this year through June. GM's share of the U.S. large pickup market has increased to 37.2 percent this year from 34.5 percent through June 2014. The updates to GM's big pickups follow the launch of Ford Motor Co.'s redesigned F-150 pickup for 2015. And Nissan Motor Co.'s overhauled Titan pickup will go on sale later this year. Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajZBRoNNNG4 .

I never cared for the man, as he always displayed an arrogant demeanor.

Bloomberg / July 16, 2015 Navistar Inc. was sued by the U.S. Justice Department for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act over the 2010 sale of heavy-duty diesel engines that didn’t meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s emissions standards. The suit, filed Tuesday, seeks civil penalties of as much as $37,500 a day for each violation, according to a company filing with regulators. Lisle, Illinois-based Navistar said it disputes the allegations, which are related to about 7,750 heavy-duty diesel engines.

Scania Press Release / July 14, 2015 Scania’s market share in Europe reached a record high 17.2 percent during the first half of 2015. The increase was attributed to the early and highly successful introduction of its Euro 6 truck range, and sales activities in new segments. Scania increased its market share in the European truck market to 17.2 percent during the period January to June 2015, compared to 15.3 percent during the same period of 2014. The positive trend which began last year with the transition to the Euro 6 emission standard (comparable to EPA2010) thus continued. “The feedback from our customers shows that we have really met the high expectations placed on our Euro 6 engine range and that demand in our major European markets is good,” says Scania’s President and CEO Per Hallberg. The second and third generation Euro 6 engines from Scania have proved to perform very well at customers and in trade press tests. Increased sales activities in new segments have also contributed to the record high market share in Europe. Order bookings in Europe increased by 41 percent to 13,270 (9,410) Scania trucks, compared to the second quarter of 2014. Meanwhile, demand continues to be weak in Brazil and in Russia. “In Brazil, order bookings were impacted by the low economic activity and less favourable conditions for truck purchase subsidies. Russia was also affected by low activity,” explains Hallberg. Order bookings in Latin America decreased by 34 percent to 2,611 (3,960) units during the second quarter compared to the same period of 2014. Eurasia, where Russia is the main market, order bookings decreased by 4 percent to 731 (760) units. Scania’s total order bookings amounted to 19,823 (20,987) trucks during the second quarter of 2015. Scania is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks and buses for heavy transport applications, and of industrial and marine engines. Service-related products account for a growing proportion of the company’s operations, assuring Scania customers of cost-effective transport solutions and maximum uptime. Scania also offers financial services. Employing some 42,000 people, the company operates in about 100 countries. Research and development activities are concentrated in Sweden, while production takes place in Europe and South America, with facilities for global interchange of both components and complete vehicles. In 2014, net sales totalled SEK 92.1 billion and net income amounted to SEK 6 billion. Related reading - http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/index.php?/topic/35958-scania-launches-new-450hp-engine-with-scr-only/?hl=scania

18-year-old truck drivers: Lack of decent wages cause worker shortages The Seattle Times / July 14, 2015 The story on the move to allow 18-year-olds to get licenses to drive big-rig trucks gives the game away when it says, “The driver shortage could be eliminated by raising truckers’ wages and improving working conditions” [“18-year-olds as truckers drives up safety fears,” Page One, July 11]. There are likely millions of men and women out there who would love to drive trucks if they thought they could make a decent living. But in this Internet age, it is easy to find out how hard it is to find a family-wage job that has some job security. So we have a shortage of truck drivers. This shortage mirrors the shortage of workers in other industries. In each case decent wages, job security, or both are missing. And in each case, the industry in question responds not by improving wages or job security but by trying to tap into a heretofore underutilized pool of low-wage replacements. In short, anything to keep wages low and employees, or rather “contractors” in many cases, pliable. Wages have been stagnant for three decades now. Benefits, including health care, vacation, and access to a good retirement system, have been slashed.

Transport Engineer / July 14, 2015 Brett Aggregates’ latest DAF 8x4 CF tipper, which has a PPG insulated alloy body, was retrofitted with Hyva’s new lightweight FCA129 tipping cylinder (in place of its standard FC137), as launched at the recent TIP-Ex show in Harrogate. The result, according to the Faversham, Kent, based aggregates company's transport manager Tom Clubb is an unladen weight of just 11,900kg – meaning a full 20 tonnes payload capacity. Accordingly, Brett has ordered another 10 new tippers to the same specification, which are due for delivery in September. "At 430kg, this new Hyva ram is 20kg lighter than anything else," enthuses Clubb, who is responsible for the firm's 80-plus tipper fleet. "While 20kg doesn't sound a lot, the real issue is there's no point in us carrying around unnecessary deadweight," he continues. "What I also like about the FCA129 is that Hyva has really given the issue of tipping gear design a significant new direction - and not just on weight." And he points to the equipment's separate ram and tank design – meaning that the oil tank no longer needs to be fabricated from steel. "Hyva's use of industrial quality plastic for their oil tank saves both weight and cost," he explains, adding that maintenance on the cylinders is "much easier", so reducing downtime costs. Brett Aggregates' latest tippers are all fully compliant to the CLOCS standard and accredited to FORS. They are also fitted with the Exeros 360 degree camera system – as well as cameras inside the body to assist the driver in ensuring correct loading and tipping – plus Navman telematics to monitor critical areas of vehicle and driver performance. "We encourage our drivers to be as involved as possible," states Clubb, "and to see themselves as 'asset managers' where their professionalism and expertise can really make a difference." For him that means not just monitoring fuel consumption, but taking "a much wider view that embraces and encourages better driving practices" to improve safety and reduce maintenance costs. And talking of asset management, Clubb further asserts that managing tipper downtime is also key – and that Hyva performs well in that regard. "Recently, we needed a replacement cylinder for both a Hyva ram and an existing combined ram and tank hoist," he recalls. "I spoke to Hyva on a Friday afternoon and we had the cylinder the following morning - a Saturday," he continues. "Without the complication of an integral oil tank, the cylinder was also quick and easy to fit. In complete contrast, a replacement cylinder for our previous fleet standard combined ram and tank model would take six weeks." .

Transport Engineer / July 15, 2015 Bulk excavation and aggregates operator Earthline has taken delivery of four Euro 6 DAF CF trucks, moving back to the marque following the opening of a new dealership nearby. Dealer Imperial Commercials opened a £2.74m fully-equipped facility in Dorcan, Swindon, earlier this year and this influenced Marlborough-based Earthline's decision to buy the CF 400 FAD eight-wheel tippers, says general manager Malachi Chambers. "We've always rated the DAF product very highly. We did feel, however, that DAF required a stronger presence in the area, and that investment was needed in a local, modern DAF location that offered sales, service and parts... We're delighted to be back with DAF." Earthline's new 'muck-away' DAF eight-wheelers are equipped with straight beam front axles to provide high ground clearance and approach angle. The trucks have Predator Ultimate bodies from ABBA Commercials and Hyva tipping gear, and have been specified to Crossrail standards. Imperial Commercials supplied the vehicles with four-year DAF MultiSupport R&M contracts. .

July 10, 2015 Truckers would have to carry more insurance and be paid by hours worked rather than miles traveled under legislation introduced Friday by U.S. Senator Cory Booker. The Truck Safety Act also would require the government to develop new rules requiring commercial vehicles to have systems to help avoid collisions and to limit their speeds. "Truck drivers work extremely long days to deliver the goods we depend on and keep our economy moving, but too often this comes at the expense of their safety and the safety of other drivers," said Booker (D-N.J.), the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce surface transportation subcommittee. The American Trucking Associations, the trade group for the trucking industry, applauded some elements of the legislation and objected to others. A fatal crash in June 2014 on the New Jersey Turnpike involving actor and comedian Tracy Morgan has called attention to the issue of truck safety. Morgan was injured and comedian James "Jimmy Mack" McNair was killed when their limousine was rammed from behind by a Wal-Mart tractor-trailer truck. The driver of the truck, Kevin Roper, had not slept for more than 24 hours, State Police said. Booker in December unsuccessfully tried to block a provision to suspend two rest rules for truck drivers until Sept. 30 or whenever the government completes a study of the impact of those regulations, which were designed to limit when truckers can take an extended break between trips. Under the senator's new legislation, trucks must carry at least $1.5 million in insurance, up from $750,000 limit that has not been raised in three decades. Future levels would rise with inflation. It would require that truck drivers be paid for hours they work, not for the miles they drive. The transportation secretary would be instructed to issue those rules. The bill also would require new rules to require the installation of devices that would help curb rear-end collisions and prevent trucks from speeding, and study of the impact of truck drivers having to commute several hours before they begin their routes. Rob Abbott, vice president of safety policy for the American Trucking Associations, said the group supports the speed limit devices, which are already been considered by the Transportation Department, and has backed other technologies proven to avoid collisions. "We support mandates for devices that have proven safety benefits," he said. He also supported Booker's call for studying the impact of long commutes on drivers. "Solutions to driver fatigue can't be focused solely on the hours they work," he said. As for the insurance provision, Abbott said there is no evidence showing the need to raise the minimums, and the current levels cover most accidents when the driver is responsible.

Associated Press / July 10, 2015 Parents may hesitate to hand teens the keys to the family car, but Congress is proposing to allow drivers as young as 18 to get behind the wheel of big rigs on the nation's interstates. Federal regulations currently require drivers be at least 21 before they can drive commercial trucks across state lines, but a bill introduced this week by Republican senators would allow contiguous states that join together in "compacts" to drop the age threshold to 18 for interstate trips. There is no limit on the number of states that could join the compacts. After four years, the Transportation secretary is supposed to report to Congress on whether teens have "an equivalent level of safety" in comparison with older truckers. In 2013, all drivers ages 18-20 had a fatal crash involvement rate, per 100,000 licensed drivers, that was 66 percent higher than drivers who were age 21 years or older, according to the Transportation Department's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, although the total number of crash deaths among teens has been declining since 2002. The change was sought by the trucking industry to help address a shortage of truck drivers. The American Trucking Associations estimates that the current shortage of drivers is roughly 35,000 to 40,000, but because of retirements and individuals leaving the industry, trucking companies will need to recruit nearly 100,000 new drivers a year over the next decade to keep pace with the country's freight needs. But Jackie Gillan, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, said allowing teens to drive trucks weighing as much as 80,000 pounds and to work as many as 82 hours a week, as is permitted in the truck industry, is a "catastrophe waiting to happen." "The combination of inexperience, high-risk driving and large trucks can cause unbelievable devastation," she said. Dave Osiecki, chief of advocacy for trucking associations, said states already allow teens to drive commercial trucks unlimited miles within their borders. For example, it makes no sense to allow a teen truck driver to drive hundreds of miles from one end to the other of a state like Virginia, but prohibit the same driver from crossing the Potomac River into Washington, he said. "We absolutely support" lowering the age limit, he said. "It would be good for our industry, it would be good for commerce, it would be good for the economy." Legislation to allow states to lower the age for a commercial, interstate license to 18 was first introduced by Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and was incorporated into a larger transportation bill introduced this week by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Fischer. The bill would restrict teen truckers from hauling hazardous materials or operating "special configurations," which are generally defined as oversized or overweight loads. States and the U.S. Department of Transportation would also be allowed impose other restrictions if they wish. States wouldn't be obligated to join the compacts, but Gillan said she expects state officials would be under pressure from trucking industry to do so. To obtain an interstate commercial driver's license, drivers must pass a written knowledge test and a driving skills test administered by a state motor vehicles department. But there is no requirement that drivers first receive on the road training or attend a training school, Gillan said. Labor unions have said the driver shortage could be eliminated by raising truckers' wages and improving working conditions. A decade ago the Bush administration looked at lowering the commercial truck driving age to 18, but ultimately decided against doing that because the public comments the government received were overwhelmingly against the idea.

Australasian Transport News / July 14, 2015 Roads in metro and rural Queensland will see a boost on the back of new budget funding The Queensland government has made roads a key component of its budget, with a $3.931 billion investment in transport and road programs for 2015/16 in premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's first Budget. The funding will be invested over the next four years under the Queensland Transport and Road Investment Program, which has received an overall financial boost of $18.8 billion to be spread over roads, rail, marine, public transport and active transport infrastructure. The major beneficiaries of the roads funding will be the Gateway Motorway North ($175.9 million), the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing (172.1 million), the Bruce Highway (146.5 million) and the Peak Downs Highway (12.9 million). For western Queensland, the state government has targeted 14 road projects to be undertaken across the region over the coming two years. As part of a $4.6 billion allotment for rural and regional parts of the state, treasurer Curtis Pitt announced the $40 million road funding package that will focus on road widening and sealing. "We recognise the importance of a safe and reliable road network for people who live and work in western Queensland," Pitt says. "In many ways, roads are the lifeblood of many rural and regional communities." "This $40 million investment will deliver a safer and more reliable road network for communities in western parts of the state. It will also provide jobs at a time when jobs and job security are more important than ever. "It will keep road crews on the job in the north west and the south west of our State, regions which are doing it tough as a result of the drought." Major roads throughout the Gold Coast region will also see an update, with the government investing $161 million ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

House Amendment Would Protect Glider Kits from GHG Rules Heavy Duty Trucking / July 14, 2015 The House of Representatives has approved an amendment that would temporarily protect glider kits as they are now assembled and sold, says Rep. Diane Black (R-Tenn.), who sponsored the measure "to protect Tennessee workers and small manufacturing businesses from the EPA’s latest overreach." The amendment to an appropriations bill would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from using fiscal-year 2016 funds to enforce new restrictions on gliders, which EPA proposes under the Phase 2 greenhouse-gas and fuel-economy proposals unveiled in June. Black represents an east Tennessee district where Fitzgerald Glider Kits, a major assembler of the vehicles, has plants. In her speech on the House floor, she said she toured the company’s plant and understands their financial advantages. “Since a glider kit is less expensive than buying a new truck, and can extend the working life of a truck, businesses and drivers with a damaged or older vehicle may choose to purchase one of these kits instead of buying a completely new vehicle,” she said. “Unfortunately, the EPA is proposing to apply the new Phase 2 standards to glider kits, even though gliders are not really new vehicles. “Mister Speaker, this directly impacts my district where we have glider kits being manufactured and purchased by companies in places like Byrdstown, Sparta, and Jamestown – communities that are already struggling with above-average unemployment and would see job opportunities put further out of reach if this misguided rule goes into effect. “It is also unclear whether the EPA even has the authority to regulate replacement parts like gliders in the first place,” she said. “What’s more, while the EPA’s stated goal with Phase 2 is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the agency has not studied the emissions impact of remanufactured engines and gliders compared to new vehicles.” EPA wants gliders to use diesels that meet current emissions limits, so they could no longer be powered with older engines, explained Ben Sharpe, a senior researcher with the International Council for Clean Transportation, which has analyzed the Phase 2 proposals. There is an exception for companies that each assemble fewer than 300 glider kits per year. Fitzgerald makes more than four times that number. “Under this ill-advised rule, businesses and drivers that wish to use glider kits would be effectively forced to buy a completely new vehicle instead,” Rep. Black told her House colleagues. “Reducing glider sales would also end up limiting consumer choice in the marketplace. “To be clear, this amendment would not bar the EPA from implementing the whole Phase 2 rule for medium and heavy-duty trucks. It would simply clarify that glider kits and glider vehicles are not new trucks as the EPA wrongly claims.” As with any amendment, this one is a long way from becoming law, said Laura Perrotta, senior director of legislative affairs for the National Truck Dealers and its parent, the National Automobile Dealers Association. “The amendment would have many hurdles to overcome to get into law,” she explained. “It would have to get into a Senate companion bill. If it doesn’t, toward the end of the [congressional] term it might go into an omnibus bill, where it and many other [amendments] stand a chance of being stripped out. “Even if it did become law, it only has a one-year term, so would have to be reauthorized every year.” EPA has grown concerned that glider kits are being bought by truckers who want to avoid compliance with stringent exhaust-emissions limits, not just replace wrecked, worn- or rusted-out trucks as they were originally designed. They can legally buy gliders by securing titles and other documents that prove a glider – a new truck without most powertrain components – is replacing an older truck whose diesel and other parts are installed in the new vehicle. Most gliders use diesels originally manufactured in the 1999-2002 period when emissions limits were relatively easy to meet, and before expensive exhaust gas recirculation and exhaust aftertreatment equipment came into use. Other glider kits are sold with dual-fuel conversions so the engines burn lower-cost natural gas with diesel fuel, and their emissions are cleaner than straight diesel engines. Daimler Trucks North America’s Freightliner division offers many of its current and past models as glider kits, and will install remanufactured diesels for customers who want them that way. Fitzgerald uses mostly Freightliner kits, along with some from Kenworth and Peterbilt, and planned to produce 1,400 last year. Dealers, independent shops and some trucking fleets also assemble gliders, which have grown in popularity partly because they cost at least 25% less than a comparable all-new truck.

Autoblog / July 14, 2015 Most of the patent filings we report on these days are of a pretty high-tech nature: everything from "humanized" navigation systems to 11-speed transmissions. But cool innovations can be lower-tech and clever, too. At least that's our feeling after seeing some proposed plans from Dodge (aka. Ram). Fiat Chrysler Automobile (FCA) has filed a patent for a system of built-in ramps recessed inside of a pickup truck bed. While stowable ramps aren't new – Ford offers a similar system for the F-150 ­– the level of integration shown in these diagrams seems to be. Drawings show ramps that run on channels in the bed and tailgate, hinged at the end of the extended gate for a gentle upslope into the cargo area. What's more, the system seems changeable, with two ramps set wide or narrow, or just one centrally mounted. Just the thing for switching from motorcycle-loading season to snowmobile-loading season. A granted patent doesn't always lead to a product brought to market, of course. Issues with cost, durability, and demand all have a lot to say about what makes it from design to showroom. Still, we think the proposed RamRamp (feel free to use that, FCA) shows a ton of promise. Related photographs - http://www.autoblog.com/2015/07/14/ram-truck-patent-in-bed-ramp-system/#slide-3549063

BBC / July 14, 2015 A new "secure zone" will be created at Calais for UK-bound lorries in a bid to stop migrants boarding them, Home Secretary Theresa May has announced. The area will hold up to 230 vehicles - in effect a two-and-a-half mile queue. Mrs May said 8,000 migrant attempts to cross the Channel to the UK were foiled between 21 June and 11 July, when ferry strikes in France exacerbated problems. Transport bosses said migrant numbers in Calais had risen from 600 in January to 5,000 - and that figure was growing. 'Repeated attempts' Mrs May told the Commons hauliers had been subjected to "repeated attempts by illegal migrants who attempt to stow themselves away in their vehicles". The new zone should provide protection for lorries and their drivers by "removing them from the open road where they can become targets for migrants", said Mrs May. She said the security zone should "transform protection" for hauliers. Her announcement came as transport bosses appeared before the Home Affairs Committee to answer questions about the crisis. Kent Police Chief Constable Alan Pughsley told MPs there had been a "significant increase" in the number of migrants found hiding in vehicles in the UK over the past month. He said: From 1 January to 31 May, 26 people were foundIn the five weeks from 1 June, 405 people were found"At the peak" on 8 July, 96 people were foundThere are estimated to be 5,000 migrants currently in Calais, and that number is "rising"Mr Pughsley said he believed strike action by French ferry workers during that time was a "contributing factor" to the numbers because it meant "easier access" for people to trains or lorries. John Keefe, director of public affairs at Eurotunnel, said the 5,000 figure had grown from an estimated 600 migrants in January, and the rise was "continuing apace". "We have never seen numbers like this before and we have not in the past seen the degree of organisation that goes with the numbers either," he said. He said a secure zone would not solve the issue, adding: "As soon as you remove an opportunity, the organised criminals who are managing the migrant attacks are moving to the next opportunity - to the next weak spot." Road Haulage Association chief executive Richard Burnett said the situation was "out of control" and criticised the fact the secure zone would not be in place until the autumn. "This isn't fast enough. We've got drivers being threatened with bars and knives. We've had an example of a driver being threatened with a gun," he said. "We've got a problem right now. This is unprecedented and it's escalating. We need action now." The "write-off" of products due to contamination by migrants entering vehicles could be £1bn a year, he said, adding: "There are full loads that are being destroyed." Last week a migrant from Eritrea died attempting to board a freight shuttle headed to Britain. The death came days after about 150 migrants tried to storm the Channel Tunnel terminal in France. The strike by French ferry workers at the end of last month forced the suspension of Channel Tunnel services. It closed the Port of Calais and resulted in thousands of lorry drivers being stuck on the roads into Calais. This led hundreds of migrants to try to board UK-bound lorries. Mrs May said British and French authorities had been working together for months to improve security at Calais. Some £12m will spent on work to reinforce security in northern French ports, including new fencing and work to improve traffic flow and Border Force controls, which would be completed next month, she said. Other security measures already announced include a £2m upgrade of detection technology, £1m extra for dog searches and new fencing in Calais. UKIP's migration spokesman, Steven Woolfe, said the government was "waking up to the crisis" but called for more UK border personnel in Calais and said the UK should negotiate a scheme where migrants can be returned immediately to France if they have entered the UK illegally. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said Britain's border was the scene of a "terrible crisis" where lives were being lost and people were being injured. Video - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33525242

I assume, at 130 tonnes, he's running Scania's RBP832+RP832 bogie, but possibly the RBP730+RP730. No way the standard RB660+R660.

Obama: The deal "is not built on trust, it is built on verification". Not exactly. That's only if Iran "agrees" to verification. U.N. inspectors can make a "request" to visit Iranian military sites as part of their monitoring duties. However, access isn't guaranteed and could be delayed (so the Iranians can have time to cover up any illicit activity). And, Iran has the right to challenge the U.N request.......via an arbitration board composed of Iran and the six world powers. So in other words, Iran and the global powers will then argue about access to Iran's military facilities for months, alike the situation already in existence for years. What's changed?....................Nothing. Oh, no, no, I'm wrong............something has changed. We're now going to give Iran free money We're going to give them billions of dollars, in relief from the [self-inflicted] results of the international sanctions. That's right, we're giving them billions to help them get back on their feet again, a display of remorse on our part for pushing the sanctions upon them. Today, we read the "six world powers" will foot the bill (ie. United States, Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia ). But as we all know, it's always the US that pays most of the tab. My fellow U.S. taxpayers, your country will soon be sending your tax money to Iran. You won't mind our government putting off repairs on our crumbling interstate highway system so that we can rebuild Iran just as we successfully spent your tax dollars rebuilding Iraq into the peaceful and prosperous country it is today, right??? With our serious issues at home, I have no desire for my tax money to be handed over to Iran, a very wealthy Israel, or other. In light of all, I'd rather bailout a corrupt and ill-managed Detroit, than agree to give my tax money to the state department for global lip service (Money can't restore American's now-at-rock-bottom reputation around the world, only real leadership can). I want my money spent at home to rebuild a decaying United States of America. What does the Iran "deal" really mean? 1. It gives Obama a legacy, even though this is no more a good "deal" for America than Obamacare is affordable health care. 2. The "deal", in theory, allows the U.S. to give up on the Iran issue without admitting to the masses that they gave up. 3. Iran held out and got their way, and now we're going to give them billions of dollars. Now Obama has to submit the "deal" to congress for approval. Any prudent individual would reject it...........we'll see what congress does.

Navistar Trail Magazine

Actually, the architecture of those cartridge-type filters is light years ahead of a spin-on, and maintenance is extremely easy.

Pentagon may rethink F-35 procurement strategy Autoblog Military / July 13, 2015 The United States military may be preparing to scale down its purchase plan for the controversial F-35 Lightning II due to built-in spending caps. At present, the US Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps will take add 2,457 of the stealthy, single-seat fighters to its fleet, at a cost of $391 billion, according to Defense One. "Given the evolving defense strategy and the latest Defense Planning Guidance, we are presently taking the newest strategic foundation and analyzing whether 2,443 aircraft is the correct number," Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, the Obama administration's nominee for the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, wrote as part of the remarks for his Senate confirmation hearing. "Until the analysis is complete, we need to pursue the current scheduled quantity buy to preclude creating an overall near-term tactical fighter shortfall." But just because Gen. Dunford is talking about trimming the final figure doesn't mean he's opposed to the controversial fighter. "With projected adversarial threats challenging our current capabilities in coming years, the Joint Strike Fighter is a vital component of our effort to ensure the Joint Force maintains dominance in the air," the general wrote. "If confirmed, I will advise the Secretary as he assesses the delicate balance of the capacity and the capabilities of the future Joint Force." At present, the acquisition period for the F-35 is expected to span three decades, while Defense One reports that program's schedule would likely stick for the next 15 to 20 years.

Owner/Driver / July 2, 2015 The Casino Truck Show, to be held on August 8, will have a new venue this year – the main streets of town. The annual Casino Truck Show is making a big move — into the northern New South Wales town’s CBD (central business district). Show president Stuart George has confirmed there will be a venue change for the August 8 event with the Casino Truck Show taking place around Barker and Walker Streets in the centre of town. The streets will be closed to traffic, giving the local community and visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with the trucks. This format has proved a winner for the annual Alexandra Truck, Ute & Rod Show in Victoria. However, the convoy will remain a major component of the Casino Truck Show, with the trucks rolling into town at 10am. The live entertainment and kids’ rides will kick off at 9am, along with market and food stalls opening for business in Barker Street. Last year the Casino Truck Show attracted more than 110 trucks, and this year is expected to be even bigger and better. Further information can be found at www.casinotruckshow.com.au

Owner/Driver / July 14, 2015 When he needed a prime mover for triple road train work, Alan Moyle chose Australia’s most powerful truck. Like many Australian owner-operators, Alan Moyle has spent most of his working life behind the wheel of a North American truck. In Alan’s case, 20 years in Kenworths are included in his 35 years’ driving experience. Currently, however, Alan’s steed is a Scania R730 V-8, which he uses to haul grain from Western Australia’s wheat belt region to the port city of Albany where it is shipped out to global markets. His previous truck was also a European make, a MAN. But while the German-manufactured unit proved to be able on both the bitumen and in the paddock, Alan needed something with more grunt. "We were carting woodchips at the time, and I was pulling two trailers with the MAN, but the woodchip finished and I started hauling grain again," Alan explains. "I really needed to pull three trailers, not two. So that’s why I needed to buy a Scania, something with a bit more horsepower." More to the point, Alan needed a prime mover that was capable of pulling a 130-tonne GCM 60-wheeler road train. With its Southern Regional Transport (SRT) logo on the special purpose Evertrans end-tipper trailers, the Advanced Herd Bars stainless steel front bumper, Alan’s rig looks the goods. And that’s not the only reason it stands out. Alan says SRT is a Kenworth stronghold, although there’s also couple of Western Stars and a 700hp (522kW) Volvo. The R730 is the only Scania in the yard. "We’ve got about 25 road trains going every day, carting grain plus frozen food out of Perth and stuff like that," Alan says. With recent rains pointing to a bumper grain season, Alan is preparing to rack up a lot of kilometres. "We’ve had two above average years in a row now, which is almost unprecedented. If they have another year it’s going to be huge," he says. "I can’t see us shifting all of last year’s grain this year. We had half a million tonne to move and we’re not even half way through that yet." At age 67, Alan is often asked when he’s going to retire. For now he’s happy to keep on driving. "While the job’s this easy I’ll keep doing it for a little while and eventually I’ll put a driver in the truck." .

Mercedes-Benz presents latest engine generation Prime Mover Magazine / July 13, 2015 Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the next generation of its 13-litre engine range in Europe, claiming it will lead to a three per cent advantage in fuel usage. Confidently announced as an “engineering masterpiece”, the latest iteration of the OM 471 engine is based on the same basic engine block as other 13-litre Daimler engines around the world, including the Detroit DD13. But even after having solid some 100,000 units of the engine, the company still invested another 60 million in refining it. According to Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler, the X-Pulse fuel injection system has been improved, a new EGR valve has been introduced, as has an asymmetric turbo system – reportedly leading to oil change intervals of around 150,000 km. Also improved has been the torque curve – especially for the lower powered versions of the new engine, which will see torque topped up by an extra 200 Nm when the truck is in top gear. This should reduce down changing, thus decreasing fuel use, by enabling the truck to hang on to top gear longer. Maximum power will reportedly be available from 1450 to 1800 rpm, with the maximum torque of 2600 Nm (1918 ft lb) in the top engine on hand between 900 to 1450 rpm. Even at idling speed, at 600 rpm, the engine is still said to produce1600 Nm of torque. As part of the fuel saving strategy, the new engine is being offered in a truck with a rear axle ratio of 2.533. In this set up, with the truck running at 65 km/h, the engine is below 900 rpm but can use 2200 Nm of torque to maintain performance. While the latest evolution of the OM 471 comes four years after its introduction in the current-generation Actros, Australia is not likely to experience it first hand any time soon, according to CRTNews expert Tim Giles. “The Euro 6 compliant engine sees each of the various technologies included in the modern engine enhanced for improved performance. But the initial launch of the new Actros in Australia will be fitted with the Euro 5 version of this engine, so we can expect to see this latest enhanced technology appearing later this decade.”

Navistar bails on MATS 2016 Fleet Owner / July 13, 2015 Navistar is the third OEM to withdraw from next year’s Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS). It follows Volvo Trucks and Daimler Trucks North America to pull out of the 2016 show. “We’ve made the decision to not attend the 2016 Mid-America Trucking Show,” said Lyndi McMillan, Navistar communications manager. “We look forward to returning to the Mid-America Trucking Show in 2017 to showcase our technology and products.” Both Daimler and Volvo believe MATS would benefit from a biennial calendar in the same way that IAA in Germany is held every second year. “We evaluate all our sales and marketing activities when we develop our business plan for the following year,” said Avery Vise, Volvo Trucks public relations manager. “As part of that effort, we have decided not to participate in the 2016 Mid-America Trucking Show and have informed show management of this decision.” “MATS is an important industry event, and because we believe the industry would benefit from a biennial schedule, we intend to participate in 2017,” he said. Volvo’s sister company, Mack, has yet to announce whether it will exhibit next year at MATS. John Walsh, Mack vice president of marketing, said: “In order to make sure our efforts best meet the needs of our customers and bring the most return on our investment, we evaluate each trade show opportunity every year, a process through which we are still working.” Paccar’s Peterbilt and Kenworth have not made any announcements regarding MATS 2016. Asked if Peterbilt Motors was still planning on exhibiting at MATS next year, a spokesperson said "the company is still evaluating its marketplace plans for 2016." Toby Young, president of Exhibit Management Associates, which owns and operates MATS, said: “Navistar has informed us that they will not be exhibiting in the 2016 Mid-America Trucking Show and that they would like to return for the 2017 MATS. Navistar has been a strong supporter of MATS, participating every year since the first MATS in 1972. Their presence at the 2016 show will be missed." "We will continue as planned with sales for the 2016 MATS beginning on July 15th and, given the recent news, additional exhibit space opportunities for returning and new exhibitors," Young said. "MATS has a contract with the City of Louisville and the Kentucky Exposition Center through 2020, so the show will continue on an annual basis as scheduled.” MATS is an annual heavy-duty trucking industry event held each year at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville. The show attracts more than 70,000 attendees and more than 1,000 exhibitors. The International Motor Show for commercial vehicles, or IAA, takes place every other year in September in Hannover, Germany.

Navistar Is Third OEM to Skip MATS in 2016 Transport Topics / July 13, 2015 Navistar Inc. said it will not attend the 2016 Mid-America Trucking Show, making it the third major truck manufacturer to pull out of the event. “We’ve made the decision to not attend the 2016 Mid-America Trucking Show,” Navistar spokeswoman Lyndi McMillan said. “We look forward to returning to the Mid-America Trucking Show in 2017 to showcase our technology and products.” Daimler Trucks North America and Volvo Trucks previously said they would not be exhibiting at MATS next year. “Navistar has been a strong supporter of MATS, participating every year since the first MATS in 1972. Their presence at the 2016 show will be missed,” said Toby Young, president of Exhibit Management Associates, which owns and operates the show held each year in Louisville, Kentucky. DTNA, Volvo Trucks and Navistar have expressed support for the annual show to move to a biennial schedule, and all three said they plan to return to MATS in 2017. Together, those original equipment manufacturers accounted for 63% of all Class 8 trucks sold in the United States in 2014. Despite the absence of those OEMs, Young said MATS organizers will continue as planned with sales beginning July 15 for the 2016 show. “MATS has a contract with the City of Louisville and the Kentucky Exposition Center through 2020, so the show will continue on an annual basis as scheduled,” he said. Young also said the recent news opens up additional space opportunities for returning and new exhibitors. Mack Trucks, a sister company to Volvo Trucks, has not announced a decision regarding MATS; nor have Kenworth Truck Co. and Peterbilt Motors Co., which are part of Paccar Inc.