WESTERN STAR’s NEW HEAVY-DUTY TRUCK
Western Star’s low-profile version of its 4900 EX heavy-duty truck, the 4900 EX LowMax, has a lowered cab and sleeper and a retro look, along with additional styling features. The LowMax is available as a highway tractor in a 132-inch, bumper-to-back-of-cab dimension with a set-forward front axle. The vehicle has an extended hood, dual stacks and close-to-the-road design.
The truck’s low center of gravity provides advantages in handling and stability. The reduced frontal area improves aerodynamics. The 4900 EX LowMax’s cab height is almost a foot lower than standard.
A low-ride-height front suspension and 6.38-inch ride height AirLiner rear suspension contribute to the low-profile design. The Dana Spicer E-13201 front axle has a 5-inch drop. Standard equipment includes a 1,300-square-inch cross-flow radiator for optimum engine cooling. The dual 6-inch exhaust stacks feature horizontal low-noise mufflers.
The 4900 EX LowMax is available with a range of sleeper sizes and roof heights, all arranged to the lowered configuration. It is available from Western Star dealers.
WESTERN STAR TRUCKS
(440) 269-5500
www.westernstartrucks.com
PETE 357 GETS LOWER HOOD
A redesigned hood improves visibility and styling on Peterbilt’s Model 357 in set-back, front axle truck and tractor configurations. The driver can see objects 5 feet closer to the front bumper than before. Set-back front axle configurations help customers maximize payloads by more evenly distributing weight over the front axle. This allows customers to reduce the vehicle’s wheelbase, tightening the turning radius and improving maneuverability. The new hood also isolates the pod-mounted headlights from minor bumper and fender damage. The new design will be available this year.
PETERBILT
(800) 552-0024
www.peterbilt.com
FIFTH WHEEL LUBE PLATE
Direct Dimension’s PlateMate, a self-lube surface for fifth wheels, eliminates grease and offers better handling, says the manufacturer. The company says it improves maneuverability, especially during tight turns, backing up and coupling, while reducing stress between the fifth wheel and trailer coupler plate.
DIRECT DIMENSION
(800) 738-6587
www.platemate.info
Designed for owner-operators and company drivers, CoPilot Truck offers dock-to-dock driving directions, which can be received in spoken form from a laptop in the cab.
IN-VEHICLE NAVIGATION
ALK combined its PC*MILER Solutions and its CoPilot product line to create a new onboard navigation system, CoPilot Truck. Designed for owner-operators and company drivers, CoPilot Truck offers dock-to-dock driving directions, which can be received in spoken form from a laptop in the cab. The pretrip planning feature allows drivers to preview routes before getting on the road, and multiple-stop route optimization generates the most efficient route for up to 50 addresses. The system also provides instant and automatic route recalculation within seconds of missing a turn or going off-route for any reason, and the one-click detour feature reroutes the user around traffic or construction immediately.
ALK
(800) 377-6453
www.CoPilotTruck.com
MERCEDES TRANNY ON ACTERRA
You can now order Mercedes-Benz manual transmissions on Sterling Acterra Class 5-8 trucks. The 6-speed manual transmissions feature hydraulically actuated clutch systems and are offered in two versions – the direct-drive MBT520 for trucks up to 40,000 pounds gross combination weight and the overdrive MBT660 for trucks up to 60,000 pounds GCW. Both transmissions are fully synchronized and offer low shift effort through all gears by using double cone synchronizers up through fourth gear. Precisely machined helical gears with more gear contact also contribute to smooth and quiet operation. Both transmissions feature a standard SAE six-bolt PTO port on their right side for easy installation of a power takeoff device and are compatible with medium-duty diesel engines built by Mercedes-Benz, Caterpillar and Cummins. They carry a two-year warranty.
STERLING TRUCKS
(440) 269-5500
www.sterlingtrucks.com
LIGHTWEIGHT LIFT AXLE
Hendrickson International’s ComposiLite, a 13,200-pound-capacity lift axle suspension, weighs 812 pounds and was developed to fulfill the requirements of weight-conscious haulers. The unit features corrosion-resistant aluminum construction, a composite tie-rod and in-line air springs. The frame hangers and upper-air spring plates are also aluminum.
HENDRICKSON
(630) 910-2800
www.hendrickson-intl.com
INTERNATIONAL INVERTER/CHARGERS
Xantrex heavy-duty inverter/chargers are now available as an option on International 9000i Series tractors. The unit provides 1,100 watts of continuous power and 3,000 watts of peak power. When connected to shore power at a truck stop, terminal or home, all 12-volt DC and 120-volt AC loads run off the Xantrex inverter/ charger, while it simultaneously charges batteries using a three-stage charging algorithm. The unit features an integrated low-voltage disconnect system that turns the power off long before batteries are damaged or go dead.
XANTREX
(800) 446-6180
www.xantrex.com
UNDERBODY COATING
Magnet Paints’ Chassis Saver underbody coating prevents corrosion without the use of primers and topcoats. Chassis Saver bonds to rusted metal to create a glazelike non-porous finish that seals off areas such as frames, floorboards, fender wells and firewalls from moisture, road salts, battery acid and other solvents.
MAGNET PAINTS
(800) 922-9981
www.magnetpaints.com
Osram Sylvania’s High Intensity Discharge lights produce a more intense light than standard halogen bulbs, enhanced peripheral vision and improved down-road illumination.
SEALED BEAM HEADLIGHTS
Osram Sylvania’s High Intensity Discharge lighting systems are now available to the heavy-duty truck aftermarket, including Peterbilt, Western Star, International and Kenworth. XENARC HID sealed beam upgrade systems replace standard sealed-beam headlights. HID produces a more intense light than standard halogen bulbs, enhanced peripheral vision and improved down-road illumination. HID product life is nearly 10 times that of standard halogen products.
OSRAM SYLVANIA
(800) 347-3420
www.sylvania.com
UPDATED FUEL TAX SOFTWARE
ProMiles Software Development’s updated ProMiles Fuel Tax software allows you to automate your fuel taxes, to import GPS tracking points and dispatch data, and to import fuel purchases. The program’s ability to export data allows you to easily integrate fuel tax reporting with existing accounting and settlement programs.
PROMILES
(800) 324-8588
www.promiles.com
SEALING MATERIAL WITH MEMORY
Clean Seal Plus, a new rubber sealing material, bounces back quickly, even after severe compression, to fill in all gaps, according to the manufacturer. Some rubber seals lose their shape when squeezed to half their original profile. Clean Seal Plus is resistant to heat and water absorption and is available in a variety of sizes.
CLEAN SEAL
(800) 366-3682
www.cleanseal.com
GEAR LUBE GETS DANA APPROVAL
Chevron Delo Gear Lubricants ESI SAE 80W-90 and 85W-140 are now approved for extended warranty (750,000 miles) and extended drain interval (500,000 miles) in Dana Spicer heavy-duty axles. Delo Gear Lubricant ESI, although mineral-based, can meet the same warranty and extended drain requirements as the currently approved synthetic lubricants. Delo Gear Lubricant ESI is the only non-synthetic lubricant approved for 500,000-mile drains in Dana Spicer axles, according to the company.
CHEVRON TEXACO
(415) 894-7700
www.chevrontexaco.com
