One-piece Grip
Phillips Industries’ new Gladiator Grip twists on between the gladhand and air coil for a more durable and stronger connection, says the company. No assembly is required, and it’s easier to install or replace than the plastic two-piece grips.
The Gladiator Grip’s design provides leverage for coupling and uncoupling gladhands. “The Gladiator Grip is manufactured from aircraft-grade 6061-T6 aluminum for strength and color-anodized to Mil-A-8625, type II for durability and easy identification,” says Eric DeWilde, director of research and development for Phillips Industries. “It is designed to withstand the roughest handling and harshest road salts, including magnesium chloride.”
Phillips Industries also debuted an improved website with frequent editorial, press releases and link updates.
Phillips Industries
(800) 423-4512
www.phillipsind.com
Keyless Entry
Remote keyless entry will now be an option for Kenworth’s T2000 model.
This product is robust enough to meet the demands of professional truck drivers, says David Warren, Kenworth’s product marketing manager. The remote for the system underwent rigorous testing that included being submersed in water, frozen and going for a spin in a washing machine and drier.
Users of the remote keyless entry product will be able to unlock driver and passenger doors separately and lock all doors at the same time, according to Warren. Parking lights will flash to signal the desired action has taken place.
The system also contains secure rolling code technology that prevents someone from recording the entry signal and unlocking the doors without a remote programmed for that vehicle.
In addition, a kit and wiring harness will be available to retrofit the system to older T2000s.
Kenworth Truck Company
www.kenworth.com
More Engine Options
Autocar is expanding its list of engine offerings in 2004 Xpeditor WX, WXR and WXLL low-cab-over engine truck models.
Specially engineered “V-rated” engines from Cummins will include the ISM-EGR 285V with 285 horsepower and 1,050 pounds-feet of torque, and the ISM-EGR 320V with 320 hp and 1,150 pounds-feet of torque. Both engines will be available in the Xpeditor WXLL model in May, the WX in June and WXR in July.
Cummins ISM V-rated engines are specifically engineered for severe-duty vocational vehicles. The Cummins EGR engines are fully compliant with October 2002 emissions standards, and Autocar becomes the first LCOE truck manufacturer to offer them.
Autocar will also offer the Caterpillar C-10 diesel bridge engine and the C-10 dual-fuel version. The C-10, an engine with a successful track record in tough applications, is rated at 305 hp with 1,050 pounds-feet of torque.
It will be available in WX models beginning in June and in the WXR in July.
All 2004 Xpeditor models with these engine offerings will be built beginning in mid-March at Autocar’s new manufacturing facility in Hagerstown, Ind.
Autocar
www.autocartruck.com
Standard Level Deck Option
Beavertail ramp systems on Transcraft DTL 2100 and DTL 3000 drop-deck trailers now come standard with the level deck option. With this option, the Beavertail ramp system can be loaded all the way to the end of the trailer with the addition of four-by-four timbers.
Beavertails have adjustable ramps that allow the user to place them the full width of the trailer for loading wider equipment or slide them inward to accommodate machinery with narrow wheelbases. A spring-assisted lift package is standard to help the user lift and lower the ramps for loading.
Transcraft
(800) 950-2995
www.transcraft.com
Air Ratchet
With a flex head that pivots 45 degrees in both directions, the new AT7143/8-inch square drive Blue-Point Air Ratchet from Snap-on Tools Company gives professional tool users maneuverability, power and operating comfort, says the company.
The tool features Blue-Point’s exclusive “Cobra Head” design. This enables users to pivot the ratchet head a full 45 degrees up or down to deliver up to 40 foot pounds of torque for driving or loosening threaded bolts in hard-to-reach places. Besides the flex head, the tool features a molded, ergonomic handle grip for maximum comfort and control. The pneumatic ratchet weighs 3.35 pounds and is 10.6 inches in length.
The AT714 features a continuously variable throttle control and the maximum free speed of the unit’s air motor is 200 RPM. The tool accepts compressed air at pressures up to 90 PSIG, and consumes an average of 2.5 cubic feet of air per minute.
The new air ratchet also works with suitable extension bars, universal joints and socket adapters to increase its range of utility for a variety of applications.
Snap-on Tools Company
(877) 762-7662
www.snapon.com
Automatic Filter Cleaning Washer
System 1 Filtration Group has manufactured a proprietary automatic filter cleaning washer to be used in conjunction with the System 1 Industrial & Fleet Cleanable and Reusable Filters.
The System 1 Washer (Part # S1-9758) became available to distributors and direct government accounts in March.
System 1 Filtration Group
www.s1filtrationgroup.com
CyberLock Padlock
Videx’s CyberLock technology is now available for padlocks. CyberLock is an intelligent lock cylinder designed to convert existing mechanical locks into full-functioning access control systems without hardwiring. CyberLock permits access for authorized users at specific times on pre-selected days and provides a comprehensive audit report of all entries and denied entries.
CyberLock is ideal for applications such as padlocks securing transported freight, gated areas and cargo storage containers, the company says. Padlocks retrofitted with CyberLock cylinders also can be a solution where there are security concerns at remote sites and facilities. Because there are no batteries in these cylinders and no wires to install, CyberLock can go virtually anywhere.
The CyberLock system consists of the pick-proof CyberLock cylinder and a CyberKey that cannot be duplicated. The access privileges and battery power are located in the CyberKey. Each time a CyberKey opens a CyberLock, a record of the user ID, date and time is stored in both the key and the cylinder, creating both a lock and key history.
Videx
(541) 758-0521,
www.videx.com
Lead-acid Batteries
Delco Remy’s Road Gang Premium Electrical Systems now feature a new family of advanced, maintenance-free lead-acid batteries.
The new Road Gang batteries, manufactured by Delphi Automotive Systems, enhance the performance and cost-efficiency of Road Gang Premium Electrical Systems, which include Delco Remy’s exclusive heavy-duty brushless alternator with remote sense and temperature compensation, overcrank-protected starter with new semi-solid link technology and low voltage disconnect box, says the company.
The new family of Road Gang batteries features a wrought lead-calcium grid and heat-sealed cover, mechanically welded plates with central lug connections for vibration resistance, cold-drawn micro-structured alloy grids and corrosion-resistant plates.
Delco Remy
www.delcoremy.com
New Steer Tire
Goodyear’s new commercial, long-haul steer tire, the G395 LHS steer, is designed for use with over-the-road fleets and owner-operators.
“We have developed an “evolving five-rib tread design which features a barrel footprint to optimize tread wear performance,” says Ted J. Fick, vice president of Goodyear’s commercial tire division. “The tire was also designed to be a tire within a tire, which means exceptional performance through each stage of wear. As the original tread wears down, jagged/angled groove walls across the footprint are exposed to maximize traction and handling and give better bite.”
The G395 LHS is manufactured with Goodyear’s Integrated Manufacturing Precision Assembly Cellular Technology (IMPACT) – a process so precise that tires coming off the line are virtual clones of each other, the company says. Goodyear also inspects the tires with X-ray technology.
The G395 LHS design features lateral sipes and slots on the three main ribs to provide excellent traction and handling, the company says. All five ribs feature edge blades for increased treadwear performance. The G395 LHS also utilizes Goodyear’s ECD, (Enhanced Casing Design) puncture-resistant, 4-belt package that features high-tensile steel on the three lower belts. The top belt is made with polyamide to protect the steel belt package from moisture.
Goodyear is offering a program allowing buyers of the G395 LHS to test the tires themselves. “If the G395 LHS doesn’t exceed the verified miles to removal of the customer’s current steer tire, we’ll retread the G395s free of charge,” Fick says.
Goodyear
www.goodyear.com
