TRUCK TRACKS

Dec. 28, 2000
A pair of trends has been gaining speed in recent months that could add up to sizable cuts in the cost of operating trucks. One trend involves designing components with longer lifes and reduced amounts of routine maintenance. Other aspects of this trend encompass truck supplies-such as engine coolant-that can be used for longer periods. Obviously, the less time a truck has to spend in the shop for service work; the more time it is available to earn money on the job.

In the second favorable trend, an effort is being made to reduce the weight of unladen trucks.

A pair of trends has been gaining speed in recent months that could add up to sizable cuts in the cost of operating trucks. One trend involves designing components with longer lifes and reduced amounts of routine maintenance. Other aspects of this trend encompass truck supplies-such as engine coolant-that can be used for longer periods. Obviously, the less time a truck has to spend in the shop for service work; the more time it is available to earn money on the job.

In the second favorable trend, an effort is being made to reduce the weight of unladen trucks. A weight cut may help a truck meet a low bridge capacity limit or comply with a difficult gross weight limit.

Mack has said that, under certain conditions, its trucks can go 30,000 miles or 700 hours running time, between oil changes. Mack also is increasing transmission and rear-axle drain intervals to 210,000 miles or two years for standard-drain lubricants and 420,000 miles or three years for extended-drain lubes.
Eaton Corp. has announced that some of its transmissions and drive axles can now go up to 500,000 miles between lubricant changes . Eaton also is expanding use of low-maintenance wheel ends for steer and drive axles while adding a low maintenance brake system package. The company said it was the first North American drivetrain supplier to advocate use of synthetic lubes in its products, and is the first to approve a 500,000-mile drain interval for both its transmission and drive-axle products.

Spicer Clutch Division of Dana Corp. is promoting its Solo clutch as being maintenance free . "The Spicer Solo Clutch was introduced last year as the first adjustment-free clutch for medium-duty trucks and the feedback has been tremendous," said Kevin Schlosser, Spicer Clutch chief engineer. "The technology has been proven to save money by decreasing labor time and increasing the life of the clutch; and now these benefits are available for heavy-duty trucks, as well."

Spicer also has replaced its popular 10 Series driveshaft assembly with completely re-engineered driveshaft assemblies for the next century's truck.

Meanwhile, Rockwell's brake operation has reported that its Q Plus cam brakes can go lubrication-free for 500,000 miles or three years . In addition, Rockwell said its advanced lube program for reducing lubrication services, introduced in 1992, is living up to its potential of saving $42,200 and 5,000 gal of lubricants per 100-unit fleet over one million miles of vehicle operation.

Curbing the time a truck must be off the job for maintenance work sounds attractive but this warning bears repeating-heed the fine print, and that applies to all the details.

Some lengthy service interval plans require the use of synthetic lubricants. Others forbid their use. Recent introductions of semi-synthetics make things more complicated. It's up to the operator to know and follow the rules. Violating them can void the warranty on a component or on the entire vehicle.

The rules can be quite extensive. Among other things, the changes in drain intervals on Macks call for use of the Mack Centri-Max oil filtration system and use of genuine Mack replacement parts. Only selected E-OL oils can be used. A Mack dealership has the information on which oils qualify.
The list of long-life parts and supplies is growing steadily. No one producer clearly has the lead as tires with the radial ply design join maintenance-free batteries in a growing number of trucks. General Motors appears to have an edge in some changes, such as a move to long-life engine coolants.

Advanced electronics are playing major roles in developments ranging from longer intervals between tune-ups for trucks with gasoline engines to replacing mechanical controls in managing today's diesel engine.

When it comes to putting trucks on a diet, Kenworth and Navistar have scored notable advances in the industry-wide effort to enhance productivity by reducing unladen weight. Advanced air suspensions, in which rubber air springs are used in place of the metal springs seen in conventional suspensions, are enjoying a sales boom because they deliver an improved ride to truck, driver and cargo while reducing truck weight.

The Kenworth line has just unveiled its Airglide 200 air suspension, which the producer said is more than 400 lb lighter than the older Airglide 100 model . The new offering has a rating of 40,000 lb. "In addition to road and track testing, our lab features computerized samples of some of the worst roads in North America," commented Tom Moran, project engineer on the Airglide 200 work. "We did a series of durability and performance tests and we even built a special suspension simulator. The Airglide 200 was tested way beyond what would be encountered in everyday driving."

With a weight of less than 12,500 lb, the International 9200 Ultra-Lite is the lightweight leader from Navistar . The producer said it is up to 1,500 lbs lighter than competitive Class 8 daycab models, which have no sleeper compartment.

Wide use of aluminum components, Super Single tires-rather than duals-at the rear; a Caterpillar 3176 engine, 10-speed SpicerLite transmission and International Air Ride suspension are key specifications of the light truck. "The International 9200 Ultra-Lite tractor is part of an ongoing lowest cost ownership effort to develop products that help improve the truck customer's bottom line," said Michael Cancelliere, director of heavy truck marketing for Navistar. "These new trucks are lighter in weight without sacrificing strength or durability."

Sponsored Recommendations

The Science Behind Sustainable Concrete Sealing Solutions

Extend the lifespan and durability of any concrete. PoreShield is a USDA BioPreferred product and is approved for residential, commercial, and industrial use. It works great above...

Proven Concrete Protection That’s Safe & Sustainable

Real-life DOT field tests and university researchers have found that PoreShieldTM lasts for 10+ years and extends the life of concrete.

Revolutionizing Concrete Protection - A Sustainable Solution for Lasting Durability

The concrete at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center is subject to several potential sources of damage including livestock biowaste, food/beverage waste, and freeze/thaw...

The Future of Concrete Preservation

PoreShield is a cost-effective, nontoxic alternative to traditional concrete sealers. It works differently, absorbing deep into the concrete pores to block damage from salt ions...