Diesel Progress North American Edition articles from April 2002

Diesel Progress North American Edition archives from April 2002

Buy American! Or Buy! American!? (Top Dead Center).
April 1, 2002... Does anyone care where something is built any more? It's ironic that in what is turning out to be one of the most patriotic, some would say jingoistic times in recent American history, that the global marker has quietly come of age. ...

Six months after 9/11, message to industry is "Let's Roll". (Trendlines).
April 1, 2002... As I write this, we mark roughly six months since 9/ll when we were all affected by a terrible and tragic event, something that most of us still cannot even comprehend. These six months have, at times, felt like six years and at other times...

New independent emissions lab opened in California. (Emissions).(ECOlogic Engine Testing Laboratories)
April 1, 2002... While reducing engine emissions is a global concern, one of the hotbeds of emissions reduction activity for literally all types of internal combustion engines, is the state of California, specifically the Los Angeles area. California, and...

Oshkosh Truck Corp. (Alternatives).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Oshkosh Truck Corp., demonstrated the first heavy payload defense truck with an electric hybrid drive at the Association of the United States Army Winter Symposium. The HEMTT-LHS tactical defense truck features Oshkosh's ProPulse electric...

Dateline.
April 1, 2002... may May 1-3 External Combustion Engines 2002, Hotel Sofitel, Los Angeles, California. Intertech Conferences, 19 Northbrook Drive, Portland, ME 04105. Tel: (207) 781-9800. Fax: (207) 781-2150. E-mail:...

Farming without the farmer? GPS, electrohydraulics, electronically controlled engines and drivetrains may lead to autonomous ag equipment; from farmers to "farm managers". (Industry News).
April 1, 2002... The internal combustion engine and the row crop tractor revolutionized agriculture in the last century as they displaced animal teams traditionally used to drag plows and other implements. Now, in the early days of the 21st century, agriculture...

A great name returns: Alliance brings McCormick tractors back to North American ag market after a 40-year absence. (Ag Equipment).
April 1, 2002... McCormick Tractors International, Doncaster, England, and Vermeer Manufacturing Co., Pella, Iowa, have formed an alliance that has returned McCormick-brand tractors to the U.S. marketplace after a more than 40 year absence. The new...

Filter targets high flow applications. (Filtration).(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2002... Mann+Hummel recently introduced its Europiclon 700/ 800 series air cleaners to the North American Mobile and stationary engine-powered equipment markets. Applications for the new air cleaner include intake air filtration for large construction...

The conducting system: Critical and often misunderstood. (Hydraulic Systems Trends).
April 1, 2002... One of the critical areas of any hydraulic system is the conducting system, which consists of piping, tubing, fittings, hoses and related mounting hardware. Integration of these elements into a hydraulic system is typically the responsibility...

Enhancements for oil spectrometer package. (Fuels & Lubes).(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2002... Spectro Inc., Littleton, Mass., has announced the availability of the OilM for Windows readout and data management system for its Spectroil M family of oil and fuel analysis spectrometers. The OilM for Windows package, which includes both...

Coupling strength enhanced. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(American Vulkan)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2002... American Vulkan Corp. has developed a new Vulastik-L coupling style for shock load applications found on mobile construction equipment such as excavators and wheel loaders, and other applications with constant forward and reverse maneuvering....

New planetary drive series. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Auburn Gear has developed a new line of planetary drives for mobile equipment applications. The Model 40, 60 and 75 family has three distinct torque rating, respectively. The new drives are available in wheel, shaft and spindle output, and...

Articulated vehicle brake. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(advertisement)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Ausco Products Inc. has continued to develop applications for its most recent product introduction, an articulated vehicle parking brake that requires minimal maintenance and reduces manufacturing costs, the company said. The spring-applied,...

Hydraulic wet clutch. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... PT Tech has developed a hydraulically actuated wet clutch for diesel-powered equipment designed to address the typical problems that can occur with manual clutches in heavy-duty applications. Available in two configurations for belt-driven and...

Planetary drive for mobile machines. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Bonfiglioli North America has introduced the TR-610W planetary wheel drive for both wheeled and tracked machines. The final drive system has been designed to allow different speed ratios for those machines that need very low operating speeds,...

High-speed reduction gear. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Cotta Transmission has continued to update and improve its product line of speed reducers and increasers, transfer cases, custom gear drives, heavy- duty pump drives and transmission- mounted transfer cases. The company has introduced a...

Two- and five-pad pump drives. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Completing its development of a comprehensive pump drive product line, Durst has developed a pair of new heavy-duty pump drives. The KJ01 two-pad pump drive is suitable for applications up to 700 hp, while the KJ67 five-pad pump drive can...

Heavy-duty front and rear axles. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Through its recent agreement to represent Finland's Sisu AXLES in North America, Fabco Automotive Corp. has expanded its product line to now include axles with capacities from 10,000 to 105,000 lb. The Sisu/Fabco deal allows Fabco to now offer...

Planetary drive line expanded. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Fairfield Manufacturing has developed a new range of wheel drive systems that incorporate a two-stage planetary gearbox with a 34 cc, two-speed Parker-Hannifin hydraulic motor and Torq-Lock brake. The DW3M system offers maximum output torques...

New powershift transmission. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... John Deere Power Systems' Funk Manufacturing group has expanded the top end of its transmission line with the open market introduction of the DF500 powershift transmission. The transmission was initially developed for John Deere's new 9020...

Flywheel, Straight Jaw Couplings. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Guardian Industries continues to expand its line of torsionally soft flexible flywheel couplings for engine drive hydraulic pumps. One of the newest products is the Guardian LJW Straight Jaw Coupling, an all-purpose steel jaw coupling with a...

Hydraulic pump drive kits, couplings. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Hayes Manufacturing has continued to expand and update its lineup of mounting kits for diesel engine drive applications. The company offers a wide range of flywheel couplings in standard and metric splines, bored and keyed, for applications...

New hydraulic power take-off. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Twin Disc recently introduced a new power take-off designed to meet today's changing technological requirements for a power take-off with automatic control. The IG5202 hydraulic power take-off, rated 900 to 1000 hp, features a mounting system...

Flexible grid couplings. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Lovejoy has added to its extensive variety of shaft couplings for powertrain applications. New to the lineup is the all-metal 1000 series flexible grid G-type couplings, designed to combine high-torque, high-horsepower operation with vibration,...

New low-floor suspension system. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Marmon-Herrington introduced a drive technology designed to allow a vehicle's floor to be positioned at the right height for any application. Using axleless suspension, Marmon-Herrington has developed the Low Floor Front Drive, which allows the...

Multiple disc vehicle brake. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).
April 1, 2002... MICO Inc.'s newest product for vehicle brake systems is the Gold Series M-Mount multiple disc brake. The brake uses a high-performance lining that allows for high torque (up to 4000 lb.in. available) in a compact size. The dry design,...

Clutches, clutch brakes, gearboxes. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(North American Clutch Co)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... North American Clutch Co. (Noram) continues to develop its designs of clutches, clutch brakes and mechanical gearboxes for small engine applications. Clutches are designed to fit engines ranging from fractional horsepower up through 50 hp...

Off-highway flexible couplings. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(from Renold Hi-Tec Couplings)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2002... Renold Hi-Tec Couplings has introduced a new coupling design for off-highway vehicles including dump trucks, rail vehicles, marine and power take-off applications. The HTBUJ coupling is a resilient coupling designed to isolate torsional...

Power transmission components. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(Ringfeder Corp product details)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Ringfeder Corp. continues to develop its range of keyless shaft/hub connections, shock absorbing devices, flexible elastomeric couplings, flexible disc couplings, torque limiters and specialty products for mobile and stationary equipment...

Suspended ag axle system. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(Dana's Off-Highway Systems Group)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Dana's Spicer Agricultural AXLE Division, part of Dana's Off-Highway Systems Group, has introduced a new. With a maximum output torque rating of 22,124 lb.ft., Spicer Agricultural Axle's new type AG 105 IES steerable planetary drive axle is...

Split case gearboxes. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Superior GEARBOX CO. offers standard and custom split case, high-volume gearboxes and power transmission systems for mobile and stationary equipment. According to Superior, no shims are required for its gearboxes and bearing adjustment,...

Mechanical inline power take-off. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(WPT Transmission)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2002... WPT Transmission has introduced a 13 in. mechanical inline PTO for heavy-duty applications. The W13-WG-100 is a rugged, heavy-duty power take-off assembly used in industrial, irrigation and marine systems and it offers direct drive...

Composite disc couplings. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(Zero-Max product introduction)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2002... Zero-Max has launched a new series of composite disc (CD) couplings incorporating QD hubs designed to accept QD bushings. The Zero-Max CD coupling is a hybrid design, combining the best features found in both steel disk and elastromeric...

Commercial vehicle chassis module. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(ZF Industries Inc)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2002... ZF Industries Inc. has introduced a newly developed chassis module for commercial vehicles and buses. The four-point-link integrates the functions formerly carried out by V-links and stabilizers. According to the company, the ZF four-point-link...

Universal joint driveshafts. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(Rockford Powertrain product development)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The Mechanics Driveshaft Division of Rockford Powertrain has begun working with Universal Technical Services LLC, Greenville, S.C., to serve the off-road and industrial equipment markets with universal joint driveshafts and other u-joint...

Two new power take-offs. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(Chelsea Products Group product introduction)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2002... The Chelsea Products Group of Parker Hannifin has introduced two new power take-offs (PTOs) designed to reliably function with a wide range of heavy-duty truck transmissions. The new Chelsea 660 (six-bolt) PTO is designed to work with...

New torque measuring system. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(KTR Corp product introduction)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2002... KTR Corp. has introduced a new model in its DataFlex torque measuring system. The new smaller DataFlex 22 incorporates measuring technology based on a compact and low-cost opto-electronical measuring principle. The DataFlex 22 has a shaft...

Heavy-duty PTO clutches. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(Logan Clutch product development)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Logan Clutch has developed a range of heavy-duty; self-contained PTO clutches for auxiliary and direct-drive applications on mobile and stationary equipment. The PTO 250 and PTO 500 clutches have maximum torque ratings of 250 and 500 lb.ft.,...

Heavy-duty service brake. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(Hayes Brake LLC)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2002... Continuing its expansion in the large capacity brake market, Hayes Brake LLC has introduced the H200 fixed-mount, heavy-duty hydraulic service brake. The H200 brake is capable of 20,000 lb. clamp force and can withstand operating pressures to...

New planetary rigid axles. (Mechanical Powertrain Component Report).(ArvinMeritor product introduction)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
April 1, 2002... ArvinMeritor has introduced a pair of new planetary rigid axles that primarily target the medium-duty industrial lift truck market. With an axle capacity of 24,300 lb, the new PRLC-124 planetary rigid axle covers lift capacities ranging from...

Small diesel engine range suddenly gets crowded. (Street Smarts).
April 1, 2002... The heavy-duty on-highway engine market has picked up since the beginning of the year as fleets pre-buy trucks before new emission standards come into play in October of this year. While the up tick in sales is welcome, mixed feelings abound....

AGCO expands branded tractor lineup: Three new tractor lines cover range of 70 to 225 hp; taking aim at the higher-end markets in North America. (Ag Equipment).(LT, RT and DT series)
April 1, 2002... Last year, AGCO Corp. introduced the AGCO ST series, the first tractor line in the company to be branded with the company's name (see Diesel Progress, July 2001). Now, the Duluth, Ga.-based manufacturer has added three more ranges to its AGCO...

Engine oil formulated to improve diesel emissions. (Fuels & Lubes).(Castrol Heavy Duty Lubricants' Enduron S, Tection Extra and Tection S oils)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The trend toward reduced emissions has put increasingly more stress on the engine oil -- a trend likely to continue in coming years. When it became apparent that a new engine oil specification was needed to meet the pull-ahead standards...

Sauer-Danfoss Inc. (Business Notes).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Sauer-Danfoss Inc. has purchased a minority interest in Comatrol S.p.A, Reggio Emilia, Italy, effective January 1, 2002. Sauer-Danfoss has entered into a strategic alliance with Comatrol to develop and manufacture cartridge valves and hydraulic...

Volvo Construction Equipment Rents. (Business Notes).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Bomag has been chosen by Volvo Construction Equipment Rents as a preferred supplier of compaction equipment for Volvo CE's global equipment rental program. Bomag will supply Volvo Construction Equipment Rents worldwide with compaction...

Woodward Governor Co. (Business Notes).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Woodward Governor Co. recently announced that it acquired Leonhard-Reglerbau, Stuttgart, Germany. Leonhard-Reglerbau specializes in the design, production and sales of control, protection, and monitoring devices for power generation equipment....

Cummins Inc. (Business Notes).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Cummins Inc. has created a new venture, Fleetguard Emission Solutions, within its filtration business unit. The group will focus on the retrofitting of the existing engine population with emissions control devices and the development of...

ArvinMeritor. (Business Notes).(renames Exhaust Systems becoming Air and Emissions Technology Group)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... ArvinMeritor has renamed its Exhaust Systems business to Air and Emissions Technologies Group. The Air and Emissions Technologies Group will identify new product opportunities inside and outside the automotive markets.

AGCO Corp. (Business Notes).(acquires marketing and assembly rights of Caterpillar Inc. MT Series tractors)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... AGCO Corp. has completed the acquisition of the design, assembly, and marketing rights of the new MT Series of Caterpillar's Challenger farm tractors. The transaction was completed March 5, 2002.

SuperFlow Corp. (Business Notes).(diesel products acquired by Taylor Dynamometer)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Taylor Dynamometer, New Berlin, Wis., has acquired the diesel products of SuperFlow Corp., Colorado Springs, Colo. The transaction includes the products, parts and servicing of SuperFlow diesel test equipment. Taylor also acquired the exclusive...

JLG Industries, Inc. (Business Notes).(closes facility)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... JLG Industries, Inc. has announced the permanent closure of its facility in Orrville, Ohio. The 320,000 sq. ft. Orrville facility produced the Gradall telescopic material handler product line which has been moved to the JLG's McConnellsburg,...

Deere & Co. (Business Notes).(to close its Phoenix International facility in Springfield, Ill)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Deere & Co. said it plans to close its Phoenix International facility in Springfield, Ill., by November 30, 2002. Deere said the operations now performed at the Springfield plant would be eliminated, outsourced, or consolidated with the...

Ford Power Products. (Business Notes).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Ford Power Products and Ballard Power Systems' Electric Drives and Power Conversion Division have signed a joint development agreement to develop commercial power generation products. Ballard and Ford Power Products will develop products driven...

Trimble. (Business Notes).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... Trimble has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Army to provide grade control and laser leveling systems for their heavy construction equipment. The contract is valued at approximately $1.7 million. Trimble will supply grade control systems...

The Siemens Power Generation Group. (Alternatives).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... The Siemens Power Generation Group (PG) will build a close-to-series fuel cell power plant in Europe. Under contract to Stadtwerke Hannover AG and E.ON Energie AG, a standardized SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell) plant with a maximum electrical...

The U.S. Dept. of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (Alternatives).(Natural Gas in Transit Fleets: A Review of the Transit Experience)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 1, 2002... The U.S. Dept. of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory has published a study "Natural Gas in Transit Fleets: A Review of the Transit Experience." Among the study's findings: * 25 percent of new transit bus orders in the U.S. are...

GE Power Systems. (Alternatives).(to acquire assets of Enron Wind Corp.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... GE Power Systems said it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire certain assets of Enron Wind Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Enron Corp. and a global manufacturer of wind turbine generators. The transaction, which is subject to...

BAE Systems Controls. (Alternatives).(electric trucks)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2002... BAE Systems Controls will develop a prototype hybrid electric truck for FedEx Express as part of a project to select the delivery company's next standard configuration for delivery trucks. The prototype will be delivered in September, will be...