Diesel Progress North American Edition articles from February 2007

Diesel Progress North American Edition archives from February 2007

Josh on West Wing.(TOP DEAD CENTER)
February 1, 2007... Just between us, I will admit to being a closet political junkie. At one time, with a newly minted political science degree, I thought it was something I wanted to do. Kinda like Josh on West Wing. But, after further review, irregular...

Scouting out a new direction in UTVs.(UTILITY EQUIPMENT)
February 1, 2007... Designed to bring together the versatility of a utility vehicle (UTV) and the flexibility of a compact track loader (CTL), ASV Inc. has launched the Scout SC-50, its first rubber-tracked utility vehicle. The Scout has applications in both...

Omega boosts temperature and measurement lineup.(SENSOR TECHNOLOGY)
February 1, 2007... Expanding its extensive line of measurement and control systems, Omega Engineering recently made a flurry of new product introductions. Available for purchase online, the new lineup includes two new load cell series, a new temperature sensor,...

Knitted wire mesh.(PRODUCT INFORMATION CENTER)
February 1, 2007... ACS Industries has completely updated its website, www.acsindustries.com. The new site details its knitted wire mesh products which are used in automotive and industrial equipment. The site also includes an ACS Data Center which provides access...

Dateline.(Calendar)
February 1, 2007... NEED MORE INFORMATION ON INDUSTRY SHOWS? TURN TO DIESEL PROGRESS ONLINE: WWW.DIESELPROGRESS.COM SEPTEMBER * Sept 11-March 12 Diesel Progress Online Show V At www.dieselprogress.com & Diesel Progress Magazine Diesel...

Will biofuels boom help ag equipment markets?(TRENDLINES)
February 1, 2007... I usually travel for a few weeks in January and when I get back it always takes a few days to figure out how things are going. On returning this time, I found that not much has changed--the economy is doing better than most people thought it...

Integrated digital control for Parker piston pump.(MOBILE HYDRAULICS)
February 1, 2007... Parker Hannifin's Hydraulic Pump Division has introduced a new version of its 4.58 cu.in./rev, displacement P1 medium-duty variable piston pump that incorporates an Integrated Digital Electronic Control (IDEC) designed to provide enhanced pump...

Cat goes small with ACERT: new common rail C4.4 diesel is smallest ACERT engine; ratings from 75 to 150 bhp.(DIESEL ENGINES)
February 1, 2007... While much of the industry attention has been focused on the 2007 truck diesel emissions regulations, an equally compelling scenario is beginning to be played out in the smaller off-highway diesel markets. Nonroad diesels from 100 to 175 hp...

10 questions with Margo Oge director, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, EPA.(X WITH EPA'S MARGO OGE)
February 1, 2007... A New DieselProgress dialogue with unique industry voices. Diesel X = 10 questions. This semi-regular segment will consist of 10--rather X questions, with a variety of industry, or in this case, government figures. (Editor's Note: In many...

An adsorbing new chapter in emissions: Cummins' newest Ram Turbo Diesel includes first commercially produced N[O.sub.x] adsorber as part of aftertreatment system.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
February 1, 2007... When Dodge and Cummins first announced the 2007 engine that would power the newest Ram pickup and chassis cab vehicles several months ago, both companies highlighted some of the most notable and apparent changes from the previous Ram engines....

New hydraulic pump for commercial vehicles.(MOBILE HYDRAULICS)
February 1, 2007... Bosch Rexroth has introduced a new variable displacement hydraulic pump for commercial vehicle applications. The Rexroth KVAA pump is a bent axis, axial piston unit designed to provide smooth control and operation of truck-mounted power...

Management changes at RB Royal.(DIESEL HR)(position changes for James W. Neumann and John E. Valek at RB Royal Industries Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... RB Royal Industries Inc., the Fond Du Lac, Wis., supplier of custom hose and tube assemblies and precision machining, has announced changes in its top management. James W. Neumann has been named CEO and John E. Valek president. Valek will also...

Lanke named NFPA executive director.(DIESEL HR)
February 1, 2007... With over 13 years of experience in association management, Eric Lanke has been named executive director of the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA), effective Jan. 22, 2007. Lanke succeeds Linda Western who is retiring Feb. 28 after 17...

Donaldson appoints new officers.(DIESEL HR)
February 1, 2007... Donaldson Co., the global supplier of filtration solutions for air and liquid filtration applications, has announced a number of appointments. Tod E. Carpenter has been named vice president, Global Industrial Filtration Solutions. He was...

Aiming for a mirror image: international's decision to assemble MaxxForce big bore engines at Huntsville a recognition of existing plant's achievements.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Company overview)
February 1, 2007... Though it will be some months until it really begins to resemble an engine plant, if you want an idea as to what International's new MaxxForce big bore diesel engine assembly facility will be like, all you need to do is look a couple hundred...

Exploring the potential of a "mini-hybrid" transit bus: electrification of cooling system seen to provide significant improvements in fuel economy.(VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY)
February 1, 2007... It is generally accepted that one of the most promising applications for hybrid powertrain technology is transit buses. Both the nature of the vehicle's duty cycle and the fact that the buses are generally operated from a single central...

ArvinMeritor.(EMISSIONS & ALTERNATIVES: Covering Fuel Cells and Other Emerging and Alternative Technologies)
February 1, 2007... ArvinMeritor and Wal-Mart Transportation, Bentonville, Ark., have agreed to the development of a dual-mode, diesel-electric drivetrain for a Class 8 tractor. The vehicle, which is believed to be the first dual-mode diesel-electric tractor...

John Deere Power Systems.(EMISSIONS & ALTERNATIVES: Covering Fuel Cells and Other Emerging and Alternative Technologies)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... John Deere Power Systems (JDPS) is introducing two diesel engines certified by the Mine and Health Safety Administration (MSHA) for the underground mining market. The PowerTech 2.4 and 3.0 L diesel engines received MSHA certification late last...

Germany's Siemens said it has agreed to buy a unit of Canada's Ballard Power Systems that makes fuel cell vehicle technology.(EMISSIONS & ALTERNATIVES: Covering Fuel Cells and Other Emerging and Alternative Technologies)
February 1, 2007... Germany's Siemens said it has agreed to buy a unit of Canada's Ballard Power Systems that makes fuel cell vehicle technology. Ballard said its sale proceeds would be about $4 million. "This acquisition will place us in a better position to...

Sensors Inc.(EMISSIONS & ALTERNATIVES: Covering Fuel Cells and Other Emerging and Alternative Technologies)
February 1, 2007... U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded Sensors Inc. a contract to design and manufacture a device to generate particulate matter (PM). The EPA is procuring the Sensors PM Generator in order to demonstrate the commercial availability...

Tognum GmbH.(EMISSIONS & ALTERNATIVES: Covering Fuel Cells and Other Emerging and Alternative Technologies)(acquisition of RWE Fuel Cells GmbH)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Tognum GmbH has acquired from RWE Fuel Cells GmbH its minority share of 18.1% in MTU CFC Solutions GmbH, which had previously been a joint venture between the two companies. The acquisition was effective Jan. 1 and financial terms were not...

Raymond Corp.(EMISSIONS & ALTERNATIVES: Covering Fuel Cells and Other Emerging and Alternative Technologies)(contracts of New York State Energy Research and Development Authority)
February 1, 2007... The Raymond Corp. said it has been awarded a contract for $750,000 from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to research hydrogen fuel cell applications in electric lift trucks. Raymond's Greene, N.Y.,...

Westport Innovations Inc.(EMISSIONS & ALTERNATIVES: Covering Fuel Cells and Other Emerging and Alternative Technologies)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Westport Innovations Inc. announced the award of $1.05 million from the Australian Government's Alternative Fuels Conversion Program (AFCP) for a project to evaluate the use of LNG as a fuel for heavy-duty highway trucks in Australia. Mitchell...

A solid solution for emissions? Solid SCR systems may help overcome packaging challenges of aqueous urea systems in heavy-duty trucks, off-highway equipment.(TECHNOLOGY OF CLEAN AIR)
February 1, 2007... Manufacturer and supplier efforts to comply with continuous reductions in the allowable emission levels (established by legislative authorities such as EPA and CARB) have resulted in the development and introduction of several new product...

Busing into 2010: Cummins Westport meets 2010 N[O.sub.x] emissions standards now with ISL G natural gas engine.(TECHNOLOGY OF CLEAN AIR)
February 1, 2007... Cummins Westport Inc., a joint venture between Cummins Inc. and Westport Innovations Inc., recently received the second order for its ISL G natural gas engine from the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA). The order for 531 engines is...

A cooler way for catalysts: Active-X washcoat formulated to operate at lower diesel exhaust temperatures; allows for lower PGM loading; reduced platinum costs.(TECHNOLOGY OF CLEAN AIR)
February 1, 2007... In diesel catalyst applications, temperature is critical to the reduction of exhaust emissions. A diesel engine typically has a lower exhaust and light-off temperature than a gasoline engine, which can often increase the time when the catalytic...

Enhanced seals for EGR valves.(TECHNOLOGY OF CLEAN AIR)
February 1, 2007... Since the latter part of 2002, cooled exhaust gas recirculation systems have been the primary technology path used by many engine manufacturers to reduce N[O.sub.x] emissions in on-highway and even some off-highway engines. And with the newly...

Level 3 key for Sud-Chemie: CARB Level 3 verification for company's EnviCat-DPF opens door to wider diesel engine markets.(TECHNOLOGY OF CLEAN AIR)
February 1, 2007... Sud-Chemie Inc. has received Level 3 verification by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for its catalyzed EnviCat-DPF diesel particulate filter (DPF). The filter is Level 3 verified to at least 85% reduction of particulate matter (PM),...

Progress on plug-ins: some see plug-in technology as the next evolution of hybrid vehicles; easier for regulators to monitor power plants than mobile sources.(TECHNOLOGY OF CLEAN AIR)
February 1, 2007... The hybrid vehicles from Toyota, Ford and General Motors are selling well. Hybrid electric school buses are already carrying kids. Hybrid shuttle buses, refuse trucks and utility trucks are ready for production. FedEx, UPS and Purolator have...

Paccar Inc.(GLOBAL BUSINESS NOTES)
February 1, 2007... Paccar Inc. said it plans to build a $400 million, 400,000 sq.ft. powertrain manufacturing and assembly facility in the southeastern United States. The company said construction of the facility will begin in mid-2007 and is expected to be...

Deutz AG.(GLOBAL BUSINESS NOTES)
February 1, 2007... Deutz AG, Cologne, Germany, announced a joint venture with FAW Jiefang Automotive Co. Ltd., Changchun, China, to manufacture and sell diesel engines under the name Deutz (Dalian) Engine Co. Ltd. The joint venture is a development of existing...

Bucyrus International Inc.(GLOBAL BUSINESS NOTES)
February 1, 2007... Bucyrus International Inc. said it would buy DBT GmbH, a unit of German coal mining group RAG, for $731 million in cash and stock. Bucyrus, which makes equipment used in surface mining, such as walking draglines, electric rope mining shovels...

Cummins Power Generation.(GLOBAL BUSINESS NOTES)
February 1, 2007... Cummins Power Generation and BluePoint Energy Inc. have entered into a five-year strategic alliance agreement for combined heat and power (CHP) products 1 MW and below. The agreement calls for BluePoint to integrate, manufacture and supply its...

Manitowoc Crane Group.(GLOBAL BUSINESS NOTES)
February 1, 2007... Manitowoc Crane Group has agreed to purchase Marine Travelift Inc.'s Shuttlelift Carrydeck line of industrial cranes. The Shuttlelift cranes will be added to Manitowoc's YardBoss line, which is sold under the Grove brand and has been...

Actuant Corp.(GLOBAL BUSINESS NOTES)
February 1, 2007... Actuant Corp. Butler, Wis., said it has acquired the stock of vehicle instrumentation manufacturer Maxima Technologies. Total consideration for the transaction was approximately $91 million, including the assumption of approximately $1.9...

Behr America.(GLOBAL BUSINESS NOTES)(new plant at Mexico)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Behr America has opened a $13 million plant in Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, Mexico. The 130,000 sq.ft. plant will supply engine cooling units for heavy trucks to assembly plants in Mexico. It also will export some components to the United States. By...

Modine Manufacturing Co.(GLOBAL BUSINESS NOTES)
February 1, 2007... Modine Manufacturing Co. said it will build a second plant in Hungary that will make engine cooling products for Caterpillar, Volvo and other customers in Europe. The $12 million plant is expected to open in early 2008.