Diesel Progress North American Edition articles from July 2007

Diesel Progress North American Edition archives from July 2007

Robots through Baghdad.(TOP DEAD CENTER)
July 1, 2007... Okay, I gotta come clean, I'm a real geek about some of this stuff. That's actually a bad thing, because on page 11 of How to Be a Journalist we are told to be dispassionate, uninvolved observers of the world around us. We're not...

Aiming a bullet at the work truck markets.(MEDIUM-DUTY TRUCKS)
July 1, 2007... Aiming to cover all the bases of its customers' needs in the Class 3 through Class 8 work truck markets, Sterling Truck Corp.--part of the Freightliner Group--has introduced the Bullet Class 4/5 truck. Unveiled at the NTEA Work Truck Show,...

Reducing air conditioning overload: Red Dot's ProTecht system designed to prevent/diagnose electrical overload in truck air conditioning circuits.(ACCESSORY PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2007... During the hot summer months, the primary reason on-highway trucks idle is to keep the driver cool. Yet the same electrical circuit that is designed to ensure the air conditioning compressor operates is often the same circuit used to power the...

Dateline.(Calendar)
July 1, 2007... NEED MORE INFORMATION ON INDUSTRY SHOWS? TURN TO DIESEL PROGRESS ONLINE: WWW.DIESELPROGRESS.COM * INDICATES SHOWS IN WHICH DIESEL PROGRESS NORTH AMERICAN EDITION WILL PARTICIPATE. AUGUST * Aug 12-16 Diesel Engine-Efficiency &...

The ever-changing face of rental.(TRENDLINES)
July 1, 2007... Starting in 2004, we have had three pretty good years in the rental equipment industry. Starting from $9.9 billion in rental revenue for equipment rental companies and dealers in 2003, the industry posted nearly 10% growth in 2004, another 18%...

DARPA does downtown: third autonomous vehicle challenge confronts the worst operating environment, city traffic; robots or Baghdad?(INSIDE TERRAMAX: FIRST OF A SERIES)(Cover story)
July 1, 2007... The first time, no one went eight miles. The second time, only a year later, five unmanned vehicles drove nearly 132 miles through the desert, in and out of tunnels, over dry lake beds and down a nasty mountain pass. When those five...

More details on MaxxForce big bores: ratings for largest International diesels range from 330 to 475 hp; turbos, distinctive cooling system technical highlights.(DIESEL ENGINES)
July 1, 2007... When International Truck And Engine Corp. first announced two years ago its intention to offer its own heavy-duty diesel engines for its Class 8 trucks, the story wasn't quite complete. A few critical pieces of information--namely horsepower...

Driving toward new heights: freightliner launches new Cascadia truck designed to offer 3% increase in fuel economy, more driver comfort.(HEAVY-DUTY TRUCKS)(Freightliner L.L.C. Western Star Trucks)
July 1, 2007... There are several truisms of conventional wisdom when it comes to launching new products. One is that if you're already the top supplier in a market, you don't bring out anything new that gets in the way of selling what people are already...

Ashcroft adds new range of pressure monitoring options.(INSTRUMENTATION)
July 1, 2007... Gauge manufacturer Ashcroft Inc., Stratford, Conn., has increased its extensive pressure gauge lineup with the addition of three new models. Added to the line are the Type 1259, Type 1279 Duragauge and Type 1279 Duragauge Plus Performance...

A smooth ride into 2007: new EPA-compliant engines and aftertreatment providing few surprises, headaches for truck fleets.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
July 1, 2007... While some might argue that there hasn't been enough time or enough trucks sold since the implementation of the new, more stringent EPA truck emissions standards on Jan. 1, the early indications nonetheless seem clear. All of the fears, worries...

Advancing hydraulic hybrids: test within refuse truck to incorporate Bosch Rexroth's Hydrostatic Regenerative Brake system.(MOBILE HYDRAULICS)
July 1, 2007... Continuing the evolution of its hydraulic drivetrain technology for commercial vehicle applications, Bosch Rexroth will supply its Hydrostatic Regenerative Brake (HRB) parallel hydraulic hybrid technology into prototype refuse vehicles for...

Mack aims to clean up with new TerraPro series.(SPECIALTY VEHICLES)
July 1, 2007... Beefing up its refuse truck range, Mack Trucks Inc. has introduced the new TerraPro truck series. The new vehicle lineup, showcased at Waste Expo in Atlanta, Ga., has two configurations, the TerraPro Low Entry and the TerraPro Cabover. Both...

Retiring a common problem: Goodyear's self-sealing tires finding wider use in refuse industry.(REFUSE TRUCK TECHNOLOGY)
July 1, 2007... Primarily because of its start-stop-start duty cycle, refuse applications are considered some of the toughest duty for a range of components, such as hydraulic motors, transmissions and brakes. But as hard as refuse and waste hauling is on...

Solenoid valves.(PRODUCT INFORMATION CENTER)
July 1, 2007... Gems has launched the Qwik Piks online shopping feature for its line of miniature solenoid valves at www.gemssensors.com. Qwik Piks includes selections for voltage; wattage; body and seal materials; and mounting and porting options in general...

United Alloy website.(PRODUCT INFORMATION CENTER)(Website overview)
July 1, 2007... United Alloy Inc., a custom metal fabricator and powder coating supplier, has a new website at www.unitedalloy.com. New to the website is the "Big Tank Show," which includes a video and slide show demonstrating its capabilities for the...

Motion transfer products.(PRODUCT INFORMATION CENTER)
July 1, 2007... Tuthill Controls Group offers a brochure on its motion transfer products including its electronic pedals with a noncontact sensor. Its line also features mechanical control cables, hand levers, foot pedals, rod ends, spherical bearings and ball...

Filtration information.(PRODUCT INFORMATION CENTER)
July 1, 2007... Luber-finer has upgraded its online ordering process at www.luber-finer.com to include a contact link where general account registration information can be entered and specific questions about Luber-finer filtration products can be asked. A...

Idle threats for APUs? Market for truck APUs remains stable, but more challenges loom in the form of CARB emissions rule, different technologies.(TRUCK TECHNOLOGY)
July 1, 2007... Despite the significant downturn in Class 8 truck sales through the first half of this year, the market for truck auxiliary power units (APUs) has appeared to remain fairly stable. While definitive numbers are hard to come by, industry sources...

The next stop in electrification: number of truck stop electrification sites continues to grow; provides more access to drivers; lower-cost option to idling.(ANTI-IDLING TECHNOLOGY)
July 1, 2007... Truck stop electrification (TSE) is one of the technologies that has emerged over the last few years as an alternative to truck idling. To date, there are two primary players; IdleAire Technologies Corp., which recently opened its 115th...

eTRUs offer cool alternative for reefers.(ANTI-IDLING TECHNOLOGY)
July 1, 2007... Reducing idling at truck stops is getting lots of attention due to no-idle restrictions enacted by state and local governments. There are already many products on the market that allow truckers to meet these requirements. Another source of...

Ultracapacitors give truckers a jump start.(TRUCK TECHNOLOGY)
July 1, 2007... Truck operators and fleets have many options for complying with no-idle laws aimed at improving air quality and reducing fuel cost as the price of diesel climbs. Many truck manufacturers are offering battery-based systems in which the truck's...

GGB.(POWERLINES)(Glacier Garlock Bearings)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... GGB has announced plans to begin manufacturing in China later this year. The 43,055 sq.ft. facility will be located in Suzhou, China, and according to GGB, built to current Western standards. The facility is scheduled for completion in the...

Solideal.(POWERLINES)
July 1, 2007... Tire, rubber track and wheel manufacturer Solideal has expanded its Mexico operations with a third location in Monterrey. The new 10,764 sq.ft. facility is dedicated to serving construction equipment, forklifts and tire dealers. The company...

The Aftermarket Business Unit of Webb Wheel Products Inc. and Leland Brake & Wheel Parts have formed a partnership to source and supply brake system components to the heavy-duty aftermarket.(POWERLINES)
July 1, 2007... The Aftermarket Business Unit of Webb Wheel Products Inc. and Leland Brake & Wheel Parts have formed a partnership to source and supply brake system components to the heavy-duty aftermarket. The alliance, which begins this month, allows Leland...

Waytek Inc.(POWERLINES)
July 1, 2007... Waytek Inc., a supplier of electrical wiring products, has moved to a new facility in Chanhassen, Minn. after 18 years at its current location. The new address is 2440 Galpin Ct., P.O. Box 690, Chanhassen, Minn. 55317.

Inpro/Seal Co.(DIESEL HR)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... INPRO/SEAL CO.: Nell Hoehle to vice president, operations. Hoehle has been with the Rock Island, Ill.-based manufacturer of bearing isolators since 1981, beginning his career in the drafting department. In his new position, Hoehle will have...

Superflow Technologies Group.(DIESEL HR)
July 1, 2007... SUPERFLOW TECHNOLOGIES GROUP: Richard Dunkin has been named vice president of operations for SuperFlow Technologies Group's Des Moines, Iowa, operations. SuperFlow manufactures and produces transmission testing products.

McCormick.(DIESEL HR)(Rodney Miller appointed at McCormick International USA)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... MCCORMICK: Rodney Miller joined McCormick International USA on June 1, 2007 as vice president of sales and marketing for new products and communication. In his role, he will focus on the compact tractor market and on strengthening the company's...

Sun Hydraulics names chairman.(DIESEL HR)
July 1, 2007... Sun Hydraulics Corp., Sarasota, Fla., a manufacturer of hydraulic valves and manifolds, said its board of directors has named Ferdinand E. Megerlin as its chairman. Megerlin succeeds Clyde G. Nixon, who served as chairman from 2000 until his...

Manitowoc.(DIESEL HR)(Manitowoc Crane Group )(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... MANITOWOC: Manitowoc Crane Group has appointed John Wheeler to global operations executive vice president and Larry Weyers, currently head of Manitowoc Crane CARE, will succeed Wheeler as executive vice president in charge of the Americas...

EPA.(EMISSIONS & ALTERNATIVES: Covering Fuel Cells and Other Emerging and Alternative Technologies)
July 1, 2007... EPA is making nearly $1.7 million available for clean diesel projects under the 2007 Northeast Diesel Collaborative Emissions Reductions Grant Program. Project applications are being accepted under two national clean diesel programs: Clean...

Cummins Filtration.(EMISSIONS & ALTERNATIVES: Covering Fuel Cells and Other Emerging and Alternative Technologies)
July 1, 2007... Cummins Filtration said it has received notification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that its Fleetguard Closed Crankcase Ventilation (CCV) system has been conditionally verified. The system reduces emissions of certain...

Florida.(EMISSIONS & ALTERNATIVES: Covering Fuel Cells and Other Emerging and Alternative Technologies)
July 1, 2007... Florida will be the first state to receive a fleet of shuttle buses exclusively fueled by hydrogen, said state officials and Ford Motor Co. Florida got its first hydrogen-powered bus from Ford two years ago in Orlando, and will get three more...

Cummins Westport Inc.(EMISSIONS & ALTERNATIVES: Covering Fuel Cells and Other Emerging and Alternative Technologies)
July 1, 2007... Cummins Westport Inc. (CWI) said that Beijing Public Transport Holdings Ltd. (BPT) has ordered 250 Cummins Westport B Gas Plus engines rated 250 bhp to power Beijing Jinghua Coach Co. buses. More than 3000 of the company's natural gas engines...

Puerto Rico.(EMISSIONS & ALTERNATIVES: Covering Fuel Cells and Other Emerging and Alternative Technologies)
July 1, 2007... Puerto Rico has unveiled its first school bus retrofitted with emissions control technology to reduce toxic diesel emissions and improve air quality for local school children. Air pollution control products and services to retrofit the bus were...

Westport Innovations.(EMISSIONS & ALTERNATIVES: Covering Fuel Cells and Other Emerging and Alternative Technologies)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Westport Innovations said that the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) has approved $2.9 million for the immediate acquisition and deployment of 20 Westport liquefied natural gas (LNG) heavy-duty trucks at the Port of Los...

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.(EMISSIONS & ALTERNATIVES: Covering Fuel Cells and Other Emerging and Alternative Technologies)
July 1, 2007... The Minnesota legislature has approved funding through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for a $2.4 million grant for diesel emissions reduction efforts, including the Minnesota Environmental Initiative's Project Green Fleet. As a founding...

EPA.(EMISSIONS & ALTERNATIVES: Covering Fuel Cells and Other Emerging and Alternative Technologies)
July 1, 2007... The EPA has released two new documents examining the cost-effectiveness of diesel retrofits. "The Cost-Effectiveness of Heavy-Duty Diesel Retrofits and Other Mobile Source Emission Reduction Projects and Programs" provides estimates of...

Deere & Co.(GLOBAL BUSINESS NOTES)
July 1, 2007... Deere & Co. said it plans to acquire Ningbo Benye Tractor & Automobile Manufacture Co. Ltd. located in Ningbo in southern China. Deere said it has signed a definitive agreement to purchase the Benye business and is seeking final review of the...

AGCO Corp.(GLOBAL BUSINESS NOTES)
July 1, 2007... AGCO Corp. said it has agreed to acquire 50% of Laverda S.p.A. from the Italian ARGO group, pending competitive approvals. Laverda operates a production facility for harvesters in Breganze, Italy. In addition to producing Laverda-branded...

Fiat will supply DaimlerChrysler with light truck diesels as part of a strategic cooperation deal between the two companies.(GLOBAL BUSINESS NOTES)
July 1, 2007... Fiat will supply DaimlerChrysler with light truck diesels as part of a strategic cooperation deal between the two companies. "The first step of this agreement concerns the long-term supply of light-duty diesel engines to the Mitsubishi Fuso Bus...

Astec Industries Inc.(GLOBAL BUSINESS NOTES)
July 1, 2007... Astec Industries Inc. said that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of Peterson Inc., Eugene, Ore. Peterson is a manufacturer of whole-tree pulpwood chippers, horizontal grinders and blower trucks. The company will...

Germany's Mahle GmbH and Riken Corp. of Japan have signed a memorandum of understanding for a global cooperation.(GLOBAL BUSINESS NOTES)
July 1, 2007... Germany's Mahle GmbH and Riken Corp. of Japan have signed a memorandum of understanding for a global cooperation. In addition to the expansion of the already existing Allied Ring Corp., a 50-50 joint venture manufacturer of piston rings based...

Cummins.(GLOBAL BUSINESS NOTES)
July 1, 2007... Cummins has begun construction on its first fuel systems plant outside North America. Cummins Fuel Systems--Wuhan will be the company's 13th production facility in China and is expected to begin production early next year. Cummins said it plans...

Twin Disc Inc.(GLOBAL BUSINESS NOTES)
July 1, 2007... Twin Disc Inc., Racine, Wis., has announced the merger of its Italian operations into one single legal entity, Twin Disc Srl. The new entity combines Twin Disc Technodrive Srl, Twin Disc Srl, BCS Srl and BCS Service Srl. Headquartered in...

General Dynamics Land Systems.(GLOBAL BUSINESS NOTES)
July 1, 2007... General Dynamics Land Systems said it will establish assembly operations for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles in Anniston and Oxford, Ala. The assembly operations are being created to support a $244.5 million work order awarded...