Word from the Work Truck Show

This week, St. Louis is hosting the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Work Truck Show, and CE‘s managing editor Keith Gribbins is on the front lines. Here at CE headquarters, we’ve been receiving Gribbins’ updates on everything truck related. Here are the latest and greatest products to roll out of St. Louis.

Navistar International TerraStar

The new International TerraStar Classs 4/5 commercial truck offers a wide range of commercial-duty features — from its commercial-duty MaxxForce 7 V-8 diesel engine to the one of the largest, roomiest cab available. At the heart of the truck is its all-new 300 horsepower, 6.4-liter MaxxForce 7 V-8 engine, delivering 660 lb.-ft. torque. This engine features a compacted graphite iron (CGI) block which offers high strength without added weight. The MaxxForce 7 will be matched with a commercial-duty Allison 1000 transmission to optimize its power output.

The TerraStar features MaxxForce Advanced EGR emissions technology, the only no-hassle emissions technology in its class. With MaxxForce Advanced EGR, customers won’t have the worry or inconvenience of finding or filling liquid urea. And, with no added SCR aftertreatment equipment, the TerraStar provides a clean and clear chassis for easy body and equipment mounting, not to mention less added weight.

While built on a strong and durable commercial-duty platform, the TerraStar is also easy to operate. The TerraStar features best-in-class visibility—28 percent more than the market leader. And, with an industry-best 107-inch BBC (bumper to back-of-cab) length and a 44-fo curb-to-curb turning radius, it offers outstanding maneuverability in even the tightest work environments. Check out the International Web site for more details.

Kenworth 16,000-lb Rated Front Axle for T370 Model

Kenworth Truck Company expanded the versatility of its T370 medium-duty product with the introduction of a 16,000-lb rated front axle. The new 16,000-lb. rating includes taperleaf springs, a choice of single or dual steering gears and up to 315 Series tires.

“Our new axle rating for the Kenworth T370 broadens our commitment to support medium duty vocational applications, such as fuel hauler, dump, mixer, utility, service truck and others, which require a heavier front axle to get the job done,” said Gary Moore, Kenworth assistant general manager for marketing and sales.

Kenworth medium-duty models have also added Mutliplex instrumentation and driver information center. The new, state-of-the-art multiplex instrumentation system, which can be ordered on all Kenworth T170, T270 and T370 models with 2010 engines, provides increased serviceability and reliability with wiring behind the dash color-coded and numbered for easier servicing and critical connections maintained with positive locking connectors. The system is supported by the Kenworth Electronic Service Analyst, a computer-based diagnostics tool which simplifies troubleshooting.

The multiplex system is incorporated into a more modern, visually appealing and ergonomic dash.  A new speedometer and tachometer cluster features large, 2-in. diameter gauges with chrome bezels, an engine hour meter, odometer, trip odometer and outside temperature gauge.  A diesel particulate filter (DPF) status indicator lamp, high exhaust system temperature (HEST) warning lamp, and seatbelt reminder light are included. LED back-lighting is used in the face plate and pointers, and the dash rocker switches contain LED indicator lights.

The Kenworth Driver Information Center provides instant trip access information for miles per gallon, engine and idle hours, idle percentage and optimum rpm range. A “sweet spot indicator” offers visual cues when the optimum rpm is reached, while a bar graph displays current mpg against trip average mpg.