Kenworth T680 Available with MX-11 and Paccar Automated Transmission

The Kenworth T680 on-highway flagship is now available for order for the first time with the combination of the Paccar MX-11 engine and the Paccar Automated Transmission.  Photo: Kenworth

Kenworth has made the T680 available for order with a combination of the Paccar MX-11 engine and the new Paccar Automated Transmission, designed for linehaul and regional haul applications up to 110,000 pounds GVWR.

The MX-11 engine offers up to 430 horsepower and 1,650 lbs.-ft. of torque and is lighter that a comparable 13 liter engine, according to Paccar. The Paccar Automated Transmission is also lighter than comparable transmissions by as much as 105 pounds, to allow for greater payloads and has good low-speed maneuverability.

“The proprietary Paccar Powertrain, which includes Paccar's 10.8-liter MX-11 engine, 12-speed transmission and 40,000-pound tandem rear axle, provides outstanding performance through weight savings, increased fuel efficiency and enhanced driveability for Kenworth T680s operating in linehaul and regional haul applications,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director.

The Paccar transmission features extended maintenance with a 750,000-mile oil change interval. The clutch is designed to be maintenance free and features an internally routed electrical system that minimizes exposure to the elements. It also features a fluid pressure detection system that protects the gears from low fluid conditions.

The Paccar transmission is paired with Kenworth's new column-mounted shifter that places gear selection and engine brake controls at the driver's fingertips for better ergonomics and improved performance. The shifter position on the steering wheel column also frees up dash space by eliminating engine brake control switches.

The 12-speed Paccar Automated Transmission is also available with the Paccar MX-13 engine rated up to 510 horsepower and 1,850 lbs.-ft. of torque and Paccar tandem rear axles to maximize Paccar powertrain efficiency and driveability.

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Trucking Moves America Forward Doubled Media Presence Last Year

Trucking Moves America Forward continued to expand its outreach in 2017, to help get the word out on trucking's importance in the U.S.

Trucking Moves America Forward has reached over a hundred million people through a combination of billboards, trailer wraps, industry events, and media appearances, the industry organization recently announced.

The organization, which seeks to highlight the importance of the trucking industry in the everyday lives of Americans, marked its four-year anniversary. It was launched in March 2014 at the Mid-America Trucking Show. The group detailed the movement's efforts to humanize and personalize the trucking industry while promoting its economic importance to the nation.

In 2017, TMAF surged forward with its public outreach, hitting some pretty impressive numbers. The organization said it generated 17.4 million billboard impressions and reached 26.6 million radio listeners during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week alone.

It also worked through the media and said it earned 54 stories and 12 op-eds in national, beltway, and local publications leading to 83.9 million media impressions, more than double the reach of the previous year. This included appearances on cable networks like Fox News and Fox Business News.

Social media expansion was also important for the group, which grew its audience to 13,500 followers on Facebook and 3,600 followers on Twitter. It also made strides on the photo-sharing social network Instagram, growing 102% to 380 followers.

TMAF will release its Annual Report, titled “The Many Faces of Trucking” at this year's MATS.

“Through our public relations, social and digital media, marketing efforts, and more, TMAF continues to grow and gain even more support throughout the industry and public,” said Kevin Burch, co-chairman of TMAF and president of Jet Express. “We're excited to share our progress in our 2017 Annual Report, and we're looking forward to continuing to share our message nationally on trucking's ...Read the rest of this story

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