Mack Adds More Configurations to the Granite MHD Truck Lineup

Mack Trucks today announced several new enhancements to its Mack Granite Medium Heavy Duty (MHD) model, increasing its versatility. Photo: Mack Trucks

Mack Trucks has added new features to its Granite Medium Heavy Duty (MHD) truck, aimed at increasing its versatility and enabling more cost effective choices for customers that need a durable and light work truck.

The enhancements include a new horsepower rating, under-frame exhaust system, a shorter wheelbase 4x2 configuration, and a tractor configuration to expand the applications coverage for the MHD.

“Vocational customers have a wide variety of needs,” said Tim Wrinkle, Mack Trucks construction product manager. “Some require lighter weight options but still need their trucks to meet the difficult demands of the application. The MHD model delivers both without compromise.”

The MHD, equipped with the Cummins L9 engine, now features a lower horsepower option, allowing customers to spec an engine with 330 horsepower and up to 1,000 ft.-lbs. of torque. The lower horsepower rating offers customers another option that may increase return on investment.

A new under-frame exhaust gives customers more options for body adaptation, further expanding application capabilities, such as tankers, flatbeds, box trucks, cranes, and certain municipal applications.

The MHD model can be spec'd as a Class 7 or Class 8 vehicle, is offered in either an axle back or axle forward configuration, and is available as a 4x2 or 6x4, offering customers the flexibility to choose between a heavy-duty and a lighter-weight medium-duty option. An axle back tractor option meets the needs of light tractor applications requiring maneuverability, flexibility, and durability without extra weight.

A shorter wheelbase is also now available for the MHD model in the 4x2 configuration, ideal for the 10-foot dump body commonly used in municipal applications, and providing a more maneuverable, cost-effective option.

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Noregon Updates JPro Professional, Adds Educational Module

Shane Gilliam senior vice president of sales at Noregon giving the company's presentation at the TMC Annual Meeting. Photo: Jim Park

Noregon has issued a major update for its in-shop diagnostic and repair solution, JPro Professional 2018 v1. The release includes an improved NextStep troubleshooting and repair module, an education portal, a virtual truck for hands-on learning, and increased bi-directional tests.

NextStep now has tighter integration with JPro Professional, allowing users to perform many functions directly from the application. This is an industry first, where interactive real-time fault data and service information reside in the same application, according to Noregon. Technicians can view and clear fault data and launch bi-directional test directly from NextStep.

“We always look for ways to improve our products that will speed repairs and, in turn, improve vehicle uptime," said Dave Covington, chief technology officer for Noregon. “We use a component-based lookup; meaning if a new vehicle has components with existing coverage, users will not experience any lapses when working on that vehicle. This is different from many similar databases which store repair information based on VINs, slowing the process of updating coverage.”

Along with the integrated NextStep product, a standalone portal named NextStep Net is also available. It provides easily searchable troubleshooting guidance and fault information available on internet-connected PCs and tablets. NextStep Net is available as an a la carte solution or provided at no additional charge to JPro subscribers with the integrated NextStep.

Educational Improvements

The latest release of JPro also implemented features that demonstrate the company's commitment to education.

Among the enhancements, is a feature dedicated to the regen process. The application alerts users from multiple screens if a forced regeneration is required or inhibited, and coaches the user as to why the vehicle is in a particular regen zone. Users have access to soot load information, derate and ...Read the rest of this story

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Seeva Technologies Raises $2M for Heated Windshield Washer Fluid Dispenser

Seeva Technologies' heated windshield washer fluid dispenser can keep everything from windshields to cameras, to sensitive sensors used in autonomous vehicles clean in a variety of conditions. Photo: Jim Park

ATLANTA — Seeva Technologies is a father and daughter start-up that has developed a heated windshield washer fluid dispenser that can keep everything from windshields to cameras, Lidar, and other sensors clean in inclement weather, dirty and dusty conditions and even through swarms of insects.

The company recently raised $2 million in seed funding to grow its team and continue developing product solutiosn for mobility.

With autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems beginning to mainstream, one of the current limitations of these vehicles is their inability to see in poor weather and environment conditions such as bugs, mud, snow, freezing rain and ice. With Seeva's patented washer fluid heating system, Seevatherm, sensors can be quickly cleaned to maintain visibility and keep passengers safe.

Seeva is a combination of the English word "see" and the French word "va" which means go.

"When Jere Lansinger, my co-founder and dad, retired from Chrysler after forty years as an automotive engineer, he took with him an approved list of projects he continued to tinker with into retirement. This is how Seeva started," said Diane Lansinger, co-founder and CEO of Seeva. "Realizing the visibility problems facing autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems, Jere created a washer fluid heating product that cleans and helps these vehicles see more safely and reliably.

Learn more about Seeva's technology here.

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Isuzu FTR Named Medium-Duty Truck of the Year

Photo of FTR family courtesy of Isuzu,

Work Truck named Isuzu Commercial Truck of America's (ICTA) Class 6 FTR cabover its 2018 Medium-Duty Truck of the Year and presented the award today at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis. This marks the third win for the truckmaker since the award was first presented 11 years ago.

Professional fleet managers chose the truck from among nine vehicles that were included on an online ballot. They were asked to consider which medium-duty truck model best fit their fleet requirements for application effectiveness, durability, quality, servicing, maintenance, and lifecycle costs.

"Thank you to all the readers of Work Truck magazine for this honor for the third time in six years," said Shaun Skinner, president of ICTA. "We are all very proud of the all-new Class 6 Isuzu FTR, and this year's honor is particularly rewarding for us since the FTR is not your typical Class 6 truck. Its low-cab-forward design and proven 5.2L four-cylinder engine allows for great maneuverability and excellent fuel economy, and we are confident it will be the truck for the future. We are excited to see that the readers of Work Truck share that same confidence and voted the Isuzu FTR as Medium-Duty Truck of the Year."

The FTR is powered by a 5.2L 4HK1-TC turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine mated to a 6-speed Allison automatic transmission with power take-off (PTO) capability. The truck features eight wheelbases to accommodate bodies from 14 to 30 feet, increased forward visibility, and a turning diameter of 43.7 to 65 feet.

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International Launches MV Series Class 6/7 Truck

The International MV Series is a new Class 6/7 truck designed to be easily upfitted. Photo: David Cullen

International Truck has launched a new medium-duty Class 6/7 truck called the MV Series at the 2018 Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, Ind.

The MV Series was the final piece of International's Project Horizon product refresh, reflecting the company's initiative toward improved cab design and features the same driver-centric features seen in the company's Class 8 vehicles.

“Project Horizon was focused on delivering new levels of efficiency to customers, creating unparalleled driver satisfaction and leveraging the smartest technologies available,” said Michael Cancelliere, president, truck and parts. “The MV Series delivers on those promises by combining uncompromising reliability with enhanced productivity for the driver, maintainer and upfitter.”

MV Series Driver-Centric Design

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The MV Series was designed with the same driver-centric features seen in the company's Class 8 vehicles. Photo: International 

The MV Series was designed to be easily configured for the desired application. Features include, new cab doors with a lower bottom glass edge and removed vent window, giving the driver a single large piece of glass to look through to improve side visibility and reduce blind spots.

By reshaping the doors and side glass, the position of the optional pedestal mirrors was optimized so drivers turn their heads less and keep their eyes on the road while reducing neck strain. A new gauge cluster with a digital driver display was added to give drivers real-time monitoring of vehicle operation and other important alerts in clear sight. The display also offers up to 15 customizable digital gauges.

The instrument panel features a customizable digital display which can be configured to suit the application. The flat-panel dash contains space for up to 30 customizable switches ensuring functionality for any type of body that is mounted on the back. The switches offer ...Read the rest of this story

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