Latest Mack Updates Target Refuse Industry

Mack Trucks LR and TerraPro models are now available with the Cummins Westport L9N natural gas engine. Photos: Mack Trucks

Mack Trucks announced updates to its LR and TerraPro models for the waste and recycling industries, offering a natural gas engine option and more ergonomic seating, and signing a deal with Lytx to explore the DriveCam in-cab camera system.

Both the Mack LR and TerraPro models are now available with the Cummins Westport L9N natural gas engine, offering near zero NOx emissions option for refuse fleets. The spark-ignited L9N is capable of running on compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, or renewable natural gas. It produces 320 hp and 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque.

The L9N is among the lowest certified NOx emissions engines available in North America, according to Cummins Westport, producing NOx emissions that are 90% lower than the current EPA limit of 0.2 g/bhp-hr. The L9N is also certified to the EPA's GHG2017 emission requirements.

“Natural gas continues to be a viable alternative fuel, providing a secure fuel supply and a steady price,” said Curtis Dorwart, Mack refuse product manager. “With the L9N, customers can take advantage of natural gas' benefits and further reduce their environmental footprint.”

Mack also introduced a new multi-position seat for the Mack LR model, aimed at boosting comfort and ergonomics for operators in the right-hand stand-up/sit down drive configuration. The seat was developed with Sears Seating and was designed and engineered specifically for the Mack LR.

“Working with Sears Seating to offer a Mack LR model-specific seat will improve the driving experience for the LR model,” said Dorwart. “The new seat is more ergonomic, more comfortable and can help improve driver productivity.”

The company has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Lytx, a provider of video-based safety systems, to explore the DriveCam in-cab camera system. DriveCam records internal and ...Read the rest of this story

2018 Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange Applications Now Open

Applications are now open for a spot at next year's Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange networking and education event, being held May 9-11, 2018, at the Scottsdale resort at McCormick Ranch outside Phoenix, Arizona.

Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange brings together the innovative fleet executives in the heavy-duty market with top suppliers to help the development of business relationships. HDTX is a “hosted buyer event,” a concept brought to the U.S. from Europe, which allows buyers and sellers to get together in an intimate environment for structured networking, educational sessions, and social activities.

The event is designed so that fleets can exchange information, explore ideas, extend networks with each other and with suppliers. Heavy Duty Trucking magazine editors will also be on hand.

A highlight is the presentation of HDT's Truck Fleet Innovators award and a panel discussion with the 2018 honorees, moderated by one of HDT's editors.

Every HDTX participant receives a custom-made, personalized agenda that offers:

No more than 50 fleet applicants will be offered a hosted trip to attend the 2018 HDTX, which includes round-trip airfare to the venue, local airport transfers to and from the venue, all scheduled meals, and receptions. So interested fleets are urged to get their applications in as soon as possible.

For more information, visit www.heavydutytruckingexchange.com.

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Trucking groups join to support NAFTA

New Legislation Introduced to Fight Driver Abuses at Ports

Photo via Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) Twitter

Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA) and Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) introduced two separate bills on Capitol Hill Thursday that are aimed at addressing labor and environmental issues at our nation's ports.

At a gathering in front of the capitol building with truckers and representatives from the Teamsters union, the two members of Congress announced the Port Drivers Bill of Rights and the Clean Ports Act. The Port Drivers Bill of Rights would create a federal task force to investigate and provide recommendations on the prevalence and use of abusive independent-contractor lease agreements and low wages in the port trucking industry.

“Hundreds of port truck drivers are being forced into working as independent operators as a way for their employer to pay them below minimum wage and deny them benefits,” said Rep. Napolitano. “It is unthinkable that companies can continue to get away with this scheme to underpay hard working truck drivers.”

Napolitano cited a driver receiving $150 per day in wages but needing to pay $140 per day to lease a truck from the company his or she is contracted to work for, effectively bringing home well less than the minimum wage. Back in June, a USA Today report exposed some abuses within the independent contractor port trucking world, comparing some of the drivers' work situations to a kind of indentured servitude.

Port trucking companies and associations have called this report into question and said that it was an attempt by labor unions to organize port workers. After that report came out, a Harbor Trucking Association representative told HDT that USA Today had cherry picked cases for their extremeness and that they were not representative of the typical port truck driver's situation.

In response to this latest legislation, HTA Executive Director Weston LaBar challenged the assertions ...Read the rest of this story

Mack offers engine, seating, video upgrades to vocational models

USPS Awards Spartan Motors $214M for Delivery Vehicles

The U.S. Postal Service has ordered 2,000 fleet vehicles from Spartan Motors on a $214 million contract for two types of delivery trucks with Utilimaster bodies, the vehicle manufacturer announced.

The Charlotte, Mich.-based company's Spartan Fleet Vehicles and Services business unit will begin building the trucks after April 1. They will be delivered over the next two years. The contract includes an option for a third year.

The order includes a combination of cab over engine and cab behind engine trucks in a variety of 18-foot and 24-foot configurations.

"Our ability to design, custom engineer, and build commercial trucks across classes 1-6, in addition to providing custom vocation-specific upfits uniquely positions us to serve the growing last mile delivery fleet that is in demand by today's ecommerce retailers," said Tom Ninneman, president of Spartan Fleet Vehicles and Services.

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Earnings Watch: ODFL Earnings Increase Almost 20%, UPS Profit Remains Strong

The mainly less-than-truckload fleet Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. reported its profit rose nearly 20% in the third quarter of the year due in part to a better overall economy and freight rates.

Net income was $102.3 million, or $1.24 per share, compared to $85.6 million, or $1.03 per share, a year earlier. Revenue in the most recent quarter increased 11.5% to $873 million.

Operating income in the third quarter of 2017 improved 19.3% from a year earlier, totaling $163.9 million.

“The strengthening economy supported our third quarter revenue growth, but we also believe that tightening industry capacity and pricing increases accelerated the pace of our revenue growth for September,” said David S. Congdon, vice chairman and CEO.

The company's revenue grew despite having one less operating day than the third quarter of 2016. The growth was attributable to an 8.6% increase in LTL tonnage per day, as well as a 3.6% increase in LTL revenue per hundredweight. LTL revenue per hundredweight, excluding fuel surcharges, rose 2.4%, despite a 1.8% increase in LTL weight per shipment and a 0.6% decrease in length of haul.

Increases in weight per shipment and decreases in length of haul typically reduce LTL revenue per hundredweight metrics, according to ODFL.

At trucking and parcel delivery goliath UPS Inc., third quarter profit dipped just 0.5% to $1.26 billion, or $1.45 per share, compared to $1.46 per share a year earlier.

This happened as total revenue improved 7% from a year earlier to nearly $16 billion. Operating profit was flat at $2 billion.

"UPS produced another solid quarter of financial performance, despite the impact of several natural disasters that slowed regional economic activity and damaged infrastructure,” said David Abney, chairman and CEO. “Our business segments adapted quickly to changing conditions this quarter, taking advantage of market opportunities while minimizing cost ...Read the rest of this story