Mahle ArcticPro Certified for R134a Service

Mahle Service Solutions' ArticPro ACX1180C refrigerant handling system is an SAE-certified unit for servicing heavy-duty vehicles that use R134a refrigerant.

The ArcticPro ACX1180C is the OEM heavy-duty commercial option designed to increase technician productivity with a fully-automatic program to recover, vacuum, leak test and charge without command for ease of operation.

The ACX1180C also features an integrated test function that allows the user to capture a before-and-after service snapshot to ensure proper A/C system service functionality. High-pressure leak detection and liquid refrigerant flushing are standard high performance features essential for heavy duty service.

In addition to recovering more than 95% of heavy duty A/C system refrigerant, the ACX1180C features a high capacity 50-pound internal DOT cylinder to service larger commercial vehicles (as compared to the typical 30-pound cylinder in automotive version recovery machines). The unit also includes a 5 CFM vacuum pump, an integrated printer, an ambient humidity sensor, three temperature sensors, four pressure sensors, a vacuum micron sensor providing greater system diagnostic capabilities, a factory-installed heater belt, and it is hybrid certified.

The ACX1180C meets stringent certification requirements, including SAE J2788, SAE J2099 and UL 1963 and is backed by a two-year parts and labor warranty.

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Forty-one percent: More than two in five. Viewed either way, it's the share of vehicle out-of-service violations during this year's Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) International Roadcheck that were attributed to brake-related issues.

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Will Future Tech Have a Domino Effect on Fleets?

Although the use of electric trucks will likely rise in the coming years, diesel will remain the fuel of choice for fleets, said analyst Rick Mihelic. Photo: Mercedes Benz

Great changes are heading toward trucking. And while it's only natural to focus on headline-making technologies such as electric vehicles or autonomous driving technology, the tidal wave of changes coming at the industry create a ripple effect that will change aspects of the trucking industry that few have considered to this point.

That was the cautionary note struck by Rick Mihelic, transportation industry analyst and president of Mihelic Vehicle Consulting, at a webinar hosted by the Stifel Transportation Equipment Equity Research Group.

Mihelic noted that while there are many experts and pundits making predictions concerning the future of trucking today, these forecasts are extremely tricky to get right with the benefit of hindsight. However, he said it is important to remember that while many new technologies are initially supported by incentives, tax breaks, and grants to offset developmental costs, ultimately these technologies must win out in the marketplace and generate a positive return on investment and prove capable of offsetting both developmental and operating costs in order to be successful.

Taking that analysis a step further, Mihelic said it's possible today to zero in on specific aspects of the trucking industry to see where emerging technologies might be able to cut costs or improve efficiencies in the future. These areas include:

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Fruehauf inducted into Automotive Hall of Fame

August Fruehauf (1867-1930) was recently inducted into the National Automotive Hall of Fame. Fruehauf was the founder of the Fruehauf Trailer Company in 1918.

One of Fruehauf's major contributions was the automatic 5th wheel hitch in 1926, a design that is still used in the transportation industry today.

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