Test Drive: Paccar’s New Automated Transmission

The transmission control is well-positioned and very intuitive. It's easy to grip and manipulate and won't require a steep learning curve. Photo: Jim Park

Paccar is the latest North American truck manufacturer to bring a proprietary automated transmission to market. Called the Paccar Automated Transmission, it's a 12-speed, twin countershaft design that was designed from the ground up as an automated transmission. It's not a manual box fitted with add-on shift-actuators. Paccar says it's the lightest automated transmission currently in production. At just 657 pounds, it is nearly 200 pounds lighter than Eaton's Advantage AMT.

The new transmission completes Paccar's goal of a fully integrated proprietary powertrain. Paccar says it has been performance-optimized for MX-series engines and the new 40,000-lb drive axles that were unveiled in October 2016.

“Last year's launch of the Paccar axle was certainly a statement to our customers that we were moving toward our own integrated powertrain,” says Kenworth Marketing Director Kurt Swihart. “We have spent a lot of time over the past few years working on proprietary calibrations for the transmission and the MX engines. The result is a deeply integrated powertrain that will deliver everything customers would expect from such a design.”

Swihart says the AMT take rate for the T680 has more than doubled since its introduction, going from 25-30% in 2013, to currently more than 70% of T680 on-highway builds. He calls that a rapid and dramatic change in customer preference, and he believes this new transmission will push the take rate even higher. “We think moving from the Eaton Fuller Advantage series transmission to the Paccar automated transmission will be a game-changer.”

Let's dispense with the big question right up front: Eaton designed and will manufacture the transmission, but the calibrations and features are proprietary to Paccar and its truck brands Kenworth and Peterbilt.

Production is set ...Read the rest of this story

Fleet Fuel Economy Increases 1% in Latest NACFE Study

Photo: Nussbaum Transportation

The North American Council for Freight Efficiency released its 2017 Annual Fleet Fuel Study, finding that overall fuel economy rose 1% in 2016, the ninth year in a row trucking fleets in the study have recorded an increase.

NACFE's study covered 19 fleets operating more than 71,000 tractors and 234,000 trailers, with two new fleets being added for this sixth annual report: Mesilla Valley Transportation and U.S. Xpress. Combined, these fleets reached an average fleet-wide fuel economy of 7.11 mpg. While this represents only a slight increase from the previous year's study, the U.S. fleet average is only 5.89 mpg. The fleets in the study are also mixed with new and old vehicles. According to NACFE, some 2017 model trucks achieved 7.8-9.2 mpg, with some reportedly approaching 10 mpg.

“We are thrilled to see that fleets are still seeing fuel economy improvements from their investments,” said Mike Roeth, executive director of NACFE and operation lead of Trucking Efficiency, NACFE's partnership with the Carbon War Room. “While gains are smaller than in the past, any improvement in fuel economy curbs the fleet's expenses.”

In recent studies, the year-over-year gains have been greater than in the latest report. Average fleet fuel economy rose 3% between 2014 and 2015. NACFE gave a variety of reasons for the flatter curve, including fleets eliminating some technologies that improved fuel efficiency, a reduced focus on fuel efficiency due to lower fuel prices, increased speed, older trucks, and even a hotter than average summer in 2016.

NACFE noted a slight drop in 11L and 13L engine adoption in favor of larger displacement engines. At the same time, fleets increased adoption of fuel-efficient specs such as tandem drive fairings, wheel covers, and predictive cruise. Automated transmissions, tire pressure systems, two-speed fan clutches, and low viscosity oil control all saw increased ...Read the rest of this story

The continuing impact of e-commerce on logistics, trucking, and everything else

Craig Menear, chairman, CEO and president of The Home Depot retail chain, recently made an interesting observation about how e-commerce is changing the purchasing process for consumer goods – and that encompasses ALL consumer goods, by the by, from books and knickknacks to appliances and furniture.

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Why You Should Pay Attention to Trailer Alignment

Trailer alignment is more important than ever when you run wide-base tires. HDT file photo

Proper trailer axle/wheel alignment is critical to maximizing tire life, and it's only become more important with the use of wide-base single tires on trailers for fuel economy and weight savings.

Achieving alignment with today's sophisticated laser alignment equipment provides for a more accurate process than past methods for achieving alignment.

The introduction of wide-based tires to the trucking industry created a need to pay even closer attention to the manufacturer's alignment recommendations. The construction of wide-based tires varies from manufacturers with their different types and specifications.

The tread face of the radial tire reacts differently on wide-based tires, so it is more susceptible to wear when not aligned properly. Alignment is critical to preventing tire scuff, or wear across the face/footprint of the tire. The footprint across the face, or portion of the tire's tread that touches the road surface, should be rolling in-line with the direction of the vehicle (travel of the trailer). Dog tracking occurs when one or more of the trailer's axles are not aligned properly. Both axles should track true with the trailer to prevent premature tire tread wear.

Proper maintenance of suspension components is critical to establishing and maintaining alignment to maximize tire life. Even though your trailer manufacturer sets the alignment, it can change because of operating characteristics. The more severe your application, the more often routine maintenance will be required.

The importance of inspecting suspension components, bushings and fasteners during routine maintenance checks can't be overlooked. Worn bushings on air ride suspensions are a leading cause of loss of initial manufacturer's alignment. In addition, ensuring proper torque on U-bolts and track bar/rods on mechanical suspensions during routine maintenance intervals is crucial as well. Excessive wheel end play can also cause premature tire wear.

The ...Read the rest of this story

NACFE announces drivers participating in Run on Less

Carbon War Room and the North American Council for Freight Efficiency recently announced the seven drivers participating in Run on Less, a fuel-economy roadshow that kicks off on Sept. 6.

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Bendix enhances automotive brake line

MAT Holdings, Inc. announced the launch of the enhanced Bendix brand Stop by Bendix product line, which offers complete all-makes, all-models automotive brake product coverage.

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Fuso to offer new truck lease, purchase program

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America, Inc. (FUSO) is partnering with Morgan Corporation and Daimler Truck Financial to offer lease and purchase programs for its 2017 Fuso FE160 Class 4 medium-duty cabover truck with a 151˝ wheelbase and 16´ Morgan aluminum dry van body.

Dubbed the FUSOComplete Program, it offers customers a Fuso FE160 Series truck with 15,995-lb. GVWR and 10,490-lb. estimated body/payload, through either a 36- or 48-month lease, or a direct, no-down-payment purchase with 36- or 48-month financing terms.

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