Grote Releases Exterior-Grade LED Light Strip

Grote's XTL LED Lighting Technology is an industrial illumination product designed to be thin, flexible and durable.

XTL is an exterior-grade LED light strip that is chemical-, UV-, water-, and abrasion-resistant. It can be installed anywhere auxiliary illumination is needed, providing awareness and visibility for hazards and equipment and can also be used as lighting for trailers, boxes and compartments.

Grote Industries manufactures LED, fluorescent, and incandescent lamps, mirrors, wiring systems, connections, and reflective accessories for trucks, trailers, and equipment.

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Peterbilt Reduces Weight on Updated Model 220

Photo: Peterbilt

Peterbilt has updated the Model 220 cabover with new design features and options that result in weight savings, better performance, and improved serviceability.

New features include a redesigned vertical exhaust and lighter-weight battery box that's more corrosion resistant.

The new vertical exhaust is a single-canister aftertreatment design that replaces the former dual-canister design. The new exhaust reduces weight by up to 100 pounds per unit and increases the Model 220's cab-to-axle distance by six inches. The battery box in this exhaust configuration has also been reduced in size, resulting in a combined weight savings of up to 165 pounds.

The standard battery box cover on the Model 220 has also been improved and is now made from a lighter-weight aluminum instead of steel. The aluminum battery cover has better corrosion resistance and improved aesthetics.

The company also announced a new frame layout on the Model 220 that features better clearance for PTO installation through the left-hand rail. This design tweak allows for faster and easier PTO mounting and serviceability. The new design is standard on Model 220s ordered after January.

The 2017 enhancements are available for immediate order. Peterbilt launched the Model 220 in 2014. It's available for multiple applications including urban pick-up-and delivery, refuse, landscaping, street sweeping, and striping.

Related: Quick Spin - Peterbilt Model 220

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Marten Transport Declares Quarterly Dividend

Allison’s FuelSense 2.0 Allows Fleets to Improve Fuel Economy

Allison Transmission announced FuelSense 2.0 transmission software, featuring DynActive Shifting, which the company says adds up to 6% additional fuel savings beyond the original FuelSense software.

FuelSense 2.0 is available in three packages to allow fleets to optimize fuel economy and performance for their specific needs.

"This latest technology further reduces fuel consumption in all segments of a vehicle's duty cycle," said Heidi Schutte, vice president of marketing and sales for the Americas with Allison Transmission. "FuelSense 2.0 offers increased specification flexibility and delivers the best economic value to our customers."

The original FuelSense was introduced in March 2014 and was designed to enable fuel economy improvements for vehicles with Allison transmissions. FuelSense 2.0 uses DynActive Shifting to provide an infinitely variable combination of shift points, according to Allison. The new version uses a learning algorithm to continuously search for the ideal balance of fuel economy and performance.

FuelSense 2.0 is especially suited for refuse, construction, distribution, and bus applications, according to the company.

The available packages are FuelSense 2.0, FuelSense 2.0 Plus, and FuelSense 2.0 Max. All three include DynActive Shifting. FuelSense 2.0 Plus and Max include improved Neutral at Stop. FuelSense 2.0 Max includes enhanced Acceleration Rate Management.

Neutral at Stop lowers fuel consumption and emissions by reducing or eliminating the load on the engine when the vehicle is stopped. It is available in two versions: Standard and Premium. Standard provides partial (first-level) Neutral at Stop and Premium provides full Neutral at Stop and a new, low-speed coasting capability. Both versions feature a locked output at stop to prevent rollback.

Enhanced Acceleration Rate Management mitigates aggressive driving by automatically controlling engine torque. Newly updated, in addition to five levels of control currently available, it provides more precision by limiting vehicle acceleration to a customized rate.

Currently, aftermarket installation of FuelSense 2.0 is not allowed ...Read the rest of this story

401 closed after pileup involving numerous tractor-trailers

Exotic shows off alternative fuel vehicle products

INDIANAPOLIS. New natural gas fuel system hosing is coming online from one of Parker Hannifin's major distributors, Exotic Automation & Supply, which is also firing up a new e-commerce website to support fleets operating alternative fueled vehicles (AFVs).

During a press conference here at the 2017 National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Work Truck Show, Henry Testa, group sales director for Exotic, highlighted one of Parker Hannifin's latest components offerings: a new “low permeation” flexible fuel hose for natural gas vehicle fuel systems.

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eNow touts real-time monitoring service

INDIANAPOLIS. A new real-time wireless monitoring system is being offered by eNow for its solar-powered auxiliary energy systems for fleets, to help hem monitor the “state of charge” for truck batteries.

During a press conference here at the 2017 National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Work Truck Show, Jeffrey Flath, president, CEO and founder of eNow, explained that there is no monthly charge for this real-time monitoring system and that it will be offered going forward for every eNow device aimed at the trucking, recreational vehicle, and marine markets.

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