Yokohama Announces New Ultra Wide Base Drive Tire

Yokohama Tire Corporation has introduced the BluEarth 709L ultra wide base drive tire – a SmartWay verified tire designed for fuel efficiency.

It is the first in Yokohama's new BluEarth designated tires and reflects the company's most advanced environmental technologies.

“It's been engineered to be our most fuel-efficient drive tire yet with exceptional performance,” said Andrew Briggs, Yokohama Tire senior director of tire business planning product planning and sales operations. “Along with superior tread life and a highly durable casing, the BluEarth 709L UWB will provide extraordinary service for our fleet customers and operators throughout the country.”

The BluEarth 709L UWB is designed for better fuel economy featuring an advanced compound that is resistant to heat buildup and a tread depth of 24/32-inches for improved low-rolling resistance.

The tire is made for good traction in wet or snowing conditions derived from a specialized directional tread pattern. A Z-block design creates multiple biting edges for outstanding grip during acceleration. Distinctive tie-bar connectors increase block rigidity to reduce heel-toe wear, while seven circumferential grooves efficiently evacuate water from beneath the tread to maximize contact with the road.

A zero-degree belt creates a consistently stable footprint for long, even wear. This is a key component for the tire's durable and retreadable casing. Also, funnel-shaped grooves prevent stones and other debris from reaching the bottom of the groove where casing damage can occur.

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AT&T, Microsoft to collaborate on Detroit Connect enhancements

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Last Chance to Nominate a Fleet for HDT’s Top 50 Green Fleets

Heavy Duty Trucking is looking for fleets that have made a commitment to sustainability, alternative fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions for its 2016 Top 50 Green Fleets. Nominations are closed at the end of the day on Oct. 4, so make your submission today.

HDT's editors are asking fleets to fill out a short survey online with basic information about their fleet, alternative fuel use and SmartWay participation, plus room to offer additional comments on "green" projects.

Top 50 Green Fleets will have made a commitment to sustainability, reducing emissions, increasing fuel economy or adapting new fuels. The designation goes beyond the truck and trailer and extends to facilities that are greener or companies with green policies. Fleets of all sizes and types are encouraged to enter. Special attention will be paid to initiatives from the past year.

The top green fleets will be featured in the November issue of HDT and on Truckinginfo.com. View last year's winners here.

Fill out the survey here.

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Werner Enterprises Announces Upcoming Release of Third Quarter 2016 Earnings

Regulations – especially ELDs – top trucking’s yearly list of worries

LAS VEGAS. The biggest issue on the annual “top ten” list of trucking industry issues compiled by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) is the impending electronic logging device (ELD) mandate.

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Looming ELD Mandate Tops Trucking Industry Concerns Survey

Rebecca Brewster (left), president and chief operating officer of ATRI along with Derek Leathers, ATRI board member and Werner Enterprises president and CEO, give details of ATRI's latest survey of the biggest issues concerning the trucking industry. Photo: Evan Lockridge

Las Vegas — The American Transportation Research Institute unveiled its top industry issues report showing that the looming implementation of the ELD Mandate is the top concern of carriers and drivers.

The annual survey, which generated more than 3,200 responses from motor carriers and commercial drivers, was released at the American Trucking Associations 2016 Management Conference and Exhibition meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition to ranking the trucking industry's top concerns, the report also includes prioritized strategies for addressing each issue.

"The results of ATRI's survey reflect what I've heard from carriers and drivers as I've traveled the country this year on behalf of ATA," said Pat Thomas ATA chairman and senior vice president for state government affairs at UPS. "The ever-increasing regulatory burdens placed on the industry, coupled with the sluggish economy, are creating challenges for trucking as we work hard to keep America moving forward."

More than 65% of respondents were concerned about productivity impacts the industry could experience from fully mandated ELD deployment. Dropping from its top ranking the past three years, Hours-of-Service stayed near the top of the list due to ongoing uncertainty of a final HOS rule.

Ranking third in ATRI's report was the cumulative economic impacts of trucking regulations, which ATRI says reflects the industry's collective frustration with increasing and costly regulatory requirements. The lack of available truck parking moved the issue up again this year to fourth overall and the state of the nation's economy rounds out the top five industry concerns.

"Knowing what the industry is concerned about, and what strategies it views as most promising for addressing ...Read the rest of this story

Starter Made for Paccar MX-11 and MX-13 Engines

Prestolite Electric's Leece-Neville Heavy Duty Systems brand is offering a new in-line gear reduction starter motor called the M110608 for Paccar's MX-11 and MX-13 engines.

The starter motor also works with Peterbilt and Kenworth 2010 and newer engines up to 16 liters in size. The starter is designed for improved performance and reliability as a bolt-in replacement for engines served by Paccar, Mitsubishi and Delco Remy 39MT units. The in-line, gear reduction design provides greater power from a lighter unit and is made to fit in tighter spaces.

The new Leece-Neville 12-volt M110608 starter motor features Prestolite's Integral Magnetic Switch /Soft Start Relay technology, which helps to eliminate voltage drop issues by minimizing wiring between the relay and solenoid. Other key enhancements include a next-generation commutator with an oversize copper cross-section, enlarged armature to minimize air gap losses, heavy-duty brush plate for improved conductivity, and an e-coating on the housing for resistance to corrosion.

Leece-Neville starters and alternators are manufactured by Prestolite Electric, an original equipment and aftermarket manufacturer serving customers in the trucking, construction, agriculture, mining and other markets.

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