Category: Trucking News

TMC panel explores evolution of engine coolants

RALEIGH, NC — It's a new world out there for coolants. These days, Homer Hogg says from time to time he gets calls from people detecting an ammonia smell in their truck, the caller often assuming it's a defective diesel exhaust filter. The smell is actually the result of brazing flux in heat exchangers reacting with nitrites in the engine coolant, said Hogg, manager of technical development at TravelCenters of America. Times have changed. ...Read the rest of this story

Thermo King Introducers Smarter, Efficient Refrigeration Unit

Thermo King introduced the SLXi platform of single and multi-temperature trailer refrigeration units, developed with a focus on unit intelligence, communication, fuel consumption and temperature management.

“Innovation goes beyond simply creating new products,” said Karin De Bondt, vice president and general manager for truck, trailer and ubs at Thermo King in Europe, Middle East and Africa. “It is about addressing unique customer needs through connectivity, data-driven intelligence, real-user insights, and the ability to merge new and emerging technologies later based upon customer needs.”

The SLXi range includes tailorable operational parameters dependent on application and ambient conditions to better meet customer needs. The customized profile conditions create better performance and fuel savings of 10%-20% compared to previous models, according to Thermo King.

The SLXi is also fully telematics-enabled, giving fleets full visibility of the unit and load condition through Thermo King's TK BlueBox communication device and Bluetooth. The TK BlueBox collects and stores unit data which can be accessed through a free smartphone app. This enables real-time unit management and access to critical data. Users can manage defrost, pre-trip, set point and additional operating mode settings remotely.

The unit's SR-3 temperature controller allows set point control and temperature displays to provide more accurate temperatures in increments of 0.1 degrees Celsius. It is capable of greater temperature control and more optimized fuel efficiency due to more flexible and broader temperature bands in Cycle Sentry mode.

In multi-temperature models, Precision Temperature Control reduces temperature deviation by up to 80% over previous technology and will maintain compartment temperature within around 0.15 degrees Celsius, dependent on operating conditions. PTC provides an automatic pre-set of the capacity modulation and the temperature control to secure an optimum environment in the center and rear trailer compartments, where 95% of customers transport fresh products.

The SLXi range is also designed to be more environmentally ...Read the rest of this story

Meritor Tire Inflation System by P.S.I.: Built from the ground up

Last week, Pressure Systems International, makers of the Meritor Tire Inflation System by P.S.I., hosted about 100 customers at its new production facility in San Antonio, TX, as part of its Fleet Technology Event. Just opened in August, the facility is approximately twice the size of the previous P.S.I. facility, and also houses corporate offices.

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