U.S. revisits speed limiters in new proposal

Love’s Donates $25,000 to Louisiana Flood Relief

The flooding in Lousiana has affected some Love's locations and directly impacted 5 of its employees. Photo: Love's Travel Stop

Loves Travel Stops has donated $25,000 to the Salvation Army to help with relief efforts in Louisiana after severe flooding devastated the region.

The truck stop chain has been impacted directly by the flooding, including five of its employees from the Port Allen location losing everything. The slow-moving storm system killed at least 13 people so far and displaced thousands of others from their homes.

Port Allen is 7 miles west of Baton Rouge, which received as much as 2 feet of rain over the course of three days. The storm shut down major interstates running through the region and forced Love's 523 in Duson to close overnight.

According to Love's blog, two employees lost their homes, one lost a vehicle, and two more have been displaced and aren't allowed to return home yet. Love's has an assistance program in place to help employees most directly affected by the flooding.

Love's employees are also acting as guides to travelers coming through the region, helping both professional and non-professional drivers navigate around the high waters as well as provide hot food and clean showers.

"We give them directions, help them with maps, show them alternative routes they can take," said Jacob Kibodeaux, operations manager of Love's 243 in Lake Charles. "We want to go above and beyond to take care of our customers."

Related: Spot Truckload Rates Fail to Gain Except in Louisiana Flood Zone

Follow @HDTrucking on Twitter

Dual Shield Protects Power Sources on Trucks

Purkeys has developed the Dual Shield designed to simplify adding additional electrical devices to heavy-duty vehicles and protect the source that powers them.

The Dual Shield provides a single source with multiple protected ports for electrical devices. It gives the vehicle two levels of protection to help counteract parasitic loads from electrical systems like a low voltage disconnect and a timed disconnect.

Other Purkeys products, such as the DC to AC 1500 Watt Power Inverter, have LVDs that protect the vehicle from parasitic loads by shutting off the device when a set voltage is reached. This keeps batteries from becoming too discharged to start the vehicle. In addition to the LVD, the Dual Shield has a timed disconnect that will shut off running devices within an hour after the ignition is turned off.

The Dual Shield has LEDs that can show drivers when there is power running through the system or when devices have been shut off.

This electrical accessory simplifies adding necessary electrical devices to heavy-duty vehicles by providing a centralized, protected location for technicians to connect these supplementary devices. The Dual Shield safety features can stop vehicle batteries from becoming severely discharged, thus keeping them in better condition.

Follow @HDTrucking on Twitter

How Did Union Pacific’s Intermodal Do Compared to BNSF Railway?

If Your Freight is Food

read more

Mack Names VP of Lehigh Valley Plant

Mack Trucks has named Rickard Lundberg vice president and general manager for its Lehigh Valley Operations. Photo: Mack Trucks

Rickard Lundberg has been appointed vice president and general manager for Mack Trucks' Lehigh Valley Operations effective Oct. 1, the company announced.

The Pennsylvania-based facility produces all Mack truck models built for North American and export markets.

Lundberg is currently the vice president for powertrain production at the Volvo Group's powertrain plant in Koping, Sweden, a position he's held since 2013. He joined the Volvo Group in 1989 and has held positions in production, logistics, purchasing and quality.

Mack recently announced a 75,000-square-foot expansion to the Lehigh Valley facility, into which the company is investing around $70 million. The improvements were designed to improve manufacturing processes and modernize the facility.

Related: Mack to Upgrade Lehigh Valley Truck Plant

Follow @HDTrucking on Twitter

International Offers 4-Year Powertrain Warranty for DuraStar

Photo: International Truck

International Truck is offering the Integrated Powertrain Warranty Package, a 4-year, unlimited-mile integrated powertrain warranty on certain models of its DuraStar medium-duty truck.

The warranty is available on DuraStar models powered by the Cummins ISB, configured with an Eaton Procision transmission and Dana Spicer axles and driveshafts. The program is aimed at businesses in the pick-up and delivery segments.

The 4-year/unlimited miles and hours integrated powertrain warranty on the DuraStar features the most efficient engine ratings offered in the Cummins ISB6.7 diesel-powered engine. The addition of the Eaton Procision transmission is designed for increased safety and fuel-efficient operation, according to International.

To qualify for the DuraStar Integrated Powertrain Warranty Package, customers must order or purchase a DuraStar from an International dealer between Aug. 22, 2016 and Dec. 31, 2016. Eligible truck applications include dry van, refrigerated van, roll back recovery, attic van, beverage (not tractor), expedited freight or stake flat with a max GVWR of 33,000 lbs.

Related: International Offers Over-the-Air Programming for Cummins Engines

Follow @HDTrucking on Twitter