Cummins Adds 450-HP IS12 Ratings

Cummins Inc. announced the availability of two new 450-hp ISX12 ratings for linehaul and regional-haul truck markets.

The 450 hp with 1650 lb.-ft. of peak torque and 450 hp with 1450/1650 lb.-ft. of peak torque are the newest ratings for the ISX12. The 450 hp with 1650 lb.-ft. of peak torque provides performance on the same level as 15.0L and 13.0L engines but at a much lighter weight, which means more payload capacity, according to Cummins. The 450-hp 1450/1650 lb.-ft. SmartTorque rating is ideal for such applications as tank and bulk haulers that transport heavy material on the way out, but return with a light or empty load. SmartTorque technology modulates torque output to deliver the adequate amount of torque needed for the work being done.

Photo of ISX12 engine courtesy of Cummins.

Since its release in 2010, the ISX12 has performed well across a wide range of trucking applications, from regional-haul and bulk-haul to refuse and mixer. The engine, with its power take-off (PTO) capabilities, continues to benefit customers who demand more from their medium-bore engines.

The ISX12 has been a dependable product for many customers across North America since its release, according to Cummins. Williams Tank Lines, based in California, hauls petroleum products and operates predominately ISX12-powered trucks.

"The maintenance is a lot lower with the medium-bore ISX12, we've had [fewer] breakdowns, it's more dependable, more consistent. We have some that are approaching a million miles, and they haven't been overhauled," said Mike Williams, president of Williams Tank Lines.

Along with these new ratings for regional-haul trucks, Cummins is continuing to work on expanded ratings for vocational trucks, to provide even greater productivity in ISX12-powered cement mixers, refuse, and vacuum trucks.

The ISX12 will continue to be Cummins vocational and regional/bulk-hauling champion through 2017, and will be available through the end of 2018, with Cummins ...Read the rest of this story

ONE20: New mobile platform to connect, empower truck drivers

DALLAS. Citing the high prices, limited parking and long stretches away from family and friends that take a toll on professional drivers, trucking and technology industry veterans on Thursday launched ONE20, a free membership designed to empower the hard-working men and women in the industry to join a community, connect with the people and job-critical information, and save money.

read more

Fleets investing in more fuel economy tech (and it’s working)

read more

Hitting the highways with Big Red

Ah, Big Red, how we miss thee; let us count the ways …

So I recently got to test drive a Ford Motor Co. full-size Transit van for week – the same model my compatriot Aaron Marsh got to pilot for a stretch not too long ago.

read more

Omnitracs launches FleetScience digital hub

Omnitracs announced the launch of its FleetScience digital hub.

“To meet that need, we created this digital hub to provide proven best practices, foster collaboration and promote the development of new ideas about how fleet managers in every size organization can help their companies innovate and succeed.”

read more

Riding the roads with Big Red

Fleet Owner recently got a second crack at one of Ford Motor Co.'s full-size Transit vans – affectionately dubbed “Big Red” – for a week-long test drive, putting the vehicle through its paces (loaded and unloaded) over 602.4 miles of highway and ur

read more

Test Drive: Is International’s HX620 the Driver’s Vocational Truck?

The HX620 has a setback steer axle and 120-inch BBC, and comes only with a Cummins ISX15. Shorter models use Navistar's own N13 diesel. Note external air cleaners and many other items in chrome or bright metal. Photos: Tom Berg

Navistar has declared that it wants to build trucks that drivers want to drive. That includes the new HX vocational series, unveiled early this year at an extravaganza in Las Vegas.

I've been wanting to drive one since I saw several of the new HXs at that event, which began with a mock televised police chase involving a red dump truck stolen from downtown Vegas. It roared onto a dirt lot near The Strip, followed by the wailing police cruisers. The truck drifted right and left as it entered the lot, then ran around the area several times before black-and-white cruisers surrounded it and cops arrested the suspects.

Drifting in the dirt was not in the script, an insider said later, but you couldn't blame the guy behind the wheel. Like I said, this is meant to be a driver's truck and he drove it.

That red dump truck is the very truck you see here, according to Chad Semler, HX product marketing manager. He was my guide at the Navistar Proving Grounds in northern Indiana, west of South Bend.

You can bet that I didn't do any drifting or anything else overly enthusiastic because we were being observed by the grounds' chief engineer of operations, Brian Jacquay, who shadowed us in a Ford SuperDuty pickup with a Navistar-built V-8 diesel. He clearly was serious about safety. Besides, many years ago I learned respect for equipment and don't like to beat on trucks. I followed Semler's directions as I steered the HX over a gravel trail and pavement with rumble strips and other rough surface ...Read the rest of this story