Thursday, January 31, 2019

Meritor® Launches 22 Electrification Programs with Global OEMs through 2020

Meritor, Inc. logo. (PRNewsFoto/Meritor, Inc.) (PRNewsfoto/Meritor, Inc.) 



130 Battery-Powered Commercial Trucks Hitting the Road through Meritor Blue Horizon

TROY, Mich., Jan. 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Meritor, Inc. (NYSE: MTOR) today announced it has 22 electrification programs with global OEMs that is expected to put at least 130 fully electric medium- and heavy-duty commercial trucks on the road through 2020.

"These emission-free solutions offered under Meritor's Blue Horizon technology brand have the potential to transform the industry by meeting the rising global demand for clean, electric-powered drivetrains that we believe will deliver a high-efficiency solution that greatly reduces the total cost of ownership for our customers," said John Bennett, vice president and chief technology officer for Meritor. "These programs position Meritor for future growth in an emerging industry segment."

In the first half of 2019, a major fleet customer will begin operating the first of six medium-duty Peterbilt Model 220EV Class 6 pick-up and delivery trucks equipped with Meritor's 14Xe electric drive systems and fully integrated subsystems from TransPower, a leader in electrification technologies for large commercial vehicles. In 2017, Meritor announced a strategic investment in TransPower.

Meritor's eCarrier platform integrates an electric motor into the axle, freeing up space for batteries and other components. This flexible design is the foundation for various drivetrain configurations, including full electric, hybrid and single or tandem axles with various options based on product application for vehicle Classes 5 through 8.

Among the 130 commercial vehicles expected to be placed into service by 2020, 60 of these trucks received funding from the California Air Resources Board as part of a broader effort to reduce carbon emissions in freight facilities.

In addition to the truck applications, a prototype school bus outfitted with Meritor and TransPower electrification solutions has been exceeding expectations during testing in Escondido, California since late May. Testing includes climbing steep grades, stop-and-go at low speeds, off-road and freeway driving as well as heavy-load hauling on rural roads.

"Several large customers have come out to see and ride the bus, and their comments are very complimentary from ride comfort, noise, vibration and harshness, acceleration, top speed and design simplicity standpoints," Bennett said.

About Meritor
Meritor, Inc. is a leading global supplier of drivetrain, mobility, braking and aftermarket solutions for commercial vehicle and industrial markets. With more than a 100-year legacy of providing innovative products that offer superior performance, efficiency and reliability, the company serves commercial truck, trailer, off-highway, defense, specialty and aftermarket customers around the world. Meritor is based in Troy, Mich., United States, and is made up of approximately 8,600 diverse employees who apply their knowledge and skills in manufacturing facilities, engineering centers, joint ventures, distribution centers and global offices in 19 countries. Meritor common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MTOR. For important information, visit the company's website at www.meritor.com.

Forward-Looking Statement
This release contains statements relating to future results of the company (including certain projections and business trends) that are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "should," "are likely to be," "will" and similar expressions. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to reliance on major OEM customers and possible negative outcomes from contract negotiations with our major customers, including failure to negotiate acceptable terms in contract renewal negotiations and our ability to obtain new customers; the outcome of actual and potential product liability, warranty and recall claims; our ability to successfully manage rapidly changing volumes in the commercial truck markets and work with our customers to manage demand expectations in view of rapid changes in production levels; global economic and market cycles and conditions; availability and sharply rising costs of raw materials, including steel, and our ability to manage or recover such costs; our ability to manage possible adverse effects on our European operations, or financing arrangements related thereto following the United Kingdom's decision to exit the European Union or, in the event one or more other countries exit the European monetary union; risks inherent in operating abroad (including foreign currency exchange rates, restrictive government actions regarding trade, implications of foreign regulations relating to pensions and potential disruption of production and supply due to terrorist attacks or acts of aggression); risks related to our joint ventures; rising costs of pension benefits; the ability to achieve the expected benefits of strategic initiatives and restructuring actions; our ability to successfully integrate the products and technologies of Fabco Holdings, Inc. and AA Gear Mfg., Inc. and future results of such acquisitions, including their generation of revenue and their being accretive; the demand for commercial and specialty vehicles for which we supply products; whether our liquidity will be affected by declining vehicle production in the future; OEM program delays; demand for and market acceptance of new and existing products; successful development and launch of new products; labor relations of our company, our suppliers and customers, including potential disruptions in supply of parts to our facilities or demand for our products due to work stoppages; the financial condition of our suppliers and customers, including potential bankruptcies; possible adverse effects of any future suspension of normal trade credit terms by our suppliers; potential impairment of long-lived assets, including goodwill; potential adjustment of the value of deferred tax assets; competitive product and pricing pressures; the amount of our debt; our ability to continue to comply with covenants in our financing agreements; our ability to access capital markets; credit ratings of our debt; the outcome of existing and any future legal proceedings, including any proceedings or related liabilities with respect to environmental, asbestos-related, or other matters; possible changes in accounting rules; and other substantial costs, risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2018, as amended and from time to time in other filings of the company with the SEC. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.


SOURCE Meritor, Inc.


Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Enoven 16' Flatbed With A Scorpion TL-3 Crash Attenuator - Enoven Truck Body



Sam with Enoven Truck Body shows off this brand new Hino 338 that has a 16' Enoven Flatbed. It is also equipped with a Scorpion TL-3 attenuator that folds into the bed. See more at http://www.enoven.com

Sunday, January 27, 2019

NTEA: More than 100 product rollouts expected at WTS

Ford, FCCC, Freightliner, International, Mack, Nissan, Ram 
among OEMs planning to deliver updates 

Nissan Commercial Vehicles at WTS '18


The National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) says more than 100 companies plan to introduce new work trucks and equipment at Work Truck Week 2019.

The Work Truck Show, North America’s largest work truck event, runs March 5-8 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis IN. Educational sessions, Green Truck Summit, Fleet Technical Congress, and the Manufacturer and Distributor Innovation Conference begin March 5, and the exhibit hall is open March 6–8.

Chevrolet Commercial Vehicles, Ford Commercial Vehicles, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation, Freightliner Trucks, Hino Trucks, International Truck, Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Kenworth Truck Company, Mack Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America, Nissan Commercial Vehicles, Peterbilt Motors Company, Ram Commercial, Volvo Trucks and Western Star Trucks plan to exhibit at the event, with 15 of them delivering exclusive chassis update sessions.

During each update session, company representatives provide insights into their future plans related to the work truck industry, share technical information on latest chassis specifications and designs, and review body and equipment installation options. Ford, FCCC, Freightliner, International, Mack, Mitsubishi Fuso, Nissan and Ram also scheduled press conferences at the Show.

“There’s no better place to see what’s new and what’s coming from the industry’s leading OEMs,” the association said.

To help attendees plan which booths to visit, 90 exhibitors are showcasing new products online in advance of the event as part of The Work Truck Show’s exclusive New Product Spotlight and Green Product Showcase programs. Offerings range from transmissions and suspensions to trucks and bodies. They include a variety of innovative power solutions, cargo management systems and vocational equipment from snowplows to cranes. To learn more about these products, visit the featured exhibitors section of the online floorplan at worktruckshow.com/floorplan.

“Every year at The Work Truck Show, the industry’s leading manufacturers of vocational vehicles, components and equipment converge on Indianapolis to showcase their newest products and share what’s coming next,” says Steve Carey, NTEA president and CEO. “With all the major players here, The Work Truck Show is the best place to take the pulse of the commercial vehicle community and find the equipment and education you need to continue to improve your operations.”

Show attendees will have the opportunity to check out products from 26 first-time exhibitors in a special New Exhibitor Pavilion that opens an hour before the exhibit hall on Wednesday, March 6 and Thursday, March 7. It’s located across from the Hall I exhibit hall entrance.

The Work Truck Show main exhibit floor covers more than 500,000 square feet. The event includes an educational conference with sessions designed to help attendees improve their operations.

“Anyone who works with commercial vehicles, including public and private truck fleet operators, manufacturers, dealers and equipment distributors, can find solutions to their business challenges at the Show,” NTEA said.

For more information and to register, visit worktruckshow.com or call 800-441-6832.

Source: https://www.trailer-bodybuilders.com/truck-equipment/ntea-more-100-product-rollouts-expected-wts

Friday, January 25, 2019

Enoven Work Truck Platforms - Built for Your Requirements!

 


Enoven Work Platforms or Flatbeds are offered as standard flatbeds with or without headboards, in lengths from 8′ to 28′ and can be custom modified to accomplish many job requirements.

Find many of the Work Platforms we have built here: https://enovenind.com/products-2/flatbeds/ewp-series/

Contact us for a quote on your requirements: 888-640-8667 or info@enoven.com

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Venturo VC1000 Euro-Style Van Crane Demo


Check out this quick demonstration of the proper procedures to operate the Venturo VC1000 Van Crane.

Monday, January 21, 2019

The specific application needs of vocational truck suspensions

Kenworth_DrainBro_Dump-2-from-SAF-HOLLAND


The first question you need to ask when spec’ing trucking equipment is a simple one: What’s it going to be doing? Understanding the application and what’s necessary for the equipment to perform properly is the most important thing to know before making any purchasing decision.

Take vocational suspensions, for example. They have different needs than over-the-road suspensions because they will be tackling different jobs, and so there are a few application factors unique to vocational suspensions that fleet managers will need to keep in mind.

To start with, there are three different types of suspensions: air ride, leaf spring and walking beam.
Of the three, market share in the vocational space is divided between air ride and walking beam, dependent on the particular target segment. Many fleets tackling severe-duty applications might prefer a walking beam suspension, for instance, while other vocational segments will prioritize driver comfort and spec an air ride suspension.

Peter Schimunek, marketing segment manager for Western Star Trucks, says that many vocational fleets will choose air ride suspensions because of the stability and cushioning that they offer, which reduces freight damage and driver fatigue. However, he notes, “some air suspension models are best suited for highway applications, so we recommend adhering to manufacturer recommendations for your specific application and weight carrying capacity.”

Of course, “vocational” is a wide umbrella that covers quite a few different types of trucks, and suspension needs will be different for each of them.

“Capacity, stability, ride quality and durability are some of the main considerations when spec’ing a suspension system for a vocational truck,” says Kurt Swihart, Kenworth’s marketing director. “Vocations with a high center of gravity, such as mixers and dump trucks, require suspensions that provide maximum roll stability. In these applications, we typically recommend a walking beam style suspension system. Air suspensions are recommended when ride quality is one of the most important considerations. While air suspensions don’t typically have the same stability as beam style suspensions, there are several air suspension offerings that are specifically designed for vocational applications.”

“The needs of the vocational market are very specialized, and each application focuses on a different aspect of the suspension as the primary requirement,” says Sean Whitfield, director of marketing for Hendrickson.
For example, he notes that the key attributes needed for a suspension in concrete mixer and refuse applications are that it has the ability to maximize carrying capacity while still preserving stability and that it provides lower maintenance costs.

“Weight is an important factor when spec’ing a concrete mixer,” Western Star’s Schimunek notes. “The lighter the truck, the more concrete you can haul, which affects productivity. Choosing the right rear suspension for the job may also result in additional weight savings. However, mixers can get into some rough jobsites, so be sure to spec a suspension with good articulation, ride quality and durability.

“Chassis height is also an important factor as the mixer body must be able to fit beneath the hopper,” he adds. “A lower frame height results in a lower center of gravity, which provides increased vehicle stability. Customers should work closely with their dealer to spec the right suspension for their specific job demands.”

As for dump and crane trucks, Hendrickson’s Whitfield says that loaded stability and empty ride performance must be paired together to survive the terrain and loading cycle of these applications.
“When the vehicle is empty and/or traveling on-road, the equipment and driver must be protected from excessive road inputs,” he says. “When the truck is on-site and either being loaded or being used to lift a load, it must be supported by a suspension with high roll stability.”

Lastly, in heavy-haul applications, Whitfield says that equipment protection and ride quality are crucial to help ensure safe transport of cargo and driver. This, he says, must be done without sacrificing durability and roll stability, demanding a true vocational suspension, and he mentions Hendrickson’s Primaax EX as an example.

Additionally, there are some factors that apply across the board for vocational suspensions, regardless of the vocation.

“Vehicle weight, axle capacity, loaded and empty CG height, creep rating, and the operating environment are important application factors to consider,” says Bryan Redeker, powered vehicle systems product manager for SAF-Holland. “These factors are equally important regardless of the type of vehicle.”

Redeker says that it is important to know if outriggers will be present and where they are on the truck, as they may play a role in packaging. It’s also important, he mentions, to know whether there will be lift axles on the truck, how many, and how they will impact loading of the suspension when they are up or down. Additionally, frame rail spacing and package size of the lift axle assembly should be considered, he added.

 Suspension

 SAF-NEWAY-ADZ-Tandem

With specific application considerations for equipment come specific maintenance considerations, and you’ll need to keep them in mind, especially those that are unique to vocational segments.
“Maintenance of vocational suspensions is similar to other suspensions—visual inspection of components and bushings. For those vocational suspensions installed with U-bolts, follow the OEM recommended practices for checking torque,” Kenworth’s Swihart says.

“A key to maintaining a vocational suspension is following proper inspection intervals,” Hendrickson’s Whitfield says. “For these applications, inspections should follow the vehicle OEM and suspension manufacturer’s service instructions, which usually list recommended inspection intervals based on hours and/or miles of operation.”

According to Whitfield, some essential items to check for, especially on vocational suspensions, include potential signs of overloading such as bent or cracked steel components.

“Reviewing the transverse torque rod (TVTR) bushing wear and replacing the TVTR when necessary is particularly important in vocational suspensions,” he adds. “The transverse torque rod keeps the axle aligned laterally on rubber-based suspensions and plays a large factor in supporting the other suspension components. Once that torque rod is fully worn, it is important that it is replaced in order to properly maintain the suspension as a whole.”

SAF-Holland’s Redeker says that it is important to monitor bushings, shock, air springs and fastener torque per the routine maintenance schedule.

“These components are always important to check, regardless of the application,” he notes, while adding, “A fleet operating in severe vocational applications may wish to increase the frequency of checks. Performing the initial 5,000 mile (100 hour) re-torque is critical to suspension longevity—especially the pivot bolt connection.”

Saturday, January 19, 2019

ProTech Rubber Snow Pusher

 rubber snow pusher

The Original Snow Pusher

For over 25 years, this containment snow plow has been a favorite among snow and ice professionals for use with their loaders, compact wheel loaders, backhoes, skid steers, and compact tractors. The Rubber Edge Sno Pusher is a perfect fit for both experienced operators and those new to the job. Available in sizes ranging from 6’ to 30’, this rubber edge snow pusher can be used on a variety of commercial properties. Join the thousands of snow and ice companies throughout North America that use the Rubber Edge Sno Pusher for their snow removal efforts.

Increase Productivity

Snow pushers can increase snow removal productivity by 500% when compared to truck snow plows. The snow pusher’s advantage over a truck snow plow is the ability to contain, push, and stack massive amounts of snow into a pile. Truck snow plows have limited containment and stacking capabilities.

Squeegee The Surface

The Rubber Edge Sno Pusher cutting edge is a simple but effective design that can easily clear wet, heavy snow from the plowing surface. In many cases, the rubber edge is rigid enough to also remove pesky hardpack snow and ice. The rubber plowing edge has four leading edges, meaning that it can be flipped and reversed before needing replacement.

Simple But Effective

Ease of use is a major benefit of using the Rubber Edge Sno Pusher.  It requires minimal training before even first-time snow plow operators can begin using it effectively.

Proven Value

It’s no surprise that our customer satisfaction rating is close to 100%. For over two decades our products have been synonymous with excellence. Every Sno Pusher uses structural steel channel with fully welded systems and comes with our 10 year warranty. Many Sno Pushers are still in use 20 years later! From our pushers to our parts, you can expect the best from Pro-Tech.

Made For Your Machine

The Rubber Edge Sno Pusher comes in sizes ranging from 6’ to 30’ and is available for loaders, compact wheel loaders, backhoes, skid steers, and compact tractors. Custom snow pusher options are available such as connection, wear shoes, and paint.

Product Features

  • Most popular snow pusher in North America
  • Contains and pushes snow into piles
  • More productive than truck plows
  • Can be used on a variety of surfaces
  • Easy to operate and maintain
  • Rubber edge "squeegees" surface
  • 10 year warranty
  • From $2,395