Tuesday, November 4th, 2008
Western Star Trucks has designed a 40-ton dump truck that it says is a lower-cost alternative to traditional haul trucks. The extra-heavy-duty truck is based on a 6900XD with a commercial-style cab, and an off-road chassis with a standardized power train and an integrated dump box that cost less to buy, operate and maintain.
Aimed at quarry and dirt-haul operations with well-maintained haul roads, the three-axle 6900XD 40-ton dump can haul the same loads as 35- to 40-ton articulated and rigid dump trucks but uses about 35 percent less fuel. Fuel consumption of 7.13 gallons per hour has been recorded on hauls of more than 12 miles, the company said. The truck’s top speed is 43 mph.
The vehicle costs “considerably less” than a traditional haul truck because it is an uprated on/off-highway truck instead of a downsized “yellow iron” machine normally used in this payload range, The 6900XD’s engine, transmission, axles, wheels and tires are long-lasting and efficient, but replacement parts are less costly and easier to obtain. For example, its high-pressure 14R25 earthmoving tires are priced about 40 percent less than larger specialty tires needed by haul trucks.
The 6900XD’s 14-liter 475-horsepower Detroit Diesel Series 60 runs through a 6-speed Allison 4500 RDS automatic transmission. The Axletech tandem rear axles have planetary-gear reduction and are combined with a high-articulating Chalmers 800 mechanical suspension for a capacity of 110,000 pounds. A 28,000-pound non-driving front axle needs no drop boxes and transfer case, and its flat-leaf springs are simple and easy to maintain. Brakes are a simple and low-cost dry drum design that are effective but easier and cheaper to maintain than the wet discs used by haul trucks. A Jacobs Engine Brake is standard.
The severe-duty galvanized steel cab is air suspended and comes with a multi-adjustable air-ride seat, tilt-telescoping steering column, premium insulation, roomy dimensions, and other features to make the driver comfortable and productive. Complete gauges and waterproof marine-grade rocker switches are included. An exterior sun visor limits glare through the large two-piece windshield; the two-piece design limits the cost of replacing broken glass.
The dump box is made by J&J Truck Bodies & Trailers expressly for this truck model. J&J constructs it of Hardox 400 and 450 steel, with 5/16-inch sides and a 5/8-inch floor and 5/8-inch liner strips. Capacity is 24 cubic yards struck and 30 yards heaped; rated payload is 77,100 pounds, for a total laden vehicle weight of 138,000 pounds. The hoist mechanism includes a four-stage hydraulic cylinder that can tip the body in 25 seconds at 1,000 rpm and lower it in 18 seconds at the same engine speed.
A heated dump body is one of the features of an optional cold weather package, which also includes a block heater and ether starting system, -60F coolant, and a heated fuel-water separator. Other options range from an automatic chassis greasing system to carbon filters for the cab’s heating and air conditioning system.
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Monday, November 3rd, 2008
The trailer posses so many advantages as an auxiliary vehicle that it is coming into use rapidly, particularly in the central and far western states, where industry and commerce are less conservative than in the east. Those who have adopted equipment trailers find that they double their hauling capacity of their trucks, greatly reduce waiting time of trucks and drivers, and increase the earnings or cur down the ton-mile operating cost materially.
As an industry, the manufacture of trailers dates back only half a dozen years, but it has grown rapidly until today there are seventy-five or more trailer manufacturers in the country, and several are exporting to foreign countries.
Trailers are made in a wide variety of types and capacities for all sorts of purposes, ranging from the little pneumatic tired two-wheel trailer of 500 pounds capacity, to be attached behind runabouts and touring cars, to ten-ton and fifteen-ton trailers and semi-trailers, hauled by powerful tractors and motor trucks. These include car haulers, dump trailers, utility trailers, equipment trailers, gooseneck trailer etc. Size is one of the main considerations while looking for a trailer. The maximum towing capacity and maximum tongue weight of your tow vehicle are limiting factors.
By used trailers and car haulers, many hauling jobs can be done that would be impossible with trucks alone, as for example – the handling object too heavy, too big or too long to be loaded on the truck. Weights of ten to twenty tons and more are divided between truck and trailer so that neither is overloaded and the weight is distributed over six or eight wheels instead of being concentrated on four.
Tow trucks are expensive, especially if the distance is great. A utility trailer is a great way to haul vehicles and a good investment if you need to do so regularly. Packing equipment and loading it into a pickup truck bed can get old very quickly. A utility trailer will allow you to drive your equipment right up onto the trailer without the aid of ramps or two strong men. Utility trailers are great for hauling appliances, live stock and recreational vehicles.
Open utility trailers are well suited for many applications including small landscaping businesses that are just starting out and need a way to haul their landscape equipment. As their business grows and they decide to move up to an enclosed trailer, the open utility trailer will still be incredibly useful for hauling all sorts of material such as mulch, rock and plants.
The use of dump trailers has been gaining in popularity as one of the most cost effective means for handling tear-off removal. Licensing fees, insurance costs and maintenance expenses associated with a dump truck are astronomical in most parts of the country. The use of dump trailers is a more cost effective and more versatile method for handling tear-off debris.
Dump trailers can be utilized for other practical purposes as well. Use it to haul equipment and material to and from various job sites. Their crews bring job site debris back to the yard at the end of each day. When the trailer is full, they just hook it up to their truck and take it to the dump.
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Thursday, October 23rd, 2008
Whatever your needs, you must find professional impressions and opinions about the new truck model 2007. Try to find information about the options and features, test drivers and exterior and exterior analysis. Famous brands, such as Chevrolet truck, Dodge truck, Ford truck, GMC truck, Honda truck, Isuzu truck, Nisan truck and Toyota truck are present on the Internet and you must only select the truck you want; search the qualified dealers and ask for more information if necessary.
The Chevrolet Avalanche has been redesigned for 2007; the new version is awesome; it is one of a kind because combine the capacity of a pickup with the luxury of the five passenger car. The Midgate is a removable rear bulkhead situated between the pickup bed and the passenger component. It is removable, allowing the truck to be configured as a sport vehicle with a short bed or a pick up with an eight foot bed. You need to fold down the rear seats and open the Midgate to obtain the pickup able of securing gear from unexpected visitors or shielding drywall from rain or snow. You can also remove the rear glass and the tonneau panels to obtain a sporty, open-air vehicle. The truck has a clean and stylish look. The new Chevy Silverado is another dream truck of our days, featuring a new design to confirm its reputation as the longest lasting truck on the world. Its suspensions are designed to meet every requirement.
The new Ford 2007, the Explorer, has a longer pickup bed, more room inside and generates 292 horsepower with a new, strong six speed automatic transmission; there is also a five speed automatic version. Both vehicles are available with four or two wheel drive. The Ford F-150 is easy to drive, well designed and the cabs are really comfortable. 2007 Ford f-150 truck offers a quiet, smooth drive over rough pavement, a controlled handling, with a minimum of vehicle roll on corners. This truck comes in six versions, with four cab choices, four bed lengths, with an amazing cargo capacity. Ford prepares also a new truck, the 2008 Ford F-250, still in tests.
2007 Toyota Tundra is a truck that raises the competitive bar; almost everything is new in Toyota Tundra. The new 381 horsepower V8 truck comes in three styles: a double cab with secondary rear side doors, a four door version and a two door regular cab. The truck is available in three wheelbases and three bed lengths; a five or six speed automatics and a standard rear wheel automatics. If you need a four wheel drive, you can have it too. 2007 Toyota Tundra has also a DVD based navigation system with camera, GPS linked. The stability is improved using fully suspension new design, to make your ride smoother; a better stability is due to a standard electronic stability control.
The full size pickups are changing dramatically; Nissan is offering the awesome Titan, Toyota has a large scale of models, and power trains. Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge are presenting new attractive models; it is really difficult to find the truck of your dreams.
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Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008
With a brand new factory in Texas, Toyota Motor Corp., a Japanese automaker takes aim at Ford and Chevy. In the American truck war, Toyota’s gamble will be its 2007 Tundra – much larger Tundra.
2007 Tundra, which was launched at the Chicago Auto Show, is made larger than Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-Series,International truck, Isuzu truck, kenworth truck, Nissan Titan and Dodge Ram– its mighty rivals in the truck segment. The latest model boasts that the enhanced Toyota Tundra parts paved way for greater towing capacity and truck performance. There are 3 available engine choices - 4.0 L V6, 4.7 L V8, and new 5.7 L V8.
The upcoming arrival of Tundra sends quiver to other auto giants. In fact, General Motors has hired John Mellencamp, Indiana-born rock star, to record a patriotic song entitled “Our Country” for a television ad for its Chevy Silverado. The ad says: This is our country; this is our truck. Said ad is designed to capture customers in the heart of America and to save its slipping sales in said territory.
Chevy Silverado pickup parts include powerful V-8 engine that make the truck efficient and high-performance. This year, Silverado is the second-best selling vehicle in the United States. So far, the best-selling vehicle around the globe is F-150. Said variant came from Ford’s F-Series, which is composed of full-size pickup trucks. Ford F-150 pickup parts are designed to handle tough labor. Not only that, said model promises 250,000 miles and counting. Its reign in the truck war scene is attributed to its tough built and goodwill. Hitherto, Ford F-Series is deemed the bread-and-butter of the automaker.
Toyota wants to convince American truck drivers to trade their trucks for Tundra. This is the reason why the automaker added an American twist to its pickup. Another expected move is the moving of Tundra’s production to the Texas plant. According to statistics, Texas is America’s biggest pickup market. Statistics further divulged that out of every 4 vehicles sold is a pickup.
“Toyota has been expanding by building more plants in North America — they put them in areas where they want to increase their business,” said George Magliano, director of automotive industry research at Global Insight. “The idea is truck buyers become more loyal to a manufacturer that brings jobs and money into their state.”
“One strength Toyota has is its ability to stick with a strategy,” Magliano added. “They got into the truck market about 10 years ago, and they didn’t have much success right away, but they just kept working at it. They keep on improving a product, and they eventually crack the market and that is how they are gaining market share in the United States.”
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Monday, October 20th, 2008
Truck camper shells are enclosures that fit over a standard truck. Most of them are made of fiberglass or aluminum but there are also collapsible covers available. They are perfect for smaller camping trips to provide shelter for you and your stuff.
Most people use truck camper shells for everyday use in protecting their equipments from the elements. Truck camper shells generally consist of a hard cover and may include a back and side window that makes them ideal for weekend camping trips and other short camping trips. Although the amount of room supplied by the truck bed and additional head is every limited, they still can protect you from the elements while camping. Collapsible covers are advisable for those who just need them for quick outings where removing or adding the shell is very convenient, compared to fiberglass or aluminum models. They work well in environments where conditions are not severe.
A truck camper shell needs to be fitted to the type of truck for sale you have so they vary in styles and prices. You may want to check with your dealer if a shell is available for your year, make and model. The prices range from less than $1000 for basic covering to several thousand dollars for a much innovated camper shell. Here are some lists of top quality truck camper shells:
One of the leading manufacturer’s of fiberglass trucks caps and tonneau covers. Innovation in design and technology is keeping SNUGTOP on top and has resulted in SNUGTOP’s solid reputation and tremendous brand-name recognition.
A.R.E. is also a leading Truck manufacturer of fiberglass truck caps and tonneau covers for pickup trucks. Their truck caps are available painted to match your truck with many different options to meet your specific needs. They have seven unique styles of fiberglass truck caps, and aluminum commercial units, A.R.E. may be the perfect partner for your truck.
Leer is a leading producer of fiberglass tuck caps and tonneaus for all current and recent model year pickup trucks. Leer fiberglass truck models feature unique styling, a great list of standard features, and a wide range of options.
Raider Industries is leading the way on premium-quality truck caps and tonneaus product development for new trucks. Leading the way with the most innovative tonneau cover currently in the market place today, the purchase of Raider truck camper shells will put your truck in a class of its own.
Depending on the type of shell you purchase, a basic covering or customized model, truck camper shells are a convenient and practical solution for camping shelters, they also have the ability to be used year round for any type of storage or transportation, which makes them a great improvement to your pickup truck.
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Wednesday, October 8th, 2008
Every truck enthusiast knows that it is not just the sleek design and look of the truck that matters but in fact the nut and bolt operations and the service that goes with it. When one is talking of the world’s best trucks it is but natural that the simple and elegant red and silver bug logo of the Kenworth truck come to mind. Kenworth, the name stands for superior quality, for life. It has always been the aim of the company to produce trucks of quality that provide the best use to the trucker and his company.
Kenworth is very old truck.Kenworth was founded in 1923 and has a long and rich history. Kenworth has been a pioneer in the trucking industry and has always stepped ahead to produce better trucks using the most modern technology. In 1933 Kenworth became the first trucking company to switch from gasoline to diesel engines and it produced the first cab-over-engine model. In more recent times the Kenworth trucks have used state-of-the-art aerodynamics to give them an edge over other trucks.The Kenworth truck sales indicate the long nose Kenworth W900 has been the most popular Kenworth over the years is the preferred choice of owner operators. The T300, T600, T660, T800 and the T2000 are also popular models.
A subsidiary of PACCAR, the company manufactures semi-trucks, medium duty truck and heavy-duty trucks. M.A.S.K also used a Kenworth W-900 and was even a part of its logo.
Kenworth is known to take seriously the needs of truckers and does everything to enhance the performance of the Kenworth trucks. Whether one buys a new Kenworth truck, semi truck or a used Kenworth truck for sale, the owner is assured of the superior quality of the machine as well as the services they will receive.
It’s no secret that the kenworth truck is more expensive than other semi trucks for sale. However most educated semi truck owners realize that the upfront cost is only one of three components that actually determine which truck delivers the best return on their investment. Year over year, Kenworth used trucks consistently command the highest in resale value amongst class 8 trucks. Add this to the fact that Kenworth trucks also deliver the lowest operating costs of any semi truck in the market. The bottom line is that the world’s best truck is also delvers the greatest investment value of any semi truck in its class.
The strong sales network ensures that irrespective of where you live you will find the Kenworth truck of your choice. The Kenworth truck company offers the PremierCare program that ensures that the Kenworth truck or any other manufacturer’s semi truck is in excellent shape on or off the road. This program includes roadside maintenance, preventive maintenance and many other services. Furthermore the PremierCare Parts & Service dealer ensures that you get the parts you need for the price you want.
For its incomparable production and sales performance Kenworth has won. It is an acknowledged leader in the trucking industry for its persistence in providing its customers the best machinery, technology and services.
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Monday, October 6th, 2008
Creating an improved aerodynamic shape for heavy-duty truck by mounting sideskirts can cut fuel consumption and emissions by up to 15%, according to road testing by the PART (Platform for Aerodynamic Road Transport).
Sideskirts are plates which are mounted on the sides of trailers, primarily with a view to underrun protection. The new aerodynamic design of the sideskirts substantially reduces the air currents alongside and under the trailer for sale and thereby also the air resistance.
Initial driving tests with a trailer equipped with the aerodynamic sideskirts over a straight stretch of public road revealed a cut in fuel consumption of between 5% and 15%. Subsequent research comprising long-term operational tests by TNT displayed a fuel reduction of 10%.
These results confirm calculations and findings from the wind tunnel tests that had established that the observed 14 - 18% reduction in air resistance led to 7 - 9% less fuel consumption. In practice, the figures are in fact even better.
PART expects that the cost of fitting aerodynamically-shaped sideskirts will be recouped within two years. Furthermore, the sideskirts can be fitted to approximately half the trucks currently in use in the Netherlands as the skirts can also be retrofitted.
Road tests have also already been initiated on boat tails. These constructions on the rear of a trailer ensure a reduction in the wake—the vacuum and air currents which arise when the trailer is moving. In theory, a boat tail could also mean a cut in air resistance of 30%, with a fuel reduction of 10 - 15%. These road tests should also confirm the earlier, highly positive results from the windtunnel.
Boat tails, however, are limited in practical use, in particular when loading and unloading—safety aspects and problems with exceeding maximum vehicle sizes prevent these being used for many types of vehicles.
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Friday, October 3rd, 2008
Medium and heavy duty truck parts are expensive and sometimes difficult to find. With all of the money that is required to invest in a big rig, and the reliance that we place on these vehicles to make us money and transport products from one location to another, it is essential to find these medium and heavy duty truck parts and quickly and affordably. The following paragraphs will outline the benefits of purchasing used medium duty truck and semi truck parts and accessories.
Heavy duty used equipment dealers are able to offer discount prices on a variety of salvage heavy duty and big rig truck parts. While every truck dealer is different, the goal is to provide their customers with quality used medium and heavy duty truck parts and accessories at competitive prices. This is particularly beneficial for those making a corporate purchase of several salvage big rig parts in bulk as it allows you to build a relationship with a salvage big rig dealer and have significant financial savings.
Not only do heavy duty used equipment dealers offer a substantial savings to purchasing new products, but they are also able to locate hard-to-find parts. Businesses such as this specialize in locating or ordering surplus, obsolete, take-off, and salvage parts and accessories for heavy and medium duty trucks to meet its clients’ needs. In addition, some of the dealers even have a specialized sales staff that is available to discuss and determine your parts and accessories needs. By contacting a medium or heavy duty used equipment dealer, you save time as they are often able to help locate hard-to-find parts and accessories.
As a medium or heavy duty truck company, it is imperative that your employees have the parts and accessories that keep your driver safe on the road. By relying on a medium duty or big rig used equipment dealer, you can gain access to parts that are no longer manufactured. Since medium and heavy duty trucks are such a large expense, it makes sense to maintain and preserve the quality of the equipment. However, after a period of time new makes and models become available, and the older parts and accessories become obsolete. If one fails to rely on a medium or heavy duty truck company to supply these parts and accessories, the driver is left without adequate parts, which may jeopardize their comfort or safety, or the truck company is forced to purchase an expensive new big rig in its place.
Medium and heavy duty used equipment dealers offer a number of benefits including: making salvage parts available at discount prices, locating hard to find parts that would otherwise be difficult to purchase, and keeping your big rig in top condition by purchasing parts and accessories that are no longer manufactured. By following the recommendations above, your trucking company can reap the many benefits of relying on a medium or heavy duty used equipment dealer for your parts and accessory needs.
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Thursday, October 2nd, 2008
Trucks are divided into light-duty truck, medium-duty truck, and heavy-duty truck classifications depending on their weight. Heavy-duty trucks have a gross vehicle weight of 33,000 lb (15,000 kg) or more (i.e. the weight of the vehicle plus the weight of the payload is 33,000 pounds or more). When a heavy-duty truck is pulling a trailer, it may have a gross combination weight of 80,000 lb (36,360 kg) or more.
Technically, a vehicle that carries the load by itself, without a trailer, is known as a truck, or a straight truck. Examples include certain dump truck, concrete mixers, and garbage trucks. A vehicle that pulls the load in a trailer is known as a tractor. The tractor is coupled to the trailer through a pivot point, known as the fifth wheel, which is mounted on top of the tractor frame. Most of the big rigs on highways are tractors pulling trailers.
The first gasoline-engine trucks were developed in the United States in the 1890s. During World War I, trucks played an important role moving supplies at home and overseas. With the development of a system of paved roads in the United States during the 1920s, the number of truck manufacturers grew. By 1925, there were more than 300 brands of trucks on the road. Some manufacturers came and went quickly. The Great Depression of the 1930s finished many more. By the 1990s, there were only nine heavy-duty truck manufacturers left in the United States. Together they build about 150,000-200,000 trucks a year.
Trucks use steel for strength and durability, aluminum for light weight and corrosion resistance, polished stainless steel for bright finishes, and molded plastics for complex shapes.
Frame rails and crossmembers are usually formed from high-tensile steel. Suspension components, axles, and engine mounts are also made from steel. Some are cast and some are fabricated and welded.
The cab structure and outer skin may be made from steel or aluminum. If steel is used, the metal is coated with one or more layers of corrosion barriers such as zinc. On some cabs the roof may be made of fiber-glass to form the complex curves required at the corners.
The hood and front fenders are usually molded in plastic or fiberglass because of the complex aerodynamic shapes. The front bumper may be stamped and drawn from steel or aluminum, or it may be molded in plastic and backed with a steel substructure.
Truck manufacturers usually design a new model about every five to seven years. The new design incorporates advances in technology and materials, as well as changes desired by the customers. The design team will use a clay model to determine the overall styling, then build a prototype cab and hood for review and durability testing. As the design progresses, they will build an entire prototype vehicle for road testing. Just before the new truck goes into production, they will build one or more pilot models using actual production parts to spot any last-minute assembly problems.
In addition to the basic model, the engineers must also design all the options required by customers for different truck applications. Some manufacturers have as many as 12,000 options for their line of heavy-duty truck models.
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Wednesday, October 1st, 2008
It’s bizarre, pointless and strangely appealing, so much so we decided to conduct our own World’s Strongest competition. Rather than scouring the Ukraine for guys who can bench-press BMWs, we used the vehicles themselves as contestants. And not just any vehicles: the biggest, strongest, most abnormally pumped-up pieces of street-legal machinery you can buy without a special license.
We’re talking about heavy-duty trucks, and the bigger the better. There were no rules against foreigners, but it was an all domestic field consisting of the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, the 2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab 3500 and the 2006 Ford F-350 Super Duty.
Like the bald-headed big men on TV, these trucks would be subjected to plenty of heavy lifting. Most of it came in the form of towing a trailer up the steep Jacumba grade near the U.S./Mexico border in Southern California. There would be no cheering crowds and no prize money: only the distinction of being crowned the World’s Strongest Pickup. Let the grunting begin.
Since this was going to be a test of serious hauling capability, all three of our 1-ton trucks were equipped with dual rear wheels and four-wheel drive. An extra set of wheels in back helps stabilize loads when you’re towing, while the ability to send power to the front wheels is added insurance when the pavement ends.
We also specified crew cab body styles and the longest beds possible for maximum passenger and cargo room. The Chevy and Ford trucks were your standard crew cabs, while the Dodge was a super-sized Mega cab. The extra-large Mega Cab adds serious passenger room, but reduces the bed length to 6 feet, 4 inches. Both the Chevrolet truck and the Ford had full-size 8-foot beds.
Our final criteria were diesel engines and automatic transmissions. With their massive amounts of torque, diesels are the ticket for heavy-duty hauling, and although all three trucks come standard with manual transmissions, we tested automatics since they’re easier to live with on a day-to-day basis.
Going with diesel power isn’t cheap. On the Chevrolet Silverado, the Duramax V8 is part of a $6,705 package which, along with a few other extras, boosted our test truck’s price to $48,855. Ordering Ford’s Powerstroke V8 and Torqshift automatic for our F-350 tacked on $6,240. It also had the King Ranch appearance package and several stand-alone options that upped the total price to $52,575. Our Dodge Ram Mega Cab came standard with a 5.9-liter Cummins inline-six turbodiesel, but when combined with a long list of additional options, the final price topped out at $55,715.
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