Michelin Adds Antisplash to XZA3 Tire
Michelin said its XZA3 Antisplash tire helps lower the trajectory of water spraying from the tires, meaning less water on windshields and improving overall visibility in heavy rain for oncoming and overtaking motorists, as well as truck drivers.
The tire maker says the XZA3 Antisplash builds upon its XZA3 all-position tire; advanced technology compounding with 19/32nds tread depth helps reduce the tire’s rolling resistance and increase fuel efficiency, and with an 80 percent wider shoulder rib than the XZA2 Antisplash, the XZA3 Antisplash offers enhanced resistance to uneven shoulder wear. The XZA3 Antisplash’s directional miniature sipes in the groove walls help defend against the onset of irregular wear and contribute to long original tread life, while the casing’s durability and endurance are designed to facilitate multiple retreads.
According to Michelin, the Antisplash feature reduces splash trajectory height by more than 50 percent compared to standard truck tires. Unlike the XZA2 Antisplash that had the feature only on one side, the new tire features the Antisplash deflector on both sidewalls of the tire. The company says the new tire is directional to half life, allowing for tire rotation later in life. The all-position radial tire, optimized for splash reduction in steer axle service, is available in the 275/80R22.5 LRH size.
Spraydown Splash Guard System Improves Safety
The Spraydown System replaces traditional mudflap spray diffusion with functional air flow management that separates air and water to improve driver safety through spray reduction, according to Koneta. Koneta recently reached an agreement with Scotland-based Spraydown for exclusive distribution rights of the products in North America and Japan.
In addition to improving safety, the company said fuel efficiency is increased, saving fleets money and reducing their environmental impact. The fuel savings is estimated at up to 3.8 percent. Spray reduction is estimated at 43 percent.
Spraydown guards use traditional mudflap brackets for installation on both tractors and trailers. These guards work as a system to direct air flow under the vehicle. By channeling this undercurrent, the company said, drag reduction is measurably enhanced, and the flow dynamics predominantly channel the spray through the engineered air/water separation capabilities of the guard. Koneta said full distribution of the Spraydown guards begins this month.
Haldex Announces Consep Service Kits
The new Haldex Consep is a low maintenance air pre-treatment condenser/separator that when installed in a vehicle’s air brake system will condense, separate and remove up to 90 percent of the oils, liquids and contaminants while treating flow rates of more than 30 SCFM, according to Haldex.
Additionally, the company said, the Consep reduces corrosion and possible failure of air brake system components caused by contamination and significantly increases the air dryer desiccant life.
The integrated Automatic Drain Valve does not require monthly maintenance and either purges contaminants with each brake service application or can be controlled independently by timer relay. The heated drain valve in the Consep can be installed in various configurations to meet a wide range of vehicle applications, said Haldex.
The Consep mounts between the air compressor and the air dryer, and the company said aftermarket installation is simple.
New 9-Way Slide Hammer Puller Set
OTC, an SPX brand, introduced its Stinger 4579 9-Way Slide Hammer Puller Set, a five-pound polished chrome hammer equipped with a variety of attachments to handle a wide range of pulling situations. The set is packaged in one compact, blow-molded case.
Internal and external pulling jaws provide even more versatility for bearings, gears and oil seals. According to the company, the set allows technicians to easily pull flange-type rear axles and most front-wheel drive hubs.
With all its attachments, the company said, the OTC Stinger 9-Way Slide Hammer Puller Set will provide the versatility that is needed to improve shop efficiency and increase profits.
The 4579 also features two- and three-way cross blocks and cone to provide the perfect jaw configuration for most jobs. Set also includes a grip wrench adapter and dent puller attachment for sheet metal or other unique pulling requirements.
Allison Automatics Now Have Load-Based Shift Scheduling
Allison Transmission announced that its ongoing product improvement initiative continues with the rollout of new Load-Based Shift Scheduling (LBSS) for MY09 Allison
1000/2000/3000/4000 Series models, available now. LBSS automatically selects between Economy and Performance shift schedules based on the vehicle’s actual payload and the grade on which it is operating, according to the company. This optimizes fuel economy while maintaining high productivity capability, even during heavily loaded situations.
Using advanced algorithms to calculate real-time vehicle load and operating grade, LBSS selects the appropriate shift schedule for the task at hand, Allison says; it is calibrated to primarily use the Economy mode, but automatically selects the Performance mode when conditions require it. LBSS is part of the standard Shift Energy Management (SEM) calibration for approved engines, according to the Indianapolis-based company.
AME Introduces ‘Wheel-Off’
AME International launched a new clamp system that prevents wheel nuts from loosening. The Rollock product is placed over two wheel nuts. Once installed, the company said, it can help prevent accidents in which the wheel assembly comes off of the vehicle while driving at highway speeds, commonly referred to as a wheel-off.
Extended Service Coolant Filter for Mack, Volvo Engines
Penray designed its NF2096 Need-Release Extended Service Coolant Filter for Mack MP7 and MP8, and Volvo D11, D13 and D16 engines. The filter, which senses the coolant condition and releases the exact amount of additive necessary to properly protect the system, helps eliminate down time and is designed to last 150,000 miles, 15 months or 3,000 hours, the company says.
The NF2096 fixes coolant problems, diminishes concerns about top-off fluids and repairs organic acid and extended-life flaws, according to Penray; it also eliminates the need to drain, flush and refill the system. It is formulated to be compatible with all conventional, extended-life, long-life, OAT, NOAT, HOAT, GO-5 and automotive coolants, as well as with all colors of coolant, including pink, fuchsia, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, brown and water.
Hendrickson’s Airteck Front Air Suspension an Option on IC Bus RE Series
Hendrickson Truck Systems Group announced the introduction of its Airtek front air suspension as an option on IC Bus RE Series school and commercial buses, and that Airtek represents the first front air option on IC Bus-branded buses.
Combining state-of-the-art technology and a simple, functional design, Airtek delivers superior ride, stability and handling for IC Bus type D rear engine buses in axle ratings of 12,000 and 14,000 pounds, according to Hendrickson. The smooth, comfortable ride cushions passengers and drivers and reduces vibration to the bus from rough road conditions.
“Airtek delivers an outstanding ride for passengers and drivers, while providing superior performance and handling characteristics,” says Jacob Madden, segment manager for bus suspension products at Hendrickson.
High-volume air springs support approximately half of the vertical load to soften the ride, and dual height control valves react quickly on rough roads to maintain proper ride height. The leaf spring assembly forms a torsion system with the unique, fabricated STEERTEK axle, enhancing roll stability characteristics. The rigid, box-shaped axle resists horizontal, vertical and twisting forces more effectively than traditional I-beam axles, the company said.
Phillips Adds Quick-Connect Plug Option on All Electrical Cables
Phillips Industries has expanded its line of Quick-Connect Plug (QCP) assemblies by offering them as an option on all electrical cables. QCP, initially offered with Phillips’ ABS Lectracoil jacketing, now is available on ABS Permacoil and Permacoil cables. With QCP electrical assemblies, changing a plug is cut from 20 minutes down to less than two minutes, allowing a shop to save the cost of an additional electrical assembly, the company says; the plug is removed easily and replaced with a new corrosion-resistant QCP cartridge, and for quick on-road repairs, extra QCP cartridges can be stored onboard.
The QCP cartridge can be field-repaired in seconds and sealed for corrosion protection to last longer than standard assemblies, Phillips says; the electrical assemblies are chemical- and abrasion-resistant and have excellent recoil memory.
Firefly’s Oasis Battery Ready to Roll
Firefly Energy announced that it has begun deploying the first prototypes of its Oasis deep-discharge advanced battery to the nation’s trucking fleets. “We’ve nurtured and developed this technology for more than five years, and to see it deployed in products is a testament to the exceptional execution of the talented team at Firefly Energy,” says Ed Williams, the company’s CEO.
The Oasis Group 31 battery is designed to provide additional sustainable capacity by delivering consistent long run times at consistent throughput levels over a longer number of discharge cycles, providing a solution for numerous applications that require repetitive deep discharges of a battery – most notably the “key-off” power required for supporting truckers’ overnight hotel loads.
Firefly says it has achieved performance gains by removing portions of the lead metal used in traditional lead-acid batteries and replacing it with a microcell composite material that enhances the chemical performance in the battery while resisting degradation. The batteries are recyclable through the existing industry infrastructure, according to the company.
Bergstrom Inc., provider of a no-idle battery-powered HVAC system, is co-marketing the Oasis battery.
Paccar Parts says its Acrafit anti-siphon device can help heavy-duty truck operators and truck fleets prevent fuel theft.
The aftermarket device – which features a proprietary design that helps facilitate additional security, easy installation and rapid fueling – is installed in the neck of the fuel tank.
Its one-piece construction, with openings no larger than a quarter inch, helps prevent thieves from reaching the diesel fuel with large-diameter siphon tubes. The Acrafit anti-siphon line includes various sizes to fit all major OEM fuel tank applications.
Kinedyne StrapPak Secures Loose Ends
Kinedyne Corporation announced its new StrapPak product designed to help effectively secure the loose end – up to 30 feet in length – of a ratchet strap.
“StrapPak is a quick, easy way to secure ratchet straps – it provides a simple solution to an age-old problem,” explains Jim Calico, Kinedyne’s vice president of sales and marketing. “By bringing StrapPak to the market, Kinedyne once again proves there’s no challenge facing fleet operators and truck drivers that our company cannot address.”
StrapPak is a bright, orange mesh bag that attaches directly to the fixed-end of a ratchet strap. The product was designed with flatbed and utility trailers in mind. StrapPak can be purchased preassembled, on a standard two-inch ratchet strap. The aftermarket version can easily be retrofitted as an accessory to most straps already in service.
“In addition to its primary purpose – securing the loose end of straps – StrapPak has another value,” Calico adds. “It’s actually the perfect tool for storing and organizing straps when they are not in use.”
Red Dot Introduces Powered Filtration System
Red Dot Corp. introduced a new powered filtration system – the Precleaner/Filter/Pressurizer with Gideon Technology – for severe-service applications. The company said the system is designed to protect operators from harmful particulates and extend HVAC service intervals on machines with enclosed cabs.
The Precleaner/Filter/Pressurizer draws debris-laden air into a precleaner where the largest particles are removed and discharged back into the environment. Smaller particles are then captured using one of two filtration options: a high-capacity filter which provides a general level of protection (MERV 8), or a high-efficiency filter that can capture 99.97 percent of particles down to 0.3 microns, according to Red Dot. The high-efficiency option delivers High Efficiency Particulate Arresting (HEPA) level filtration.
Red Dot said the air that passes through the precleaner and filter media can be used to pressurize the cab and prevent dirty air from blowing back into the re-circulation filter and into the cab vent.
Dust and other particulates are leading causes of premature HVAC component failure, especially the evaporator, which is responsible for absorbing heat in the cab and moving it outside. “By protecting the evaporator coils, the Red Dot Precleaner/Filter/Pressurizer promotes better HVAC performance and uptime,” said Robert Gardiner, marketing manager for Red Dot.
According to Red Dot, older filtration technologies draw large quantities of dirty air over the filter. The Red Dot Precleaner/Filter/Pressurizer is different because it removes particles from the air before the air reaches the filter, which can prolong service life to 1,000 hours for high-capacity filters. For many customers, the projected return on investment is less than a year, Gardiner said.
The Red Dot Precleaner/Filter/Pressurizer with Gideon Technology was developed by Sy-Klone International, a leader in precleaning air and filtration systems for commercial applications. It is available from Red Dot for original equipment applications and from Red Dot’s distributor network for aftermarket applications.
Smart Battery Isolator Prevents Draining
Cole Hersee Company introduced its new Smart Battery Isolator 48525 and 48530 that prevents loads on the auxiliary battery from draining the starting battery.
The smart battery isolator provides a more flexible solution than traditional isolators, according to the company, as it is not specific to an alternator type. Additionally, Cole Hersee said the smart battery isolator is smaller, lighter and generates less heat than competitive products.
Because the smart battery isolator reduces charging system workload by not connecting to the auxiliary battery until the primary battery is charged to 13.2 V, there is lower strain on expensive charging components, extending the product life.
No diode efficiency losses occur when using Cole Hersee’s smart battery isolator, and it also allows bi-directional charging from alternator or from other power chargers/converters. Easy to install, the smart battery isolator also features an LED status indicator and operational start assist. The Smart Battery Isolator is available in 85A and 200A versions.
Fluorescent Leak Detection
Tracer Products introduced its Tracerline TRITAN 365 – a multi-LED, broad-beam, true UV leak detection lamp – that the company said works with all fluorescent dyes, including difficult-to-fluoresce yellow dyes.
The new tool has three ultra-high intensity UV LEDs for fluorescent leak detection, plus a white light LED to illuminate dark work areas. Tracer said the lamp’s broad-beam profile provides extra-wide area coverage to assist in checking large radiators and condensers. And, despite a compact head for getting into tight areas, it has an inspection range of at least 20 feet.
The TRITAN 365 weighs 16 ounces, comes with an 8-foot power cord with an AC plug and is available in 120V, 230V, 240V and 100V models. It has a rechargeable NiMH battery pack with an adjustable shoulder strap and belt loop, AC cord set, AC charger, UV-absorbing glasses and a padded carrying case.
C18 Gasket Sets
IPD introduced a new line of its IPD 1-2-3 Gasket Sets designed exclusively for Caterpillar C18 engines. IPD said the set makes engine rebuild jobs easier, faster and more accurate as opposed to ordering each piece individually.
Mobile Column Lifts, Weight Gauge
Mohawk Lift introduced mobile column lifts available in two through eight column sets with per-column capacities of 18,000, 24,000 and 30,000 pounds, and total lifting capacities up to 240,000 pounds. The mobile column lifts are available in either 220 or 440 AC or 24V DC current.
Mohawk also introduced a weight gauge compatible with the company’s two-post lifts from 7,000- to 30,000-pound capacities. Among the uses for the weight gauage, the company said, is to ensure the lift is not being overloaded and to provide technicians with accurate vehicle weights.
