NIFTY FIFTY
The Best 50 Products of 2005
Heavy Duty Trucking's Nifty Fifty awards showcase our editors' picks of the best new product introductions last year.
The 50 winners were selected from hundreds of new product articles appearing in the magazine, in our interactive New Product News and at www.truckinginfo.com during 2004.
Products were judged on their usefulness to the truck operator in terms of innovation, serviceability and performance.
HDT New Product News is our Internet-delivered showcase for all the product and service announcements that pour in to the magazines. New Product News is viewed on screen, but it has the look and feel of a magazine, complete with turning pages. It also has the interactivity of the Internet, allowing for almost instant processing of requests for more information. A button for New Product News is on the home page of www.truckinginfo.com. New Product News can be received free by sending us an e-mail address. Send request to bjspearing@truckinginfo.com.
Phillips Industries Quick Connect Plug
The Quick Connect Plug Assembly is claimed to be the longest-lasting, most trouble-free J560 cable Phillips has ever designed. It provides mechanics with a simple and fast way to change a seven-pin plug end by simply unscrewing the setscrew, unplugging the Quick-Connect Cartridge and plugging in a new one. Both ends contain an easy-to-change cartridge with solid brass pins connecting into a completely sealed assembly. A mechanic or driver can change a plug end in less than two minutes.
NuVan Wingo Truck & Trailer Body
Pushbutton opening of the side panels of the Wingo truck and trailer body allows for uncomplicated loading and unloading and significant time savings over tarping or even curtain sides. The side walls can be opened by hydraulics to any position and even brought to rest flat on the trailer roof. The payload is accessible from either side or the rear in the shortest possible time.
Kaba Mas Lock with RFID seal
The Gitcon 150 is designed for intermodal, container, truck/trailer, and straight truck applications. The Gitcon 150 combines an electro-mechanical locking device with an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) seal. This locking assembly is operated using a RF transponder. The Gitcon Access Management Software provides a method to program the RF transponder and the RFID unit for operation within various access control parameters. The RFID unit and transponder store access events that can be downloaded to the Access Management Software for audit.
Webb Wheel Self-Cleaning Drum
Webb Wheel Products has teamed up with Lynnfin Truck Technologies to develop a series of brake drums called the Webb Brake Turbines System (BTS) brake drums. Lynnfin Truck Technologies manufactures brake turbines, which decrease the surface temperature of the brake friction material up to 30%. This decrease, when combined with the expulsion of gases from the drum chamber, is enough to increase brake torque by up to 18%. The Webb brake drum is contoured to accommodate brake turbines.
Driver Logs and Qualification
By getting driver logs to RAIR by scan, overnight express or snail-mail a trucking company can be sure it is audited and in compliance with driver logs. The company audits and maintain logs; the fleet accesses logs and accompanying documents on the Internet. RAIR offers a similar service for driver qualification documents, which is especially convenient for carriers with high driver turnover. Additionally, documents scanned are cataloged, providing an instantly accessible filing system of every record. RAIR audits each document for compliance and automatically advises of update deadlines.Circle 128 on Reader Action Card
Tool-less Battery Bolts
A battery-cable fastener that does not require tools to tighten or undo is available in four styles: short or long-cable side terminal tri-knob bolt; with or without a wing nut for accessories.
Features include
Made of solid brass
Allows for direct connections of accessories
Wide availability
Prices starting at $3.65 each
The bolts are available from Waytek distributors or direct from the company.
Peterbilt Big Side-View Windows
Peterbilt has enhanced passenger-side cab visibility through a new larger side-view window and repositioned rear-view mirrors. The larger side-view window and newly positioned side-view mirrors are standard on Peterbilt Models 379, 385, 378, 357 and 335. The size of the side-view window located in the lower portion of the passenger-side door was increased by 70 square inches, making it more than 85% larger than the previous version. The company also moved the side-view mirrors further forward by repositioning the mounting to the cab and cowl.
Soft Grip For Brake Valve
Bendix recently developed a soft-grip cover to fit Bendix PP-1 and Bendix PP-DC dash valves. The soft neoprene rubber cover slips easily over the park brake valve. The product was originally designed for bus drivers to ease discomfort and fatigue in the hand and wrist associated with repeated applications of the park brake, and has since been adapted for use on heavy-duty trucks.
Utility 3000D With Wide Track System
Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co. announced that Mesilla Valley Transport is one of the first fleets to take delivery of Utility 3000D dry vans with the recently developed Utility/ Hendrickson Wide Track axle and ultra-low profile single tire system.
Utility's wide-track suspension system also includes a Hendrickson air ride slider with six-inch wider suspension centers and six-inch longer axles. This system is designed to be used with zero offset aluminum wheels or with the new zero offset Motorwheel steel wheel and the ultra-low profile Michelin X-One single.
Kenworth Heated Dump
Kenworth has a factory-installed exhaust system for Caterpillar ACERT engines that simplifies installation of a heated dump body. The re-arranged exhaust system is available on T800 and W900 daycab models and is exclusive to Caterpillar C15, C13 and C11 engines. Kenworth's system features an independent catalytic converter mounted under the chassis and either single or dual mufflers attached on the side of the cab.
Vorad Adds Blind Spotting
VORAD BlindSpotter is a cost-effective stand-alone side sensor. BlindSpotter provides object detection in a 10-foot by 15-foot coverage area in the blind spot alongside a vehicle, using radar-based technology that is effective under poor visibility conditions such as rain, snow, sun glare and at night.
BlindSpotter consists of two components a sensor and a display and can be installed in about an hour by a technician with no special training or certification. The sensor can be mounted anywhere around the vehicle, allowing fleets to better address specific safety needs.
Coronado chaparral Interior
Freightliner Trucks has introduced an upgraded Chaparral premium interior package for the Coronado. It features a distinctive diamond-stitch pattern and button accents, with padded cloth or vinyl upholstery on the seats, walls, headliners and door panels.
The Chaparral interior package features five new upgraded colors. Available in cloth or vinyl, the colors nicely complement the Oregon Burl wood grain accents on the dashboard, doors, overhead consoles and modular cabinetry in the Coronado SleeperCab. The Oasis Tan Chaparral cloth interior comes standard on the Coronado.
Eaton Develops VCT Plus
Eaton has announced a new Vibration Control Technology (VCT) soft-rate damper for Eaton Fuller heavy-duty 15.5-inch clutches.
VCT Plus soft-rate damper can significantly help reduce severe vibration, maintenance costs and downtime, and extend drivetrain component life. The VCT Plus PD (pre-damper) consists of seven small springs, surrounding the spline hub, that reduce idle-rattle when operating at low torque or engine speed with the transmission in neutral.
Peterbilt Develops Launch Assist
Peterbilt Motors Co. and Eaton Corp. announced that they are jointly developing technology that recycles a truck's kinetic energy to conserve fuel and assist in acceleration.
Initial testing shows the system can be used to considerably improve fuel efficiency in fuel economy mode or reduce cycle times in productivity mode. In both modes, reduced brake wear of more than 50% has been observed.
Hydraulic Launch Assist is designed to provide maximum benefit for vehicles with 7,000 pounds or higher GVW engaged in stop-and-go work.
Hybrid Truck
International Truck and Engine Corp. and Eaton Corp. have been selected to manufacture diesel-electric hybrid trucks for a national pilot program serving the utility industry.
The pilot truck program will test a minimum of 20 factory-built International utility trucks featuring an integrated hybrid powertrain. The firms are working with WestStart-CALSTART, an advanced transportation technology industry organization that is playing a national role in efforts to advance the use of hybrid technologies in trucks.
Anti-Siphon Device for Reefer Fuel
The Anti-Siphon Device is an effective, low-cost product used to prevent fuel thefts.
Once attached to the fuel receptacle, the device self-locks by catching the bottom of the 3.5-inch neck to prevent removal. The Thermo King Anti-Siphon Device has a 60 gallon-per-minute flow rate and is easy to install.
Dieselcraft Fuel Purification System
Dieselcraft Fluid Engineering offers supplemental engine protection that can be added to existing Racor or OEM filters on diesel engines. This two-stage system removes 99% of the water and 95% of the solids in fuel without filters in the first stage and then attaches the sub-micron contaminants and bacteria in the fuel in Stage 2 of the system. The Dieselcraft Fuel Purifications Systems are supplied in seven models ranging from five gallons per hour flow rates to 2,500 gallons per hour.
Freight Wing Trailer Aerodynamic System
Freight Wing Inc. has launched an aerodynamic system that streamlines the profile of van trailers, lowering fuel use and emissions.
Fuel economy tests show a 7% reduction in the fuel consumption of a fully loaded tractor-trailer.
The Freight Wing Aerodynamic System is composed of three attachments or fairings designed to reduce drag.
Freight Wing Gap Fairing is mounted on the front of the trailer.
Freight Wing Belly Fairing consists of two identical wind deflectors attached to the underside of the trailer, adjacent its sidewalls.
Freight Wing Rear Fairing is mounted on the back of the trailer, guiding air moving along the sides into the wake of the trailer.
Pallet Jack Stop
The pallet jack restraint is a patented product designed to prevent interior and freight damage from a runaway pallet jack in a moving truck or trailer.
The pallet jack stop is engineered and built for the for the tough duty cycle inside a truck and trailer. Great for LTL's and delivery, the Pallet Jack Stop will not slip.
Idle Solutions' HVAC System
An aftermarket HVAC system and auxiliary generator designed to eliminate prolonged idling is now available as a factory option on select Class 8 Freightliners. The HVAC system, called the Idle Solution, is provided by Dometic Corp.
The Tundra air conditioning system uses a refrigerant that meets the 2010 environmental regulations. Idle Solutions offers enough output to run clean AC power while using standardized appliances such as microwaves, televisions and engine block heaters.
HTB Drive Axle Suspension
The Hendrickson HTB air-ride for on-highway applications is said to be the lightest suspension in its class at 570 pounds including axle brackets. That amounts to a saving up to 250 pounds over industry-standard 40,000-pound suspensions such as Hendrickson's own HAS 400. The weight savings is attributed to HTB's optimized design, featuring parallelogram geometry that eliminates leaf springs and reduces components.
Raydan partners with Meritor
Raydan has announced the signing of a licensing agreement with ArvinMeritor Inc. business group for selected models of the Air Link rear tandem suspension product line.
This exclusive agreement authorizes ArvinMeritor to market, engineer and manufacture the Air Link rear suspension product line up to and including 52,000-pound gross tandem weights for commercial truck, trailer, specialty and military OEMs. Raydan will engineer, manufacture and market the rear Air Link for crane chassis, custom retrofit and all applications above 52,000-pound gross tandem weight, and retain all rights to the Air Link for tandem front end applications.
Michelin XYZ Product Line
Michelin Americas Truck Tires recently added the 315/80R22.5 XZY3 LRL size to its product line of XZY3 tires.
The new size in the XZY3 tire incorporates a long original tread life and a 23/32-inch tread depth, which increases mileage and improves durability. Compared to the XZY2 tire, the XZY3 provides an 11% increase in tread volume through a 5% increase in tread width, a 4% increase in tread depth and a 2% increase in net contact area.
Chip Reprogram for Performance
Superchips announces the Max MicroTuner for the 2004 Ford 6.0 liter diesel engine,featuring InTune. This offers three different levels of performance:
Performance (towing up to 6,000 pounds.) Additional 15O hp and 225 pounds-feet. of torque.
Economy (towing up to 8,000 pounds.) Additional 120 hp and 180 pounds-feet.
Tow-Safe (factory tow limit) Additional 80 hp, 120 pounds-feet.
Transmission, rev and speed limiters optimized.
Superchips customers report fuel mileage increases of up to 3 mpg for gas vehicles and up to 5 mpg for diesels.
Greatec Wide-Base Radials Available
Bridgestone Greatec wide-base radials are now available through authorized Bridgestone dealers, truckstops and original equipment manufacturers.
Greatec radials are offered in the 445/50R22.5 size, equivalent in overall diameter to regular low-profile radials for 22.5-inch wheels. Switching to Greatec radials does not change vehicle height, yet could reduce overall vehicle weight by 600 to 1,200 or more pounds. Greatec radials could also provide fuel economy advantages, saving approximately 2% to 5% on vehicle fuel consumption by comparison to conventional, non-fuel-efficient dual tire assemblies.
Lifesavers with Comfort and Style
A recent ISEA survey estimates that 25% of construction, DOT and other workers avoid wearing the high-visibility apparel that can save their lives. One reason is a lack of comfort and style. By expanding its line of tenacious work gear to include Glowear High-Visibility Apparel, Ergodyne is introducing a unique approach to saving lives: comfort and style.
Trailer Stand For Added Stability
The Rite-Hite Aftermarket Corp. has introduced the TS-2000 Trailer Stand designed to prevent untethered trailer landing gear collapse and trailer up-ending. The TS-2000 fits under the nose of "spotted" trailers to help support and prevent loading dock accidents.
The 5-1/2-inch tubular steel structure of the TS-2000 supports a 100,000-pound. static load capacity. A large 6 x 30-inch top plate fits directly under the edge of the trailer nose for solid support.
Grote Announces Hi Count LED Lighting
Grote Industries has announced the availability of a line of Hi Count LED lighting for heavy-duty vehicles, which includes popular sizes of clearance/marker and stop/tail/turn applications. It features LED technology with as many as 12 times the diodes of standard lighting.
The new Hi Count lights are designed for quick "plug and go" retrofit by utilizing standard incandescent wire termination. They are interchangeable with either traditional incandescent or newer LED technology. Circle 169 on Reader Action Card
Red Rider Marks 20th Anniversary
The inspiration for the Red Rider is the familiar childhood wagon and commemorates Isuzu Truck's 20th anniversary in the United States. Varnished wood abounds from the 14-by-8-foot hardwood floor to the 42-inch-high stake sides all sealed in a rich wood finish.
Other exterior features designed to create a unique Red Rider personality are the stainless steel wheel simulators (wheel covers); a 3-D fired enamel Red Rider door emblem; and, of course, Cardinal Red exterior paint.
Cadec Paperless Solution
Cadec's newest product offering is the Mobius SP. It provides a uniquely cost-effective paperless solution, which automates Regulatory Compliances and helps manage operations efficiently and economically.
Mobius SP optimizes Paperless Electronic DOT Logs, IFTA State Fuel Tax Recording, Accident Reconstruction Analysis. It also offers with real-time communications between the office and drivers as well as real-time vehicle location information.
Alcoa Classics Aluminum Wheels
Alcoa Wheel and Forged Products launches a new family of wheels called Alcoa Classics this fall to replace its current standard round hand hole aluminum wheels.
Alcoa Classics load rating has been increased to 7,400 pounds. The new wheels provide increased valve clearance, making them fully compatible with disc brake packages, and are available with Alcoa's high demand, exclusive Dura-Bright wheel surface treatment.
Duraseal Could Mean an End to Punctures
A significant option for refuse fleets is a new puncture-sealing layer within Goodyear's latest tires. Inserted during the tire-building process, the layer turns to a gel during the curing process and sits above the tire lining. When a nail or other foreign object punctures the tire, the gel layer flows around the injury. If the nail is removed, the bright orange gel forms a plug to seal the hole.
Reports from test fleets show the DuraSeal option can maintain air pressure in tires with as many as 30 punctures.
JP Chrome Brightens Mack Accessories
JP Chrome, a New York-based chrome manufacturing company, recently launched a new Internet web site promoting its chrome accessories for Mack tractor-trailers and construction vehicles.
JP Chrome parts are laser-cut from solid stainless steel, and the chrome finish is created through a mirror-polishing process that can be repeated. If time, scratches and road grime dull the finish of a JP Chrome item, that item can simply be re-polished to restore the finish.
Hand-Held Diagnosis Gets a Boost
Pro-Link GRAPHIQ diagnostics has advanced with the arrival of the Pro-Link GRAPHIQ system, a new handheld scan tool that makes interpreting diagnostic data a lot more clear and accessible. The new unit builds on the cumulative expertise of the Pro-Link Plus system the most widely used scan tool in the heavy duty industry and supports more than 50 manufacturer-specific applications.
Syncrowave With Cooler
Cool-On-Demand technology from Miller prevents torch damage, the company claims.
Miller has developed the industry's first AC/DC, TIG/Stick power sources to feature an optional integrated water cooler in the new Syncrowave 250 DX and 350 LX. To prevent torch damage by monitoring coolant flow and temperature, the Cool-On-Demand feature operates only when needed.
Wearable Display Helps Techs
The Nomad Expert Technician System from Microvision is a wireless, wearable information tool that provides mobile workers with computerized information right at point of task by augmenting the user's vision, but not affecting the view of the task. The Nomad system provides information that is both see-through and visible under all lighting conditions.
Winch Assists in Safe Load Restraint
East Manufacturing has modified its patented and proven winch clip specifically to work with the winch track design most widely used on flatbed trailers today - the "Double-L" winch track.
The East winch clip allows the strap to go inside, not over top of the rub rail. This protects the strap from chafing against the rub rail (which also doubles its potential service life), and from shearing or cutting should the trailer be involved in a mishap.
Nextel teams with Air-Trak
Nextel Communications has announced its partnership with Air-Trak to provide a dual-mode GPS tracking and communications service that combines satellite and cellular communications on Nextel's iDEN network and GPS, Java-enabled phones and/or Air-Trak's vehicle-mounted tracking unit to wirelessly manage and communicate with mobile workers throughout North America.
The SatCom Upgrade is an add-on module that consists of a satellite transceiver equipped with an omni-directional antenna and onboard intelligence that automatically redirects communications to the satellite network when cellular service is unavailable.
Innovative Web Recruiting
TruckFLIX.com is the latest innovation in web-based driver recruiting and will shortly celebrate its second anniversary. During its start-up, the company has remained focused on improving driver-recruiting options online. The site gives trucking companies the ability to showcase their equipment, facilities and driver job opportunities through streaming video. Drivers who visit the site can take advantage of text, graphics and video capabilities to get a visual idea of what a company is all about before applying.
Driver Records & Reports
RapidHire Driver Recruiting has announced a series of software upgrades and new features that emphasize the sales approach to driver recruiting and further accelerate the hiring process.
RapidHire allows recruiters to immediately access driver employment history and driving records, and its Decision Tables, automatically classify driver applicants. Now, RapidHire has added Reports System, which allows recruiters to select, sort, count and print driver reports by a wide range of criteria, without having to use programmer-oriented coding.
Meritor Wabco Hydraulic Brake
The Meritor Wabco HPB is a braking and vehicle control system for vehicles in Classes 4 through 7 and buses equipped with hydraulic brakes. The system does not require the use of an external source to provide pressure.
And it has optional auto-apply electronic parking brake control.
The hydraulic energy required to actuate the brakes and control these functions is stored in hydraulic accumulators. When the vehicle's ignition is turned on, internal pumps are activated and fill both accumulators with pressurized hydraulic fluid.
Independent Dana Front axle
New to the fire service industry, the IFS84 independent air-ride front suspension is designed to act independently, without an axle beam. It is rated for axle loads up to 20,000 pounds. Twin wishbones feature maintenance-free inner bushings. Steering linkage is included and pneumatic disc brakes are fitted with ABS, as standard, for additional safety. The IFS comes standard with 17-inch Knorr Bremse dual-piston air disc brakes.
Volvo Debuts 625-hp 16-Liter
Volvo's 16-liter power unit has been Americanized with cooled exhaust gas recirculation to meet current EPA regulation and cooling systems that are sized to take the engine through the next emissions hurdle in 2007.
The D16 has unique, high power ratings of 500, 550, 600 and 625 hp. Torque ratings are 1,850 lbs.-ft. for the 500 and the 550; 2,050 lbs.-ft. for the 600 and a massive 2,250 lbs.-ft. for the top 625. Features new to the 16-liter are timing gears located at the rear of the engine with a camshaft damper for more even firing.
Great Dane Introduces Thermoguard
Great Dane has introduced ThermoGuard, a new refrigerated trailer liner that will substantially extend the useful life and value of reefers.
ThermoGuard contains an innovative composite layer that seals the trailer's insulation and significantly reduces this traditional loss in insulation performance.
A reduction in operational costs will be realized through decreased cooling unit run-time due to less fuel consumption, less maintenance and extended life of the unit. Additionally, the lightweight package saves up to 200 pounds.
Webasto Cool Comfort
A new technology from Webasto called BlueCool Truck will keep the cab or sleeper bunk of a heavy-duty truck cool on hot nights without requiring the idling of the truck's engine or the running of an auxiliary power unit.
The patent-pending BlueCool Truck system uses no diesel fuel during its cooling operation.
The core technology is an innovative cold storage cell that is charged during the daytime when the truck is being driven. At night, the truck engine can be switched off, BlueCool Truck turned on and cool air is circulated to the cab interior.
Caterpillar auto transmission
Caterpillar is entering the heavy truck automatic transmission business with a pair of units due out next year. Aimed at vocational vehicles like dumpers, mixers and trash haulers, the fully automatic CX series will have planetary gears, lockup torque converters and electronic controls.
A CX31 six-speed transmission will be for engines producing as much as 500 hp and 1,650 lbs.-ft. of torque, while an eight-speed CX35 will be for engines with as much as 625 hp and 2,050 lbs.-ft.
RePTO Option for MBE 4000
Introduced into the North American market in late 2001, the MBE 4000 has shown strong acceptance across a wide variety of applications within the on-highway and vocational markets and is set to gain even more acceptance with the introduction of Rear Engine Power Take Off (REPTO).
The Series 60, MBE 900 and MBE 4000 engines are available in vehicles produced by business units of Freightliner LLC.
Bosch Technology Water Pumps
Bosch has launched a new program of 100% new, premium technology water pumps to meet the needs of the replacement market. The water pump program provides 97% coverage for domestic and import cars, vans and medium and heavy duty trucks as well as coverage for off-highway and marine applications.
Haldex Introduces ModulX Air Discs
Haldex has introduced ModulX Air Disc Brakes, designed and engineered specifically for heavy-duty applications to out-perform standard S-cam brakes in practically every category, according to the manufacturer.
ModulX brakes are less sensitive to speed and temperature variations common in any extreme demanding grade or braking application. ModulX does not suffer from significant hysteresis like traditional S-cam drum brakes.
OPS-1 Oil Refiners Installed
Oil Purification Systems OPS-1 Oil Refiner System continually eliminates both solid and liquid contaminants from engine oil and hydraulic fluid allowing its user to run with clean oil 100% of the time.
