Heartland Express to Replace Tractor Fleet

Truckload carrier Heartland Express Inc. said Tuesday it planned to replace its entire tractor fleet by the end of 2006.

The plan calls for the company to begin trading in its current trucks in May and acquiring new International 9400i models. The trucks, said Chief Executive Officer Russell Gerdin, would have EPA compliant Cummins or Caterpillar engines.

Gedins said the agreement with International "provides the option to purchase additional trucks to facilitate fleet growth."

The company reported having more than 2,300 tractors in the 2003 Transport Topics 100 listing of the largest carriers in the United States and Canada. Heartland, based in Coralville, Iowa, was ranked No. 48 on that list.