Steve Sturgess
Fan Drive Technology Is Evolving to Meet the Needs of Modern Engines
When exhaust-gas recirculation became the technology to meet the heavy-duty truck emissions standards, underhood temperatures skyrocketed and put extreme pressure on cooling fan drives and belts. Fleets now can spec a variety of variable-speed and electronically controlled fan drives.
April 24, 2020LEDs Represent Future of Truck Headlamps
LED headlamps have been used on American combat vehicles for many years. (Truck-Lite Co.)
The LED is the alternative to the long-established halogen-enhanced incandescent bulb and the more recent high-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs that have seen some uptake by truck manufacturers.
January 24, 2020Tire Monitoring and Inflation Systems Can Lead to Fuel Savings, Longer Tire Life
A technician installs a tire pressure inflation unit on both tractor drive axles. (Aperia Technologies)
Tire failures remain the No. 1 reason for roadside assistance calls. And most tire-related problems come from underinflation as a result of leaks, punctures or just poor maintenance programs.
November 9, 2018Regular Realignment Is a Savings, Not a Cost
Most alignment systems require setting bar-mount laser projections. (E-Z Red Co.)
Tire wear often is blamed on a number of things, and many times, on the brand of the tire. But aggressive tire wear is a symptom that something else is wrong with a truck.
July 20, 2018Discs or Drums?
Bendix offers collision mitigation braking. (Bendix)
Not all fleets are convinced of the benefits of air disc brakes. But suppliers maintain there is a growing acceptance of them for heavy-duty trucks, driven by an increase in the deployment of active safety technology, such as collision mitigation and avoidance systems.
May 11, 2018Fuel Cells Gain Momentum as Range Extenders for Electric Trucks
Ryder System Inc.
When Nikola Motor Co. President Trevor Milton pulled the wraps off the Nikola One prototype Class 8 truck last year and announced it would have a hydrogen fuel-cell power plant, it seemed a radical approach at the time.
November 27, 2017Air Disc Brakes for Trailers Slowly Gaining Momentum in Market
Wabco Maxx22T air disc brake by Joseph Terry/Transport Topics
Adoption of air disc brakes for trailers is slowly trending upward as some fleets look beyond the tractor to improve stopping power and enhance safety, industry experts said.
October 30, 2017Automated Steering Is Next Step
ZF Innovation Truck (Seth Clevenger/Transport Topics)
Automated steering capabilities are coming soon to commercial vehicles, suppliers of truck steering systems said.
September 8, 2017Steer Axle Suppliers Focus on Weight Reduction
Dana axles (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)
Shaving off weight has become a central objective of truck component design, and nowhere is that “lightweighting” trend more apparent than on the front axle.
September 8, 2017Cummins Debuts All-Electric Demonstration Truck, the Aeos
Up close with the new Aeos at its unveiling. (Steve Sturgess for Transport Topics)
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Cummins Inc. has unveiled a concept truck with an all-electric powertrain, highlighting the diesel engine manufacturer’s commitment to electric power as an important part of its future.
August 29, 2017