Equipment

About Equipment News...

Commercial freight transportation is a machine-based business. Highly technical equipment and advanced engineering are at the center of supply chain and require constant innovation. Transport Topics equipment coverage focuses on the machines and other physical assets that make delivery possible. It looks closely at available truck, trailer, and chassis models, developments in the engineering space, and maintenance innovations and best practices. 

Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety

Class 8 Commercial Rigs Should Do Away With Mirrors

It’s time that Class 8 commercial trucks deployed high-tech cameras instead of the assortment of mirrors — rearview, down view and blind spot — found on today’s tractors.

Phil Romba | Contributing Writer
July 20, 2018

Daily Briefings from Transport Topics

Transport Topics has partnered with Spoken Layer to make one-minute daily briefings available on all your smart devices. Simply say “Alexa, play Transport Topics” or “Okay Google, talk to Transport Topics” to get the day’s biggest trucking headlines.

Business, Technology, Equipment

OEMs Mixed on Turbo Compounding

Volvo Trucks North America says its D13TC engine’s turbo compounding unit will add 50 horsepower through waste heat recovery and will improve fuel efficiency by 7.5%. The com­pany believes the technology could reach the same level of market acceptance as its automated transmissions. But not every manufacturer believes turbo compounding is the best way to improve fuel efficiency.

July 20, 2018
Business, Equipment, Logistics

DHL Express Buys 14 Boeing Freight Planes

DHL Express ordered 14 Boeing 777 Freighters with options and purchase rights for another seven aircraft. The first four of the planes will be delivered by year-end 2019.

July 20, 2018
Business, Technology, Equipment

Taking a Look at Turbo Compounding

Much is being said and written about the role electric power will someday play in moving Class 8 vehicles down the road, but for the foreseeable future most trucks still will be powered by good old-fashioned internal combustion engines. And there is plenty going on to advance the technology that powers those engines.

Fran Matso Lysiak | Features Editor
July 20, 2018
Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety

Regular Realignment Is a Savings, Not a Cost

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.

Steve Sturgess | Special to Transport Topics
July 20, 2018
Business, Technology, Equipment, Fuel

Horton to Launch New Emissions-Cutting Fan Drives, Blades

ROSEVILLE, Minn. — Horton Holding Inc. will launch in September new variable-speed fan drives and fan blades designed to improve commercial vehicle cooling system performance and help engine makers meet the increasingly stringent requirements in Phase 2 of the federal greenhouse-gas regulations.

Roger Gilroy | Senior Reporter
July 20, 2018
Business, Equipment

Brake Supplier Haldex Rides Market Strength to Higher Earnings

Commercial vehicle brake supplier Haldex AB reported net income more than quadrupled as revenue rose 16% in the second quarter amid market strength in all of its geographic regions.

Roger Gilroy | Senior Reporter
July 19, 2018
Government, Business, Technology, Equipment, Fuel

Staffers for Key Transportation Lawmakers Consider Funding Solutions

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers will likely start seriously exploring a solution for the diminishing Highway Trust Fund next year, according to Miles Chiotti, legislative director for Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.)

Eleanor Lamb | Staff Reporter
July 19, 2018
Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety, Autonomous, TCA

How General Motors Became a Force in Autonomous Sector

GM Cruise is running neck-and-neck with Waymo, a subsidiary of Google, to be first to bring fully autonomous cars to market. The two companies are considered the leaders in a crowded field, and San Francisco is the proving grounds to refine the technology.

Jamie L. LaReau | Detroit Free Press
July 19, 2018
Business, Equipment

Volvo Profits Jump 47% on Sales Growth

Volvo AG reported second-quarter operating income of $1.4 billion, or 50 cents a share, a 47% increase from $939 million, or 32 cents, in the same period a year ago.

Burney Simpson | Staff Reporter
July 19, 2018