Product Profiles

Nov. 1, 2002
Drive axle accommodates Class 4/5 needs Dana Corp's Commercial Vehicle Systems unit is offering the new Dana Spicer S110 drive axle, designed to meet

Drive axle accommodates Class 4/5 needs

Dana Corp's Commercial Vehicle Systems unit is offering the new Dana Spicer S110 drive axle, designed to meet the varying needs of the Class 4/5 truck market. The S110 series axle is built for all drivetrain configurations that require axle weight ratings from 10,000 to 14,500 pounds, GVW ratings up to 23,500 pounds, and GCW up to 35,000 pounds.

The High Power Density (HPD) design methods maximize component life and improve impact resistance at greater loads while minimizing weight and cost. The 300-M hypoid gearing and wheel differential optimize strength and lengthen axle life when used with high-horsepower engines. The bolted oval axle carrier assembly, welded housing cover, and flat-bottom axle housing increase ground clearance. Fabricated from high-strength, hot-formed, micro-alloy steel with a square-edge box section, the axle housing is designed for various vehicle suspension configurations. The high-capacity precision pinion bearing system lessens deflection under heavy load. A new one-piece steel-forged ring gear/differential case boosts stiffness. Long-face-width primary gear teeth reduce gear stress and promote smooth operation.

The 345-lb axle assembly increases payload. Reduced pinion standout distance enhances vehicle installation flexibility and improves driveline angles. Axle ratios range from 3.07 to 6.50. An optional full-locking driver-controlled differential lock can be specified, as well as a limited-slip differential that provides an automated mechanical traction system. Other options include an axle-mounted parking brake or an axle-mounted electromagnetic retarder feature. Various wheel-end and track-width configurations are also provided.

For more information, access www.dana.com.

Aftermarket T300 crew cab conversion offered

Bentz Transport Products offers an aftermarket crew cab conversion for the Kenworth T300 medium-duty conventional.

Standard features of this conversion are a one-piece fiberglass roof with 4" raised rear section, which provides 62" of height in the interior. The rest of the crew cab is aluminum with a 52"-long addition and 84" width at the rear. The crew cab comes in a 157" BBC setup.

All four doors of the conversion have Kenworth Daylite door assemblies and door panels, granite gray vinyl interior trim, interior upper B-pillar and exterior grab handles, and DuPont Imron 5000 paint.

Crew cab options include separate heater or heater/air-conditioner, stainless steel cab accessories, extended horizontal exhaust pipe, carpet and custom trim packages, and Imron 6000 base/clear paint. Bench and bucket seats are available, as are fire service SCBA seats. Exterior access steps are also optional.

For more details, contact Kenworth, PO Box 1000, Kirkland WA 98083-1000.

Transcraft adopts new Valspar paint system

Transcraft Corp announces a new, more durable Valspar paint system for its trailers and has made this the standard coating on all trailers.

This process begins with clean material. All steel is pickled and left dry with no oil, or is shot-blasted and coated with a water-soluble protectant. After fabrication and welding of the steel structure and before installation of any other materials, the entire trailer is cleaned and phosphatized in a multi-stage process with a final corrosion retardant rinse. The trailer then is coated with a primer and a finish coat.

The primer is a two-part alkyd base material; the final coat is a high-solid, two-part polyurethane. Small, hard-to-reach surfaces can be coated since the process is finished before aluminum or wood parts are installed. The entire trailer is visually inspected and electronically measured for required film thickness. This paint system is backed with a five-year limited warranty.

Peterbilt has frame rails for severe-duty applications

New 11⅝" frame rails providing enhanced frame strength for severe-duty use are provided for the Peterbilt Model 379. The new frame rail will accommodate all engines, transmissions, hood lengths, and sleeper sizes for the Model 379, and is also a weight-saving option when compared with other severe-duty frame rail options, according to Peterbilt.

A customer can save about 120 pounds versus 10⅝" frame rails with suspension inserts on a Model 379 specified with a 220" wheelbase and 53" overhang. The 11⅝" frame rails had been available only for Peterbilt's Models 378 and 357.

Autocar offers Cat engine

Effective immediately, Autocar LLC is offering the Caterpillar 3126E 7.2-liter midrange engine in the Xpeditor WX series trucks. This engine, with a rating of 275 horsepower and 800 ft-lb of torque, is being provided as a lightweight option for vocational applications that operate with less than 60,000-lb GVW.

The 3126E is also available in the environmentally friendly dual-fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) version.

Bee Line brings precision to wheel alignment

The LC 6000 Series is Bee Line's next generation of laser-guided computer alignment gauging systems. This series has been designed to incorporate features of the LC 4000 Series including the built-in calibration fixture; electronic tube leveling; single and/or simultaneous run-out capabilities; and live toe, camber, and caster readings during adjustments.

New systems come with Windows-based WindSpeed software, which streamlines workflow and has jump-through capabilities. The operator can customize screen flow, print data in color, and run additional programs.

The LC 6000 units use spread-spectrum-frequency hopping to eliminate interference. Normal battery life exceeds 12 hours, and no data is lost if batteries are low. The unit can be charged during operation, and batteries can be exchanged in less than a minute. An optional stand-alone battery charger is also available.

The system comes with a color printer or interfaces with any standard printer. This printer is stored in the cabinet on a slide-out shelf that adjusts to any height. It comes with or can accommodate any standard tower PC.

For further details, contact Bee Line, 2700 62nd St Court, PO Box 130, Bettendorf IA 52722.

Venturo adds value to crane/body packages

Venturo Mfg Inc's Hydraulic HT Series Cranes are equipped with radio remote controls for both proportional and non-proportional models. In-compartment controls are standard, and all pendant controls use high-visibility yellow cord that resists internal bending. All HT cranes feature one-piece tubular steel booms. Anti-friction high-strength polymer sheaves have maintenance-free composite bearings. Imron paint is standard, with all components painted before assembly.

HT crane bodies include FMVSS 108-required lighting, pre-punched at the factory. Side horizontal swing doors above wheelwells are standard at no extra cost on HT50 models. Redesigned lengths and compartments allow for standard front outrigger tube that will accept optional outriggers on the passenger and street side.

For additional information, contact Venturo, 12110 Best Place, Cincinnati OH 45241.

Mudflaps retract out of the way for dumping

Menomonie Truck Equipment Inc is offering cab-controlled retractable mudflaps manufactured by Retractaflap. These flaps solve the problem of dumping into paving or shouldering machines, a process where flaps are mandatory. Retractaflaps are designed to put flaps within 4" of the ground and fully retract out of the way for dumping.

Flaps are constructed of stainless steel cylinders with stainless shafts, double-protected valves, and aluminum frame components. Lowered by an electronic cab control, flaps automatically raise when the truck is in reverse. This means the driver does not have to actuate the system manually before backing up.

For more details, contact Menomonie Truck Equipment, E5484 County Rd BB, Menomonie WI 54751.

Ordering system enhanced

ArvinMeritor's Commercial Vehicle Aftermarket has added a new feature called “Price and Availability” to its XpresswayPlus.com online ordering system. “Price and Availability” enables customers to quickly check prices and stock availability for a list of part numbers without having to build a shopping cart.

To use the feature, customers log on to XpresswayPlus.com using their authorized ID and password and then click “Price and Availability” on the menu bar. If they decide to place an order, they can click on the “Add to Shopping Cart” option to have their list transferred to their shopping cart for purchase. It is not necessary to retype part numbers when purchasing items previously checked with the “Price and Availability” feature.

Freightliner unit ISO-certified

Gaffney SC-based Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp has received ISO 9001:2000 certification for its operations process. Previously certified under the ISO 9001:1994 standard, Freightliner Custom Chassis achieved its new qualification in autumn 2002.

TTI launches new web site

Transportation Technologies Industries Inc has launched the company's new web site at www.tti-inc.com.

Through the TTI site, users can obtain information including a brief history of the business unit or affiliate, contact information, an event calendar listing all trade shows and meetings, and specific sales/marketing contacts.