Detroit Diesel, a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA), unveiled the Detroit DD8 medium-duty engine at the Work Truck Show earlier in the year.
By the end of this year, the 7.7l inline diesel engine will be available to order, and then will be put into vehicle production early next year—initially available in the Freightliner M2106, 108SD, and 114SD models, which are targeted primarily at vocational applications, including, utility/maintenance/repair service, pick-up and delivery, oil field, construction, logging, plow and dump, wrecking, refuse, fire/emergency, and recreational vehicles.
The DD8 will also be entirely built at Detroit’s manufacturing facility in Redford, Michigan—unlike the DD5, which began production in Germany and was gradually transferred to Redford.
This is all part of a $375 million strategy initiated by DTNA in November 2015 to bring to the United States the manufacturing of its proprietary medium-duty engines, DT12 automated mechanical transmission (AMT), and its proprietary line of Detroit Axles.
“That means North American testing and North American validation for fuels and fluids and duty cycles, and also the investment in the Detroit diesel plant to build up the medium-duty engine assembly line in Michigan,” said Steve Collins of Detroit Powertrain Sales. “Even though this is a global platform of engine, it is a true North American engine.
“We were able to achieve some pretty amazing targets, such as the B10 life of 400,000 miles. We have the longest scheduled maintenance intervals in its class. We were able to use technologies such as variable exhaust cam phasing and efficient thermal management. And all of it is backed by a three-year, 250,000-mile warranty.”
The DD8 features a 260-350 hp range and a torque range of 660 to 1050 lb-ft and will launch with both engine and transmission power takeoff (PTO) options required for many vocational applications. It is expected to match or exceed the 45,000-mile oil drain and fuel filter replacement interval offered for the DD5.
He said variable exhaust cam phasing is used to increase exhaust temperatures for effective DPF regeneration in all conditions. It has a compact design that is integrated into the exhaust camshaft and advances the camshaft for early-valve opening.
The Detroit Connect Virtual Technician is standard for three years on DD5 and DD8 engines. He said it allows the user to make informed service decisions within minutes of an engine or aftertreatment fault event; know the severity of the fault and when, where, and how to best fix the issue; and reduce the time spent on diagnostics and in the shop while increasing vehicle uptime.
Dan Silbernagel, TEM product strategy manager, gave a rundown of Freightliner’s key features and recently released options.
“This is a small portion of everything we’re working on,” he said. “We have 40 to 50 items we’re also working on. Right now, they aren’t to the point where I can say, ‘Hey, they’re available at this time.’ ”
He said those will be announced at The Work Truck Show in March, but the following are available now:
• Hendrickson FMO20 lift axle for refuse market. This is a factory-installed axle that saves cost and time to delivery and provides clearance for the hydraulic cylinders on roll-off bodies. It has a planned start of production of January 15, 2018.
• Engine compartment lighting. This is a single LED light center-mounted on the front wall and is important because of the NFPA requirement to provide engine compartment lighting. Availability is targeted for the first quarter of 2018.
• 5-inch drop axle for twin steer prep. It allows the axle to clear an Allison transmission compared to the current 3.5-inch drop axle. Scheduled start of production was November 6.
• 515 coverage for tridem suspensions. It expands a new routing and clipping process to tri-drive rear suspensions.
This will help improve the routing of air lines, fuel, and electrical harnesses. Start of production was August 7.
• Dual side adjustable hood-mounted mirrors. The swing arm-mounted cross-view mirrors expand coverage to the M2 106. The option is already provided for M2 112, 108SD, and 114SD. Start of production was August 7.
• Right-hand aft tank. This is a fuel tank mounted 32.5 inches back of cab and spaced outboard two inches from the rail, allowing for safe fuel-line routing between the ATS, rail, and fuel tank. Start of production was June 5.
• Dana 590 axle. The D590 two-speed planetary double reduction single drive axles offer versatile power in a complete line of planetary double reduction models. The D590 Series tandems are ideal for medium- and heavy-duty applications from 46,000 to 70,000 pounds GAWR, including construction, heavy-haul, logging, oil field, refuse, and other demanding vocational applications. It allows a top speed of 65 mph with Allison transmissions. Ratio coverage from 4.75 through 10.90:1 allows maximum performance across a variety of vocations. High-capacity gearing and bearing system for durability and reliability with higher horsepower/torque engines. Patented axle breather design allows unrestricted air flow—a no-maintenance feature. Start of production was June 5.
• Trailer wiring provisions w/hydraulic brakes. This is a new design to provide a hydraulic service brake signal to the customer-furnished brake controller. It reduces upfit time by eliminating the need for aftermarket electrical wiring to enable electric brake controllers with hydraulic brakes. Start of production is December 18.
• Auxiliary function range inhibit. This is a hardwire interlock to Allison transmission that prevents neutral to drive or neutral to reverse when there is an input from the body. Start of production is March 19, 2018.
• RP170 bodybuilder connectors. This is a chassis-to-body electrical interface per TMC’s RP 170 recommendation. It provides the vocational/refuse industry a common electrical interface connection that is environmentally sealed, contains all required electrical circuits and is located in an industry-standardized location. Start of production is December 18.
• A/C condenser mounted on frame. This is a right-hand, frame-mounted RedDot A/C condenser, located 20 inches back of cab. Customers running M2 108SDs on feed lots require special cooling packages that are easier to clean due to the type of debris they encounter. Start of production is December 28.
• Idle shutdown with audible alarm. Audible warning has been added to the existing visual warning prior to engine shutdown. Idle shutdown with be disabled in PTO mode. Visual warning: flashing red engine light. This ensures that a vehicle in PTO mode does not shut down and interrupt any work in progress. Visual and audible warning prior to shutdown will alert operator, allowing override of shutdown if necessary. Became available September 11.
• RPL20 driveline. This is a Meritor driveline that is permanently lubricated, reducing operating and maintenance costs for customers. Became available November 6.
• Front frame extension tow hooks. Relocation of front tow hooks from the front suspension spring hanger to a more forward location when FFE is specified. That will improve accessibility on FFE trucks. The new location mitigates the risk of damage to bumper and other components during recovery operations. Production started October 2.
• Bendix (Smartire) tire pressure monitoring system. It informs the driver and maintenance crews of tire issues by displaying tire pressure and temperature status on dash display, and provides early warnings before tire damage is done. Available starting October 2.
• Yellow grab handles. This option will allow drivers and passengers to safely enter and exit the vehicle with a high-visibility grab handle, and allow dealers to meet municipal bid specs requiring yellow grab handles. Start of production set for the first quarter of 2018.
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