Kenworth has chosen Truck-Lite’s new 7-inch round, complex reflector headlamp to become standard on the Kenworth T2000 model. The Truck-Lite headlamp features a complex optical system, the company says reduces driver fatigue and improves reliability resulting from the increased amount and distribution of the light on the road compared to a sealed-beam system. At the same time, it lowers lighting costs and enhances styling. The truck builder estimates the new lamps increase driver visibility by about 50 feet.

ArvinMeritor is entering the heavy-duty cargo restraints and air suspension seats markets through two strategic alliances with major players in each market. The company has allied itself with ANCRA International and now offers ANCRA’s line of heavy-duty cargo restraints as part of its Euclid product line starting in April. Products distributed through Euclid will include winch and ratchet strap assemblies, cargo bars, decking beams and additional restraints on both flatbeds and van trailers.

Consolidated Freightways driver David Zorn, of Forest Park, Ga., has been named Goodyear’s North America Highway Hero for 2000 after rescuing a highway patrolman. Zorn pulled his rig over when he saw the officer pinned to the ground on the side of the road. Wielding a flashlight, the trucker scared off an attacker who was assaulting the officer, then ran him down and detained him until more police arrived.

Cole Hersee Co. was on hand at the Mid-America Trucking Show to display its electronic solenoid switch, which has withstood five million on-off switching cycles thus far. The design uses solid-state circuitry to eliminate movable parts that can wear out.

Webb Wheel Products has developed a Platinum Series brake drum with a new material which the company claims delivers extended life through low wear, resistance to heat checking and exceptional strength.

Super truck racing, well established in Europe, is coming to North America. The newly-fledged Super Truck Racing Association of North America (STRANA) announced its intention to start staging races within a year or so. The product on the track will include professional teams and drivers. STRANA, similar to CART or NASCAR, is a governing body for super truck racing in North America.

Caterpillar has made a new high-tech tool available in their engines, which will aid truck owners to gather vital engine data. The Caterpillar Pocket Technician works with a Palm handheld computer to provide access to 22 engine status parameters as well as 23 configuration parameters, 11 of which are interchangeable. It also extracts ECM information to display fuel mileage information to drivers and fleet owners. Additional features include engine operation information such as temperatures, pressures and speeds, diagnostic codes, maintenance information and theft deterrent.

ArvinMeritor has unveiled a new tandem axle to deal with issues relating to driveline angularity. The MT-40-143-MA-N’s carriers offer a 40,000-lb. gross axle weight rating and the design includes a rear carrier with Amboid gear designs to provide above centreline positioning of the drive pinion. This greatly reduces inter-axle driveline angularity, which in turn minimizes driveline vibration, according to ArvinMeritor. In addition to reducing cab noise and vibration, the reduction in driveline vibration minimized damage to all other drivetrain components. The ratio range on the new axle is 2.64 to 4.11, which covers the majority of the linehaul market. The new axle will be available in July through all OEMs and will be covered by the company’s five-year/750,000-mile linehaul warranty.

Kenworth and PACCAR Financial Corp. have introduced the Kenworth Equity Accelerator option to help truck buyers overcome rising operating costs and depressed used truck values. Part of Kenworth’s “Three-Point Play” Program, the Equity Accelerator allows buyers to take advantage of a falling interest-rate environment, while not taking any risk if rates rise in the future. This enables buyers to lock in today’s favorable interest rates and still take advantage of any future decline in the Prime Rate. n