New Products (December 01, 2010)

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Tires & Wheels

General Truck Tires has come out with its first all-position wide-base tire for the NAFTA market, the Grabber OA Wide-Base, available in size 445/65R22.5. The tire is aimed at fleets in severe-service and construction applications and is designed for high carrying capacity with a reinforced shoulder to add protection against curbing and abrasions, the company says. The 445/65R22.5 size is available for order immediately while additional sizes will be released next year. For more information, see a dealer or visit www.generaltire.com.

Vehicle Inspection Systems has released updated software for its VIS-Polish automated wheel-polishing machine, which is fully compatible with all existing machines. The Version 3.0 software upgrade allows users to accurately sand areas on a wheel that need refurbishing. This speeds cycle times and provides a better finish by concentrating on areas with scratches and pitting, the company says. The new feature also provides a longer sanding wheel life, saving consumables and time. For more information, call 866-847-8721.

ZamLok has announced its latest design in lug nut retention and torque monitoring. A new design is now available that: eliminates the need for daily torque procedures; requires lug nut retorquing only when the system indicates a lug nut is loose; reduces downtime; and allows for the easy pre-and post-trip inspection of wheel lug nuts, the company says. For more information visit www.zamlok.com.

Trucks

Mack Trucks has come out with a natural gas-powered version of its TerraPro Cabover model for refuse and construction applications. The new version comes with a heavy-duty natural gas engine from Cummins Westport. The 9-litre ISL G is rated at 320 hp and can use either compressed or liquefied natural gas. It’s fully EPA2010-compliant, Mack announced. The new offering is expected to be popular with municipalities and refuse haulers contracted to municipalities with a mandate to pursue environmentally-friendly technologies. US waste collection company Republic Services has already taken delivery of 41 natural gas-powered TerraPro Cabovers.

Trailers

SmartTruck, a new manufacturer of aerodynamic products, has come out with a UT-6 Trailer UnderTray System it says has proven to save fuel by at least 8.5% on its own. Additional components and add-ons are available to further improve fuel efficiency, the company says. The new system is SmartWay-approved and tested by Con-way Truckload, Frito-Lay and PepsiCo. For more information, visit www.SmartTruckBrands.com.

MAC Trailer customers can now save weight by spec’ing Accuride lightweight wheel-end components, the companies have announced. Accuride is MAC’s standard supplier for steel wheels, aluminum wheels, Gunite slack adjusters and Gunite Gold brake drums. Aluminum wheels with Gold drums can be combined in the optimal configuration to save a customer 528 lbs in total on a MAC trailer, the companies announced. Some of Accuride’s aluminum wheels weigh as little as 47 lbs while its lightest steel wheels come in at 66 lbs. For info, see a MAC trailer dealer.

Components

Setco Automotive NA has come out with its user-friendly line of LIPE clutches for the heavy-duty market, the company announced. The 15.5-inch cast iron clutch comes with a 2,400 ft.-lb. rating. The company also has a new redesigned, stronger LIPE heavy-duty clutch. LIPE clutches are direct pressure clutches with a smooth release, the company says. This eliminates torsional vibration issues that are common on angle link clutches. For more info, cal 416-807-6682 or visit www.setcoauto.com.

Alliance Parts is now offering customizable bumpers as part of what it calls the largest selection of aftermarket bumpers available. The Alliance bumpers include chrome, painted steel and stainless steel models for a dozen major truck makes and more than 130 models. The company now offers a bumper configuration tool on its Web site, so customers can choose the best fit for their truck. The company says its new bumpers are ideal for replacing dented bumpers or for dressing up a show truck. For info, visit www.alliancebrandparts.com.

Bergstrom has announced it is now offering Tundra inverter and shore power kits for its NITE no-idle systems. The new options provide hotel-load capabilities while parked. Bergstrom is now offering optional, pre-assembled inverter installation kits for a quick and easy installation. Each kit comes with battery cables, PVC strain reliefs, protective plastic loom, cable clamps, tie-wraps, a DC fuse and holder and assorted screws. For info, visit a dealer or online go to www.nitesystem.com.

Phillips Industries says it has improved its Swinger gladhands by anodizing them to protect against road salt and other chemicals that cause corrosion. The Swinger gladhands with live swivel are designed for intermodal and piggy-back trailer designs where straight gladhands are exposed to damage. The Swinger can pivot 180-degrees without kinking the air line. For more info, visit www.phillipsind.com.

Accessories

Marsh Canada and VerX Direct Corporation have teamed to deliver direct, real-time access to drivers’ provincial and territorial driver’s licence databases (Newfoundland excluded) so they can check in a matter of seconds whether a driver’s licence is valid and for what class of vehicle. According to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, as many as 75% drivers with suspended licences continue to drive. “With VerX, we are able to offer organizations an easy and inexpensive way to check driver licence status and class, helping them to reduce accident and impoundment rates, mitigate various liability risk issues, and ultimately improve their bottom lines,” said Greg St. Croix, national transportation risk focus leader with Marsh Canada. For more, visit www.verxdirect.com or contact your Marsh Insurance rep.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) has published a new book that shows company drivers how to track their travel and meal expenses to maximize their tax returns. The CTA says that by taking advantage of the federal government’s decision to increase the deductible amount for meals purchased while on the road, a company driver can significantly increase his or her tax return. The Practical Travel Expenses for Professional Drivers handbook costs $5 and can be ordered through any of the provincial trucking associations. It explains Canada Revenue Agency’s latest rules, who can and can’t claim meal expenses and it includes simplified record-keeping forms that can be used to support a tax claim, the CTA says. Each book will last a driver one year. Companies are invited to pre-order by Nov. 30 to receive a 10% discount.

National Truck League is offering a new health and dental program for owner/operators. “Owner/Operators are typically not insured under a traditional group benefit program because they are independent contractors,” said NTL president Rod Stiller. “There is a great deal of flexibility with this program including the assurance that the price they see is the price they will pay with coverage guaranteed. They, or members of their family will not be declined.” The program is aimed at owner/operators looking for extended health and dental coverage who may not qualify for individual coverage on their own, or qualify at inflated prices. For information, contact Stiller at rod. stiller@nationaltruckleague.com or 519-434-
4944.

Danatec Educational Services has launched three new products: DanatecTV, the Danatec TDG Handbook App and the new Electronic TDG Regulations Update Service. DanatecTV is an online platform that delivers of the company’s TDG and WHMIS safety training videos for $99/ year. In addition, Danatec’s Safety Moments clips -designed to complement safety meetings -are available starting at $35/video, with three volumes of videos to choose from. Danatec has also released its new TDG Handbook App for both iPhone and iPad, which company officials say gives customers a “convenient new way” to access a summary of the material covered in its TDG Training Programs. Danatec is also improving its TDG Regulations Update Service. Customers now have the option of continuing with their regular update service, or, once their current subscription expires, customers can take advantage of the new downloadable Electronic Update Service for $60/year. When updates occur, Danatec e-mails a link to customers “that you can open, print off the pages and insert them in your binder,” according to Danatec officials. For more product details, visit www.Danatec.com.

Kenworth has announced its 2011 calendar is now available for order at www.shopkenworth.com. Calendars include a six-page wall calendar and a 9.75″ x13″ appointment calendar. They are also available at Kenworth dealerships or by calling 800-791-0913.

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Truck News is Canada's leading trucking newspaper - news and information for trucking companies, owner/operators, truck drivers and logistics professionals working in the Canadian trucking industry.


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