LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Sterling Truck Corporation announced several upgrades to its A-Line, L-Line and Acterra trucks at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG Exhibition.

The upgrades included: a full lineup of proprietary axles; a rear-end power take-off (PTO) option for the MBE4000 engine; and an improved taper leaf front suspension.

Enhanced axles

The new proprietary axles boast outstanding durability, weight savings and performance, company officials claimed. The front axle design is more robust than many other options on the market and provide up to a 28-lb weight savings over similarly spec’d axles. The kingpins are supported by needle bearings instead of bushings and the kingpins roll, rather than rub, when the axle is being steered. These improvements reduce service and downtime, company officials said. Single and tandem rear axle models are available with a new design that offers a 128-lb weight savings over other options. Precision-cut gears ensure more torque is transferred to the wheels so it’s not lost to friction.

Rear engine PTO

Sterling also announced it will offer the MBE4000 engine with a rear engine power take-off (REPTO). This feature will allow customers to increase payload while spec’ing a longer wheelbase option and improving weight distribution.

Sterling officials said the REPTO option will be ideal for concrete mixer applications. The REPTO includes a one-to-24.1 output shaft ratio with no added engine length and a 10 o’clock output location.

Cummins ISC available on L-line

Sterling announced the Cummins ISC engine is now available on L-line trucks. The ISC was already available on Sterling’s Acterra.

Company officials say the ISC boasts improved reliability, reduced downtime and a long life-to-overhaul compared to previous versions of the engine. The ISC has a high-pressure common rail fuel system which delivers quiet performance and low emissions.

Enhanced taper leaf suspension

Sterling Class 7 and 8 models are now available with an enhanced 12,000-lb taper leaf front suspension, officials announced. The new suspension is about 14 lb lighter than the previous version, and Sterling says it delivers improved ride quality due to reduced interleaf spring friction.