MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – Thermo King is looking to set a “precedent” with its new trailer temperature control program, going as far as to say it has “staked (its) legacy” on the reefer unit’s performance. The new unit, aptly branded the Precedent, comes at the close of a years-long process of achieving regulatory compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s latest standards.

The final – at least for the foreseeable future – set of regulations for engine emissions (for engines with 25-50 hp), dubbed Tier 4, come into play beginning Jan. 1. Officials say the Precedent was built from the ground up in an effort to deliver “double-digit fuel savings, best-in-class performance and lower life-cycle costs.”

Announced in concert with the Precedent, Thermo King will also be offering a full range of EPA-compliant truck and auxiliary power unit (APU) solutions.

“Building on a long history of state-of-the-art engineering, we called on our global development teams to create breakthrough solutions that add value while providing regulatory compliance,” said Ray Pittard, president of Thermo King North America. “The innovative Precedent platform and new truck and APU solutions provide our customers with the peace of mind that they have met regulatory requirements while delivering leading performance, significant fuel savings and lower life-cycle costs – all tested under real-world conditions.”

To celebrate the launch of the Precedent, Thermo King of Toronto invited media, customers, and other industry officials to attend an afternoon celebration at its Mississauga facility Aug. 30, where Truck News received an up-close look at the latest from Thermo King’s reefer line.

Engine
Recognizing the different needs of its customers, Thermo King is offering the Precedent in two series: the S-Series and C-Series. The S-Series features Thermo King’s ‘Evergreen’ solution, which is designed to meet the strictest requirements of the 2013 emissions regulation without having to invest in compliance technologies down the road.

A “cutting-edge” fuel injection system is designed to deliver optimal fuel injection at “exactly the right time” to control particulate matter emissions within the engine cylinders via a high-pressure common rail that elevates fuel pressure to approximately 20,000 psi, according to the company.

The fuel injection system allows the engine to run cleaner, which Thermo King officials say eliminates the need for an expensive, high maintenance aftertreatment system like a diesel particulate filter.

Another factor in the Precedent’s “clean” approach is its diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), engineered to reduce hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide without penalizing fuel efficiency.

The fuel injection system, DOC and a custom-made exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) solution combine to create a triple threat: “a total system that not only runs incredibly clean, but also helps deliver double-digit fuel savings for your operation,” the company boasts.

For customers seeking a lower first-cost option, Precedent is also available in the C-Series, which Thermo King promises will still offer “improved efficiencies” and “superior reliability” – without breaking the bank.

The current S- and C-Series options include:
• The S-600, a greater-than-25 hp single-temperature unit with
an Evergreen engine for use in California;
• The S-700, a greater-than-25 hp high-capacity single-temperature unit with an Evergreen engine for use in California; and
• The C-600, a less-than-25 hp single-temperature unit with an allowed useful life in California of seven years.

A multi-temp option, the S-600M, is scheduled to be released in October.

Options
Thermo King officials say the new Precedent platform offers a variety of engine options and configurations that keep all applications in mind.

The Precedent offers both high (19 hp) and low (12 hp) options in its SmartPower package. The 19-hp motor offers the same heating and cooling capacity as a diesel engine without sacrificing fuel via a 460-volt power solution, the company says.

The 12-hp motor is intended to maintain controlled temperatures once they’ve reached their desired set point and is available in either a 230- or 460-volt power solution.

Customers also have the option of a traditional alternator or an electronically driven battery charger, in addition to a variety of aesthetic options, including available LED lighting, chrome grills and accessories.

For more information, visit www.tkprecedent.com.