KIRKLAND, Wash., (Sept. 30, 2003) — Kenworth Truck says it has received very positive response from truck buyers running more than 500 Caterpillar C15 engines with ACERT technology.

While most other engine makers opted to use exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) to meet strict diesel engine emissions standards that took effect Oct. 1, 2002, Caterpillar chose to instead go with Advanced Combustion Emission Reduction Technology. As with EGR, skeptics were concerned the new engines would suffer fuel economy compared to pre-’02 engines, and questioned whether the engines would be as mechanically reliable in the long-term.

“We began installing ACERT-equipped engines this summer as part of the ramp-up to full production by Caterpillar,” said Steve Gilligan, Kenworth’s general marketing manager in a press release. “Results have been positive and we’ve seen many repeat customers in a short amount of time which further validates user acceptance of this new technology.”

Kenworth worked closely with Caterpillar long before the first test units were available. “That allowed our engineers to develop a cooling system and installation package that worked as a system between truck and engine,” said
Jim Bechtold, Kenworth’s chief engineer. “Our challenge with ACERT was to develop cooling packages that could handle over 550 horsepower, heavy gross vehicle weights and steep grades. We came up with a cooling system that is optimized for customer application in even extreme applications.”

Kenworth is also taking customer orders for the C13 and C11 engines with ACERT technology, which will replace the C12 and C10 engines, respectively.