kscarbel2

Shocking incompetence.

The Guardian / June 28, 2019 When Gary George bought a truckload of videotapes for $218 from a US government surplus auction more than 40 years ago, he planned to sell them to television stations – to record over. Fortunately, he decided to hold on to the three tapes labelled “Apollo 11 EVA”, which have since been identified as the only surviving original recording of the first moon landing, in 1969. Now the tapes – which include Neil Armstrong’s famous words “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” – are to go on sale in July at Sotheby’s in New York, where they are expected to fetch as much as $2m. The collection also includes footage of Buzz Aldrin walking in minimal lunar gravity, planting the US flag on the moon, collecting samples. It also shows the crew’s call with Richard Nixon. George, now 65, was astonished. “I had no idea there was anything of value on them,” the retired mechanical engineer from Las Vegas told Reuters. “I was selling them to TV stations just to record over.” George thinks he sold eight reels to television stations for $50 each. It was his father who spotted the three Nasa labelled reels. “He was really into the space program and he said, ‘I think I’d hang on to those. They might be valuable someday. So, for that very reason, I pulled them out and hauled them around the country for the next 43 years. That’s how come they survived.” In 2006, Nasa admitted that they could not find the original video recordings of the landing. It was not until two years later, when George was on holiday with a friend who worked at Nasa, that he found out they were looking for them. He did not have the equipment to watch the tapes, but after he started speaking to Nasa about handing them over he was able to see the footage for the first time in a special studio in California.

VW's Traton shares limp on stock market debut Reuters / June 28, 2019 FRANKFURT - Traton made a lacklustre start on its debut on Friday, as shares in Volkswagen's truck unit slipped below their initial public offering price. The stock opened at 27 euros ($30.75), the IPO price in Europe's second-largest listing of the year, before slipping to trade as much as 2.4 percent lower. Germany's benchmark DAX index was up 0.5% at 1200 GMT. Weak demand for German listings had forced VW to scale back its Traton IPO and it had already priced the offering at the low end of its target range. "At first glance, markets don't look that bad. But volumes have been low as risk averse investors hoard cash," a banker working on the deal said. The average daily turnover of Stoxx600 shares stood at 470 billion euros so far this year and the June median was 439 billion euros, compared with the 2018 daily average of almost 600 billion. Global IPO volumes are down 30% in the year so far, Refinitiv data shows, while the European figure is at its lowest level since 2012 amid concern about the global economic outlook. Volkswagen floated 11.5% of Traton's shares after initially seeking to list a stake of up to 25% in a bid to put the company's truck business on an independent footing. The deal values Traton at 7.9 and 7.0 times its 2019 and 2020 earnings before interest and taxes, respectively, roughly in line with the valuation of its peer Volvo, two people close to the matter said. The 1.55 billion euros ($1.77 billion) in proceeds from the offering will flow to parent Volkswagen which aims to use the funding to invest in mass producing electric cars. Traton, which includes the MAN, Scania and Volkswagen trucks businesses wants to create a global trucks operation. A flotation could give Traton the resources to deepen its relationship with U.S. truck maker Navistar International Corp , in which it owns a 16.85% stake. Asked whether Volkswagen planned to buy out Navistar, Chairman Hans Dieter Poetsch said: "Today's steps make many things possible. Currently there are no concrete plans." Traton Chief Executive Andreas Renschler said alliances with Navistar, Hino and Sinotruck gave Traton economies of scale. "We don't need any further participation at all, there's no need to always buy companies," he said. ($1 = 0.8780 euros)

Absolutely fantastic. If everyone here could only know how important and successful the Mid-Liner ranger was to Mack Trucks.......the right product at the right time. We sold thousands to Penske, Ryder and countless other fleets from coast to coast.

Ford to slash 12,000 jobs in Europe by 2020 Edward Taylor, Reuters - Bloomberg / June 27, 2019 FRANKFURT -- Ford Motor Co. said it will have cut 12,000 jobs in Europe -- about 20 percent of its overall workforce there -- by the end of next year to try to return the business to profit, part of a wave of cost reductions in an auto industry facing stagnant demand and record-level investments to build low emission cars. Ford said it has ceased production at three plants in Russia, is closing plants in France and Wales, and has cut shifts at factories in Valencia, Spain and Saarlouis, Germany. The cuts will reduce its manufacturing footprint in Europe from 24 plants down to 18. Approximately 12,000 jobs will be impacted at Ford’s wholly owned facilities and consolidated joint ventures in Europe by the end of 2020, primarily through voluntary separation programs, the automaker said in a statement released on Thursday. The challenge of investing in electric, hybrid and autonomous vehicles -- while having to overhaul combustion engines to meet new clean-air rules -- has forced Europe's carmakers to slash fixed costs and streamline their model portfolios. "We have largely concluded consultations with social partners regarding restructuring actions," Stuart Rowley, president, Ford of Europe told Reuters. Around 2,000 of the jobs to be cut are salaried positions, which are included among the 7,000 salaried positions Ford is reducing globally, the carmaker said. The rest are workers on hourly contracts or agency workers. Ford Europe has 51,000 employees in Europe or 65,000 when joint ventures are included. In January Ford announced a sweeping business review that included the prospect of plant closures and discontinuing loss-making vehicle lines to pursue a 6 percent operating margin in Europe. Falling demand Demand for cars in Europe is falling. The European automobile manufacturers' association ACEA on Thursday predicted that European passenger car registrations will shrink by 1 percent in 2019 to 15 million cars, revising its previous forecast of 1 percent growth. Car sales will stagnate or decline in the next three years, AlixPartners said in a survey of the industry published this week. Manufacturers balancing sales of electric and combustion engined cars will see margins hit particularly hard, the survey said. Ford said it intended to double the profitability of its commercial vehicle business in Europe in the next five years, supported by a restructured Ford Sollers joint venture in Russia and a strategic alliance with Volkswagen Group. Earlier this year Ford said it would seek to exit the multivan segment and focus on developing electrified versions of more profitable "crossover" and SUVs. European passenger vehicle development, including for battery electric vehicles, will be centered in Cologne, the carmaker said. Ford also said it expected to triple passenger car imports into Europe by 2024 by selling Mustang and Explorer vehicles, including a Mustang-inspired electric car in late 2020.

You are right of course, the T2090 had a .71 overdrive........not .60

This is the one and only WM300 "Power Wagon". Nothing comparable before......and nothing since. .

Most likely a T2050 5-speed with a 0.60 overdrive top gear. As many times as I saw that truck in operation, it is painful to see it now in this state of disrepair. That MH Ultra-Liner is as modern as any truck today.

Ford targets Power Wagen with new Super Duty Tremor package Michael Martinez, Automotive News / June 27, 2019 DETROIT — Ford Motor Co. is looking to cash in on the continued popularity of pricey pickups and stave off hard-charging Ram in the sales race with the Super Duty Tremor, an answer to Ram's off-road Power Wagon. The off-road package, unveiled Thursday, will reach dealerships in the fourth quarter along with other versions of the freshened 2020 Super Duty. It's available on XLT, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum trims of the F-250 and F-350 with either the truck's new 7.3-liter V-8 gas or 6.7-liter diesel engine. The addition to Ford's formidable Super Duty lineup is meant to capture cash that customers would otherwise spend on aftermarket add-ons. Ford says some 70 percent of Super Duty customers accessorize their vehicles, sometimes spending tens of thousands on upgrades, and that roughly 15 percent of buyers upgrade the stock wheels and tires within six months of purchase. The Tremor package also helps shore up Super Duty's dominant market position, directly confronting a popular niche filled by second-place Ram. "Tremor balances what customers demand in terms of work with what they need in the great outdoors," Todd Eckert, Ford's truck group marketing manager, said in a statement. The trucks sit 2 inches higher in the front with a total of 10.8 inches of ground clearance to help slog through mud, water and uneven terrain. Ford says the pickups can navigate up to 33 inches of water, a best-in-class mark. The package comes with unique tires, wheels, suspension, shocks and dampers. It features trail control, also available on the F-150 Raptor and Ranger, and a unique rock crawl mode. Officials did not discuss pricing or power figures but said the Super Duty Tremor will have greater towing and payload than the Ram Power Wagon, although the figures will be slightly lower than for the standard Super Duty. The Tremor name will adorn the shocks and appear on the rear side of the pickup box. Brian Rathsburg, Ford's Super Duty marketing manager, said the package targets a different buyer than the F-150's Raptor performance variant. He said it represents "an enhanced version" of the company's FX4 off-road package that's available on the Ranger, F-150 and Super Duty. The FX4 and Tremor packages cannot be combined, and Rathsburg said Ford expects half of Super Duty customers to pick one or the other. "There's a recreation element to this," Rathsburg said. "We see it more of an evolution of the Super Duty customer as their lifestyle changes." .

Matt Cole, Commercial Carrier Journal (CCJ) / June 25, 2019 Daimler Trucks North America announced recently a recall of approximately 741 trucks due to the vehicles potentially having insufficient service brake air reservoir capacity, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents. DTNA says the affected trucks fail to comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard because to the issue. Insufficient air reservoir volume could reduce brake effectiveness, the company adds. Truck models included in the recall are: 2013-2019 Freightliner Cascadia 2005-2009 Freightliner Columbia 2014-2015 Western Star 4700 2015 Western Star 4900 2006 Western Star 6900 2013-2018 Freightliner 108SD 2014-2019 Freightliner 114SD 2014 Freightliner 122SD 2004-2005 Freightliner FL80 Business Class 2010 Freightliner FLD 2005-2017 Freightliner M2 2018-2019 Freightliner M2 Business Class 2005-2007 Sterling Acterra 2007 Sterling L7500 2006-2007 Sterling L8500 2004-2006 Sterling L9500 2007 Sterling LT7500 2007 Sterling LT8500 2005-2008 Sterling LT9500 Daimler will notify owners of affected trucks, and dealers will add reservoir capacity to the trucks. Owners can contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with recall number FL-815. NHTSA’s recall number is 19V-370.

Ford Trucks International Press Release / June 25, 2019 We are growing throughout Europe! Delighted to announce our brand-new facility in Slovakia! .

Driver II Cab .

U.S. Army approves JLTV program’s transition into Full-Rate Production Defense Blog / June 22, 2019 The U.S. Army has announced on Friday that Dr. Bruce Jette, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, approved the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program’s transition into Full-Rate Production yesterday. The JLTV is a family of vehicles developed to replace the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) for some missions. The JLTV is expected to provide protection for passengers against current and future battlefield threats, increased payload capacity, and improved automotive performance over the up-armored HMMWV variant, which includes an armor package. It is designed to be transported by air or ship. Two- and four-seat variants are planned with multiple mission configurations. According to a statement released by the Program Executive Office for Combat Support & Combat Service Support, the approval follows an Army decision in December 2018 to begin fielding the new platform with the Army’s 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia, in April. The 1-3 ID became the Army’s first unit equipped with JLTVs in April 2019, after receiving more than 300 vehicles. Fieldings to the Ordnance School, Fort Lee, Virginia, the 84th Training Command, Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, the Marine Corps’ School of Infantry-West at Camp Pendleton, California, as well as the School of Infantry-East, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, have also been completed. “Thanks to tremendous teamwork across two services on requirements, resources, program management, testing, and other areas, this is a great modernization success story. JLTV shows how teams focused on stable requirements, mature technologies and the right incentives can deliver meaningful capability advancements in a cost-conscious way,” said Jeffrey White, Jette’s principal deputy. The JLTV family of vehicles is designed to restore payload and performance that were traded from light tactical vehicles to add protection in recent conflict, giving commanders an improved protected mobility solution and the first vehicle purpose-built for modern battlefield networks. “Getting an improved capability into the hands of Soldiers and Marines has been our team’s driving focus throughout this program, said Michael Sprang, Project Manager, Joint Program Office, Joint Light Tactical Vehicles. They are why we do what we do, and I’m so proud of the hard-working team that brought us to this point. “We are also grateful for Soldier feedback on new features and enhancements,” he continued. “The Soldiers of the 1st ABCT, 3rd Infantry Division provided valuable input on enhancements such as increased situational awareness, reduction of system noise, a troop seat kit, and a companion JLTV trailer. Their assessments helped bring us all to a successful Full-Rate Production decision.” The JLTV program remains on schedule and on budget to replace a significant portion of the Army’s High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle fleet. The JLTV comes in two variants and four mission package configurations: General Purpose, Close Combat Weapons Carrier, Heavy Guns Carrier, and a Utility vehicle. The U.S. Navy and Air Force also plan to field JLTVs in much smaller quantities. .

Transport Engineer / June 24, 2019 Lyon Metropole has taken delivery of a Renault D Wide ZE refuse collection vehicle (RCV), the first pre-production model in the new all-electric range due for launch at the end of this year. The 26-tonne vehicle features an electric engine in the wheelbase, providing the interface between the truck and its equipment. The vehicle has been converted by Faun Environnement, which coupled a hydraulic pump to the standard interface to power the refuse collection system. Faun also altered the hydraulic circuit to reduce noise levels and soundproofed the rear section to confine the noise of falling waste within the trailer. These changes have enabled noise levels to be reduced by 3 decibels. The stop-start operating cycles of RCVs makes them particularly suited to all-electric power, says Renault. As electric vehicles mainly use the engine to slow down, use of brakes and the production of related emissions are both reduced. .

Transport Engineer / June 21, 2019 Bulk excavation business Brocks Haulage has taken delivery of the UK’s first 44-tonne Stralis X-Way 6x4 tractor unit, from IVECO. The latest order follows the arrival of the Essex-based operator’s first IVECO trucks, earlier this year, when it added ten Stralis X-Way 8x4 tippers to its fleet. Supplied by dealer Acorn Trucks, the new arrival is powered by an 11.1-litre Cursor 11 engine delivering 474bhp and 2,300Nm of torque. The truck has been fitted with a wet kit for operating Brocks Haulage’s ejector and walking floor trailers. It also has an optional low-level passenger door window for improved visibility of vulnerable road users. The prime mover is designed for ‘last mile’ deliveries to construction sites, combining fuel efficiency and safety technologies with the comfort of the road-going Stralis cab. It has been specified with the ‘Off’ chassis set-up – one of three chassis options – which enables the vehicle to tackle terrain with approaches of more than 25 degrees when collecting and delivering off road. Anthony Brown, operations director at Brocks Haulage, says: “We’ve always required 6x4 tractors for our landfill work, but previously they’ve been sourced from other manufacturers. This time we were attracted to the IVECO unit based on our experiences with the Stralis X-Way rigids – we were keen to try something different.” In addition to waste haulage work, the tractor will be used for low loader work, moving plant equipment ranging from mini-diggers to 35-tonne excavators. .

Commercial Motor / June 18, 2019 Classic Scania is the only thing Kevin Mackin thinks is worth driving. .

Scania Group Press Release / June 26, 2019 HAVI’s alternative fuels partnership with Scania is making excellent progress in Germany. HAVI will soon operate one of the country’s largest liquefied gas vehicle fleets just six months after introducing its first gas-powered vehicles. HAVI Germany recently switched nine more delivery trucks to gas and is on track to operate 35 liquefied gas vehicles from its Duisburg distribution centre by the end of June. To speed up the low-carbon journey, HAVI is also increasing its own network of filling stations for liquefied gas. Lower emissions and quieter vehicles “The success of our partnership with Scania is reinforcing our position as a recognised sustainability leader in the logistics sector,” according to HAVI. This partnership aims to transfer up to 70 percent of HAVI’s vehicle fleet to alternative fuels by 2021 in several of the European countries where HAVI operates. In addition to lower emissions, the gas-powered trucks are also much quieter. Delivering these benefits is becoming increasingly urgent as the threat of low-emission zones, congestion charges and diesel bans in European towns and cities grows. “For our customers, sustainable supply chains with the lowest possible emissions are becoming more and more important. With our liquified gas fleet, we are contributing towards making our customers’ supply chains and products more sustainable,” says Roland Schmidt, Managing Director, HAVI Logistics, Germany. Growing demand for alternative fuels The demand for sustainable transport solution is growing in the German market. “It is therefore necessary that the infrastructure of filling stations for gas also grows to pave the way for more sustainable transport system,” says Stefan Ziegert, Product Manager, Sustainable Transport Solutions, Scania Deutschland Österreich. “When the production of renewable biogas increases, it can be blended into natural gas, which is more common today. Biogas offers reduction of CO2 emissions of about 90 percent.” Germany’s network of filling stations for liquified gas is still developing slowly. In November 2018, HAVI therefore opened the fourth filling station for liquified gas in Germany and another station is scheduled to open at the start of 2020. “Opening our own stations has been essential to making our alternative fuels strategy a success,” explains Torsten Oldhues, Managing Director, Operations, HAVI. .

Scania Group Press Release / June 25, 2019 Very little was certain when the new liquefied gas Scania R 410 pulled out of Wojtex Transport’s depot near Białystok, Poland, for its maiden voyage to Spain. Despite months of arduous planning, drivers Łukasz Kubicki and Kamil Zieliński knew the fuelling process would be tricky. Ten days and 7,822 kilometres later, the two returned in triumph, having completed the longest-ever regular transport route using liquefied gas. “I’m the first to admit that this was a very risky decision,” says owner Wojciech Kusnerz. “By making this trip, we’ve shown that it’s feasible to carry out these transports all the way through Europe and I now believe that this is the fuel of the future.” The decision to embark upon this pioneering transport was taken after a painstaking planning process by Fleet Manager Kamil Filipowicz. Having pored over maps, calculated distances and fuel consumption, and having contacted the few liquefied gas filling stations, he felt reasonably confident. And nearly everything went as planned, with fuel stops on the way south in Germany, Belgium, France and Spain. Various filling techniques “We were planning to fill in Rennes in Brittany, but it turned out to be the wrong address and we were instead directed 50 kilometres west, to Gaël. The only real mishap was that the station in Montélimarin in southern France was closed when we got there, and we had to take a chance on continuing our drive into Spain. The truck had by then travelled 930 kilometres on one tank of fuel, but it turned out that we still had 20 percent of the gas left,” says Łukasz Kubicki. Along the route, the drivers gained invaluable experience. For example, they found that fuel prices varied by up to 40 percent and that filling techniques varied from one country to another. Low fuel consumption “It’s good to learn how everything works; that will be very useful for coming trips,” says driver Kamil Zieliński. “All in all, we’re very happy and the truck is wonderful. And the low fuel consumption! We averaged 22.8 kg/100 km and on the last leg of our journey from Berlin to Białystok, we were down to 22.3 kg/100 km.” (Liquefied gas is measured in kilos and is roughly equivalent to litres). On the way south, the refrigerated trailer was loaded with turf for grass lawns, and it later picked up biscuits in France for delivery to Spain. Finding loads in Spain for the return journey is simpler, and the drivers travelled home with their truck packed with oranges, apricots, peaches and blueberries. Planning a 10,000-kilometre route For many years, Wojtex Transport focused almost exclusively on transports to Russia but was forced to shift routes following the imposition of sanctions. Nowadays, Spain accounts for three-quarters of its northbound trade, with deliveries in Poland and Belarus. “We previously had a fleet of 30 trucks but when the Russian business dried up we had to modernise to drive in the EU. We now have 18 trucks, nearly all of them Euro 6,” explains Kusnerz. Buoyed by the positive experience, Wojtex is back on the road for an even longer journey, this time planning to add over 2,000 kilometres more to pass the 10,000-kilometre single route mark. But that in no way deters the drivers. “The shift from diesel to liquefied gas will come, it’s only a matter of time.” “With our previous truck, you got a backache after four-and-a-half hours but not in this new Scania. My thanks to Scania’s engineers,” says Kubicki, with additional praise for the gas propulsion. “The first thing you notice about the truck is how silent it is. In fact, I was half asleep as Kamil drove and thought that we were not moving. The refrigeration unit was louder than the engine.” Owner Kusnerz is also thrilled about his new truck. “We will share all our good experience. That way we can encourage the building of more filling stations. The shift from diesel to liquefied gas will come, it’s only a matter of time.” .

GM, Navistar Considered Air Brakes For Silverado Medium Duty Truck Jonathan Lopez, GM Authority / June 25, 2019 General Motors and Navistar considered offering an air brake system on their Medium Duty Class 4, 5, and 6 trucks – the Chevrolet Silverado Medium Duty Chassis Cab Trucks and International CV, GM Authority exclusively uncovered thanks to insider sources familiar with future GM truck programs. The air brake system was originally considered for the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 6500HD, which currently is the range-topping model in the Silverado Medium Duty range. However, the duo ended up deciding against offering the feature on the vehicles for the time being. Instead, the feature will be reserved for the as-of-yet rumored but unconfirmed Class 7 truck that we have reported the duo to be exploring. The current 2019 Chevrolet Silverado Medium Duty truck line comes with a hydraulic brake system with four-channel ABS from Bosch/Meritor/Wabco. However, the rumored Class 7 Silverado will likely include air brakes as exclusive equipment for the range-topping model. For those not intricately familiar with the difference between hydraulic and air brakes, here’s a quick rundown: the vast majority of vehicles produced today are equipped with a hydraulic brake system, which uses brake fluid to squeeze brake drums or rotors with a friction material, like a brake pad or brake shoe. By comparison, air brakes use compressed air to transmit the braking force to the pad or shoe. Air brakes are primarily used in large commercial vehicles, and are considered preferable to a hydraulic setup for such applications. Not only are air brakes less prone to overloading when slowing heavy-weight vehicles, but they are also more reliable and easier to service, especially as a large system. While brake fluid can leak out and drain away, air is abundant and ever-present, providing an inherent fail-safe. What’s more, an air brake system doesn’t require bleeding like a hydraulic system. For that reason, they would be perfect in a potential Class 7 truck from GM and Navistar. The current Chevrolet Silverado Medium Duty truck line was developed in conjunction with Navistar, and includes the Silverado 4500HD (Class 4), Silverado 5500HD (Class 5), and Silverado 6500 HD (Class 6) models for GM, along with Navistar’s version – the International CV. The models were jointly developed by GM and Navistar, while Navistar handles production of both variants. Last year, GM Authority exclusively reported that GM and Navistar were exploring a possible collaboration for a new Class 7 truck, which would sit at the top of the Chevrolet Silverado range with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) between 26,000 and 33,000 pounds (11,794-14,969 kilos). Our intel told us that the new Class 7 truck will launch in 2022 and come with the new air brake system, among other exclusive features. This latest rumor follows several other firsts reported by GM Authority, including that the Silverado Medium Duty truck line will receive a new gas engine option in the near future. This new engine will likely be variant of the 6.6L V8 L8T introduced in the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD and 2020 GMC Sierra HD. In May, we also reported that GM is looking to expand the Silverado Medium Duty line by adding a new 22.5-inch wheel option to create a dock-height version of the work truck.

An air dryer is a wise investment. And, the price of the units with the spin-on desiccant cartridge has become so inexpensive that it's a no-brainer to add one.

553GB3266B - head gasket - EN707/END(T)673/END711 with 20 studs 3029-8213C - head gasket - EN707/END(T)673/END711 with 18 studs

The wise man is running pre-emissions Series 60 Detroit Diesels in Fitzgerald-produced glider kits.

The Anthem.......such a hideous looking gaudy/tacky modification of a Mack CH should be a crime. And one has to wonder, did the Swedish foreign aggressor name this product after our national anthem......or theirs?