kscarbel2

"Now that we revealed the new #Autocar #DC-64R purpose-built conventional refuse truck, the wraps are off the truck we had hidden as a teaser in our WasteExpo booth. It's the 1990 Autocar ACL64B rolloff graciously loaned by All American Waste in New Mexico. Thanks to Carmine Capone and his family for sharing our celebrations of the new #AutocarDC. #AlwaysUp" .

Volkswagen gives ok to taking its truck unit public Jason Cannon, Commercial Carrier Journal (CCJ) / May 13, 2019 Volkswagen AG said on Monday it plans a summertime initial public offering (IPO) of its Traton truck unit. The German automaker just two months ago scuttled IPO plans for Traton – formerly Volkswagen Truck & Bus and the umbrella company for MAN, Scania, Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus and RIO – citing poor market conditions. Held back by build slots that have been filled since 2018, U.S. Class 8 truck orders have been below 20,000 units every month this year. Class 8 orders for the past 12 months now total 380,000 units, according to FTR. Traton’s supervisory board and board of management on Monday each okayed preparation for an IPO, putting the cash-raising plans back on track “subject to further market developments,” the company said Monday in a statement – a maneuver that could raise upwards of $6.75 billion dollars. Traton currently owns a nearly 17 percent stake in International Trucks’ parent company Navistar, and Wall Street has long speculated that a Traton IPO is a possible precursor to a richer investment in, if not the outright acquisition of, the Lisle, Ill. truck maker. Traders responded in-kind Monday. Despite losing as much as $2.23 per share earlier in the day, Navistar stock prices closed up nearly 3 percent after the Traton news broke.

That makes no sense. Bob? Once assumes they sold the HN80 tooling to Daimler. If they leased it, such a deal would be unheard of. They might still own the Louisville tooling, but.............

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow admits that it is American businesses that pay the tariffs on any goods brought in from China, and that US consumers also foot the bill if companies pass on the cost increase. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=686&v=5C9PG8KwXwE

Transport Engineer / May 8, 2019 IVECO’s Stralis X-Way 6x4 tractor will make its UK debut at Tip-ex 2019 (Harrogate; 30 May to 1 June). After the show, the vehicle will go into service with Purfleet-based Brocks Haulage, which already has several Stralis X-Way 8x4 tippers in its fleet. The new addition will be supplied with a wet kit for operating the firm’s tri-axle tipping trailers. The truck maker will also be exhibiting a Stralis X-Way 8x4 rigid, part of the North East Truck & Van demonstrator fleet. This vehicle will feature a Boweld tipper body for heavy-duty work in on/off-road applications. The demonstrator has been built by IVECO in ‘OFF’ chassis specification – one of three options available alongside ‘ON’ and ‘ON+’. This ensures the vehicle is suitable for off-road missions, with a set-up combining excellent ground clearance and the ability to tackle steeper approach angles. It will appear alongside a 3.5-tonne Daily tipper and a Stralis NP (Natural Power) tractor unit, which will be available for testing on local roads from the dedicated vehicle demonstration area. .

FMX (vocational chassis) prototypes

An expensive truck that, high on profit but low on elementary substance, doesn't hold up. The American taxpayer is duped again.

JLTV deemed ‘not operationally suitable’ in a GAO report Defense Blog / May 12, 2019 The new Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, commonly known as JLTV, has been again deemed “not operationally suitable”, the Government Accountability Office said in its annual survey of Defense Department acquisitions. The JLTV program is intended to replace the Army and Corp’s legacy fleet of High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (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. “The JLTV program has matured its two critical technologies and stabilized the system design. However, the program’s discovery of significant deficiencies during operational testing—and the corrections that those now require—pose risk to maintaining that design stability,” the Government Accounting Office said this week in a report on major weapons systems. In report noted that during low-rate initial production, Oshkosh significantly reduced the number of defects per manufactured vehicle, from 14.6 in September 2016 to 1.3 in September 2018. Program officials also stated that Oshkosh has provided on-time deliveries for 6 consecutive months and is now producing vehicles 2 months ahead of schedule at a rate of about 11 per day. The program is also utilizing statistical process controls to demonstrate ongoing JLTV production readiness. “The Army and Marine Corps recently concluded operational testing for JLTV and found the vehicles to be survivable for the crew and effective for small combat and transport missions,” the GAO said in its 17th annual survey of defense acquisitions and pointing that: “but not operationally suitable because of their high maintenance needs, low reliability, training and manual deficiencies, and safety shortcomings.” The Director, Operational Test and Evaluation, made the same findings as the Army and Marine Corps. Army operational testers recommended a conditional release to full-rate production for most of the vehicle variants, pending resolution of all suitability related deficiencies. Marine Corps operational testers, however, found the JLTV could support their mission and advocated for the program’s unconditional transition into full-rate production. However, the Army delayed the full-rate decision from December 2018 to May 2019 to review new potential requirements. .

Well done! Australia has some of the world's best problem solvers, a place overflowing with ingenuity. Oh, and Oz has Paul too.............https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/50535-extreme-make-over-time-for-mrs-mack/?page=2

So many negative waves. As Oddball once said, "Have a little faith baby! have a little faith!" As for the HN80. the dashboard did crack......and new owner Daimler never seemed to have addressed the problem. However, I'm confident that Ford would have, had they kept going with it.

COF-5370

Vehicle Service Pros / May 9, 2019 International Truck showcased its Diamond Partner Program as well as two International HV Series refuse products, including one painted pink to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research, at the Waste Expo. “We have so many exciting things going on at International Truck, especially with our outstanding, recently refreshed lineup of vocational products,” said David Hillman, general manager, Vocational Trucks, Navistar. “With this new lineup, along with our strong focus on creating mutually beneficial relationships across the industry, International Truck is making great strides in becoming the premier partner for vocational truck owners.” Two HV 607s were on display. The HV Series vehicle on display in the International booth featured a 25-yard body, a 15,000 lb reeving cylinder, and a 3rd Eye rear vision camera for maximum visibility. To raise awareness of breast cancer research, this vehicle’s cab is painted pink. 100 percent of the first month’s rental fee for the vehicle will be donated to a breast cancer awareness foundation. The other HV 607 on display featured a drop frame body, designed to reduce the loading height for manual collection, and a cab engineered with several DriverFirst features to provide maximum driver comfort. In addition, International Truck is showcasing its Diamond Partner Program, which was first announced two months ago at the Work Truck Show and already has more than 100 members. The program focuses on building stronger relationships and communication between truck equipment manufacturers and International dealers. The program also focuses on providing manufacturers with a wide range of benefits aimed at streamlining installation, offering best-in-class body builder resources, and providing specification optimization. .

Speaking of the Autocar launch, I can't remember when we had such an exciting week. I haven't felt this much energy since the HN80 was launched. Non-truck people, realistically speaking, at Freightliner, Paccar and the Mack brand for example, try to hype the launch of the latest Cascadia, T680 and Anthem.......and completely fail, because they have never known the "pulse" of the heavy truck industry. There's something to be said for deep-rooted truck experience (politically correct "diversity" doesn't create and sell great trucks).

Related reading: https://www.macktrucks.com.au/ https://www.pickles.com.au/trucks/item/-/details/CP-01-19--Mack--Superliner--6x4-Sleeper-Cab-Prime-Mover/902281447

Trade Trucks AU / April 12, 2019 Still a much-loved model in the Australian market, the Mack Granite is as suited for local or interstate distribution as for heavy construction applications Over the years Mack has garnered much praise for its Granite range with customers describing it as a versatile, tough and reliable truck that offers in-close manoeuvrability and long-haul comfort. Designed and built in Australia for Australian conditions, Mack says the Granite’s light-weight chassis can carry heavy loads while staying nimble. Its powerful and fuel-efficient Mack MP8 engine makes Granite an "unflinching truck built with true grit". A 2014 version of this classic model is up for sale through Volvo Commercial Vehicles Sydney. The distribution model is perfectly suited to the open highway, or local and interstate work. This Mack Granite is a light-weight day cab prime mover with 24,000kg GVM and long enough for a tipper body with GCM of 50,000kg. It is fitted with a Mack turbo diesel MP8 435hp engine delivering up to 1,840 lb-ft torque. The 12.8-litre capacity engine boasts maxi-cruise torque settings, selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and Euro 5 emission level (ADR80/03). Mack’s trademark mDrive automated manual transmission takes all the effort out of gear changes while maximising driver comfort and payload. This 6x4 axle configuration model also offers great fuel economy and low emissions. Other notable features include airbag suspension, Alcoa alloy rims, fuel haul kit and a Jost fixed turntable. The Mack grade gripper offers excellent hill start assist. Meanwhile, the low-level cab makes it ideal for multi-stop entries. The exterior features include stainless bug screen integrated with grille, heated ‘West Coast’ mirrors with stainless steel arms, and both left-hand and right-hand power mirrors and seven-inch spotter mirrors. Inside, the Granite features a radio/CD player, climate control, in-dash cup holders, two-pocket door storage, interior trim, internal grab handles, overhead storage, power windows, Bulldog soft touch rubber grip steering wheel, integrated seat belt with ISRI ‘Big-Boy’ air-ride premium driver's seat and central locking. The former major fleet truck has been freshly repainted, fully serviced and workshop checked, Volvo Commercial Vehicles Sydney’s used truck manager Chris Cunich says. Full service history of this 2014 prime mover is available so with 531,000 kilometres it’s good to know there’s also a comprehensive record of repairs and component replacements. Asking price is $129,900 including GST. For more information, contact Volvo Commercial Vehicles Sydney on 02 9731 8600. The truck will be on display at the upcoming National Diesel Dirt & Turf Expo held from May 3-5 at the Penrith Panthers Showgrounds in the western suburbs of Sydney. However, it won’t feel lonesome at the show, with Volvo Commercial Vehicles all set to display a range of its products at the expo that is designed to bring together the biggest line-up of earthmoving dealers, machinery, equipment, attachments, trucks, bikes, utilities and more. The Diesel Dirt & Turf Expo is Australia’s largest construction industry event that brings together some of the world’s leading experts in earthmoving equipment technology. This year’s event – the fourth instalment of the expo – will also bring a whole new line-up of entertainment, food, beverage and hospitality facilities and for the first time, a chance for visitors to win more than $100,000 in prizes. It is a good opportunity for fleet operators, asset managers, local government equipment management and contractors to speak directly with industry specialists, and technical and engineering personnel. For more details about the expo, visit www.dieseldirtandturf.com.au. .

Greg Bush, Owner-Driver / May 10, 2019 Australia’s rock legend Jimmy Barnes and Mack Trucks Australia have joined forces to raise money for drought-stricken farming communities in New South Wales and Queensland with the launch of the ‘Working Class Mack’ at Wacol, Brisbane. The stylish artwork adorning the Super-Liner recreates Barnes’ iconic album cover For The Working Class Man, which was released in 1985. The Mack Super-liner is now being auctioned through Pickles. Bidding will close on June 13 with funds then being distributed by Rotary Australia. Mack Trucks Australia vice president Dean Bestwick says Barnes had overseen the artwork spray painted on the truck’s cabin. "This Australian-made Mack Super-Liner is an enormous, inspirational homage to Jimmy’s legendary Working Class Man – an iconic album from 1985 that still resonates with farming communities across the country," Bestwick says. "We’re auctioning the Working Class Mack and donating the profits from the sale to Rotary to show our support for farmers who’re doing it tough. They’re the backbone of our nation and Mack trucks work side-by-side with them every day." Launching the auction at Mack’s Brisbane factory on May 10, Barnes says people on the land needed all the help they could get. "It’s extremely urgent – 99 percent of New South Wales and 65 per cent of Queensland are in drought. "Tens of thousands of farmers are on their knees and country towns are working hard to make a living, because of the worst drought in living memory. "It’s time for all Australians to rally around those in the bush, to show we care, and I’m really proud to team up with Mack for this fundraiser," Barnes says. Bestwick urged Mack and Barnesy fans to dig deep. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so bid big and remember it’s for our farmers," Bestwick says. With Bestwick riding shotgun, Barnes took the Mack around the inside perimiter of Mack HQ at Wacol, Brisbane. The B-double specced ‘gold bulldog’ Super-Liner is powered by a Mack MP10 16 litre engine, with a Mack mDrive 12-speed automated manual box. On top is a 58-inch high-rise sleeper. The successful bidder of the ‘Working Class Mack’ will own what is arguably the most eye-catching truck on the Australia’s highways. .

Power Torque Magazine / May 2019 Childhood memories can hold a special place in the heart − a trusty family dog, a favourite push-bike or matchbox car, or special experiences long held dear. For those with truck-driving fathers, sometimes those experiences come from school holiday adventures riding shotgun with Dad to far-off places. For Bowral, NSW-based Rod Preston, this is exactly how he remembers his childhood holidays and, in particular, his father Roger’s R-700 Mack prime mover. From around 10 years of age, a young Rod recalls school holiday adventures with his father on trips from Sydney to Darwin − firstly in an R-600 Mack, followed by an R-700. “In the aftermath of Cyclone Tracey (1974), Dad did a lot of work carting building materials for the rebuilding of Darwin,” Rod recalled. “He would load Oregon timber, Cypress pine flooring or fibro from James Hardie in Sydney, and he was also a prime contractor for Tubemakers, carting pipes to NT uranium mines. “In those days, road trains had to be coupled at Barringun in Queensland for the run up to Darwin, although it was common practice for double road trains to be hitched in Dubbo at midnight and set off from there under cover of darkness. “Originally Dad bought an R-600 Mack, but it wasn’t long before he realised that it was not going to be ideal up the arduous Sydney-to-Darwin freight run, which was in those days 1000 miles (1600 km) of gravel roads. Ultimately, this led to him buying his R-700, which he had custom-built for the job and purchased from Mack Trucks at Rocklea.” The R-700 is recognisable by its long bonnet, being 12 inches longer than an R-600 to accommodate larger-sized engines. Roger’s R-700 featured a Thermodyne V8 engine rated at 375 hp (280 kW) and 1040 ft/lb (1410 Nm) of torque. Cog swapping was done via the 12-speed Maxitorque twin-stick splitter transmission and it rode on 44,000 lb diffs and Camel-back springs. If anyone doubted it was a true Mack, the sounds of the trademark air start announcing it was time to head up the highway soon dispelled any ideas others might have had about sleeping in a little longer. Rod says his Dad was always on top of maintenance, and used the best equipment he could find. Fruehauf provided his choice of trailer and in true pioneering fashion in 1978, he requested Fruehauf build him a quad-axle trailer to carry the sometimes 50-tonne payloads on each trailer. Rod explained: “The R-700 was the truck I learned to drive in. I actually reached the point where I was driving so frequently that when Dad returned from a Darwin trip once he told me that the policeman from Avon Downs Station in the NT had told him it was about time I got my truck licence. I said ‘OK, then, I’ll have to drop in and see him on the next trip’, to which Dad quipped back ‘there’s no need for that, he’s seen you driving enough, he sent your licence back with me’. I was 18 years old.” Unbeknown to Rod at the time, those carefree days of trucking with his Dad would light a fire deep inside that would smoulder for years. Those long-haul trips created an itch for Rod that would one day need to be scratched, whatever it took. Rod had always wondered what had happened to his Dad’s truck after he sold it in 1979. For a while they kept track of it, as it was initially sold to one of Roger’s mates, Barry Handorf. Unfortunately, contact with the truck was eventually lost when Barry traded it in for an early-model Mack SuperLiner. After that it was believed to have had numerous owners throughout the NT and Queensland, although its location was by then unknown. Utilising the bush telegraph, Rod had been trying to locate the R-700 since 2009, eventually getting a tip-off that the truck was at a property in Alpha, Queensland. Rod managed to contact the owner who had been using the truck to cart tractors and machinery on a low-loader trailer. Rod’s plans were to try and buy the truck back and restore it. Life doesn’t always go as planned and ill health required Rod to refocus on something more important, so the R-700 project was placed on the backburner for a time. By 2014, Rod was again ready to focus on that insatiable desire to see the R-700 return to its original owner. He made a call to the property owner in Alpha, only to be told the truck had been sold to a collector/restorer in Toowoomba, Glen Buetel. Rod was heartbroken and thought his quest was at an end. However, Glen had heard of Rod’s efforts to track down this particular truck, and his connection to it. Glen wanted to restore the truck to its totally original condition and who better to help with photos and memories of all the small details about the truck than Rod and Roger? Throughout the re-build project, Glen and Rod regularly collaborated on various stages to achieve Glen’s vision for the truck, although a surprise was in store for Rod. Glen asked Rod if, at the end of the rebuild, would he like to buy the truck? Rod didn’t hesitate to answer that he certainly would. Rod had one condition, though – he would only buy it if the retro-fitted Caterpillar engine was removed and replaced by an original V8 Thermodyne. Rod felt that the heart and soul of that truck was its engine, and he would accept nothing less than that unmistakeable Mack V8 rumble. This stipulation posed yet another challenge to the project, as these engines are getting harder to come by. However, an engine was finally located just outside Sydney, and a subsequent inspection from a mechanic deemed it sound. During the restoration it was found that the cab had too much rust, so a replacement was sourced and fitted. The bunk was also replaced after finding an identical unit that exactly matched the original. Rod said a lot of parts were either missing or not original, and enormous effort has been put in to replicate the original truck. “Most of the interior trimming has had to be manufactured from scratch, as you just can’t get this stuff anymore,” he said. The R-700 project really gained momentum in the last few years, with the finishing touches winding up in 2018. There was just one thing left to do. Rod had not told his father he was buying the truck. Although Roger knew of the restoration and had even dropped in for a visit to see and drive it, until that stage he looked on his involvement as simply being grateful for that experience. When the truck was ready, Rod rang his father and told him that he had some business in Brisbane and was planning to head out to Toowoomba to catch up with Glen Buetel and John Grossman, the sales manager at Mack Trucks Brisbane, and suggested Roger might like to tag along. Roger thought it would be a nice day out and a good opportunity to spend some time with his grandson Warwick (Rod’s son) who also came along. Upon arrival at the Mack dealership, the R-700 was parked up in the delivery bay in all its 1970s glory. Rod conveyed to Roger that, sadly, the truck had been sold to a private collector, to which Roger seemed disappointed after all the hard work that had been put into the project. Rod then went on to explain that the good news was that the private collector lives in Bowral NSW, and that Rod had come to pick up his new truck. “It was Dad’s 79th birthday.” It was at this point, Rod said, that “Dad was quite a bit overcome and emotional”. After some time to take in and talk over the situation, it was time to drive the R-700 home to Bowral via Brisbane, to drop Roger at his current home. Rod asked if Roger would like to drive the truck home − to which he replied, “no, I drove it out from the Rocklea dealership when it was new, it’s now your turn”. And with that, three generations of Preston men drove out of Toowoomba’s Mack dealership in a fully restored 1976 R-700 and into their family history album. Roger Preston is still driving trucks, working in the truck relocation field delivering trucks which, while unladen, would still give a much more comfortable ride than the old R-700. In 2018, Roger was inducted into the Road Transport Hall of Fame in Alice Springs. . .

IVECO Trucks Australia / April 18, 2019 For Gold Coast market gardeners, ‘Salad Makers’, the decision to add a new Stralis ATi 6x2 to its distribution fleet was an easy one, especially given the excellent performance of its other Stralis models, the oldest which was purchased in 2012. Salad Makers General Manager, Belinda Adams, said the company had exclusively used IVECO trucks since this time and saw no need to consider other brands. “We currently have three IVECO Stralis models. This latest truck replaces another older IVECO – given the driver acceptance, the comfort of the trucks, and the fact that we’ve never had any issues with them, it was a logical choice to again select a Stralis,” Belinda said. Having worked for 11 years at the company that was started by her parents, Barry and Lyn Moss in 1983, Belinda oversees a staff of approximately 35 people while helping to manage several properties, a production facility and associated compliance tasks. Along with growing a variety of salad mixes, whole lettuce and herbs on its own properties, Salad Makers also source additional produce from approved suppliers, before delivering to a range of supermarkets in the region using its refrigerated-bodied Stralis trucks. A typical working shift would begin with the IVECOs being loaded with the palletised produce at around midnight before travelling to their destinations about 45 minutes away. The trucks are then often back loaded before returning to base where the procedure can be repeated up to two or three times depending on demand, before finishing at around 9:00am. The new IVECO features the Cursor 8 engine producing 360 hp and 1500 Nm from a low 1125 rpm and is matched to a 12-speed Eurotronic AMT. The new truck and the earlier models are also equipped with rear Electronically Controlled Air Suspension (ECAS), ensuring a smoother ride for the produce and the driver. “The trucks don’t usually cover high kilometres, but there’s a lot of start and stop conditions, and for this it’s important to have a safe and comfortable vehicle,” Belinda said. “As well as being comfortable and easy to drive with the automated manual transmission, air suspension seat and climate control, the trucks have a good size sleeper (2020 x 620mm), meaning that if the drivers are out and there’s a delay in loading, they can rest for an hour or two.” Belinda said that each driver is assigned a truck and that they are responsible for cleaning and maintaining it. “We’ve found that if each driver is allocated his own vehicle, the truck is better cared for and there’s familiarity with the vehicle,” she said. “They keep tabs on when the truck needs to be serviced and if there’s any other preventative maintenance needed.” Enjoying a good relationship with selling dealer, Brisbane IVECO and Gold Coast (Arundel) IVECO service and parts outlet, Gibbs Truck & Trailer, provides Salad Makers with additional peace of mind in knowing that support is not far away if required, according to Belinda. “Given the sensitive nature of the produce that we transport, it’s good to know that if we did have issues with a vehicle, help wouldn’t be far away,” she said. “Brisbane IVECO operate a 24 hour call-out service and Gibbs Truck & Trailer is close by. “The Stralis models have everything we need in a truck and the drivers really like them. The driver of this latest truck has thanked me so many times for getting him the new one.” .

UD Trucks Australia / April 30, 2019 .