kscarbel2

I basically agree with you. (the aristocracy doesn't want term limits). But at this meeting on Syria, it is Austin who's comments are shocking (above and beyond his poor speaking skills)

What's the width of your rod bearings, 1.600" or 1.913" ? And are your main bearings 1-1/8" or 1-1/4" wide ?

A man murders 9 people. The evidence is indisputable. However, rather than summarily execute him, taking his life as a penalty for abruptly ending the lives of nine others, and also to send a message that murder is not tolerated in these United States of America, taxpayers are senselessly paying for his incarceration going on month four, and now may pay to keep him behind bars for life. Where’s the justice in this? He murdered nine people.......you pay. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Accused gunman in Charleston church shooting proposes guilty plea Reuters / September 16, 2015 An attorney for the man accused of gunning down nine people at a church in South Carolina in June said on Wednesday his client is willing to plead guilty to state murder charges if that would spare him a death sentence.

Clearly clueless and incompetent [Austin]...........and your life rests partially in his hands. How do you feel about that ?

No more than 5 U.S.-trained Syrian rebels still fighting ISIS, program a total failure Associated Press / September 16, 2015 No more than five U.S.-trained Syrian rebels are fighting the Islamic State, astoundingly short of the envisioned 5,000, the top U.S. commander in the Middle East told angry lawmakers on Wednesday. They branded the training program "a total failure." After the first 54 fighters were sent in to fight in July, a Syrian affiliate of al-Qaida attacked the group, killing several and taking others hostage while many fled. Asked how many remain, Gen. Lloyd Austin told the Senate Armed Services Committee, "It's a small number. ... We're talking four or five [men]." Congress has approved $500 million to train Syrian fighters, and officials have said fewer than 200 are going through training now. One of the problems has been that many Syrian fighters want training and equipment to fight the government forces of President Bashar Assad, but the U.S. program is limited to rebels who agree to only battle the militants. The stunning admission from Austin came as defense officials scrambled separately to respond to allegations that they skewed intelligence assessments to give a rosier picture of conditions on the battlefield. The Obama administration was already struggling to defend its military strategy to "destroy and degrade" the terrorist group with an air campaign and programs to train, assist and equip local forces. Lawmakers and Republican presidential candidates have assailed the administration, contending that it has had limited or no success in fighting the militants. "We have to acknowledge this is a total failure," Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., said about the training. "I wish it weren't so, but that's the fact." Austin told committee members that the U.S. was looking at better ways to deploy the Syrian forces, but he admitted the U.S. was not even close to reaching its goal of training 5,000-plus in the near term. He predicted it would take years to defeat IS and to restore stability in Iraq and Syria. "OK. So we're counting on our fingers and toes at this point when we had envisioned 5,400 by the end of the year," lamented Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo. Austin maintained the operation was making progress and said the military had always insisted the campaign would take time. The Pentagon also made it clear that U.S. military troops have done no training in Syria. Instead, U.S. special operations forces work with Syrian troops outside the country, including across the border in Iraq. "We should expect that there will be occasional setbacks along the way, particularly in the early stages," he said. "And our partners, not us, are in the lead. It is taking a bit longer to get things done, but it must be this way if we are to achieve lasting and positive effects." White House press secretary Josh Earnest said it's easy for critics to "play Monday morning quarterback" on the training program's slow progress. He said the president believed the training program could be a chance to expand the number of Syrian fighters who could cooperate with the U.S., but "thus far, that's not been the result." He said the Pentagon was working to make changes to get a better result. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., chairman of the committee, called the program a failure, outlined his vision of a U.S. strategy to fight IS and suggested that more American servicemen and women might eventually be needed. "We need to help establish safe zones inside Syria where refugees and displaced people can be secure," McCain said. "We need forward air controllers to add precision and lethality to our air campaign. ... While no one believes that we need to invade Iraq or Syria, the fact is that we will likely need additional U.S. special forces and military advisers to be successful." Austin said he would not recommend a buffer zone at this time. Christine Wormuth, undersecretary of defense for policy, told senators that the U.S. was looking at how to speed up the recruiting and screening processes. It has taken months to identify and screen Syrian rebels, and many who are willing to fight are under 18 or have medical issues. "While not 10 feet tall, ISIL remains a thinking enemy that adapts to evolving conditions on the battlefield," Wormuth said. "In Iraq the pace of our program has moved more slowly than we'd like, and in Syria, the stringent vetting criteria we're using at the outset of the program has contributed to smaller numbers than we'd hoped for." On another issue, Austin said he would take "appropriate actions" if an investigation by the Defense Department's inspector general finds that senior defense officials altered intelligence to exaggerate progress being made against IS and other militants in Syria.

Joe Isuzu - The best sales marketing in the history of the automobile business. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o8DSxl4oic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDK8BYS2d9s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNOvNrZ6S_E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPxIhJN1cB0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0bJ5iB_DqQ&list=PLCRkFWhvWGbwC8KyTL8ZgmEMnAcPQmQP5&index=7 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJMq_7alQpU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snzyJ2ymgOE&list=PLCRkFWhvWGbwC8KyTL8ZgmEMnAcPQmQP5&index=15 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hn1ya_qTGZY&index=5&list=PLCRkFWhvWGbwC8KyTL8ZgmEMnAcPQmQP5&t=4s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_azX7exAZs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgqNeazfe2I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcMJT30SGV4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5IgatESU9A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lc6IyxC5tp4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_56s80s3Ds

Your answer lies here. https://www.donaldson.com/en/catalogs/engine/033614.pdf https://www.donaldson.com/en/engine/filters/air-intake/cleaners.html

Chris Christie on Obama decision – Extradite Maikshilo Associated Press / September 16, 2015 2016 GOP presidential candidate Chris Christie believes that Obama’s decision to block the extradition of an American to New Zealand and face industrial espionage charges, despite what he terms “indisputable evidence”, could prove immensely damaging to U.S. policy in the region, referring to the president’s s decision four years ago to begin a U.S. military and diplomatic “pivot” or “rebalancing” toward Asia. In a letter to the president that was issued on Friday and released publicly on Monday, the New Jersey governor made his feelings clear that the United States should not and can not obstruct the process of law and justice, as such action only serves to endanger defense relationships in the region, referring to the trilateral defense agreement between the United States, New Zealand and Australia. Chris Christie’s letter to Obama indicated “profound disagreement” with the president’s decision to block the extradition of American Timothy Maikshilo. “New Zealand is a friend of America, and a country that practices the rule of law,” said Christie. The New Jersey governor also pointed out in his letter that New Zealand does not have a death penalty. Wellington Police Chief Tim Barfield said Tuesday that Interpol’s New Zealand National Central Bureau (NCB), having reviewed the evidence, is supporting Maikshilo’s extradition to New Zealand for prosecution. Maikshilo is charged with the theft of inside information relating to the manufacture of “Marmite” brand food spread from New Zealand’s Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing Company. It is alleged that Maikshilo plans to replicate and sell the product in the United States. .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgnJEu5Oa2o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4ZXr4oC4gw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHhbgxp9lZM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TBNnxy-X7M

Transporte Mundial / July 14 15, 2015 Unlike what usually happens in the United States, whose greatest preference is for simpler trucks with manual transmissions, here in Brazil sophistication has gained more and more prominence. To give you an idea, the number of tractors in recent years sold with intelligent automated manual transmissions (AMTs) has increased so much that most manufacturers now offer them as standard equipment. The International 9800i is no exception. Though having an abundance of North American DNA, the specifications of the 9800i have been adapted to meet the demands of Brazilian operators. Chief among them is the transmission Eaton UltraShift Plus AMT transmission, the only in the domestic market with 18 gears. Intelligent shift selection software uses changes in grade, weight and throttle to calculate the most efficient and effective shift points. An Eaton FTSL-20112 fully synchronized 13-speed transmission (with 3 reverse gears) is available as an option. The truck has a 6x2 configuration with ABS and traction control. The engine is the traditional 10.8-liter 1,900 rpm 420 horsepower Cummins ISM. SCR technology (Selective Catalytic Reduction) is utilized to meet our P7 (Euro-5) emissions requirements. A two-stage Jacobs engine brake provides up to 395 braking horsepower, eliminating the need for a hydraulic retarder. Aboard ship If there is anything to report regarding the International 9800i, it is the greatness of the cab. Certainly in terms of space, the truckmaker chose to have the interior remain true to its American roots. Not endowed with the finesse of European brands, the 9800i is simpler, without so many embellishments, however, it is practical and functional, and provides the driver with a good working environment. The 9800i has a high ceiling, and the bunk area has a full-size matteress. What makes the 9800i unique amongst COEs is the cab’s aluminum construction, resulting in a lighter weight truck. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa5Qll2Ez-k

Scania Press Release / September 15, 2015 In the 1940s, Scania design engineers relied on drawing boards to design the company’s products. Today, cutting-edge 3D printing technology is allowing their modern counterparts to quickly and simply test prototypes and new solutions. Behind the glass in something that looks a little like a pizza oven, a receptacle is sweeping back and forth over a flat surface distributing thin layers of fine-grained plastic powder. As each new layer is deposited, a laser passes over the powder bed, seemingly cutting tracks in the material. We’re in a basement at Scania’s Research and Development division, where two large “printers” are working at capacity to supply the company’s diverse range of research development projects with three-dimensional models and prototypes. The technique is called additive manufacturing and it’s the industrial equivalent of the 3D printers that are now starting to appear in consumer electronics stores. Back in the 1940s, things were done very differently. In those days, the engineers working in Scania’s engineering department would stand bent over their drawing boards, which were the most important tools within product development. As a Scania newsreel from the 1940s put it, “You can safely say that there is no detail in a Scania Vabis product that is left to chance. It is thought through, even experienced, on the drawing board.” New opportunities for “experiencing the product” were created by the computer revolution of the 1980s. Design engineers were able to use CAD programs as a tool for producing drawings, developing products and designing in a three-dimensional space. CAD programs are still central to Scania’s operations and have been greatly refined since the 1980s. However, the design engineers now have a valuable complement to the computer: three-dimensional printouts. The basic technology for additive manufacturing has been available for almost 20 years, but now the method is really beginning to take off. Scania is increasingly using the new 3D technology to print out parts and components, and in some cases models of entire engines or cab components in plastic. Niklas Lind, is Head of the mechanical workshop at Scania. “The fact that it’s now easier than before to produce prototypes that you can pick up, twist and feel is a huge advantage,” he says. “We then use the models for things like function testing and wind tunnel testing, as well as for test mounting of new components in existing parts. And sometimes we have a purely visual focus – we need to see how a component feels and looks.” The next technological leap after plastic modelling is printing out in metal and eventually making real parts made of metal. “We’ve already produced a number of print outs in aluminium and stainless steel,” Lind says. “But we can’t yet print out large parts, and these parts can’t really replace the real parts. But the metal models are nonetheless a step towards being able to print out real components. Three-dimensional printing in metal is going to be happening more and more often.” Printouts take up to 40 hours Scania uses the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) method of additive manufacturing. The technique involves using specialised software to build up a CAD model in layers 0.12 mm to 0.15 mm thick. A batch of parts, in which several prototypes are printed out at the same time, is 500 mm high and takes between 30 and 40 hours to complete. The steps in the process: 1. Specialised software builds up a CAD model in layers 0.12 mm to 0.15 mm thick. 2. Fine-grained powder is distributed on a platform inside the printer. 3. After every layer is deposited a laser beam passes over the powder bed. Where the laser touches it, the powder “sinters” (fuses) together. 4. When a layer is completed, the platform holding the fused-together part is lowered 0.12 mm to 0.15 mm and a re-coater travels above the surface distributing a new layer of plastic powder. The process continues until the final fused layer is completed. 5. Once the printout is completed, the prototypes must be left to slowly cool. The completed batch is then lifted out of the machine for further cooling. 6. Once complete, the individual finished prototypes are removed from the surrounding unfused material. The prototypes are cleaned, then blasted, rinsed in water and, in the case of large models, glued together. Photo gallery - http://newsroom.scania.com/en-group/2015/09/15/the-3d-revolution/

Fleet Owner / September 15, 2015 With 2015 Class 8 truck sales in North American running a strong 10% above last year, 2016 should see similar volumes, according to Richard Howard, Sr. VP of sales and marketing for Daimler Trucks North America. Barring unforeseen global economic disruptions, “directionally we expect sales to move sideways,” he said during an event showcasing the company’s autonomous demonstration truck. The company forecasts Class 8 totals will reach 313,000 trucks this year. “We already have good order intake for 2016,” Howard said, pointing out that business confidence in the U.S. is strong and expected to stay strong. The story is the same in the medium-duty market with good demand from both small businesses and large fleet customers, according to Howard. Overall, DTNA forecasts NAFTA Class 6-8 sales will reach 435,000 this year and run at a similar rate in 2016, which is a substantial increase from 384,000 units in 2014. In the U.S. DTNA market share in Classes 6-8 is up 1.1% YTD at 39.6%, approaching the company’s high of 40.2% in 2013, Howard reported. DTNA’s push to expand component sales is also gaining traction with the new Detroit DT12 automated mechanical transmission selling 39,000 units this year and reaching 42% penetration in the Freightliner Cascadia, according to Howard. “We could have sold more if we had them,” he said. “I expect [to sell] 60,000 next year and surpass the 50% mark in Cascadias.” As part of the press event, DTNA brought the Freightliner Inspiration, the first autonomous commercial truck licensed to operate on U.S. open highways, back to Nevada where it had its debut back in May at the Hoover Dam. This time the company put journalists through the certification program required by Nevada for any CDL holder operating the advanced demonstration truck. Stressing that the Inspiration is not a prototype, Diane Hames, DTNA’s GM of marketing and strategy said it was intended as “a technology showcase of what’s possible when you combine the building blocks [of advanced safety systems] already available.” Calling the various systems integrated into the truck “bionics for the driver,” Hames said the goal is not to replace drivers, but rather “to advance and extend their capabilities.” For example, its radar and camera systems offer drivers visibility well beyond the capability of the human eye, she said, and the truck’s sensors can react to situations far faster than typical human reaction times. Integrating these building blocks will create new opportunities as trucks move beyond current passive and active safety systems to what Hames calls interactive safety. “Combining technology and big data, interactive safety will bring the next radical advances in truck safety,” she predicted. “You can expect to hear a lot more about this in the next few years.”

Daimler trucks boss braces for prolonged Brazil slump Reuters / September 11, 2015 German truckmaker Daimler is bracing for a prolonged slump in Brazil as shrinking growth in Latin America's largest economy and corruption probes weigh down business. "I expect no fundamental recovery in the next years," Daimler trucks chief Wolfgang Bernhard said Thursday. "The scandals are paralysing everything," he added, noting it may take as many as three years for the Brazilian trucks market to rebound. An investigation into state-run oil company Petrobras has paralysed Brazil's construction industry and derailed some oil projects, inflicting damage on the country's embattled economy. Stuttgart-based Daimler said last month it had struck a labour deal with workers at its Brazilian trucks plant in Sao Bernardo do Campo that delayed the planned layoff of 1,500 staff until August 2016. Employees at the plant have agreed to cut both their working hours and their pay by 20 percent, with the Brazilian state ready to compensate workers for half of the pay reduction. Separately, Bernhard said truck demand in China may plunge between 30 and 40 percent this year as the government there delays infrastructure projects. But solid demand in the United States and Europe, where volume will likely grow as much as 15 percent each, will help Daimler compensate for any lost business, the executive said. Daimler is planning to resume business in Iran following the country's nuclear deal with world powers, Bernhard said. The accord looks likely to be implemented after efforts by U.S. Republicans to kill the agreement collapsed on Thursday. "We will revive our activities which we let rest for many years," he said. "Iran is a great opportunity for us."

Iveco Press Release / September 16, 2015 ​ Even more stylish, eco-sustainable, safer, more comfortable, more efficient and more manoeuvrable. Cities love the new Eurocargo: the truck which respects people and the environment in which it works. Together with the heavy duty Stralis and light duty Daily, the new Eurocargo completes the evolution of the Iveco range. Produced at the Silver World Class Manufacturing (WCM) facility in Brescia, Italy, the new Eurocargo is set to venture out to cities around the world, as the ideal business partner. The celebration of Iveco’s 40th anniversary this year sees the launch of the new Eurocargo, the truck the city likes. Eurocargo is the ideal partner in urban missions: respectful of people and the environment, featuring all new functionality and design. It is a vehicle that offers lower fuel consumption whilst confirming its super and steady handling and versatility. Just two years after the launch of the Euro VI version, Iveco has made further improvements to a vehicle which has already been chosen by half a million customers in Europe, Africa, Middle East, Australia and Latin America. Eurocargo is the technology and market leader in Europe, and the new model offers important innovations in terms of engines, safety, comfort, cost reduction and environmental sustainability, thus completing the evolution of the Iveco range, and following closely on the success of Stralis and Daily, which won International Truck of the Year 2013, and International Van of the Year 2015, respectively. Pierre Lahutte, Iveco Brand President, said: “Our new Eurocargo is the truck that the city likes. A vehicle that has something to be appreciated by everyone: cities like it because it is sustainable, owners like it because it is efficient and has a low total cost of ownership (TCO), drivers like it because it’s a true “office on wheels”- comfortable and multi-functional, easy to handle and ergonomic to work in”. The new Eurocargo is the only Euro VI medium range vehicle in its category to adopt a single anti-emission system, the HI-SCR system with passive diesel particulate filter (DPF). The HI-SCR is the only emission control system which does not change the combustion process – because it works through fresh air intake rather than exhaust gas recirculation. Medium range vehicles are mainly used for missions such as urban distribution and municipal services: this is why Iveco has set performance improvement and fuel consumption reduction as a top priority. With a range of eight engines, the new Eurocargo adopts two Iveco Tector 5, 4-cylinder, 160 and 190 hp engines, optimised to suit the typical operating conditions of urban missions. Moreover, thanks to the development of a new turbocharger, as the compression ratio and torque output increase at speeds below 1,200 rpm, Eurocargo is able to respond more dynamically when accelerating and upon start up, which results in fuel savings of up to 8%. Lastly, thanks to the EcoSwitch system, which lengthens sixth speed engagement times and limits down-shifting into fourth, and the EcoRoll function (offered on 12-speed transmissions) which takes advantage of vehicle inertia in downhill situations, Eurocargo reduces fuel consumption when on extra-urban routes and long runs. Safety is also at the heart of Eurocargo's renewal: in addition to the steering wheel airbag and steering wheel controls, the new Eurocargo is available with all the key driving assistance systems, such as the Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). To improve safety and visibility when driving, LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) have also been adopted as standard. Xenon headlights can be specified as an option. Eurocargo not only incorporates many new features, it is also built around an entirely new design – which reflects the style pioneered by Daily – with new air deflectors and the new front grille that traces a smile beneath the large brand name in the centre. The advertising campaign that will accompany the new Eurocargo, along with the slogan "The truck the city likes", places the vehicle as a central figure in urban settings. The vehicle can be driven with ease in the city, a city that everybody wants call home, a city that merges and becomes a perfectly integrated part of the everyday lives of the public.

This revelation relates to my thought process. Ironic that we're only hearing about this now. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/15/west-ignored-russian-offer-in-2012-to-have-syrias-assad-step-aside We're not always going to agree with or trust the Russian government. But there will be times, as in WW2, when we need to cooperate with them for the greater good. And handled properly, that cooperation can lead to a better "working relationship" at other times. With the current administration having gone with a very poorly thought out ISIS and frankly close-minded, arrogant Syria strategy, Europe is now overflowing with refugees it realistically can't support, hundreds of people including children have died senselessly in this convoluted migration, the Middle East is in a state of chaos. Well done, and I fear terrorist cells have seized the recent open door opportunity to enter Europe.

Green Car Congress / September 14, 2015 Ford will be introducing the Euro-spec version of its Edge SUV at the IAA in Frankfurt this week. The large SUV will be offered in Europe with a choice of 180 PS (177.5 hp) 2.0-liter TDCi diesel engine with six-speed manual transmission, or 210 PS (207.1 hp) bi-turbo 2.0‑liter TDCi diesel with six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission. Ford said both powertrains will deliver up to 40.6 mpg US (5.8 l/100 km) fuel efficiency and 149g/km CO2 supported by Auto-Start-Stop technology. The upscale Edge will join the Ford Kuga (U.S. market Escape) SUV and EcoSport compact SUV to meet the demands of growing numbers of SUV customers in Europe. Ford expects to sell 200,000 SUVs in Europe in 2016—a 200% increase compared to 2013. (Earlier post.) Edge also will feature Ford’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD) technology as standard, delivering a seamless transition between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive performance to provide a more secure footing on the road especially in slippery conditions. Measuring how the car’s wheels are gripping the road surface every 16 milliseconds, the system can send up to 100% of engine torque to the front or rear wheels. By only delivering torque where and when it is needed, Intelligent AWD has minimal impact on fuel-efficiency and CO2 emissions compared with permanent four-wheel drive systems. Edge and the new Ford Ranger pickup, also being introduced at Frankfurt, are among eight Ford models offered with AWD or four-wheel drive, including the all-new Focus RS, Galaxy, S-MAX, Mondeo and Mondeo Vignale. All-new Edge will offer new Ford technologies, including Adaptive Steering, which automatically optimizes the steering response according to vehicle speed, making it easy to maneuver at low speeds, while remaining precise and intuitive at higher speeds; and Front Split View Camera, which makes restricted visibility junctions or parking spaces easier to negotiate. Edge will introduce segment-first Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection; a camera- and radar-based system that operates at speeds from 5mph to over 100mph to detect vehicles and people in the road ahead. The system can automatically apply the brakes if a potential collision is detected and the driver does not respond to warnings. Ford anticipates a five-star safety rating from independent crash test authority Euro NCAP. Acoustic windscreen glass and laminated glass for the driver and front passenger door windows help minimize noise in the cabin. Underbody panels and wheel well liners further minimize road and wind noise. All Edge models (except Zetec in UK) are also equipped with Ford’s Active Noise Control technology that detects unwanted engine noise in the cabin and cancels it out with opposing sound waves that are fed through the car’s sound system. Ranger The current Ford Ranger has generated rapid sales growth in Europe since first being introduced in late 2011. Total sales of 21,600 vehicles in 2014 in Ford’s 20 traditional European markets were more than double those achieved in 2012, while 16,700 Rangers were sold in the first eight months of 2015—a further 36% increase year-over-year. Ranger won the prestigious “International Pickup Award 2013” title, and the new model will be challenging for the 2016 award at the competition next month. New Ranger offers improved fuel economy, with a more efficient powertrain range—enhanced by Auto-Start-Stop technology, new final drive ratio options and the introduction of Electric Power Assisted Steering—delivering reductions in fuel consumption of up to 17%. The improved diesel line-up features 130 PS (128.2 hp) and 160 PS (157.8 hp) variants of Ford’s latest 2.2-liter TDCi engine—delivering increased output compared to the 125 PS and 150 PS engines in the outgoing model—and the 200 PS (197.3 hp) five-cylinder 3.2-liter TDCi unit. Both six-speed manual and automatic transmissions are available, and customers can select four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive variants. Wildtrak models feature four-wheel drive as standard. All new Ranger variants achieve significantly improved fuel efficiency, with the 160 PS model offering exceptional figures of 6.5 l/100 km (36.2 mpg US) and 171 g/km CO2 emissions for reduced running costs—compared with 7.8 l/100 km (30.2 mpg US) and 206 g/km CO2 in the outgoing model. An electronically controlled transfer case allows drivers in four-wheel drive models to shift on the fly from two- to four-wheel drive high-range with a knob on the center console. For low- speed torque or additional downhill braking in challenging terrain, drivers also can engage low- range four-wheel drive gearing. An electronic locking rear differential also helps to improve traction in difficult conditions. These off-road strengths are matched by towing capability of up to 3,500 kg and payload capacity. An array of driver assistance technologies deliver greater comfort and convenience, including Lane Keeping Alert and Lane Keeping Aid, Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Alert, Front and Rear Park Assist, Rear View Camera, and a standard Electronic Stability Control system with rollover mitigation and trailer sway control. Other smart technologies include: Hill Launch Assist, which helps drivers confidently start off from a slope, whether in forward or reverse; Hill Descent Control, which uses the traction control system to help when descending steep slopes at a constant speed; Adaptive Load Control, which adjusts the Electronic Stability Control system based on vehicle load; and Emergency Brake Assistance, which provides additional pressure to the brake system to increase braking force when the driver applies the brakes quickly in an emergency situation.

Scania Press Release / September 14, 2015 Scania has added an updated 16.4-litre V8 engine to its marine solution’s range. The new engine boasts a maximum power output of 1,150 hp (846 kW) with an outstanding fuel economy. The engine benefits from being a part of Scania’s modular system thus providing high uptime. Scania’s latest marine engine makes use of the company’s common-rail XPI fuel-injection technology, first introduced to truck engines in 2007. Consequently, the new marine engine utilises well-proven technology and provides customers and users with high reliability and high uptime. Joel Granath is Senior Vice President, Scania Engines. “This high-power V8 stands on the same foundation as all previous engines before it,” Granath says. “It features outstanding fuel-efficiency, uptime and a top power-to-weight ratio.” Used in combination with the Scania-developed Engine Management System (EMS), the technology delivers unrivalled levels of fuel-efficiency resulting in a 5 percent decrease in fuel-consumption compared to previous versions. The power output from the new V8 engine ranges from 900 hp (662 kW) to 1,150 hp (846 kW), depending on application and rating. While the latest addition to the engine range offers more power, the physical size of the complete installation remains the same. Engines from Scania are renowned for their unrivalled power-to-weight ratio and massive torque. The new engine platform pushes these parameters further, resulting in an even higher productivity. The complete V8 common-rail edition ranging from 900 hp to 1,150 hp, is suitable for both propeller and waterjet applications. Related photograph - http://www.scania.com/media/pressreleases/P15084EN.aspx#

Owner/Driver / September 9, 2015 As the name suggests, trucks and trailers shared centre stage at this year’s Perth Truck and Trailer Show. Held over three days in late July at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, the show attracted local manufacturers, plus local representatives of national companies and eastern states exhibitors keen on promoting their wares in the west. A welcome addition to the 2015 event was the opening day’s information seminars covering topics such as dangerous goods transportation, fatigue management, chain of responsibility (COR) and trailer brake requirements. Cat Trucks’ new triple-rated CT630 HD was displayed prominently at the show. "It’s very comfortable, great visibility, great air-conditioners, and it’s got the yellow engine inside, which is well supported by WesTrac’s footprint up and down the road," business unit manager at WesTrac Kewdale Highway Truck Centre Peter Calligaro says. He says acceptance of the Cat Trucks brand has the biggest hurdle in the west, although that is steadily changing. "Kenworth has been big over here, and Volvo are really doing a big push at the moment, but our product is being accepted now," he says. "It is a good product; I’ve not seen anything that is causing us many headaches, so I believe it’s just to keep pushing, and keep marketing, and we’ll get there in the end." Skipper Trucks had a presence at the show and opted for an outdoors display instead of shouldering arms with competitors inside. Skipper Trucks, part of the Automotive Holdings Group (AHG), has long been a familiar name in the Perth truck market, although close on four years ago it was rebranded as WA Iveco. "Skipper Trucks has been an entity for 30 odd years, and it never actually went away, it just wasn’t a sign on the wall," company representative Mike Rutherford explains. "The last three years, you talk to anyone and they’ll just say: ‘I’m just going down to Skipper’s’. People didn’t change, we were still called Skipper’s." The relaunch of Skipper Trucks has coincided with the move to new premises at Welshpool. Skipper’s showcased two of its premium trucks, an Iveco Powerstar 7800 and an Iveco Stralis 500, at the show to get the Skipper’s name back in the minds of the public. Meanwhile, trailer makers rightly occupied a fair share of space inside the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, with local outfits keen to highlight WA’s expertise in that sector. This included Custom Quip Engineering (CQE), which had aluminium tippers on show. Not far from the CQE stand, G & A Lombardi general manager Mike Dunbar chatted with prospective customers about the company’s Steelite end tipper range. Overall, organisers were placed with attending figures with around 8,500 visitors attending over the three days. Show director Peter Woods says while the number of attendees is lower than in previous years, he believes it is due to the industry going through hard times, both locally and across the country. "There has been a definite shift in the industry in the past year or so, and we are grateful to all our exhibitors for sticking with the show and extending their support to the industry," he says. The Perth Truck and Trailer Show is presented by the Commercial Vehicle Industry Association, a division of the Motor Trade Association (MTA). Plans are already underway for the next show, which will be held on July 28 to 30, 2017. Photo gallery - http://www.ownerdriver.com.au/events-news/1509/western-exposure-at-2015-perth-truck-and-trailer-show/

Commercial Carrier Journal (CCJ) / September 11, 2015 The “rules of the game” for next-gen engine oils, still set to hit the market late next year, should be fully defined in the coming months, says Chevron Delo’s Shawn Whitacre, giving oil makers like Chevron a year to finalize their products and to meet the new specifications of the so-called PC-11 oils. The new oils are scheduled to be first licensed on Dec. 1, 2016, Whitacre says, the date by which it will be available to fleets and owner-operators. PC-11 will be split into two categories. The first will replace the current CJ-4 oils on the market and will be licenced as CK-4 by the American Petroleum Institute. The second, which will be called FA-4, will be low viscosity oils — “thinner” oils designed to help increase fuel economy and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Whitacre, a senior staff engineer for Chevron, is the new chairman of the ASTM’s Heavy-Duty Engine Oil Classification Panel, replacing outgoing chairman Jim McGeehan, a longtime Chevron oil engineer and longtime chair of the classification development panel. Whitacre has been on the panel since 1996, helping develop five engine oil categories. The two PC-11 oils are the first new classifications in a decade, requested by engine makers several years ago to meet the needs of evolving, modern engines and help aid in meeting current and upcoming fuel economy and emissions regulations. The testing processes for the new categories is stringent and time consuming, Whitacre says — why oil makers like Delo will have a year to conduct the tests on the new oils, which have been in development now for about four years. Oil buyers will, once the products go to market, have more options in their oil choices, Whitacre says, in the form of new lower viscosity grades like 10W-30s or those with even lower viscosity. The CK-4 category will be completely backwards compatible with all engines on the market. But, says Whitacre, the thinner FA-4 oils may not be, and the decisions will be left to the engine manufacturers to determine whether if they can be used in older equipment.

Transport Topics / September 14, 2015 Austin, Texas-based FlowBelow Aero Inc. (http://www.flowbelow.com/), a manufacturer of tractor-mounted aerodynamic products, announced it has partnered with tank truck carrier Indian River Transport to equip its tractors with the company’s new fuel saving AeroKit system. No terms of the arrangement were disclosed. The AeroKit includes quick-release wheel covers and a pair of tandem fairings installed on the tractor that work together as a complete aerodynamic system to address the complex airflow around the exposed rear wheels of the tractor. "We have already begun an aggressive installation program with the assistance of FlowBelow at each of our three terminals,” said Mark Gressett, who is safety director at Indian River Transport. Indian River Transport (http://www.indianrivertransport.com/) , which is based in Winter Haven, Florida, operates 650 trucks and 800 food grade tank trailers across the United States, Mexico and Canada. The company primarily hauls fruit juice and dairy products. The patented AeroKit system reduces aerodynamic drag and improves fuel efficiency of the tractor by 2.23% based on SAE J1321 third-party testing using EPA's SmartWay guidelines, the company said. “We tested the AeroKit in our fleet for over seven months, starting in January specifically to test the product’s winter durability and performance,” Gressett said. “There are limited options for improving the aerodynamic performance of a tanker trailer, so we were very interested in the AeroKit as a tractor-mounted aerodynamic system. We were impressed with the product’s durability, ease of use, fuel-efficiency performance of over 3% and investment payback in less than one year.” “Beyond ordering the most aerodynamic and fuel-efficient tractors from the OEMs and controlling driver behavior, routes and fuel stops, there are few options to increase the overall fuel efficiency of a tanker fleet,” said Josh Butler, founder and CEO of FlowBelow. “We are pleased that our Tank Truck AeroKit can play a key role in helping these specialized fleets improve their fuel efficiency and environmental impact.”