Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/328668
It's about getting the longest yield, and the lowest oper- ating cost. With Peterbilt, we've always found we get exactly that." Engine test KAG has also been testing the new PACCAR MX engine with excellent results so far. "We're very pleased with its operation," Molder says. "The most important thing in all of this is the support we get from Peterbilt. The fact is, these are mechanical devices built by humans. There are, occasionally, going to be issues. It's how you handle those issues that develops and retains a business relationship. "It's no different than the way we treat our customers. We consider our vendor relationships to be a partnership. If we have faith in them, they'll have faith in us." Drivers, too, have found Peterbilts provide a safe, comfort- able working environment. "That's their office," Molder says. "You have to provide them equipment that makes their job easy and safe, and safety not only applies to our drivers but the general motoring public as well. With the sloped hood that improves driver visibility and maneuverability as well as specification features such as in-cab communication that helps us monitor driver performance and the Bendix roll-stability package, we feel we're setting the bar for highway safety in the industry." Other spec'ing decisions, such as steel crossmembers and engines that put out more than 400 horsepower, help the KAG get long service life out of their trucks. Molder says he'll run their trucks to near 800,000 miles over a 7-8 year period before trad- ing them. "These trucks put on hard miles — lots of stops and starts — but the Peterbilts really hold up," Molder says. "The key is proper spec'ing. With the help of Peterbilt, we dissect the truck and build what's going to provide us the greatest yield." FIRST CLASS 9