Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/417162
Anniversary Model 579 Gets Special Duty A new Peterbilt 75th Anniversary Special Edition Model 579 is see- ing special duty for Jim Palmer Trucking, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The limited-edition Model 579 highlights a partnership for the Missoula, Mont.-based truck- ing firm with the University of Montana, also based in Missoula. Company president Darrel Wilson says the truck will be used to haul equipment to road games for the school's highly successful Grizzly football program, as well as pro- vide community services. Wilson family members are leading the resurrection of the Jim Palmer Trucking brand in Missoula, Mont. From left to right are Kameron, Lisa, Kirk, Skip, Tyler, Lori and Darrel, who is the president of the firm. The rest of the family eschews titles, according to Darrel. "One of the smartest things we've ever done," says Wilson of the move to con- tract maintenance with Peterbilt. "They have the ability to train their technicians that we just couldn't match." Pushing 10 mpg Another major factor supporting Peterbilt's low cost of operation is the fuel economy Wilson is getting with his new Model 579s. He says 10 drivers recently checked in with averages over 9.0 mpg, one as high as 9.8, running fully loaded. The PACCAR MX-13 Engine, a gear ratio of 3.08, a variety of aero options and governed top speeds of 62 mph are among the factors contributing to the impressive fuel economy. "We train our drivers how to run for fuel economy, how to put those MX engines in the RPM ranges in which they were designed to run best. "I'm looking forward to seeing what Peterbilt's new EPIQ aerodynamic pack- age on the 579 will get us. I think we'll reach 10 mpg some day, and the little things in these aerodynamic refinements are what will get us there." With an experienced group of qual- ity drivers, a group of trusted employees at Springfield that can afford Wilson the opportunity to turn his focus to Montana, and a Peterbilt-based fleet formula that offers minimal cost per mile, Wilson is excit- ed about the future for Jim Palmer Trucking. "Our customers see that we're increasing our lanes, and I think they feel pretty secure with their freight when they see the new Peterbilt equipment we have hauling it," he says. "We're going to rebuild this brand." 8 l FIRST CLASS