Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/485023
34 COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | MARCH 2015 EQUIPMENT As 2014 began, contractors in North Carolina were ramping up commercial and public construction projects. That's why Charlotte-based dump fl eet Blue Max Trucking invested in ad- ditional capacity and purchased 42 Kenworth T880s. "We wanted a truck that off ered drivers a comfortable work environment and could lower our fuel bills," says Denton Williams, president. "We also wanted a truck that would refl ect well on our company's image and would be supported by a network of reliable dealerships." MHC Kenworth's Charlotte location invited Williams to a customer event in Phoenix, where he formed his fi rst im- pressions of the T880, driving on a test track and off -road course. Impressed by the truck's visibility and handling characteristics, Blue Max spec'd 38 T880s with dump bodies and 380-hp Paccar MX-13 engines, providing 1,450 lb.-ft. of torque driven through Allison 4500 RDS 6-speed automatic transmissions. The remaining four T880s are equipped with 455-hp MX-13 engines and 10-speed Eaton UltraShift Plus transmissions. Kenworth Truck Co., Kenworth.com The Kenworth T880 was named the American Truck Dealers' Commer- cial Truck of the Year at the ATD Convention and Expo in San Fran- cisco, besting the Peterbilt 567 and the International WorkStar 7600 in this year's heavy-haul/severe service- focused competition. The trucks were judged by a panel of commercial transportation journalists – including CCJ's own Jack Roberts – and YRC driver Greg Nauertz. The T880, which featured the Paccar MX-13 engine, ranked high in exterior design and style, and also received praise for its interior looks. The truck's handling at high and low speeds also scored high marks. "The attention to detail that went into the design of this vehicle is im- pressive," Roberts said of the T880. "It is a sturdy design. Everything in this cab could practically be used as a grab handle because they understand how tricky a vocational worksite is." The WorkStar received good marks for aesthetics and its roomy cab and interior layout. The Peterbilt 567 in the competition featured a natural gas engine and received high marks for safety. Kenworth Truck Co., Kenworth.com T880 named ATD's Truck of the Year