Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/835233
24 commercial carrier journal | june 2017 Western Star adds XD-25 to Extreme Duty series W estern Star unveiled the second member of its Extreme Duty series, the XD-25. Initially offered on the flagship 6900 as the XD-40, the XD-25 is a hulked- up 4900 with 25 tons of capability. XD off-road suspensions offer maximum ground clearance. Using a double-slippered spring suspension, the springs are controlled with heavy-duty track rods that eliminate the need for spring pins. at allows the spring packs to slide on wear pads without shock loading. e truck's ⅜-by-3½-by-10¾-inch double-channel 120-ksi steel frame provide a rigid backbone and great sta- bility, and Western Star's planetary gear sets give the truck the capability to haul massive loads while keeping the chassis more accessible for technicians. Peter Arrigoni, Western Star vice president, said the XD lineup is designed to be more trucklike for quicker maintenance. Butterfly hoods provide easier engine access, and point-to-point wiring with an in-cab fuse panel simplify diagnos- tics. A quick-disconnect system al- lows the entire fender and air cleaner to be removed easily in one piece for larger engine work. e XD-25 will be powered by a Detroit DD13 next model year, but XD-25s built this year can be equipped with either a DD13 or a Tier 3 Series 60. e truck is equipped with a high- speed planetary gearbox that gives it a top speed of about 65 mph. e Series 60 engine puts out about 505 hp and 1,550 lb.-. of torque – about 300 lb.- . less than you'll be able to squeeze from a DD13 at a lower rpm. e XD-25 features a 22,000-pound front axle and a 70,000-pound tandem axle in the rear with an 85,000-pound Chalmers suspension A 23,000-pound front axle will be available in Sep- tember when the DD13 becomes the standard engine. – Jason Cannon Lineup offers new options Western Star also announced several new options for its product lineup, including: • A straight truck configuration for the 5700 for expeditor and RV applications in a daycab or sleeper; • A Detroit 23,000-pound front steer axle for the 4800 and 4900 in applications that require a higher front-axle weight rating, such as snowplow, dump and heavy haul; • RollTek seat systems for the 4700, 4800 and 4900 that inflate side-impact airbags, tighten seat belts and compress air suspension seats to the lowest position to protect the driver in a rollover; • Sealed frame rails for the 4700, 4800 and 4900 that reduce corrosion on double-channel and partial-liner configurations; • Abrasion tape for exterior harnesses for the 4700 and 5700 to prevent damage to the wires from debris, water and chafing; • An aftermarket-installed five-man crew cab option for the 4700, 4800, 4900 and 6900 models with either two or four doors; and • An aluminum diamond-plate toolbox for the 4700. – Jason Cannon For a truck of its size, Western Star's XD-25 has a tight turning radius.