Overdrive

52 | Overdrive | April 2018 Severe Service V olvo Trucks North America completed the overhaul of its heavy- duty truck lineup as it introduced its VNX series tractors for the heavy-haul market. The new three-model VNX family replaces the previous four-model VNX tractor lineup that VTNA stopped producing in conjunction with the D16 engine in early 2017, citing adverse market conditions. The new series is available in three congurations daycab VNX 400 42-inch sleeper and VNX 740 70-inch sleeper. Engine choices include the olo and Cummins X15 Performance Series. The VNX rebirth follows VTNA's launch of its new VNL long-haul and VNR regional-haul tractors in 2017. This third phase completes the com- pany's "Shape of rucks to Come initiative. The timing couldn't be better for VTNA to regain its footing in the heavy-haul segment, as the manu- facturing, construction and housing markets continue strong growth and create increased demand for heavy- haul and severe-service tractors. While the new VNX shares many of the aggressive design cues and premium interiors as its VNL and VNR siblings, it is much more than a repurposed heavy-haul model. VTNA applied the lessons learned from its preious tractor by oering a host of axle congurations longer fthwheel slides two engine choices a 45-degree wheel cut, optional crawler gears and gross combina- tion weight ratings from 125,000 to 225,000 pounds. Axle options include front axles with 16,000- or 20,000-pound ratings and 6×4 tandem, 8×4 tandem and 8×6 tridem rear axles with ratings from 46,000 to 55,000 pounds. "Customers wanted a little more rugged truck said agnus oeck VTNA's vice president of marketing and brand management. "The previ- ous generation was too similar to the VNL series at the time. We had the appropriate engine with the D16, but we didn't have the appropriate chassis and truck. The new VNX is much more purposebuilt. – Je Crissey Volvo introduces heavy-haul series The new Volvo VNX series includes a daycab and two sleeper configurations. Production is expected to begin in May. Planetary drive axles armonerrington's Sisu 90,000-pound tandem- axle and pound tridem-axle sets are double- reduction planetary drive axles suited for heavy-duty applications such as mining, heavy haul and oil and gas. he tandem axle oers a maximum gross combination weight rating of 400,000 pounds, while the tridem axle oers a maximum C of pounds. Marmon-Herrington.com, 800-227-0727

• Cover
• FLIPPING THROUGH HISTORY | A small fleet owner’s collection of Overdrives provides a fitting finale for Wendy Parker’s last blog post.
• Business: Arbitration case to go before high court The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a lawsuit brought by an owner-operator that challenges his fleet’s requirement that disputes be handled via third-party arbitration.
• COVER STORY: Power plays Electric truck makers promise cleaner, more cost-effective tractors. Two years before the first vehicles hit the road, inadequate infrastructure and fueling capacity threaten to dampen the transition.
• Buyers welcome Economic conditions, tax changes, productivity pressures and equipment improvements have spurred a big increase in truck buying by owner-operators and fleets.
• ELD headaches Much has been made about the operational challenges of running under more rigid hours accounting with an electronic log. Meanwhile, truckers are experiencing a wide range of technical malfunctions.
• Severe service Heavy-haul and severe-service news from Volvo, International, Mack, Freightliner and Peterbilt, plus new products from Marmon-Herrington, Kyocera, Firestone and Toyo.
• Inspectors “putting people out of work.”
• Pulse: Make sure the grass really is greener.
• Conversations still evolving over 14-hour reg.
• Shut down by CARB, teacher keeps learning alive.
• Discovering a double- brokered load.
• ELD violations now merit out-of-service.
• Bill would allow younger truckers.
• ELD waiver extended for livestockers.
• Alleged fraud may impact 2,000 truckers.
• OOIDA wants rehearing of apnea case.
• Son earns back dad’s ’95 Pete 379.
• “Rubber Duck” Mack still quacking.
• Reader Rigs: ’16 389 on the “Edge”; a ’13 Coronado named “Betty”; ’15 389 yanks tanks; ’17 Coronado a heavy hauler; father-son duo’s ’04 W900.
• Gear Guide Hino to debut Class 7, 8 models in 2019.
• FLEET NEWS Fleets continue to hike driver pay.
• BETTER HEALTH Preventing and dealing with nausea.