Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/255292
EquipmEnt Spotlight Dual FuEl gliDErS February 2014 | Overdrive | 35 I was able to test a dual-fu- el glider supplied by fuel system supplier American Power Group. The Freight- liner Columbia was fitted with a refurbished 1996-vin- tage Series 60 Detroit Diesel engine and retrofitted with an APG natural gas fuel system. Hauling 44,000 pounds, it performed exactly as the folks at APG, the Wheel Time Group and Smith Power – the truck's manufacturer – assured me it would. When the truck is just getting rolling or climbing a steep grade, the system supplies larger amounts of diesel – up to 50 percent of the fuel supplied – and then dials that back as engine demands decrease. An elec- tronic fuel system monitor on the dash tracks the ratio of diesel to natural gas fuel being used. On my flat run west on Interstate 80 out of Salt Lake City, the engine used a minimum of diesel to initiate combustion, but the cheaper natural gas kept the wheels turning. Later, climbing the Wasatch Mountains, the system delivered a lot more diesel. I had no problem deal- ing with grades, some as steep as 6 percent. The truck handles like any new rig, though the in-cab noise level is high. That's because of the much older engine, which lacks the sound dampening of engines coming out of factories today. The truck, though, is noticeably quieter when running predom- inantly on natural gas. On the other hand, if you're a fan of older engines like the Series 60, it's a good bet that you're more than happy to trade off a little more ambient cab noise for the chance to run those engines again. Test drive: Diesel boost does the trick This Series 60 Detroit Diesel was refurbished and retrofitted with a bi-fuel natural gas kit from APG and Wheel Time before being dropped into a Freightliner Columbia glider. When you're ready to apply systems analysis to logistics. You are ready for American Public University. With more than 90 degrees to choose from, there's almost no end to what you can learn. Pursue a respected Transportation & Logistics Management degree online — at a cost that's 20% less than the average in-state rates at public universities.* StudyatAPU.com/overdrive 2014 ONLINE PROGRAMS BE ST BACHELOR'S *College Board: Trends in College Pricing, 2013 We want you to make an informed decision about the university that's right for you. For more about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed each program, and other important information, visit www.apus.edu/disclosure. Text INFO to 205-289-3555 or visit www.ovdinfo.com Equip_Spot_0214.indd 35 1/28/14 11:01 PM