Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/699972
26 commercial carrier journal | july 2016 Volvo concept truck slashes fuel use 30% V olvo Trucks, with support from the Swedish Energy Agency, has developed a new fuel-sipping concept truck, the result of a five-year research project aimed at creating more energy-efficient vehicles. Claes Nilsson, Volvo Trucks president and chief executive officer, said energy-efficient trucks are a high priority for the company and that the Volvo Concept Truck – an FH 420 with a D13 Euro 6 engine – cuts fuel consumption by more than 30 percent thanks to a 40 percent boost in both truck and trailer aerodynamic efficiency. The rig was test-driven on Swedish roads last fall. "We've modified the entire rig and optimized it for improved aerodynamics as much as possi- ble," said Åke Othzen, chief project manager. "We use cameras instead of rearview mirrors to cut air resistance, so less energy is needed to propel the truck." Aerodynamically optimized chassis side skirts cover the rear tractor wheels and all of the trailer wheels, while spoilers extend the trailer to cut air resistance. The company also minimized air resistance at the front of the tractor, the wheel housings and entry steps while optimizing airflow for the engine's cooling system. The concept truck also is outfitted with an improved driveline and newly developed low- er-rolling-resistance tires. The trailer weighs two tons less than the reference trailer, which trans- lates into either lower fuel consumption or the possibility of a higher payload. Work on the concept truck has been in progress since 2011 with a goal of improving long-haul truck transportation efficiency by 50 percent. Some aerodynamic features already have been implemented on Volvo's series-pro- duced vehicles, and more of its solutions may be fitted in the future. – Jason Cannon SAF-Holland debuts new series of air disc brakes S AF-Holland introduced a new series of air disc brakes that the company's president of the Americas, Steffen Schewerda, hopes will drive disc brake adoption rates upwards of threefold. The P89 Series is comprised of two models – the P89 and P89 Plus – and is designed to drive down the price point of disc brakes when compared to previous-generation systems. The P89 Series is available on the SAF CBX air-ride and ULX spring-ride suspensions. The SAF SBS 2220 cal- iper and 430 mm-diam- eter heavy-duty vented rotor are the heart of the P89, the series' base model, which can be cus- tomized to suit specific fleet demands. The dual-piston SBS 2220 caliper applies a more even pressure pattern across the brake lin- ing than single-piston designs, while the ro- tor – with a 430 mm diameter and 45 mm thickness – provides added wear volume. The P89 comes stan- dard with a 3½-inch-di- ameter parallel spindle or an optional lightweight taper spindle configuration that reduces weight by 10 pounds per axle, uses indus- try-standard bearings and wheel seals to help reduce maintenance costs and is backed by a five-year warranty. The premium P89 Plus comes standard with a seven-year main- tenance-free bearing system that uses large 89 mm-thick front and rear bearings, which are individually sealed and lubricated with high-temperature long-life grease, eliminating traditional wheel seals. Precision bearing spacers are installed between the inner and outer bearings to precisely control bearing preload for added life. The SAF Integral rotor's bimetallic design allows it to expand and contract in a radial direction, keeping the braking surface flat and helping to eliminate the umbrella effect. Steffen said take rates for disc brakes last year reached upward of 15 percent on tractor steer axles, 10 percent on drive axles and 10 percent on trailer axles. He predicts those numbers to skyrocket in the years ahead as prices come down and ease of maintenance continues to outpace that of drums. – Jason Cannon The Volvo Concept Truck – an FH 420 with a D13 Euro 6 engine – boosts both truck and trailer aero- dynamic efficiency by 40 percent. SAF-Holland's P89 Series is comprised of two models – the P89 and P89 Plus – and is available on the SAF CBX air-ride and ULX spring-ride suspensions.