Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/699972
28 commercial carrier journal | july 2016 A compact workhorse Kenworth's smaller vocational model offers weight savings, new suspension BY TOM QUIMBY K enworth recently provided test drives of its new T880 40-inch sleeper at its assembly plant in Chillicothe, Ohio. The T880's Paccar MX-13 engine, coupled with an Eaton Fuller 18-speed vocational Ultrashift Plus automated transmission, made easy work of 55,000 pounds of concrete blocks on a flatbed. To assist in curbing, creeping, paving and spreading, the Ultrashift Plus features ex- tended-low and -reverse gear-ratio coverage. Deep-reduction and fast-reverse gearing are additional hallmarks, along with auto-neutral and hill-start aid. When taking on power-take- off minimum and maximum drive gears, the transmission uses all gear ratios. The 40-inch sleeper joins Kenworth's midsize 52-inch and full-size 76-inch models. "It's predominantly a vocational type of sleeper targeted at the oilfield industry, towing and recovery and bulk-haul applications," said Kurt Swihart, marketing director. If the sleeper's fenders are damaged, they can be unbolted quickly and traded out for new ones. The 40-inch sleeper with a 219-inch wheelbase has been designed with weight savings in mind, thanks to its aluminum cab coupled with stamped aluminum doors. Compared to the midsize 52-inch sleeper, the 40-inch cab shaves 260 pounds. To lighten the load an additional 400 pounds, custom- ers can substitute the new MX-11 engine for the MX- 13. The MX-11 has 430 horsepower and 1,550 lb.-ft. of torque, while the MX-13 offers 500 horsepower and 1,850 lb.-ft. of torque. Swihart said while the MX-11 is being spec'd mostly by concrete customers, the engine is suited for any application seeking to reduce weight, including dump, bulk haul, less- than-truckload, pickup-and-delivery and regional haul. Kenworth also launched a new suspension option: Hen- drickson's Ultimax, a heavy-duty system rated for appli- cations above 46,000 pounds. "It's for customers who are looking for very good roll stability, high-center-of-gravity types of applications," Swihart said. "We think that's going to be a nice option for vocational customers as well." The T880's interior projects a toned-down back-to- basics utilitarian look – air suspension seats notwithstand- ing. However, those hungering for more technology can pull up electronic gauges and more that can be enlarged on a dash-mounted screen for easy readability. Cobra's 29 Sound Tracker CB is available factory-installed with or without weather radio. Other new options for the T880 include a diesel exhaust fluid tank mounted under the cab, providing a clear back-of- cab and opening up the rails for various component mounts. Swihart said though Kenworth still will continue manu- facturing its narrower T800, customers are moving to the wider T880 that has become the company's flagship voca- tional model, accounting for about 30 percent of total sales. T E S T D R I V E : K E N W O R T H T 8 8 0 W I T H 4 0 - I N C H S L E E P E R The Kenworth T880 made available for test drives featured Meritor axles in the front and rear. Photos by Tom Quimby The 40-inch sleeper includes 22 cubic feet of storage and can accommodate a 24-inch mattress.