Equipment

Kris-Way has access to increased purchasing power through NationLease. We offer our customers access to this advantage when we secure equipment for our customer under our Full Service Leasing Program. Some of the OEM’s we deal with include: Freightliner, Hino, Kenworth, Isuzu, Volvo, Utility Trailers, Hyundai Trailers, Carrier, Thermo King, Morgan Bodies, Johnson Bodies, Kidron Bodies, Supreme Bodies, and Ottowa Yard Tractors.  

Navistar sources say it’s a “pretty good bet” that they’ll continue to use EGR on the medium duty products through 2013. Due to the failure to meet EPA standards Navistar is now offering SCR Cummins engines in their heavy duty trucks and will also switch to the SCR platform in their own heavy duty engines. Navistar has enough credits to continue running the EGR engines until 2014 in the medium duty trucks. Their plan is to transition to SCR over … Read More

The following excerpt is from Trucking Info Magazine: “Through the years, reducing exhaust emissions to meet federal and California limits for any kind of vehicle has cost billions of dollars and added complexity for owners. Will it be the same for operators of transport refrigeration units, which must meet Tier 4 Final emissions limits this January? The answer will be yes for higher purchasing expense (how much higher, the reefer manufacturers aren’t publicly saying), but the diesel engines on reefer … Read More

Kris-Way now offers rapid reaction to diagnostic fault codes through our offering of PeopleNet. Our service managers are able to gain access in real time to engine fault codes as they happen. This allows us to diagnose issues over the road without having to spend time coming to the truck to plug in. Several of our customers have chosen to add PeopleNet to their equipment both as an on board computer to handle driver logs and IFTA as well as … Read More

In a recent Transport Topics article, carriers are happy with the new engine technologies and aerodynamics in regards to fuel economy. The results are a mixed bag however when talking about maintenance. Many fleets report having issues with trucks that have traveled less than 40,000 miles. A common theme is the engines have become so sophisticated they present a whole new set of challenges. Another item that fleets now face is the cost of the technology to maintain the new … Read More

From Fleet Owner Magazine: Navistar International is switching its 2010 EPA emissions strategy to a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system. During a morning investor conference call, Daniel C. Ustian, chairman, president & CEO, made the announcement that the company would be adding “urea-based aftertreatment” to its Advanced Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) technology to allow its engines to meet emissions standards of 0.20 grams of NOx. The new solution, to be available in early 2013, the company said, will be called … Read More

If you’re looking to replace current equipment or are adding trucks to your fleet please be aware that the lead time on new equipment is longer than usual. Production is hampered by parts shortages and an increase in orders over the previous year. http://www.ancassets.com/nationalease/news11/0622/class8truckorderssoar.pdf

Natural gas engines are often sighted as an up and coming alternative to diesel engines. But they still face several obstacles. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748704740604576301550341227910.html

As fuel prices increase the importance of having the right piece of equipment for your application increases. Proper specifications lead to better fuel economy. Here is a link to retail fuel prices for the United States. http://www.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/wohdp/diesel.asp Just 2 tenths of a mile per gallon in improved fuel economy can save an operator $2,300 per year per truck assuming an average of $3.60 per gallon and 100,000 miles traveled per year.

Many fleets are moving to using a single uniform spec. For example Con-Way has gone to the Freightliner Cascadia with the Detroit DD13 engine. One reason is that the 13 liter engines used to offer 1,150 lbs-feet of torque back in 1992. The DD13 now offers up to 1650 lb/ft and up to 470 horsepower. The goal is now to balance torque and horsepower needs against fuel economy and weight factors. Of course durability and price are also key factors. … Read More