The Fleet Business Authority
Issue link: http://heavydutytrucking.epubxp.com/i/221397
Caterpillar I n line with its earth-moving business, Caterpillar aims its CT (for Cat Truck) 660 with its setback steer axle at vocational duties.Tractors like the CT660 are used by many Cat dealers to deliver machinery, but customers are buying them and straight-truck versions to haul materials and supplies, as well.The CT680 with a forward-set front axle will join the series early next year. CTs are based on the International PayStar and built by Navistar, though Cat designers made many refinements.The 12.4-liter MaxxForce 13 diesel wears yellow paint, but ratings are similar to International vocational engines. Cat touts performance of high-output versions of the 13, and nothing bigger is in the pipeline from Navistar, so a 15-liter engine might not be coming. Cat's own CX-31 full automatic goes in more than economy's growth remains slow and was damaged by the political bickering in Washington that led to the federal government shutdown. "There's still a significant level of caution, given the absence of sustained economic strength and uncertainty associated with budget and debt ceiling negotiations in Congress," is how John Walsh, Mack vice president of marketing, summed things up. Thus most freight carriers are replacing old iron but avoiding expansion, while a rebirth in housing results in more purchases of trucks that support construction, such as heavy dumps and mixers. Compared to last year, 2013's Class 8 pace is off by about 12% in the longhaul segment but up by 8% or so in vocational trucks. North American sales in 2013 should finish at well over 200,000 units; forecasters at Paccar, owner of Kenworth and Peterbilt, predict 205,000 to 215,000 heavies, while those at Volvo Group think it will be about 240,000, downgraded from 250,000. half of current orders, though Eaton automated and manual gearboxes are available. Cat trucks come with Product Link, the same telematics system used on "big yellow machines." Circle 250 on Reader Action Card or go to www.hdt.hotresponse.com mean trucking companies change their operations to more daycabs with relays to get their drivers home more often. But there will always be a need for long-haul sleepers for coast-to-coast operations," he said, though there likely will THINK PINTS, NOT GALLONS. X4™ Tier 4 trailer refrigeration systems from Carrier consume up to 22% less fuel. Saving you up to 22% more fuel dollars. X4 Series. Simply smarter efficiency. Move toward daycabs The widening of the Panama Canal to take super container ships will have ramifications for trucking in the United States, as much containerized freight from Asia will no longer go to West Coast ports for transshipment to the Midwest and East. A lot of that cargo moves east in long-haul trucks and container trains, but some believe that it soon could bypass those operations and come ashore through closer ports. "When they open the enlarged Panama Canal next year, there will be consequences for sleepers," says Magnus Koeck, vice president, marketing and brand management at Volvo Trucks. "The hauls will be shorter, potentially, if the larger container ships go into Gulf and East Coast ports rather than West Coast. It could also www.truckinginfo.com Performance data compared to the Carrier Transicold models they replace and dependent on a range of operational settings, environmental conditions, and model type. ©2013 Carrier Corporation. DECEMBER 2013 • HDT 49