Mack Trucks has revamped the interior of its CH conventional tractor for the 2001 model year. According to Paul L. Vikner, exec. vp-sales and marketing, the new interior focuses on driver comfort.
A new, fully electronic ergonomic dashboard places the switches and controls drivers use most frequently within easy reach. Gauges have enhanced back-lighting for better visibility during day or night driving.
Another electronic feature, the V.I.P. (Vehicle Information Profiler), tells operators how the engine is running so they can monitor fuel efficiency and other trip data.
The new Mack Performance Seat has also been included in the 2001 CH to help combat driver fatigue. The seat is engineered with an extra-wide cushion and seat back; has adjustable support mechanisms in the kidney, lumbar, and thigh areas; and includes a three-way adjustable armrest, cloth inserts, variable shock absorbers, and expanded vibration dampening.
CH vehicles for 2001 will also include the new noise and vibration prevention package, which cuts interior decibels to automotive-like levels, Vikner said.
In other Mack news, the company revealed plans to build 500 special-edition tractors in celebration of its 100th anniversary.
East Mfg. has made the Jost A440 Magnum landing gear standard equipment on its full line of platform trailers. It is backed by a five-year warranty and requires no lubrication over that span.
Hub oil seal puller, SPX/OTC #5085, has an extra-long 28 in. handle to provide leverage and a special pulling-head design to remove the seal in one piece. Tool will not damage bearing or hub.
The 2.5-in. round PC-rated LED clearance/marker lamp introduced by Grote Industries at the Mid-America Trucking Show features an angled circuit-board design and a newly designed optic lens for maximum light dispersion. This allows the company to use just three diodes per lamp, one on top and one on each side, which Grote says is the lowest diode count in the industry.