Severe- service Class 8 OEM Autocar has introduced a new family of yard tractors, used to move semi trailers and intermodal containers from spot to spot at ship and rail yards, container ports, warehouses and distribution centers.
The new Autocar Xspotter series introduced at the Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) annual meeting in Tampa this week is available with Cummins diesel as well as factory-built natural gas power. Autocar has partnered with Balqon Corporation to offer an integrated zero-emissions lithium ion electric power system for the Xspotter.
Yard tractors, also known as yard mules, terminal tractors and trailer spotters, typically operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in unforgiving and demanding conditions, according to Eric Schwartz, vp-business development for Autocar. Yet, he points out, the basic design of these vehicles hasn’t changed much over the past 25 years.
For that reason, Schwartz said the XSpotter boasts such standard features as 360-degree visibility; an ergonomically-designed cab to provide more entry/exit width, maximized head, belly and knee room; and a corrosion-resistant electro-coated steel-constructed cab .
Click here to see a video of the XSpotter being demonstrated for the media at the TMC meeting.
