TO MEET the increased heat rejection specifications of engines using exhaust gas recirculation required for October 2002 emission standards, Peterbilt Motors Company has developed a new modular cooling system that will be standard equipment on most Peterbilt trucks. The new system was introduced at the Mid-America Trucking Show.
Using the same idea behind the innovative side-by-side radiator and engine charge air cooler found in the Peterbilt Model 387, the new cooling system places the radiator and the charge air cooler in separate portions of the air stream entering the vehicle grille. The big difference between the 387 cooling system and the new one is component position. In the new system, components are placed one on top of the other. The charge air cooler takes the top position with the engine radiator filling the rest of the space. The modular design improves cooling efficiency by up to 35% compared to conventional cooling systems that place the charge air cooler in front of the radiator, Peterbilt says. The efficiency gain comes from moving ambient air through the radiator rather than trying to reject engine heat to air already heated by passing through the charge air cooler.
The new system has an all-aluminum radiator core for lower weight and improved durability. Compared to its conventional cooling systems, the new Peterbilt weighs about 80 pound less.
The modular design is also easier to service. The charge air cooler can be removed without draining the radiator or disturbing the air-conditioner condenser coil.
Peterbilt also has expanded the list of options for its Model 330 medium-duty conventional truck. For urban use, the 330 now can be purchased with Allison 2000 and 2400 series five-speed automatic transmissions. Eliminating the need for a clutch entirely, the transmissions provide simple two-pedal operation for ease of handling in congested traffic. The Allison 2400 series transmission is designed for trucks with gross weight ratings up to 26,000 lb, and the 2000 series can handle up to 30,000 lb GCW. Both transmissions have a torque capacity of 545 lb/ft.
In its Class 6 configuration, the Model 330 can be ordered with hydraulic brakes as an option. When hydraulic brakes are specified, the trucks are equipped with a new Bosch axle-mounted driveline parking brake as standard equipment. The new parking brake replaces the previously standard transmission-mounted version. It provides reliable braking capacity for trucks rated at 26,000 lb or less.
In addition to the new cooling system and Model 330 options, Peterbilt introduced two new options to its TruckCare preventive maintenance program. The additions bring the total program offerings to five levels of service when preventive maintenance is outsourced to Peterbilt dealers.
Peterbilt's Custom Preventive Maintenance is designed for fleets that want to retain their internal maintenance facilities, but outsource part of their maintenance requirements. Using this option, fleets can use Peterbilt dealers to perform specific equipment inspections, service, and repairs on an as-needed basis. This option allows fleets to augment their own maintenance capabilities by specifying what work is to be done by dealers. Under this option, fleets pay only for work done and still benefit from the centralized record keeping, consistency of inspections, priority scheduling, and trained technicians available from Peterbilt.
The Managed Preventive Maintenance option puts dealers in a position to take a role in the full range of maintenance needs. Under this option, dealer representatives take part in all aspects of fleet management from vehicle specifications to setting maintenance intervals, and tracking warranty coverage to recover expenses. This option frees fleet managers to run their business and leave maintenance in the hands of an interested third party.
The three other TruckCare programs provide varying levels of service and inspection at fixed costs. The programs are available for medium-duty as well as heavy-duty vehicles.
All TruckCare users have access to Peterbilt's TruckCare Maintenance Manager, a web-based service that automatically records all service and repair performed under any of the program options. It allows fleet managers to build detailed cost analysis reports using custom criteria including fuel costs and service and repair work done outside the Peterbilt network. The system provides a constant record of costs and provides an up-to-date maintenance history for all vehicles in the program.
