To help utility companies and contractors select the right size of digger derrick to complete the majority of their day-to-day tasks, a new comparison called Work Zone Capacity is being promoted by Terex as a new industry standard. At its simplest, Work Zone Capacity highlights the ability of a digger derrick to perform the tasks that these trucks are built for: digging holes and setting poles. The new Work Zone Capacity standard reflects not only the digger derrick’s boom lifting capacity, but also accounts for its auger digging and lifting capacity. The Work Zone Capacity gives utility companies and contractors the tool to select a truck that is properly sized to perform all of the jobs it is tasked to do. www.terexutilities.com
The ultimate in custom hydraulic generators, the Harrison Hydraulic Generators P-Series is the right choice for those looking to save space, money and weight, and who want simple, reliable power to go. Compared to gas generators, hydraulic generators are 7 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter; are quieter and vibrate less; are less expensive to maintain, last longer and are more reliable; offer power on the fly or parked; start in cold weather; are smaller; yield no air pollution or exhaust; and offer many other benefits. www.harrisonhydragen.com
Virtual Driver Interactive has announced new Virtual HD customers including Public Service Electric and Gas Co., Saskatchewan Government Insurance and Nova Scotia Power. Virtual HD takes the participant through a self-paced series of experiences developed to improve hazard recognition skills, lower accident rates and reduce distracted driving – all in fewer than 90 minutes. Virtual HD focuses on eliminating the primary cause for crashes: a failure to recognize and react to hazardous driving situations. An important part of the Virtual HD program is vehicle-specific training, which mimics actual driving experiences on the job. VDI can customize to address each company’s needs with great detail. www.driverinteractive.com
The Ditch Witch JT25 is an exceptionally powerful and productive horizontal directional drill designed specifically for the utility contractor. Offering 27,000 pounds of thrust and pullback and 4,000 foot-pounds of rotational torque, the JT25 is an ideal drill for installing utility pipe and cables of up to 12 inches in diameter at lengths of up to 500 feet. www.ditchwitch.com
Reading Truck Body has launched the all-new Reading Ready Van SL, a cutting-edge service van offering ample, enclosed interior work space and secure, convenient outside compartments. The Reading Ready Van SL comes equipped with many brand new features that provide extra safety, durability, convenience and efficiency in addition to Reading’s premium standard features. www.readingbody.com
Western Star Truck Sales has introduced the 4700SB AWD, a new 4700 setback all-wheel-drive truck ideal for construction and utility applications requiring a lightweight truck with rugged, off-road traction. Maintaining key attributes from Western Star’s 4700 model, the new all-wheel-drive truck features a 110-inch BBC – the shortest in its class – and a 42-degree wheel cut to provide excellent maneuverability on tight job sites. www.westernstartrucks.com
The 2014 Ram ProMaster is the brand’s latest addition to its popular commercial vehicle lineup, and puts Ram Truck back into the expanding, purpose-built, full-size van segment with a number of best-in-class features focused on the commercial customer. The new Ram ProMaster is the company’s first shared truck collaboration with Fiat Professional and is based on the popular front-wheel-drive Fiat Ducato, which is the most popular full-size van in Europe. www.ramtrucks.com
STRATTEC Security Corp. released a new 12-page BOLT 2013 Catalog featuring the latest product applications for Toyota and Nissan, as well as part numbers for most Ford, GM and Chrysler vehicles. BOLT locks are designed to boost convenience and security through the company’s patented Breakthrough One-Key Lock Technology, which permanently programs the lock to the owner’s ignition key and eliminates the need for extra keys. Once the vehicle ignition key is inserted into the lock cylinder, spring-loaded plate tumblers move up and down until they are matched exactly to that key. The first time the key is rotated, the cylinder is uniquely coded to that key. www.boltlock.com
2014 Chevrolet Silverado crew cab models are equipped with the all-new 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8, which is expected to power three out of four Silverado 1500s. EPA estimates 23 mpg highway for two-wheel-drive models and 22 mpg highway for four-wheel-drive models.
Silverado’s 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8 is SAE certified at 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, with more than 300 pound-feet of torque available from 2,000 to 5,600 rpm for responsive performance under a broad range of real-world conditions.
Demonstrating the capability of the 2014 Silverado and its 5.3-liter EcoTec3 engine, double cab two-wheel-drive models equipped with the available max towing package, available later this year, will have towing ratings of up to 11,500 pounds, more than any light-duty pickup currently on the market. To further save customers money and reduce inconvenience, Silverado’s 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8 is designed to operate on regular 87-octane gasoline even when towing or hauling.
Silverado will also offer later this year a standard 4.3-liter EcoTec3 V-6 that is expected to offer exceptional torque and towing capability for a standard V-6, and an all-new 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V-8, with even more power, torque and towing capability than the 5.3-liter V-8. Additionally, the 2014 Silverado 1500 crew cab will be joined later this year by a regular cab model and a new double cab model, which replaces the extended cab and features forward-hinged rear doors for easier access to the back seat. www.chevrolet.com
New alerts available in GPSTrackIt’s Fleet Manager application offer added monitoring capabilities to their already extensive suite of event, location and maintenance alerts. Users are now able to monitor three additional parameters that enhance driver safety. Two of the new alerts relate to driving behaviors. The first, Rapid Acceleration, sends alerts to designated recipients when the vehicle accelerates aggressively. Rapid acceleration is harder on engines and has been shown to result in increased fuel consumption. The Hard Brake alert notifies responders of instances in which the vehicle rapidly decelerates. Rapid deceleration means greater wear on brakes. As a driving behavior, it is a potential indicator of a driver following too closely or of distracted driving. Both the Rapid Acceleration and Hard Brake data is now included in the Fleet Manager system’s Detailed Report, enabling fleet managers to educate drivers on these undesirable and potentially dangerous driving behaviors.
