Author: Kate Wade

Westport Innovations Inc. will offer dedicated, liquid propane systems for 2016 Ford 5.0-liter F-150 trucks. This new liquid propane system will be offered in addition to Westport’s compressed natural gas package for 2016 Ford F-150 trucks. Both fuel options are part of the Westport WiNG Power System and are expected to be certified to EPA and CARB standards.

Westport is taking advantage of Ford’s new natural gas and propane gaseous-prep package, which is now available on model year 2016 vehicles. Designed to transport passengers and cargo, the 2016 Ford F-150 offers a 5.0-liter engine with improved emissions compared to gasoline. The new aluminum alloy body reduces the weight of the truck by as much as 700 pounds. In addition, the existing Ford OEM warranty remains intact.

The benefits of Westport’s new liquid propane system include a standard 24-gallon fuel tank or optional 16-gallon tank; simplified maintenance of an easily replaceable inline filter; no additional scanning tools required for diagnostic service; a fuel pump life expectancy of 150,000 miles; and consistent volumetric efficiency, resulting in superior power and emissions when compared to existing vapor propane systems.

Additionally, while most liquefied petroleum gas offerings in the market today take up valuable truck bed space, Westport’s tank packages will be located underbody. www.westport.com/wing

Eaton has added two optional features to the company’s UltraShift PLUS and Fuller Advantage automated manual transmissions. The new Urge to Move and Blended Pedal features were added to enhance low-speed maneuverability in situations such as backing into a loading dock or maneuvering in a construction job site.

Both options are available at no charge and are easily configurable with ServiceRanger 4, Eaton’s proprietary PC-based diagnostic and service tool, and will be available in the Standard and Professional packages by year-end.

Urge to Move allows the vehicle to automatically start moving when the transmission is in gear and the operator releases the service brakes. After the vehicle has launched, it will creep at a constant speed at engine idle without the need to apply the accelerator – similar to what is experienced in a passenger vehicle. Blended Pedal allows the driver to directly control clutch engagement at engine idle through accelerator positioning and enables movement at varying speeds. www.eaton.com

The Cat S40 rugged smartphone is now available in the U.S. It is supported by most major U.S. GSM open carriers, including T-Mobile and AT&T Wireless.

Standout features of the S40 include drop-tested up to 5.9 feet onto concrete; powered by a quad-core 1.1-GHz Snapdragon 210 processor and 1 GB of RAM; runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop; IP68 and exceeds Mil-Spec 810G – waterproof, dust-proof and shock-proof; super bright display capable of being read in direct sunlight; Corning Gorilla Glass 4; glove-on working technology; wet-finger tracking technology; waterproof warning sensors that let users know when the phone isn’t waterproof; and a dedicated app store featuring the latest apps relevant to outdoor working and lifestyles.

The device retails at $399 and is available through Quality One Wireless and www.catphones.com. www.catphones.com

Doosan Portable Power has expanded its line of portable light towers with the introduction of two small-body model light towers – the LSV6 and LSV8. Both towers are standard-equipped with a vertical mast that manually extends to 25 feet, 6 inches with four 1,000-watt metal halide lamps. A hydraulic actuated tower is available as an upgrade option on both LSV models.

The LSV6 is powered by a Tier 4 Final-compliant Kubota D1005BG diesel engine with a Mecc Alte 6-kW alternator, and the LSV8 is equipped with a Tier 4 Final Kubota D1105 engine and Mecc Alte 8-kW alternator.

The voltage in both light towers allows operators to utilize the receptacle power function to simultaneously power tools or heaters while providing optimal illumination for oil and gas exploration, construction sites, emergency and disaster relief, as well as drilling applications. Both units have a 42.5-gallon diesel fuel tank with a minimum runtime of 82 hours with four 1,000-watt metal halide lamps. www.doosanportablepower.com

Ditch Witch has released a new line of heavy-duty (HD) backreamers to help underground construction operators improve productivity and tool durability on horizontal directional drilling job sites. New to all model designs, the HD backreamers are now equipped with standard API threads to fit any industry drill under 100,000 pounds.

The new models include the Beavertail HD, Warthog HD, Kodiak HD and Compact Fluted HD backreamers.

For improved fluid flow, the Beavertail HD backreamers are equipped with replaceable, hardened-steel Allen head nozzles. A flow-through shaft and rugged cutting design give this backreamer efficient fluid mixing capability.

Designed to require less torque and reduce drag when back-reaming, the Warthog HD model improves production and flow efficiency around the cutters and reamer body.

To reduce friction and the possibility of jams while drilling, the Kodiak HD backreamer enables cuttings and fluid to flow over the product and out the bore hole by providing optional drilling fluid from the rear of the tool.

Similar to the Kodiak HD design, the Compact Fluted HD backreamer reduces friction and the possibility of jamming by forcing fluid out the swivel plate. The improved heavy-duty casting design provides smooth pushback and maximum durability. www.ditchwitch.com

Sherman+Reilly Inc. has enhanced the towing ability of its Revolution Series transmission equipment product line with the addition of a pintle-eye trailer configuration for use with line trucks. The new platform of trailers provides reductions in overall weight and allows for a smaller field and storage footprint.

The new pintle-eye versions of the Revolution Series can be found on the T-7212-P Bullwheel Tensioner, PTR-7230S-P Split Model Puller/Tensioner/Reconductorer and RC-2500X-P Powered Reel Carrier.

The T-7212-P Bullwheel Tensioner is built with two pairs of 72-inch, five-groove bullwheels and delivers a maximum tensioning capacity of 12,000 pounds per subconductor or bullwheel pair. Each bullwheel has its own planetary gearbox and hydraulic motor with spring-applied hydraulic release brake.

The PTR-7230S-P Split Model Puller/Tensioner/Reconductorer, in a paired unit, delivers up to 30,000 pounds of pulling force and tensions up to 25,000 pounds. With a maximum speed of 4 mph, the Revolution Series PTR’s 72-inch bullwheels provide constant tension and precision control, and are designed to handle transmission-class conductors.

The RC-2500X-P Powered Reel Carrier, when paired with the PTR-7230S-P, provides an 84-inch rope reel with an optional 25,000 feet of Unitrex synthetic rope. This reel carrier offers full hydraulic back tension to the bullwheels that helps keep the rope or conductor tight around them. www.sherman-reilly.com

Rock Mills Enterprises has introduced the Lifter PLUS, which complements and builds on the success of the existing Lifter. According to the company, the Lifter is the most innovative product on the market to safely and efficiently remove manhole covers and drainage grates. In most cases, removing covers and grates is as simple as pushing a button on a remote control.

The Lifter PLUS delivers 3,500 pounds of magnetic gripping capacity. This added capacity directly addresses the need for a more powerful tool to remove very heavy covers that may also have rib and lettering designs. The added magnetic gripping capacity allows the magnet to compensate for reduced surface contact area and deliver exceptional lifting capability.

The Lifter PLUS comes with the two options now available with The Lifter. It is offered with or without the roadway camera and dash monitor. In addition, Rock Mills Enterprises is introducing a new 30-inch swing arm with 600 pounds of load capacity. This addresses the demand for a swing arm with longer reach and greater load capacity. www.rockmillsent.com

Driving Dynamics has completed the development and production of its latest technology advancement for driver safety training. Full-scale mobile simulators will be available as part of the company’s driver safety training curriculum starting the first quarter of 2016. The DrīvActiv system, developed by Driving Dynamics’ educational and technical teams, has been uniquely engineered to bring together the benefits of training location mobility, on-site instructors and sophisticated simulator technology.

The flexible design of DrīvActiv simulators will allow the company to deliver multiple units for each instructor-led training course to sites across North America and will provide fleet operators access to advanced performance safety training for up to 20 drivers a day at a single location. In addition, simulator units can be ergonomically adjusted to fit each student in the seat.

In Driving Dynamics’ simulator-based courses, four students working with two instructors will each be assigned his or her own simulator to engage in a segment of active practice coupled with feedback. The software component of DrīvActiv training will include scenarios that provide on-the-fly, street-level and overhead views, drive-time playback and real-time performance analytics designed to diagnose driver errors, provide immediate feedback and further facilitate personal coaching opportunities. www.drivingdynamics.com

Prolong Super Lubricants now offers a premium diesel engine oil featuring the company’s proprietary Anti-Friction Metal Treatment. This advanced technology bonds to metal surfaces and creates a protective layer that reduces friction, provides excellent wear protection and increases fuel efficiency.

Formulated with a blend of high-quality synthetic base oils and additives, Prolong’s 15W-40 Diesel Motor Oil is designed to exceed API service classifications CJ-4/SN/SM.

Prolong’s 15W-40 oil for diesel engines and commercial use is available in 1-quart and 1-gallon bottles, 5-gallon pails and 55-gallon drums. Prolong products can be found at many retail locations and can also be purchased online. www.prolong.com

Power management company Eaton has collaborated with Cummins to expand their lineup of integrated ISX15 SmartAdvantage powertrains. This will provide customers with additional choices tailored to their unique applications and operations. A new SmartAdvantage direct drive ratio is now available, and new engine ratings for the small-step overdrive ratios are being announced.

The new SmartAdvantage direct drive ratio is available in Cummins ISX15 400 HP and 450 HP ratings with 1550/1750 foot-pounds torque rating, ensuring optimal performance at lower rpm when combined with a 2.26- or 2.28-axle ratio. This package is the ideal solution for line haul or regional haul applications that operate in flat and hilly road terrains at cruise speeds in the range of 50 to 62 mph.

Launched in 2013, the SmartAdvantage powertrain with small-step technology is now available with new 400 HP and 420 HP ratings that provide customers with additional options beyond the original 450 HP rating. Small-step technology provides the benefits of a direct drive and an overdrive transmission configuration and is ideal where cruising speeds exceed 62 mph or where vehicles spend a high percentage of time – 75 percent or more – at a set cruise speed. www.eaton.com, www.cummins.com