Author: Kate Wade

CURT, supplier of a complete line of towing products and the leading manufacturer of USA-made custom-fit trailer hitches, has introduced a revolutionary new trailer coupler that completely does away with the traditional latch design.

The CURT QuickPin trailer coupler is the first of its kind, engineered to answer the problem of complicated hinging components on a traditional latch-style coupler. Instead of a latch that is prone to rust and wear, QuickPin uses a single hitch pin to secure the coupler onto the ball. The simple pin design provides a secure vehicle-trailer connection while reducing stress, frustration and the time it takes to hook up your trailer.

The QuickPin coupler is currently available to fit standard 2-inch-diameter balls, and it can be purchased in three different trailer tongue widths: 2-inch, 2.5-inch and 3-inch. To make installation easier, QuickPin also comes with pre-drilled holes to fit most existing bolt configurations. www.curtmfg.com/quickpin

Terex Utilities has announced the new Genie Z-45 Substation Utility Boom (SUB). The Z-45 SUB is a purpose-built mobile elevated work platform. It is designed for substation work and other applications where an insulated device is needed but use of traditional bucket trucks is prohibitive due to size and maneuverability. Traditional all-steel aerial work platforms do not provide dielectric protection and have inherent differences of potential from the chassis ground to the boom tip that require specialized work practices and grounding.

Featuring a fiberglass jib section and fiberglass platform with swing gate, the Z-45 SUB complies with the ANSI A92.2 standard for Category E insulating rating of 20 kV, as measured between the boom tip and chassis. The standard fiberglass platform comes with floor grating and optional cutouts for increased visibility, access and water egress.

The Z-45 SUB has zero tail-swing and 355-degree rotation in tight quarters, self-propelled control, and up-and-over capability of the boom to give utility workers greater positioning flexibility. Operators can precisely position the boom with fully proportional drive and boom functions. The Lift Guard Contact Alarm provides a secondary warning designed to reduce crushing hazards. If an operator is caught between the controls and another object, a breakaway cable activates to disable lift and drive functions and trigger visual and audible alarms. www.terex.com/utilities/en/product/substation/z-45-sub

Industry-leading utility hydraulics manufacturer HydraBed has introduced a new version of its popular Reel Lift lifting unit, the ReelLift Reel Management System, a full-capability solution that performs all the major functions of reel and cable handling. Enabling utility workers and contractors to reduce their reel and cable handling time by up to 50%, the new ReelLift system combines the functions of reel pickup and transport with semi-autonomous hydraulic cable payout, retrieval and figure-eight deployment in one compact, truck-bed-based package.

Featuring an industry-best 5,000-pound reel capacity, the ReelLift system eliminates the need for a dedicated reel trailer while enabling a cable crew to transport and position reels of telecom wire, fiber-optic cable and other reel-based connective media, and then precisely pay out, retrieve and even create figure-eight patterns via its variable-speed, easy-to-use controls. Thoughtful features include a contractor-tested, quick-release axle security latch, a built-in 20,000-pound-rated tow hitch and an unmatched five-year structural warranty.

The ReelLift system is available through its national dealer network as a turnkey solution customized to fit most popular chassis cab truck models, or it can be factory-installed at HydraBed’s Sabetha, Kansas, location. www.hydrabeds.com/utility

DPL Telematics, a leading provider of advanced asset monitoring and telemetry technologies, recently announced the release of the AssetCommand Max Tracking System, an advanced solution for wireless monitoring and remote tracking of off-road equipment, as well as over-the-road trucks, to increase productivity while reducing fleet costs. The rugged device tracks runtime, trips, geofences, curfews, rollover and service schedules while empowering managers to remotely disable their assets.

The AssetCommand Max allows owners to remotely monitor their assets accurately from an intuitive, internet-based software package and mobile app. The unit is the first telematics product of its kind to feature a remote starter disable/enable; tilt and rollover detection; IP 67-rated and UV-stabilized design; tamper detection; little to no sky view required; internal backup battery and antenna; wireless, two-way communication; and a month-to-month agreement.

The AssetCommand Max reports usage metrics such as runtime, odometer, movement, ignition status, speed and battery health. The platform also includes an intuitive service module for scheduling by runtime, odometer or calendar and notifying whichever threshold is reached first. The easy-to-use solution is an effective tool to reduce service costs, maximize uptime and eliminate manual errors. www.dpltel.com

Utilimaster, a business unit of The Shyft Group, has announced its latest production-ready, purpose-built walk-in van: the Velocity F2. Built on a sub-10,000-pound GVWR Ford Transit chassis, the Velocity F2 combines nimbleness, comfort and fuel efficiency with the cargo space, access and load capacity similar to a traditional walk-in delivery van. The company is taking production orders for the Velocity F2 now.

Utilimaster has expanded their product portfolio to include this Class 2 purpose-built walk-in van to meet the rapidly growing global e-commerce and delivery demand. As the leading manufacturer of last-mile delivery vehicles, Utilimaster and The Shyft Group fulfill a segment void with the market-ready, purpose-built Velocity F2.

Benefits of the Velocity F2 include lower total cost of ownership and operation than Class 3-6 vehicles; drivers of Class 2 vehicles do not need a commercial driver’s license to operate; and ease of compliance with Department of Transportation requirements.

Additional features include better fuel economy; improved safety step heights; lightweight aluminum sidewalls; 600-700 cubic feet of cargo space; and a corresponding payload range of 3,700-4,300 pounds.

The Velocity is also offered in a Class 3 (GVWR 14,000) vehicle, available on both the Ford Transit (Velocity F3) and the Mercedes Sprinter (Velocity M3) chassis. www.utilimaster.com/velocity-f2

Transfer Flow, a manufacturer of premier American-made fuel tanks since 1983, has introduced two new refueling tanks for diesel fuel. The 50- and 80-gallon fuel tanks fit full-size pickups and come with mounting hardware, fuel cap and rollover valve. They’re perfect for manually fueling your diesel truck or equipment in the field. 

The refueling tanks are manufactured from 14-gauge aluminized steel for superior rust resistance and strength. They have internal baffles for extra durability and are powder coated black. They’re also compatible with GPI and Fill-Rite 12-volt refueling pumps, which are sold separately. www.transferflow.com

Hino Trucks recently announced Project Z, the company’s development path to zero-emissions vehicles (ZEV), ranging from Class 4 to Class 8.

The live virtual event showcased the most comprehensive lineup of zero-emissions trucks, partnering with technology leaders in advanced electrification drive systems.

The ZEV products ranged from a Class 5 on a SEA Electric SEA-Drive 120a on a Hino M5 chassis, up to a Hino XL Series Class 8 tractor powered by Toyota’s Fuel Cell system. Additionally, Hino featured a battery electric Class 7 tractor with Hexagon Purus’ full electric drive system, and a Hino XL Series Class 8 box truck powered by Xos Trucks’ X-Pack battery and electric drive system. For the battery electric vehicles, Hino will look at both central drive motors and e-axles.

Project Z advances Hino’s environmental leadership position, first established in 1991 with the global sale of its hybrid buses, and will consist of demonstration vehicles in the first half of 2021, customer demonstrations in 2022 and production prior to 2024.

The project does not end here. Over the coming months, Hino Trucks will unveil more granular details about the cutting-edge technologies and vehicles to come out of Project Z. www.hino.com/projectz

Terex Utilities announced that its new manufacturing headquarters is now fully functional, and the first production units have rolled off the line. The 450,000-square-foot facility brings production operations under one roof on a 55-acre site in Watertown, South Dakota.

The new facility houses assembly, fiberglass, paint and installation. Among the first machines to roll off the line were a C6060 digger derrick for Otter Tail Power Co. in Minnesota, an HR46 aerial device for Xcel Energy in Minnesota, an LT40 aerial device for NiSource in Indiana and a General 65 digger derrick for Brazos Electric Cooperative in Texas.

Terex Utilities hopes to celebrate the opening of its modern manufacturing facility with customers once the coronavirus is controlled. Until then, this video shows a time lapse of the new facility construction. www.terex.com/utilities