Volvo display new FL Narrow Track

A number of luminaries from the petrochemical industry in the UK were amongst the guests at a seminar at the Volvo Trucks headquarters in Warwick. The seminar involved the launch of the new Volvo FL Narrow Track tanker, with the guests being able to view them alongside an FE 6x2 rear-steer tanker. The seminar, whilst focussing on the Narrow Track's specifications, also demonstrated how Volvo can work with their customers on a number of issues. There are a few variables, such as using Dynafleet telematics and Volvo Service Point Online, which can be customised, allowing the customer to reduce their fuel usage and manage the vehicle effectively.

The FL Narrow Track fuel tanker features a payload of 11,000 litres, and the FL Narrow Track gas tanker can hold 6200 Kg of Liquid Propane Gas (LPG). The size of these payloads, and the subsequently less frequent need to reload, mean that they are able to be effective alternatives to a GVW truck, or a Scania P94 fuel truck.

The FL Narrow Track measures 2.1 metres in width over the doors, and 2.3 metres over the mudwings. In order to ensure that the vehicle can be serviced by Volvo's network of dealerships, without recourse to special parts, there have been two modifications: the mirror arms have been made narrower, and the rear wheels and tyres have been replaced by super singles on 8 stud steel wheels. It can also be equipped with Volvo's I-Sync, the automated transmission.

The Narrow Track FL is suited to applications which aren't reliant upon axle loading tolerance, as it is 5.8 tonnes at front and 10.3 rear. Another vehicle that was displayed was the 6x2, which featured a rear-steer tag-axle that is operated by hydraulics, and was there to draw attention to a new rental offer by Volvo and Haartz Tanker Rentals. The offer is a Volvo FE 340 with a capacity of 20,000 litres, replete with pumping equipment, for £804 per week, with a minimum term of 12 months.

Iveco emphasises alternative fuels.

Iveco, alongside other truck manufacturers such as Scania UK, is following a policy which emphasises natural gas and electric power, as it concentrates upon reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Iveco already produce engines which run on natural gas, in this case compressed biomethane or compressed natural gas, and many customers already utilise this, including Coca Cola and Tesco, which recently ordered 795 vans, including 25 powered by natural gas. Mainland Europe has embraced Iveco's EcoDaily Electric, an electric powered model available in either a 3.5 tonne or 5.2 tonne version. These vehicles use a three-phase traction motor, which is linked to a DC/AC inverter. The two versions deliver power of 30 kW continuous and and 40 kW continuous respectively. The components and the batteries are located either in the engine space or the side chassis, which means that load space is not affected, with Iveco saying, At the end of the vehicle's life, recycling is not compromised; the Zebra batteries are completely recyclable.

Roadtransport.com's group technical editor Colin Barnett test drove an EcoDaily Electric 3.5 tonne vehicle, and said, Negotiating the streets of London was slightly more challenging thanks to left-hand drive, but in every other respect the Daily Electric was simplicity to drive. The steering is not assisted at standstill to save battery life, but comes to life as soon as you move. In normal mode, progress up to the limited 43mph maximum is brisk, surprisingly so for other road users.

Caterpillar expands facility

Caterpillar has announced that an expansion is imminent at the premises in Sandford, North Carolina. A new building measuring 270,000 square feet will be constructed, and is intended to house both logistics and robotic welding fabrication. Caterpillar, famous for their backhoe loaders and mini diggers for sale, stated that the new premises will help them to meet growing demands for equipment. Construction will commence in September, and is projected to be completed in the summer of 2011. The facility will provide employment for a further 325 members of staff over the course of the next 5 years.

Caterpillar also announced the release of seven new versions of the series 3 compact loaders, which encompass multi-terrain loaders and skid steer loaders. The series 3 models have been adapted from the series 2 designs, but with improvement which render them, even more capable, more reliable, safer and easier to operate.

Some of the new elements include a redesigned version of the 'dead-engine lower valve', which allows the arms to be easily lowered if the engine has died, and the electronic control module being moved to a more accessible position in the rear. The engines have also been bettered, with Cat C3.4 DIT engines installed, which delivers a 25 percent increase on the previous model. Hydraulic capabilities have also been increased, by 40 percent, and Caterpillar say that, significantly improve the capability and efficiency of the 242B3 and 257B3 when handling standard-flow work tools, such as brush cutters, power box rakes and trenchers.

Cadzow acquire new Mercedes-Benz Actros Titan

Cadzow Heavy Haulage, an abnormal load specialist, has acquired a new vehicle; a huge Mercedes-Benz Actros Titan. The vehicle was made at the Mercedes-Benz facility in Wörth, and features a customised 6x4 tractor unit, equipped with a V8 engine that delivers 609 hp. It was subsequently converted into an 8x4 version at the Titan Spezialfahrzeugbau GmbH.

In order to prepare the vehicle for the operations that it will be required to undertake, the chassis was significantly reinforced by Titan, and the air tanks, batteries, exhaust stack and transmission coolers were moved in order to maximise space. It also features a 900-litre fuel tank.

Cadzow Heavy Haulage is a Lanarkshire based firm, and this is the fourth Mercedes-Benz Actros Titan that they will have acquired, and they were supplied by Western Commercial, a dealer which also deals with tipper trucks for sale. Managing Director Jim Macauley said, Our Mercedes-Benz Titans have done us proud since we bought our first two from Western Commercial in 2003. They’ve always been man enough for the job and very reliable, our only outlays having been on the kind of wear and tear items you would expect. There’s no doubt that Mercedes-Benz makes a good heavy truck, which explains why most of the guys in this very specialised business choose to run them.

The vehicle features a luxurious long distance sleeper cab, which features uspended seats, air-conditioning, a refrigerator and a blue-tooth compliant CD-radio player. Jim Macauley commented, Unsurprisingly, our driver Campbell Stewart is over the moon with his new truck.

Potain cranes employed in major Italian development

Trento, a city in the North of Italy, is currently witnessing the construction of a new multi-purpose development called La Albere, and it is utilising eleven Potain cranes, with two further cranes scheduled for arrival in August.

La Albere is the largest development in the Trento province, and Sabino Riefoli, the sales and marketing support manager for Manitowoc in Italy, said, The three-year project will completely transform this region, creating a new district of homes and businesses.

The cranes range in capacity from 6 to 12 tonnes, and can operate at heights of up to 61 metres. The collection features two MDT 218 A models, a flat top MDT 98 model, and eight MDT 178 models. They are employed in the transport of various building materials, and will continue working until the completion of the development, scheduled for 2012. Colombo Costruzioni, the primary contractor, is utilising Potain's anti-collision programme, Top Tracing, and so the cranes are set up in overlapping operational areas. A few of the cranes are owned by Colombo Construzioni, whilst the remainder have been hired from GB Manci Noleggi.

The development spans over 11 hectares of a former Michelin factory site, and will provide 30,000 square metres of office and retail space, 300 residential apartments, 2000 parking spaces, a science museum, 5000 hectares of sculpted parkland and numerous piazzas. It was designed by architect Renzo Piano, and he has incorporated into the design a number of environmentally friendly features.

Suped-up John Deere runs on alcohol

Waverly's Bremer County fair saw an interesting sight this year; a suped-up John Deere tractor. John Storjohann's tractor looks like John Deere 4560, a 1980's made diesel model. However, Storjohann has tinkered with his vehicle, creating a tractor that has a 6-cylinder engine that is triple turbo charged and runs on burning alcohol, delivering 2500 hp. ITs power is such that it can tow a sled, weighing 40,000 lbs., over 300 feet per 10 seconds.

John Strojohann is a retired John Deere engineer, and he hasn't been able to leave his love of engineering behind him; in fact, for him, its the ideal hobby, saying, You meet a lot of good folks and I love the technical challenge.

He goes on to say, I made my living working on diesel engines. I had enough grease, dirt and soot thrown on me. I want to play with alcohol.

For more than three decades he headed the Applied Mechanics Department, designing and redesigning, ironing out problems. Discussing his new hobby, he says, It was curiosity more than anything. I designed it. I built it. I paid for it. Now, I'm going to drive it. If your tires get a bite, it will put your fanny in the seat.

Soon Storjohann had earned a reputation within the National Tractor Pullers Association, and began to be wary of his creations, with fellow competitor Gary Wipf saying, I'd say Don has one of the best put together super stocks out there.

Storjohann's vehicle is called Just Off Warranty, and he built it from scratch, using his 32 years of experience working for farm trader John Deere, as well as his Master's degree in Engineering. The fuel system was designed completely by him, and he says, I have a complete mathematical model of my fuel system in my head. You could steal it and I could build another one.

Unfortunately, at the fair, Storjohann could only come fifth in the competition that he won in 2008. My turbos wouldn't come up on me, he said, Now I have data and know what to look for, and we'll try it again.

Gary Wipf pulled 317 feet in 10 seconds to take the first prize. However, the loss has not dented 72 year old Storjohann's enthusiasm for tractor pulling, and is supported by his family and circle of friends. He goes to up to 20 events during the pull season, and he is assisted by Eleanor, his wife, and also his nephews, cousins and sundry other relatives.

This is our together time, says Eleanor, I helped him put it (tractor) together. I know every nut and bolt in that thing.

Often up to 60 memebers of the family will be supporting StorJohann at a given event, with his brother in law Butch Franzen saying, It's wonderful with all the family. It keeps us close.

Storjohann spends a lot on his hobby, with each event costing around $2000, although his vehicle is worth at least $100,000. Storjohann is unrepentant, saying, John Deere gave me the best job in the world, making an excellent living. I worked damn hard for it. I'm going to spend it ... you can't take it with you.

Southwark council goes green in its choice of vehicles

The council for the London borough of Southwark have decided to invest in a fleet of 'green' vehicles. 47 new Mercedes-Benz Sprinters have been chosen by Southwark council, who were looking for the most environmentally friendly vehicles that they could find. The new fleet are all powered by engines which meet both Euro 5 emissions regulations, as well as the criteria for being an Enhanced Environmentally friendly Vehicle (EEV).

The vehicles were sourced through London Hire, a firm which supplies many vehicles, including from Scania UK, to the majority of London borough's, as well as to a variety of other public sector institutions.

They are also equipped with Mercedes's ECO-Start system, which automatically cuts the engine when the vehicle is still, thus reducing fuel consumption, emissions and wastage. An example of how it works would be stopping at red lights; the driver just has to go into neutral and release the clutch. After two seconds, the ECO-start system will turn off the engine. When the lights turn green, simply depress the clutch and the engine will immediately revive.

Mathew Trott, the business unit manager for Southwark council, said, Choosing vehicles that would cause the lowest possible impact on the local and global environment was right at the top of our list of priorities when we made this decision. We looked at several options - not many could offer Euro 5 engines, even fewer could provide vehicles to EEV specification, and only Mercedes-Benz could combine those two features with the ECO-Start system. Of course we also had to be satisfied that the vans would be 'fit for purpose', and would provide a reliable and efficient service to our council tax payers. The Sprinters are extremely well built and very cost-effective, as well as providing a comfortable and safe working environment for our staff.