Kenworth’s T909 is sailing through the WA Main Roads Super Quad trials, according to Fusion Contracting WA Managing Director Mr Jon Edwards, operator of the first Kenworth-propelled Super Quad.

Mr Edwards was the first Pilbara-based haulage operator to put his hand up to trial the new Super Quad concept when the Western Australian State Government paved the way for the use of extra-long road trains in the Pilbara region back in September.

State Transport Minister, Dean Nalder, said the new road trains were “longer, but safer than any seen on Australian roads before” – with the prime mover and four trailers spanning a total of 60 metres.

According to Nalder, the newly-approved vehicles are at the end of a three-month trial traveling on a section of the Great Northern Highway between Munjina-Roy Hill Road and Utah Point, Port Hedland.

“These vehicles are known as Super Quads and we have committed to an Australian-first trial of these roads trains to operate in the Pilbara region,” Nalder said, pointing out the road trains have undergone – and passed – rigorous safety assessments to ensure they are safe to operate on public roads.

“Even though they are longer, these are state-of-the-art vehicles with improved safety and superior handling compared to the standard 53.5 metre road trains, the longest currently allowed on our roads,” the Minister said.

Mr Edwards said the WA Main Road Super Quad trails were in place to gain valuable information on how the new 60 metre long road trains integrated in the road network. The trial will assess impact on the road infrastructure and other road users, such as pavement assessments, traffic data, community surveys and on-road monitoring.

Mr Edwards added the success of the trial would provide the mining industry with “greater productivity and lower operating costs”, eventually reducing the number of vehicles on the road in the long-term and introducing a safer vehicle to local roads.

“Kenworth Australia has a long and successful history in the remote mining sector,” Mr Edwards said. “Combine that with a new complete state-of-the-art dealership right at our door in Port Hedland and the choice to specify Kenworth was easy”.

“The sales team at CJD Equipment worked closely with Kenworth engineering and I to ensure the new T909 met all the Performance Based Standards (PBS) requirements stipulated by WA Main Roads for the trial,” he said.

“One of the critical key components that enable the Kenworth T909 to easily meet the stringent PBS requirements for the Super Quad trials is its unique Electronic Brake Safety Systems (EBSS),” Mr Edwards added.

The Kenworth EBSS system uses an advanced platform anti-lock brake system that incorporates Electronic Stability Program (ESP) calibrated specifically for Australian models, road conditions and applications. The system is further enhanced with the development of an electric trailer brake actuation system for EBS-equipped trailers, and additional ABS-related functions.

The ABS anti-lock braking system prevents wheel lock-up when the vehicle is over braked, often reducing stopping distances. Vehicles can retain directional stability and steerability, even under emergency braking on slippery road surfaces. ABS also reduces the danger of jackknifing in the case of vehicle combinations.

The Drag Torque control (DTX) prevents the driven wheels from compression locking on a slippery surface by increasing engine revs to assist with vehicle stability.

Automatic Traction Control (ATC) prevents wheel spin under acceleration as the drive torque exceeds the drive tyres to road surface adhesion. The ATC system communicates with the engine ECU to reduce engine power or will apply the brakes to the drive wheels depending on the low traction event.

The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) helps to restore vehicle stability through the use of ABS, ATC, steering direction and vehicle directional stability information. Steering angle, yaw, suspension pressure and brake application pressure sensors monitor the intended vehicle directional control versus actual vehicle movement. ESP intervenes by applying individual wheel brakes, or reduced engine torque when required to enhance vehicle stability. The system is compatible with multi-trailer combinations.

The Trailer Response Management (TRM) is the electronic trailer brake actuation (for EBS-compatible trailers only) for improved trailer braking response to assist with reduced stopping distances.

Active Cruise with Brakes (ACB) helps assist with accident avoidance, by using on-board computers and radar to engage the engine and wheel braking systems if other vehicles on the road enter unsafe distances from the truck. With the addition of Kenworth Electronic Brake Safety Systems (EBSS) the result is not only safety and proven productivity gains through being engineered to application, but enhanced accident avoidance from the comprehensive list of EBSS options available.

The Kenworth T909 is powered by a Cummins ISXe5 rated at 550 HP coupled to an Eaton RTLO22918B transmission. The steer axle is the heavy duty Meritor MFS73LA on Kenworth’s 7.2 tonne leaf springs. The three rear drive axles are Meritor RZ78-388G with a final ratio of 5.52:1, which put the cruising revs at 1,900 RPM for the speed limited 90kph stipulated by the Super Quad trials.

“The economic benefits are already evident when you consider this unit is 60 metres long and carries up to 140 tonne payloads,” Mr Edwards said. “When compared with our conventional quads that are 53.5 metres long and carry 114 tonne payloads fuel usages is relatively the same per trip.

In terms of the Super Quad trials, so far it’s been a huge success. “Everyone involved in the project is more than happy with how the Super Quad is performing and its integration into the road network,” Mr Edwards said. “In fact we’ve already placed an order for five more super quads, which will start rolling out early March 2016.”

Kenworth trucks are designed and manufactured in Australia to meet the world’s toughest applications. Kenworth, a division of PACCAR Australia, is market leader in heavy duty trucks in Australia. Its trucks are also exported to New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. PACCAR Inc, a Six Sigma company, is a global technology leader in the design, manufacture and customer support of high-quality light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF nameplates. PACCAR also designs and manufactures advanced diesel engines, provides financial services and information technology, and distributes truck parts related to its principal business.

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For further information:

Kate Sykes

Marketing Services Manager

PACCAR Australia

Tel: (03) 9721 1500