Several new creative approaches to construction trucks were recently in action at "Rock N' Dirt," a program sponsored by Kenworth Truck Company and Caterpillar Inc. The event, designed for construction companies and other vocational truck users, was held at Caterpillar's 6,000-acre Tinaja Hills proving grounds facility near Tucson, Ariz.

More than 100 customers were on hand to see the latest in weight-saving components, plus view new truck configurations. Kenworth offers construction models ranging from its Class 7 T300 to its super heavyweight model 993 which can accommodate a 700 horsepower engine and handle loads exceeding 500,000 pounds. While 10 Kenworth trucks were on display, it was the creative use of pusher axles and tandem steering that gained most of the attention.

"The construction industry is one of the most dynamic and challenging markets for truck design," says Brian Lindgren, Kenworth's vocational market segment manager. "It's an industry built on maximizing payloads and focused on reliability and longevity.

"It's also ever-changing, especially as more states adopt and interpret the Federal Bridge Formula," Lindgren noted. "This gives Kenworth's application engineers the opportunity to problem solve for customers and to develop work trucks specifically designed to make them more money. This is why we're gaining market share in the construction industry."

One of the Kenworth trucks on display featured tandem steer axles. "Dump trucks with three pusher axles have become common in Ohio and elsewhere, and some are now using four pushers," said Lindgren. "Kenworth offers the T800 with tandem steer axles as an alternative to a single heavy axle and one of the pushers. The tandem steer turns sharper, gives a more positive steering feel when the pushers are down, and can carry more weight than a single axle."

"I was impressed with the Kenworth Super 18 dump truck T800, which can be stretched out to our 80,000-pound bridge law in Missouri," said Jim Sutton, owner of Sutton Trucking of Archie, Mo. "It's a new setup which features tandem drive, three pusher axles and a booster axle. We're currently running end dump trailers to conform with bridge laws, but this will haul the same amount of weight and yet it's in a straight truck so it's much more maneuverable. And it's very easy to deliver loads. We'll be looking at purchasing these when we buy new trucks."

Jim Whistle, president of Pleasant Hill, Mo.-based Whistle Redi Mix, said he was impressed with the ruggedness of the Kenworth product. "We run our trucks hard -- about half the time they're off-road," Whistle said. "One problem we have is that sometimes the crossmembers break (in their non-Kenworth trucks) and that signals the end of the truck. But Kenworth did their homework. I was impressed by Kenworth's strong frame - including the multi-piece crossmembers with large aluminum gussets, 16-millimeter fasteners and Huck bolts -- and they did this without making the truck too heavy. Plus, the cabs are well built and lightweight. We typically keep our trucks for 10 years; you can tell that Kenworths are designed to last."

According to Lindgren, vehicle configuration, durability, weight and cab comforts are the driving forces in truck design. "Construction is not one size fits all," Lindgren stressed. "It's why we literally offer thousands of options to fine tune the vehicle specifically to our customer's application. In addition, driver comfort is becoming an even bigger issue with many construction companies. With Kenworth models, drivers get a quality ride, excellent visibility, and an interior package that is very comfortable. A good working environment can go a long way in helping companies retain their drivers."

"We operate 600 trucks, and we've been seeing the pool of quality drivers decrease," confirmed Rick Welton, TXI's general manager of operations for North Texas Ready-Mix. "For the first time I've heard drivers complain about other makes of trucks - their small cabs and HVAC systems for example. We no longer look at payload capacity and durability as the only reasons to buy a truck. We have to look at driver comfort as well. For us, these are the three reasons we've been buying Kenworths."