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THETRUCKER.COM
EQUIPMENT & TECH
AUGUST 1-14, 2021 • 21
CVSA Brake Safety Week: August 22-28
PREPARE FOR BRAKE INSPECTIONS TO AVOID DELAYS AND VIOLATIONS
CLIFF ABBOTT | SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance
(CVSA) would like drivers to stop in for an inspection
of their vehicle’s braking system. If you
can stop, that is.
The CVSA will be conducting its annual
Brake Safety Week Aug. 22-28. Inspectors will
be conducting North American Standard Inspections
of commercial motor vehicles, with a
focus on braking systems and components. Just
like the 2020 Brake Safety Week, the focus will
once again be on brake hoses and tubing.
According to CVSA, “Brake system and
brake adjustment violations accounted for
more vehicle violations than any other vehicle
violation category, accounting for 38.6% of all
vehicle out-of-service (OOS) conditions, during
last year’s three-day International Roadcheck
inspection and enforcement initiative.”
The release noted that more than 5,200 of
the 43,565 commercial vehicles inspected in
the 2020 event were placed OOS for brakerelated
violations. That’s 12% of the total
violations.
Inspection violations find their way onto
the CSA records of both the carrier that owns
the truck and the driver. In the driver’s case,
those violations show up on the Pre-employment
Screening Program (PSP) report that
prospective employers may review. Each violation
is assigned a score that some employers
use in their driver hiring decisions.
Sadly, many of those failed brake inspections
would have been preventable with just a little
attention from the driver.
For example, violations such as “brake hose
or tubing chafing or kinking under vehicle”
(FMCSR 393.45(b)2) are generally easy to observe.
When hoses rub together, wear (or “chafing”)
occurs. A variety of springs and retention
devices exist to keep hoses from rubbing
together or coming into contact with catwalks,
the ground or other objects. Those devices
sometimes require attention or readjustment
to make sure they’re still doing the job.
Hoses under the trailer are another culprit.
As trailer tandems are slid back and forth,
springs holding air lines off the ground can kink
or become weakened. These lines aren’t as accessible;
the driver may have to crawl under
the trailer and may need a flashlight to inspect
them properly. Picking up a preloaded trailer
from a dark lot at a customer location doesn’t
present a good opportunity for inspection,
and drivers are often surprised when they find
SEE BRAKES ON PAGE 22
Courtesy: CVSA
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) will be conducting its annual Brake Safety Week Aug. 22-28.
As it was in 2020, the brake safety inspections will focus on hosing and tubing.
Cummins to produce natural gas
powertrains for commercial vehicles
Courtesy: Volvo Trucks North America
Volvo Trucks North America now offers the fifth generation of Bendix’s SafetyDirect Processor as a
factory-installed option on Volvo VNL, VNR and VHD models.
Bendix safety systems now factory
option on some Volvo trucks
THE TRUCKER NEWS STAFF
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Volvo Trucks North America is offering the fifth generation
of the SafetyDirect Processor (SDP5) from Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems
as a factory-installed option on Volvo VNL, VNR and VHD models.
The SDP5 Full processor features a driver-facing camera, added digital video recorder
(DVR) storage and internal battery backup to help prevent data loss. The
SafetyDirect system is fully integrated with Volvo Active Driver Assist (VADA), leveraging
the flagship collision mitigation technology on select Volvo Class 8 models.
“Customer safety continues to be at the forefront of Volvo Trucks’ core values,
and we are committed to offering the latest in-cab safety technology,” said Ashley
Murickan, product marketing manager for Volvo Trucks North America. “By
SEE VOLVO ON PAGE 22
THE TRUCKER NEWS STAFF
DALLAS/FORTH WORTH and COLUMBUS,
Ind. — Cummins Inc. and Rush Enterprises Inc.
on June 29 signed a letter of intent for Cummins
to acquire 50% equity interest in Rush Enterprises’
Momentum Fuel Technologies. Momentum Fuel
Technologies offers the industry’s first complete
compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system solution
for Classes 6-8 trucks, according to a company
statement.
“This collaboration shows Cummins’ continued
commitment to natural gas powertrains,” said
Srikanth Padmanabhan, president of the engine
business at Cummins. “This partnership will improve
customers service for both compressed natural
gas (CNG) and renewable natural gas (RNG)
through an improved support network. We are
thrilled to expand our network of clean and reliable
power solutions.”
The proposed transaction is expected to close
later this year, subject to completion of customary
pre-closing activities and entering into mutually
agreeable transaction documentation. The joint
venture between Rush Enterprises and Cummins
will produce Cummins-branded natural gas fuel delivery
systems for the commercial vehicle market in
North America.
This collaboration shows
Cummins’ continued
commitment to natural gas
powertrains. This partnership will
improve customers service for
both compressed natural gas and
renewable natural gas through an
improved support network.
— SRIKANTH PADMANABHAN, PRESIDENT
OF THE ENGINE BUSINESS AT CUMMINS
“The immediate environmental benefits of CNG
and RNG, combined with upcoming regulatory requirements,
will drive growth in natural gas vehicles
for the foreseeable future,” said W.M. Rush, CEO and
president of Rush Enterprises “This partnership
will enable Rush Enterprises to continue to provide
unparalleled support to our customers through
our mutual, wide-ranging portfolio of Cummins’
SEE CUMMINS ON PAGE 22