Peterbilt’s first lightweight, fuel efficient PACCAR MX-11 engine was installed recently in the company’s newest vocational truck, the Model 567 in a set-forward front axle configuration. The historic truck-and-engine combination was presented to Knife River, who drove it off the assembly line at Peterbilt’s Denton, Texas manufacturing facility.
“The PACCAR MX-11 will bring new levels of performance, durability, reliability and overall return for customers. It is lightweight and fuel efficient, making it an ideal power choice for customers in a wide range of applications, including regional haul, tanker, bulk haul, construction and refuse,” said Robert Woodall, Peterbilt Assistant General Manager of Sales and Marketing. “We’re pleased to present Peterbilt’s first production PACCAR MX-11 engine to a valued customer such as Knife River.”
The truck will be used in Knife River’s mixer operations throughout the Northwest U.S.
“It was a great experience to tour Peterbilt’s plant. It was obvious employees took pride in the product they were building, and watching the state-of-the-art assembly processes and attention to quality gave us an even greater appreciation for Peterbilt,” said Scott Hammond, Knife River’s Northwest Region Equipment Manager. “We’re anxious to put the MX-11 and Model 567 to work.”
Joining Hammond at the presentation were Randy Kephart, Knife River’s Equipment Manager at its Coos Bay (Ore.) and Roseburg (Ore.) locations, and Colin Milligan, Shop Manager.
Knife River was founded in 1917 and is based in Bismarck, N.D. They are a full-service civil and residential contractor operating in 19 states. In addition to its contracting services, Knife River is one of the U.S.’s largest aggregate producers and supplies high-quality asphalt, ready-mix concrete and other construction materials.
The Model 567 SFFA they were presented today is one of 200 Peterbilt trucks the company has ordered.
The PACCAR MX-11 Engine
The 10.8-liter PACCAR MX-11 engine became available for order through Peterbilt dealerships in November and production began this week. It has an output of up to 430 horsepower and 1,550 lb.-ft. of torque.
The PACCAR MX-11 engine has six inline cylinders and a double overhead camshaft design. PACCAR MX engines are the only commercial diesel engines to use Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI) in both the engine block and cylinder head. CGI is approximately 20 percent lighter and 75 percent stronger than traditional gray iron. The PACCAR MX-11 engine is designed to achieve an industry-leading B10 life of one million miles. It also utilizes a common rail fuel system with injection pressures of 2,500 bar to optimize combustion for low fuel consumption and noise levels.
Peterbilt Model 567 SFFA
Peterbilt’s Model 567 SFFA lets customers maximize payloads while helping meet state and federal bridge law requirements with a chassis that optimizes weight distribution. It is the industry’s newest heavy-duty vocational truck and features modern, distinctive styling.
“A main reason we selected the Peterbilt Model 567 SFFA is it’s the newest, most up-to-date set-forward front axle available,” said Hammond. “It has the advanced features to enhance our operations and I’m sure it will be a favorite with our drivers.”
It is available in both 115- and 121-inch BBC lengths. The 115-inch BBC has a bumper to front axle distance of 29 inches and the 121-inch BBC has a bumper to front axle distance of 31 inches. Peterbilt also offers the Model 567 in a set-back front axle configuration, also available in a 115- or 121-inch BBC length.