PIERCE, PACCAR TEAM UP FOR FIRST TIME ON NEW MX-13 ENGINE
PIERCE, PACCAR TEAM UP ON MX-13 ENGINE
Brad Hansen drove fire vehicles with the Sacramento City Fire Department for twenty years. Instructing other firefighters, police officers, and sheriff's deputies in the Emergency Vehicle Operators Course (EVOC) took up his most recent six-year period. He values top-notch tools and is aware of how to use fire equipment.
Hansen is in a unique position to evaluate the performance of the PACCAR MX-13 engine because it is now available in Pierce's Arrow XT, Enforcer, and Velocity Custom Chassis trucks. The authorized Pierce apparatus dealer for Central and Northern California, Golden State Fire Apparatus, employs Hansen as a sales consultant. He said of the MX-13, "The MX-13 generates power in a smooth application with peak torque low in the RPM range."
The MX-13 has a low RPM range peak torque and produces power in a seamless application.
From a complete stop, low torque translates into outstanding performance for drivers. The 510-horsepower MX-13's maximum torque is attained at 1,000 RPMs, improving responsiveness in congested city driving or on winding country roads. According to Hansen, the fire engineer will be able to feel the torque and power down low, which will aid with initial performance off-the-line.
The MX-13 engine incorporates market-leading design components to improve uptime, maximize fuel efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and increase investor returns. It's also the first time Pierce and PACCAR have worked together. "We are bringing together two premium brands, creating a first-class engine for custom fire apparatus," claims the Pierce website.
The engine includes castings composed of compacted graphite iron, which are 25% lighter and 75% stronger than grey iron. With high-pressure common rail fuel injection, fuel performance and combustion efficiency are improved. Less noise and a smoother ride are produced by the setup of the rear engine gear system.
PACCAR's fractured cap technology permits tweaking the engine to generate what the company claims as "a wide horsepower range and longer torque and power curves for more efficient operation," as well as "better bearing clearance, greater strength joints, increased uptime, and extended service life."
The MX-13 engine is also built for improved braking. "The MX-13, designed and built at PACCAR, has a comprehensive integrated system utilizing a compression release, the turbocharger, and a backpressure valve, which is able to generate continuous braking force," claims Marc Faluotico, the West Regional Vice President for Pierce Manufacturing. "It increases the vehicle's capacity for safe and reliable braking while lowering service brake wear."
The engine is covered by a five-year, 100,000-mile guarantee. Repairs are available at any Kenworth or Peterbilt service shop. The Golden State specialists are also certified to service the MX-13 engine in the state-of-the-art 35,000-square-foot facility owned by the company in Sacramento.
