Western Star introduced the 47X vocational truck, a lighter-weight complement to the Western Star 49X. The introduction extends the Western Star X-Series into entirely new vocational applications.

With a standard 111.6-inch bumper-to-back-of cab, the 47X is well suited for applications requiring shorter overall vehicle length, such as drywall trucks. A optional 110.8-inch BBC is also available for vocations that need to meet federal or local bridge law requirements, such as mixers or super dumps.

With the shorter hood and a wheel cut up to 50 degrees, the 47X further optimizes maneuverability for work on construction sites or operation in congested urban environments.

“A key priority was to consider how to reduce mass without compromising strength,” said Tracy Mack-Askew, chief engineer of chassis, propulsion, and vocational engineering at Daimler Trucks North America, in a press release. “From the cab to the frame rails, to powertrain and battery configurations, we examined all features to deliver weight savings to our customers for greater productivity and profitability.”

The 47X is approximately 200-pounds lighter than the 49X in like-for-like spec and is best for weight-sensitive applications like mixers and bulk haul. All X-Series trucks have tougher, yet lighter, single-channel frame rail options versus legacy products. The platform offers frame rails with resisting bending moment of up to 3.8 million inch-pounds. A new 9.5-millimeter single channel rail option is available and features comparable strength as today’s 11-millimeter rail.

Standard high-strength aluminum forward, rear and end-of-frame crossmembers further reduce mass, as does a new two-battery option.

Under the Hood

The 47X comes standard with the Detroit DD13 Gen 5 engine, which features higher compression ratios and a new swirl piston design to further improve combustion and efficiency.

ThermoCoasting in the DD13 Gen 5 prevents aftertreatment cool-down during a driving regen to keep the system at its optimum temperature and significantly reduce the need for parked regens, Western Star officials said.

The Detroit Assurance suite of active safety systems — including active brake assist, side guard assist, and adaptive cruise control —is standard for any 47X equipped with the DD13 Gen 5.

For weight-sensitive applications, the Cummins L9 and X12 engines are available for the 47X.

Optional front-engine power take-off (FEPTO) is offered on both Cummins engine offerings and the Detroit DD13 for applications like snowplows. Similarly, rectangular fuel tanks and a raised aftertreatment system mounting are offered with Cummins engines for better clearance for belly plows.

The 47X is also offered with the all-new DT12-V transmission. The DT12 includes three work-ready mode applications: Rock-free mode, Off-road mode, and Paver mode for the challenges of specific vocational applications.

In the Cab

The X-Series steel-reinforced aluminum cab further reduces mass by up to 8%, and a new space-optimized, in-cab battery box affords additional legroom to the operator.

All X-Series models come standard with operator-centric features such as a wrap-around dash that provides easy access to the driver command center and B-panel. On the B-panel, a flex panel can be prepped for a tablet or configured for an additional 12 switches or 10 gauges.

Optional features:

• Two-person bench seat available for applications demanding a large on-site crew.

• Roof-mounted condenser offers maximum airflow through the radiator for stationary applications like construction and mining.

The 47X’s unique hood offers improved forward visibility of 24.8 feet – an 11-inch improvement over the 49X.

The 47X’s mid-chassis packaging has a number of clear back-of-cab configurations while unobstructed frame rails provide more efficient body integration for upfits. The QuickFit Interface System offers ready access to electrical architecture and was designed for truck equipment manufacturers’ interface, programming and access to power.

The CHEC Tool from DTNA enables TEMs and dealers to view and modify electrical configurations, giving them the power to customize inputs and outputs and change parameters within minutes. A Flex Panel located in the dash B-panel of the truck gives TEMs the ability to mount body controllers.

The all-new 47X is available for order now and delivery to customers begins in early 2022.