The Western Star 4700 set-back, all-wheel drive 6x6 and 4x4 trucks can now be spec’d with an 18,000-pound front drive axle.

The option is suited for snow plow applications and provides better maneuverability in harsh winter conditions. The heavy duty front drive axle from Meritor also contributes to sharper wheel cuts, better steering control, and improved weight distribution to help drivers maintain better control on slick winter roads.

The 4700SB AWD with the 18,000-pound front drive axle can be spec’d with the Cummins L9 engine and is now in production. The 4700 can also be purpose-built for local and regional hauls as well as vocational applications and is available with hundreds of customization options.

“Snow plows work under some of the most extreme conditions and often in tight, neighborhood or urban environments,” said Peter Schimunek, vocational marketing manager for Western Star. “The new front drive axle option delivers increased capacity and better mobility when it’s needed most.”