Thermo King is launching a new trailer temperature control platform that claims double-digit fuel savings, high performance and low life cycle costs, while complying with upcoming exhaust-emissions regulations for refrigeration units.


Called Precedent, the system was designed from the ground up to meet the federal Environmental Protection Agency Tier IV Final limits for engine emissions.

Beginning Jan. 1, the company will also offer truck and auxiliary power unit products compliant with the new regs. These units will set new industry standards in both fuel efficiency and emissions control, the company says.

"The innovative Precedent platform and new truck and APU solutions provide our customers with the peace of mind that they have met regulatory requirements while delivering leading performance, significant fuel savings
and lower life cycle costs-all tested under real world conditions," said Ray Pittard, president of Thermo King North America, in a press release.

The Precedent features a completely new platform for the trailer market designed to be fully compliant with the new EPA Tier IV final regulations, including:

* The S-600, a greater-than-25 horsepower single-temperature unit with an evergreen engine for use in California

* The S-700, a greater-than-25 horsepower high-capacity single-temperature unit with an evergreen engine for use in California

* The C-600, a less-than-25-horsepower single-temperature unit with an allowed useful life in California of seven years

The Precedent platform features a new Diesel Direct Electric and fuel injection system that delivers optimal fuel injection at exactly the right time to control particulate matter emissions within the engine cylinders. This makes the Precedent S-series engine run more cleanly and eliminates the need for an expensive, high-maintenance aftertreatment system such as a diesel particulate filter, Pittard said.

Both the C- and S-series offer a variety of maintenance programs through Thermo King's 200-plus dealers to help customers keep their units running at top performance.

Enhancements for T-series reefer units and TriPak Evolution APUs will also meet the Tier IV Final regs, Pittard said. The T-series, to be available in the first quarter of 2013, will comply through use of new engines and an electronic throttling valve (ETV) to deliver improved temperature pull-down and fuel efficiency.

Testing demonstrates that the ETV saves up to 30% in fuel, reaches temp set-points up to 50% faster than previous units and runs the engine up to 17% less. This means significant operational and environmental savings for fleets throughout the life of the unit, he said.

The full T-Series range will be offered in 2013 with new model names, including T-580R, T-680R, T-880R, T-1080R, T-680S, T-880S, T-1080S, and T-1080S Spectrum multi-temperature units.

The TriPac Evolution APU will lower overall truck fuel consumption, reduce emissions and provide driver comfort. It can be ordered after Jan. 1, 2013, for shipment in the second quarter of '13.

In response to customer feedback, the updated TriPac will have software that can be customized to enhance the specific operating profiles. This APU also features an extended maintenance interval of 1,500 hours, a new flash-loadable control system and improved service access for easier maintenance.

Pittard and other executives will further describe share their new range of products at an event today at Thermo King headquarters in Bloomington, Minn. Watch for more details to follow.