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Jim Park

Former HDT Equipment Editor

Jim Park served as Heavy Duty Trucking's equipment editor from 2006-2024. Specializing in technical and equipment content, Park is an award-winning journalist who has been covering the trucking industry since 1998.

Before joining HDT, Park was a truck driver and owner-operator for 20 years and served as an editor for HighwayStar magazine, which ceased production in 2011. He maintained his commercial driver’s license to bring a real-world perspective to Test Drives, as well as to features, videos and podcasts about equipment spec’ing and trends, emissions regulations and developments, maintenance and drivers.

He is the recipient of 16 Jesse H. Neal honors (both finalist and Neal awards), including “Best Range of Work by a Single Author” in 2020.

Articlesby Jim ParkNovember 24, 2015

Why Do Wheels Come Loose?

Investigations into hundreds of wheel separation incidents reveals that whether it was loosened wheel fasteners or failed bearings due to improper installation or loss of lubricant, better maintenance could have prevented all but a few of the incidents.

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Articlesby Jim ParkNovember 18, 2015

Kenworth's Rock-Solid T880

The T880 was introduced a few years ago but in just six short months, orders for the new vocational platform overtook its worthy predecessor, the T800. In the heavy duty market, that's quite remarkable.

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Articlesby Jim ParkNovember 13, 2015

GHG Phase 2 Rules Don't Pass OEM Muster... Yet

OEM comments on proposed EPA/NHTSA Phase 2 GHG regs show they’re nowhere near ready for prime time. What the agencies say in reply will speak volumes on where the rule is headed.

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Newsby Jim ParkOctober 29, 2015

NACFE Shows Downspeeding Good for 2-3% Fuel Savings

A new report delves into the use of downspeeding, which is becoming a popular fuel saving strategy for fleets. The concept makes use of numerically lower rear-axle ratios to lower engine rpm at vehicle cruise speed.

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Articlesby Jim ParkOctober 28, 2015

How Important are Balance and Alignment?

Fleets seem to run hot and cold on alignment and balance. Some swear by them, while others see them as unnecessary expenses.

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Articlesby Jim ParkOctober 23, 2015

TransPower's Totally Electric Class 8 Tractor [Video]

True zero-emissions freight transportation is closer to reality than you might think. A California-based technology company called TransPower USA has five Class 8 tractors in service now working out of the Port of Long Beach. Jim Park takes one for a drive in this Focus On... video.

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Articlesby Jim ParkOctober 23, 2015

QuickSpin: Spicer Dual Range Disconnect

It’s easier to describe the performance of Dana’s Spicer AdvanTEK Dual Range Disconnect concept than to explain how it works.

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Articlesby Jim ParkOctober 21, 2015

Getting Your Cooling System Ready for Winter

As temperatures dip and the leaves change from green to yellow and red, it’s time to think about winterizing your trucks for the siege ahead.

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Articlesby Jim ParkOctober 8, 2015

Test Driving the Paccar MX-11 Engine

We got a sneak preview of the MX-11 in a Kenworth T880 dump truck while at the Eaton Proving Grounds in Marshall Michigan - the one with the dirt track with grades of 20% and worse.

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Articlesby Jim ParkSeptember 22, 2015

Mesilla Valley Transportation Swears by Its B20 Biodiesel Blend

While biodiesel mandates have probably done more to build resistance to its use than win over its skeptics, some fleets, like Mesilla Valley Transportation, report high levels of success with the fuel.

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