FUEL ECONOMY TESTING
MESILLA VALLEY TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS
Validates Ex-Guard’s Performance
Las Cruces, New Mexico – May 15, 2019 – MVT Solutions, a provider of breakthrough fuel economy testing and design and development services for the trucking industry, today announced that its evaluation of the Ex-Guard LT series grille guards, manufactured by Ex-Guard Industries, provides front end damage protection to trucks which have little to no negative impact on the trucks overall fuel efficiency.
“Our testing found the Ex-Guard LT-325 grille guard had no discernable effect on fuel economy while the LT-350 had only a small negative impact of -0.51%, which is a smaller impact than the tractor’s side mirrors,” stated Daryl Bear, lead engineer & COO at MVT Solutions.
“The results are what we expected based on feedback from fleets that already use our product, but we asked MVT Solutions to quantify the fuel consumption impact of our grille guards in an attempt to completely alleviate any concerns about MPG loss with our guards,”
Dennis Geipel, a representative from Ex-Guard added. “We chose MVT Solutions for these trials because of their reputation in fuel economy testing and wanted to eliminate any questionable variables that might have remained. These verified results will now allow fleets to make a well-informed decision about adding Ex-Guard grille guards based on their ability to prevent costly front-end damage.”
The certified testing by MVT Solutions was developed from race car engineering and advanced vehicle test methods using sensors and recording systems that collect data on fuel consumption, aerodynamics, rolling resistance, driver behavior and other variables that affect fuel consumption. The data is analyzed using MVTS proprietary methods.
For the Ex-Guard evaluations, two test vehicles ran simultaneously at 65 MPH on a 9-mile circle track. The 2019 International LT models were specified with Cummins X15 engines and Eaton 10-speed automated manual transmissions. The tractors pulled 53-ft Hyundai dry vans equipped with Michelin Energy Guard aerodynamic systems, and both tractors and trailers were fitted with single wide-base tires.
“Typically, interfering with the airflow on a vehicle can impact fuel economy significantly,” said Daryl Bear. “However, Ex-Guard products minimize their affect on aerodynamic drag because they are mounted several inches away from the front of the vehicle and are designed with round tubing, allowing air to continue flowing. Ex-Guard grille guards are not a fuel saving product, but our testing should provide fleets with the confidence to consider their use based on maintenance and operational costs as opposed to fuel economy losses.”
Calculating Total Savings or Cost with Ex-Guard
MVTS Transport conducted Third Party Real Life Testing with Ex-Guards.
The following are the results of that test.
25 Designs
No effect on fuel economy, therefore zero cost in fuel.
50 Designs
At 125,000 miles traveled annually, the fuel used would be 66 gallons, .5GAL/1000 miles.
FINANCIAL IMPACT CALCULATION
-66 gallons/year x $2.58/gal = $162/yr fuel cost
Using the average retail cost of diesel fuel in the U.S. in 2020 at $2.58 /gal, this amounts to $162 annually in fuel per truck.
For more questions on test results contact Mesilla Valley Transportation Solutions, LLC or Ex-Guard Industries.
Collision Mitigation Systems
COLLISION MITIGATION SYSTEMS
Collision mitigation systems are becoming increasingly popular and for a very good reason. Per a report from one of the fleets I work with, they have experienced a 40% decrease in front-end collisions. These systems coordinate a single forward radar sensor or group of sensors, the adaptive cruise, and the braking component of late model tractors. The front radar sensor is in an extremely vulnerable and exposed position. This fact, combined with the reality that the system is not designed to “see” animals, gives further justification to equipping your tractor(s) with Ex-Guard front end protection.
The Ex-Guard design team has carefully designed all our guards so they do not interfere with the radar beam of the collision mitigation equipment. As new designs enter the market, we are working to quickly manufacture mounting brackets for those designs to ensure full functionality of these safety features. Rest assured, Ex-Guard has you covered.
Tom Holt
Business Development Manager
Just When We Thought We’d Hit Everything
Just When We Thought We’d Hit Everything!
These 2 guards were on display at the Truck Country of Milwaukee Open House on Friday April 7th. One had hit a train and the other a concrete post at 21 mph. Both trucks were untouched.
Train VS Guard
A late season snow storm hit south-eastern Wisconsin. The driver got out to clean his wiper blades while waiting for a train. The parking brake didn’t engage, causing the truck to roll forward into the moving train. The truck bounced off of 6 rail cars before the driver was able to re-enter the vehicle and back away from the moving train. The truck was undamaged. The upper portion of the XG-150 Ex-Guard was the only damage incurred.
Post VS Guard
The truck bearing the LT-350B Guard was sucked off the road in icy, muddy conditions and hit a concrete post head-on at 21 mph. The Ex-Guard acted as a cradle, preventing any damage to the truck itself.
Jerry Young
Truck Country, Milwaukee, WI