Tier 4 Compliant Ottawa Terminal Tractors Now Available

OTTAWA, KANSAS – APRIL 30, 2012. Ottawa terminal tractor dealers assembled in Las Vegas for the Ottawa Truck division’s annual meeting in late March, and placed orders for over 250 Ottawa terminal tractors equipped with Cummins Tier 4i (Interim) diesel engines that meet new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions standards.

As the leading maker of terminal tractors, Ottawa Truck is the first manufacturer to sell terminal tractors powered by the Cummins QSB6.7 Tier 4i engine. The engine uses cooled exhaust gas recirculation, a common rail fuel system, and a catalytic converter for exhaust after-treatment technology to reduce emissions to new national standards governing off-road engines in the 75-173 hp range.

“As the terminal tractor industry leader, we are proud to add another ‘first’ to our long list of product developments,” says David Wood, Director of Terminal Tractors North America, for Cargotec USA, the Ottawa Truck parent company. “We will begin installing the new Tier 4i Cummins engines in off-road tractors in June, providing our customers with a product that will reduce particulate matter and nitrous oxide emissions and help them do their part in improving our natural environment.”

While the new EPA regulations could boost the cost of a typical yard truck by 10 percent, the new engines represent a steady transition to “greener” technology. With a head start in bringing Tier 4i-equipped terminal tractors to market, Ottawa Truck is now the undisputed leader in offering environmentally friendly options to customers.

The booked orders for the Tier 4i-equipped tractors made up the bulk of the orders placed at the dealer meeting. Representatives of nearly 80 percent of Ottawa’s dealer network spanning 51 dealers and 120 locations in North America bought a grand total of 302 terminal tractors worth some $25 million.

Jim Moir, president/general manager of Mid-Pacific Industries, Inc., Woodland, Calif., the oldest Ottawa Truck dealer in the nation, attributed the brisk sales at the meeting partly due to reinvigorated leadership at Ottawa Truck. Wood, appointed as director last year, has worked to coalesce the dealer network around new initiatives, notably the opportunity to be the first to market with the Tier 4i-equipped tractors, he says.

“They’re putting a very positive spin on that fact, and the message to the dealers was that our competitors probably won’t offer this product until the first quarter of next year,” Moir says. “Even though these carry a higher price tag, having it first gives us a head start on handling something that everyone will eventually be selling.”

The brisk sales were indicative of the renewed excitement and confidence Ottawa Truck is generating in its robust dealer network and among customers for its broad and technologically advanced product line. Those professional and committed dealers, Wood says, are a big part of what helps distinguish Ottawa terminal tractors from its competitors and helps breed confidence and repeat business with customers.

“Our dealers are the backbone of our sales and product support success in North America,” Wood noted. “Each year we hold a national dealer meeting like our late March event to update them on product development, new promotional programs, business trends and global activities of our parent company, Cargotec.”

New Ottawa Truck Website, Dealer Locator Launched

At www.ottawatrucksna.com, visitors can now access an easy-to-use Google Maps-based dealer locator; view and download truck sales literature and specifications and maintenance and operator manuals; tap into social media tools; and learn more about Ottawa Trucks’ pacesetting products, technologies and services.

“The new site is the kind customers expect from the market leader in terminal tractors, and it is one we are very proud to unveil this month,” says Wood. “Employing banner ads and social media elements like YouTube video, the site gives us a solid, high-performance platform to build on in the months to come.”

Top Performing Dealers Recognized

At its March dealer meeting, Ottawa Truck once again paid tribute to its dealer network by handing out awards to dealers that have distinguished themselves with outstanding Ottawa Truck and part sales, customer service, management practices and administration.

Winners of the prestigious President’s Award for 2011 were recognized for specific goals attained. On the list were: Yard Truck Specialists, Bensalem, Penn., for total new dealer and fleet units sold, and also total parts sales; and Alley Cassetty Truck Center, Nashville, Tenn., for total new dealer units sold, and also largest parts sales growth.

Alley Cassetty and Yard Truck Specialists were joined by Briggs Equipment, Atlanta; Lift One, Charlotte, N.C.; Cal-Lift, City of Industry, Calif., Avenel Truck & Equipment, Avenel, N.J. and Mason Lift, Vancouver, B.C., as “Premier Partner” dealers for 2011.

Additional Background on Ottawa Terminal Tractors

The popularity of Ottawa terminal tractors has grown rapidly since their introduction in 1958. In February 2011, the Ottawa factory reached the 50,000 unit production milestone, which is more than twice the production volume of all North American terminal tractor competitors combined.

As the world’s leader in terminal tractors offering the most comprehensive range of models for warehouse and distribution operations, ports and rail terminals, Cargotec’s commitment to continuous product development has resulted in many industry firsts.

Besides being the original manufacturer of terminal tractors, Ottawa was the first to offer machines with an automatic transmission, a rear door entry, integral air conditioning units, power cab tilt and ABS brake systems. Ottawa terminal tractors were also the first on the market to receive DOT/EPA certification – a paramount classification for distribution and industrial customers whose operation entails shunting trailers between yards via public streets and roadways.

Cargotec offers an expanding portfolio of eco-friendly Ottawa terminal tractors including machines powered by gasoline and alternative fuels, such as CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas).