Western Star is known for its tough vocational trucks and now offers an off-road product that competes with the articulated and rigid frame markets. The truck maker recently announced its new Extreme Duty (XD) Offroad package and the launch of the MBT-40 Transformer chassis.

Available on both the 4900 and 6900 models, the Western Star XD Offroad package is engineered specifically for extremely rugged environments. The 6900XD Offroad MBT-40, dubbed the Multi-Body Transformer for its ability to quickly change from one fully functional in-cab-controlled body application to another, is the first XD Offroad series offering from Western Star and reportedly a new concept for off-road equipment markets.

Vehicles spec’d with the XD Offroad package provide customers with a low cost per ton product for offroad applications, the company claims. Western Star plans to expand the XD Offroad package to other models in the future.

“The MBT-40 package is a game changer in construction applications for its ability to be multiple pieces of equipment in one chassis,” said John Tomlinson, XD and vocational sales manager, Western Star. “The development of this platform was all about finding better economic ways of filling needs for our customers. Off-road chassis equipment can be expensive to buy and maintain and new emissions levels are making the investment even more costly.”

Using a Palfinger G68 hooklift, which has a lifting capacity of 68,000 lb (30,850 kg) and a new transformer package, the MBT-40 gives customers greater utilization of their chassis. It can take the place of multiple pieces of dedicated off-road equipment on a job site that sit for long periods of time when they’re not needed. It is applicable for extremely complex and heavy capacity bodies.

The unit is equipped with a generic in-cab control system and a self-adapting hydraulic system that also allows the operators to quickly and easily swap the controls of multiple body applications. The MBT-40 features multiple hydraulic air and electrical connections that allow it to connect and power a variety of body needs from flow-controlled hydraulic motors and pumps to heavy high-flow tip cylinders.

Bodies can be swapped two or three times a day to maximize output efficiency.

“By maximizing the operation time, customers can have the equipment they need always for when it is required,” Tomlinson added. Mining, quarry and off-road construction industries can benefit from this new product, he said.

Carco Industries worked with Western Star to test the open platform concept on its equipment, and the truck maker is working to expand the MBT’s capabilities. The unit can be adapted to suit other body companies.

“Carco Industries is very experienced in mining and off-road fuel and service products along with carrying the Palfinger crane lines,” said Charlie Schimmels, sales manager, Carco Industries. “This combination of experience and product along with the rugged design and carrying capacity of the XD40 Offroad chassis offered by Western Star makes the MBT-40 package a very unique product. With commodity prices down and budget cuts becoming common place, we need to think smarter about how we do business and the MBT-40 does that.”

The 6900XD is available in both 6x4 and 6x6 configurations.