Western Star rounds out X Series with 111-in. bbc cab model

Sources: Western Star Trucks, Portland, Ore.; CP staff

Western Star has unveiled the 47X, a companion to the larger 49X model introduced in fall 2020—both evolving from the established 4700 and 4900 workhorses. The 47X is about 200 lbs. lighter than the 49X in like-for-like spec and available in 111.6-in. or 110.8-in. bumper to back of cab configurations, the latter best suited to mixer and dump trucks bound by federal or local bridge laws. Both versions’ shorter hood affords a wheel cut up to 50 degrees, optimizing maneuverability on construction sites or in congested urban environments. 

All X-Series trucks have tougher, yet lighter, single-channel frame rail options versus legacy models. The platform offers frame rails with RBM (resisting bending moment) of up to 3.8 million inch-lbs. to last longer and return greater payload. A new 9.5-millimeter single channel rail option exhibits comparable strength as the 11-millimeter rail. Standard high-strength aluminum forward, rear and end-of-frame crossmembers further reduce mass.

One of the first field 47X models bears a Con-Tech BridgeKing mixer.

The X-Series steel-reinforced aluminum cab further reduces mass by up to 8 percent while offering greater driver comfort with 13 percent more space than competitor models. An optional two-person bench seat is available for applications demanding a large on-site crew, and a new space-optimized, in-cab battery box nets additional operator legroom. An optional roof-mounted condenser offers maximum airflow through the radiator for stationary applications like construction. All X-Series models come standard with operator-centric features such as a wrap-around dash that provides easy access to the command center and B-panel. On the latter, a flex panel can be prepped for a tablet or configured for an additional 12 switches or 10 gauges.   

The 47X comes standard with the Detroit DD13 Gen 5 engine, which features higher compression ratios and a new swirl piston design to further improve combustion and efficiency. For weight-sensitive applications, the Cummins L9 and X12 engines are available for the 47X while a front-engine power take-off is offered on all engines except the L9. The 47X is also offered with the all-new Detroit DT12-V transmission, which is built on the proven DT12 and has more than 35 million miles of vocational-specific testing. The DT12 includes three work-ready mode applications: Rock-free, Off-road and Paver mode for the challenges of specific vocational applications.

Related posts