Kenworth K104B cabin comfort

Kenworth has taken steps to make life easier and safer for drivers of its new K104B cab-over prime mover. The big Kenworth is the best-selling heavyweight cab-over truck in the country; it has been for years, but in many ways it is hamstrung by its runaway success. Dominance can sometimes stifle development and, as a result, change can come slowly.

With its innovative swing-out staircase, getting in and out of the Freightliner Argosy cabin, featured in Big Wheels last week, is a breeze.

However, drivers of the Kenworth heavyweight hero have had to scramble up steps set back from the cab before lunging forward into the driver's seat, all the while hanging from grab rails built into the side of the cab. Adding to the dangers, external steps and grab rails like those used on the K104B can be hard to see, particularly at night, and they can be slippery when wet.

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Getting in and out of a large cab-over truck is a precarious business that exposes drivers to the risk of falling. The risk increases when the driver is older — and with the average age of Australia's truck-driving population about 50, there's plenty of risk involved.

Kenworth's revised steps were developed by the company's local engineers in conjunction with leading specialists in occupational health and safety and meet the relevant industry standards.

Langworthy says the criteria used in the development included having consistent step dimensions and ensuring the driver is able to maintain three points of contact — with steps, footwells and grab rails at all times.

“They're now closer to the ground as well as being wider and have non-slip surfaces, and there are now two footwells in the side of the cab with LED illumination, so they're much better, but it's still awkward and the risk of falling is still high.”

The LED lights illuminating the footwells come on when the driver operates the central locking.

Kenworth has also revised the door openings by raising them 45mm, which makes it easier for drivers to get in and out of the cab and has the added bonus of improving the driver's visibility once in the driving seat.

“The driver's visibility is greatly improved,” Langworthy says.

“They have a much better view through the side windows and a better view of the side mirrors.”

Once aboard the K104B the driver is rewarded with a new and luxurious interior trim, which makes greater use of soft, plush vinyl and recessed panels.

Kenworth has also added new centre and overhead consoles.

The centre console has a larger storage box with secure lid, which is ideal for storing snacks and personal items, while the overhead console has a storage locker and provision to fit a GPS navigation system or other info displays.

There's also a new dash layout, with the warning-light cluster relocated to a central position where the lights are more readily visible to the driver.