Western Star 6900 XD HET

     Notes: Western Star’s 6900 XD HET (Heavy Equipment Transporter) is a semi-tractor based upon Western Star’s heavy off-road civilian truck range.  It is a conventional-layout semi-tractor, resembling many civilian designs, with the engine up front under a fiberglass hood and otherwise of all-steel construction.  The standard cab layout is a driver and two passengers, but versions exist which allow four extra passengers or a sleeper cab.  Transmissions are normally manual, but automatic transmission is available.  The suspension is 6x6 with single tires up front and double tires on the rear two axles; the tires have a central tire inflation system.  The truck has a spare tire at the rear of the cab as well as two recovery winches with a capacity of 25 tons each. The Western Star 6900 XD HET is powered by a Detroit Diesel Series 60 Tier III developing 425 horsepower; like most tractor trucks, the engine is capable of generating a great amount of torque.

     Western Star was acquired by Freightliner (a part of Daimler/Chrysler) in 2000.  Production of Western Star’s trucks was transferred to Freightliner’s Oregon plant in 2002, though this truck is still used only by Australia.