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Jeep Diesel, It’s baaaack

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Eric

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is going diesel. Chrysler announced the other day that it plans to add a third shift to their Jefferson North assembly plant in order to meet a rise and demand for the new Jeep. Nearly 1,100 workers will be hired to man the production lines. This is great news for the City of Detroit and Jeep/Diesel fans across the country. This will be the first time since 2008 that the Grand Cherokee will be offered with a diesel. Embrace it! However it remains to be seen if this diesel will be 50 state compliant unlike the prior offering. Now if we could only convince Chrysler to add a diesel powered Wrangler pickup to their lineup.

Source: Autonews.com
Image: Jeep.com

Posted in Industry News | Tagged diesel, jeep grand cherokee | 1 Comment

The Heil STARR

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Eric

To many the truck above is just a garbage truck. A vehcile that comes once a week to haul away your trash and occasionally wake you from your slumber. But to the truck nuts of the world this is very unique and interesting take on trash collection. The semitrailer inspired design highlights are many. To begin, the STARR can turn in a radius much smaller than the average garbage truck which means a reduction in the amount of times the operator has to backup the rig. From a safety standpoint this a is a big deal. Secondly when the bin is full it can be disconnected from the truck and exchanged for an empty unit. The full bins can then be collected at a later time and hauled to the drop off point in tandem, saving both time and reducing congestion. All in all I find this to be unique setup. From what I can tell they have been around for a few years now and seem to be popular in the warmer climates. Check out the video below for more information straight from the source.

Posted in Industry News | Tagged garbage truck, heil starr, refuse truck | Leave a comment

Heavy Duty Trucking – Kenworth Brute

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Eric

The 1974 Kenworth Brute, they don’t come much bigger than this and still fit on the average side road…legally. Everything about this truck is designed for the heavy haul loads. The setback front axle helps with steering while the tag axle adds extra capacity when needed. A truck like the Brute can usually be found in the oil field industry hauling drilling pipe and equipment sleds which makes it a rather unique catch for the wilds of Western New York. This particular truck belongs to R.W. Unverdorben Heavy Haulers of Marilla, NY and photographed at the ATHS truck show in Batavia back in 2007.

Kenworth Brute - Click to Enlarge

Posted in Famous Trucks | Tagged kenworth brute, rw unverdorben | Leave a comment

18 Wheels of Spud

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Eric

A six ton, twenty eight foot long potato traveling coast to coast on the back of Kenworth T660 with trailer. Sounds like I’ve been huffing paint fumes right? In reality this truck and potato are part of promotion by the Idaho Potato Commission. Keep your eyes peeled (get it?) for this unique truck as plies the roads of the U.S. bringing the message of the IPC to your doorstep.

Click here to read the full press release.

Image: Kenworth Trucks

Posted in Famous Trucks, Industry News | Tagged idah potato commission, kenwoth t660 | Leave a comment

Random Dump Trucks

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Eric

Welcome to the first Daily Diesel Dose post of 2012!

Freightliner Coronado SD - Click to Enlarge

Autocar ACL - Click to Enlarge

Western Star 4800 - Click to Enlarge

Posted in At the Dealer | Tagged freightliner coronado sd;autocar acl, western star 4800 | Leave a comment

Lost and Found – Heavy Equipment Spectacular

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Eric

As far back as I can remember this heavy equipment has been parked in this same lot by the New York State Fair Grounds. They never move. There is quite a collection of vintage heavy equipment here. Check out those pull behind scrapers that would attach to a bulldozer or tractor. Very old school setup. Between the lineup of Euclid scrapers and Cat dozers there is a fortune of steel just sitting by the side of the highway. Other equipment seen include a very large Link-Belt excavator(not pictured), Drott wheel excavator and a Terex loaders. Good stuff. It’s hard to believe no one has placed an offer on this equipment. Despite their age they are contained behind a well kept industrial building so they must mean something to someone. Anyone have a clue on the status or story behind this equipment? Drop me a line if you do.

*UPDATE 2/6/2013*

I received an email the other day from Matt who uncovered the back story on these machines. At one time the Euclids and Cats belonged to DW Winkleman, a contractor responsible for building the local interstates. Upon completion of the contracts the machines were sold at auction. The current owner, Luber Homes, last used the equipment in 2007 to move 20 million yards of earth. According to Matt the gentleman who owns this equipment has plans to restore them all…someday.

Euclid Scrapers – Click to Enlarge

Cat Dozers – Click to Enlarge

Pull Scrapers – Click to Enlarge

Know of any old trucks or heavy equipment in hiding? Email Me!

Posted in Lost and Found | Tagged euclid scrappers;cat dozers;terex | 10 Comments

Truck Hunting

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Eric

Hunting trucks on the great plains of Oneida County. Mack, International, Gradall? Mack.

Click to Enlarge

Posted in Lost and Found | Tagged International, Mack, oneida county | Leave a comment

News Roundup

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Eric

Knowledge is Power. Click on the links below to read the complete story.

Detroit Diesel celebrates production of their 100,000 DD series engine – A truly global engine platform.

Man steals Greyhound bus to visit Christmas party – Ticket? Who needs a ticket when you have the bus.

Move over for vehicles with amber lights or face a ticket – Plow trucks, tow trucks and other hazard vehicles no protected under this new law.

Posted in Industry News | Tagged detroit diesel | Leave a comment

Truck Pulls at the Washington County Fair

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Eric

Stepping back in time to the warmer months of the year here are some great videos of trucks pulling at the Washington County Fair, Washington County NY.

A 1968 International M Series plow truck, rumored to be gas powered.

Brockway 759 with a Detroit 8V71 and a 760 with a Cummins.

1962 Brockway with a Continental Gas Engine.

Posted in Truck Show | Tagged brockway, contental engine, international m series, washington county fair | Leave a comment

Thiele Body – The Factory Photos

Posted on December 26, 2011 by Eric

Today Daily Diesel Dose reader Kurt sends us a fantastic collection of factory photos from the now defunct Thiele Body Company. According to Kurt the white Macks were delivered to the NYC Department of Sanitation and saw duty during the 9/11 cleanup. The large blue Mack was delivered to operations regarding the Fresh Kills landfill. Also included are some great looking Paystars and Autocars clearly outfitted with bodies for coal hauling. And don’t forgot the rare birds in the form of the Diamond-Reo with the sloped hood and the Autocar single axle dump truck. At first glance I thought this truck was a White Road Commander 2 but it only wears Autocar logos. This is something I have never seen but many strange “naming” conventions were followed when White, Autocar and GM all flew under the same corporate banner. Click here to read Kurt’s account of the Thiele Body. If you enjoy sad stories click here for the final days.