When mother nature is playing hardball by dumping inch after inch of snow while providing temperatures that result in nothing but ice you are forced to take matters into your own hands. A few days ago I watched as Syracuse DPW crews cleaned out the area surrounding Columbus Circle. Workers with snow blowers and small tractors created a large pile of snow that kept a John Deere 624K loader busy filling a revolving line of dump trucks.
Although a DPW pickup was used to block the road drivers insisted on squeezing in behind the arriving trucks in some vain attempt to get to their destination. Despite their quick moves they would be forced to wait until the active truck was loaded. Watching their crazed reactions was almost enjoyable as seeing the heavy equipment in action.
I grabbed some decent video footage as well for the coming “super plow” video. Stay tuned.
It was just a year ago that I ran a post about the 2014 Ram 1500 and the class challenging 3.0 liter V-6 diesel that was to come with it. According to the press release the V-6 Ecodiesel was to be available starting in the 3rd quarter of 2013. That time frame has since come and gone. Bad sign? Hardly. Checking the Ram Trucks website the diesel is still an coming option but this time for early 2014. Just recently, like within the past weekend, Ram dealers were finally allowed to place orders for Ecodiesel. In the first three day window nearly 8,000 orders were placed. This amounts to nearly half of the Ram 1500 monthly production. Oh yeaaaaaaah. Here come the diesels! The number of trucks ordered is nearly double what was expected. In the long term it is believed the Ecodiesel option will be found in nearly 30% of all Ram 1500 pickups.
Congratulations to Ram on being the first U.S. manufacturer to realize there is sizable and pent-up demand for a diesel power plant in a 1/2 ton pickup. Now who will be the next to join the party? The new generation of Nissan Titan is on the way (finally!) and will have the option of a Cummins 5.0 liter diesel. Sensing a growing trend Toyota is set to offer the same engine in their 2016 Tundra. Will it be different? Know one knows at the moment and if they do, they ain’t sharing. Wards has complete breakdown of the two rivals who will soon be offering the same engine here.
Obviously there are two rather large names that I have yet to mention, Ford and GM. At one point both companies had a diesel engine in the development stage for their lighter pickups. GM was working on a V-8 Duramax with Ford pursing a similar venture. Had the auto industry not imploded in 2008/09 it’s very possible both of the engines would have seen the light of day. For the moment both companies seem content to place their new and fuel efficent gas powerplants into combat while leaving diesels on the sideline. I doubt this will be the case for long as there will be a 2.8L Duramax available in the redesigned Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon starting for the 2015 model year. Over on the blue oval side of things a 3.0L V-6 diesel is rumored to be in the next engine source for the F-150
At this point the only question is who will be the last to offer a diesel. We already know who was first and more often than not the first to cross the line is the winner.
There is saying that goes something like “if you have it, a trucker brought it.” In our modern world this very true. Now if you need what this truck carries you just bought your final purchase. You see, this truck carries caskets built by the Batesville Casket Company.
Spooky but a nice example of an single axle International 9200i.
A great edition of Autocar Mondays is here with truck 97 of the Broome County Highway Department. This 1988 version is powered by a 350 Cummins connected to a 18 speed transmission. Out back a classic Holmes 750 wrecker is used to tow much newer and “better” rigs back to the shop. Originally setup as snow plow this truck started a second life as a tow truck while many of its brothers headed off to scrap yard. The mounts of yesterday are still used when towing other disabled snow plows.
These awesome photos come to us courtesy of Jeremy D George. They were brought to my attention through the DOT Plow Truck Group on Facebook. Many thanks to Jeremy for his permission to share this classic truck on Daily Diesel Dose.
Here is cool photo Ryan shared with me more than a few months ago. Once again a cluttered and poorly organized inbox conspired to prevent this image from seeing the light of day. What we have is Cat 631E scraper that appears to have been recently sold at auction. If you look closely you can see blocks of wood by the trailer either coming off or going on. Maybe this Cat just reached its new home? Or maybe it is just starting the journey. I guess it all depends on your point of view.
For a much larger resolution of this photo click here. Thanks to Ryan!
Just the other day I was commenting how the Kodiak/Topkick line of trucks has started to grown on me. For many the GM product rank near the bottom in the world of trucks. “They share the same cab as their half ton cousins” they yell as they climb into their Peterbilt masterpiece with tall stick shifter and asphalt scraping bumper. To each his own I say. While they live in their ignorance I will continue to grow my appreciation for what was close to being the final generation of GMC heavy trucks.
I do have a soft spot for the plain jane utilitarian everyday truck. Lucky me.
Read in best used cars salesman voice for maximum effect
Hi there folks, Uncle Sam here with Presidents Day savings that are simply TOO good to pass up! With combat operations ending in Iraq and Afghanistan my lots are overflowing with International MaxxPro Mine Resistance Ambush Protected (MRAP) armored vehicles. I have authorized my staff to let these certified pre-owned trucks go for nearly 100% off MSRP value! That’s right! 100% Normally these trucks carry a price tag of $525,000! Insane savings you can’t afford to miss! With over 6,000 to choose from let me put in the MRAP of your dreams. Your whole family can now bask in the security that is genuine Plasan Sasa armor strong enough to stop any small arms fire you may encounter on your morning commute. Seating for seven! Fuel economy and power are guaranteed by the world famous MaxxForce 10 diesel engine producing 375 HP sure to satisfy the most demanding driver. These trucks are ready for immediate sale! Fully demilitarized and ready for pickup! Folks I can’t stress enough how quickly these MaxxPros will move off the lot. Don’t delay! Stop in Today!
Read in fast voice radio announcer voice for maximum effect
Mountains of government paperwork and red tape required. Not all who apply will qualify. Delivery time after approval as long as two years. Cost to transport from military facility to buyers location not included.
MaxxPro Plus – ACT NOW!
Getting back to reality Dan sent me a link to a news clip that highlights the transformation process of the MaxxPro from military to civilian life.
In the video you heard that it took 20 gallons of diesel to make the trip from Watertown (Ft. Drum) back to Hamburg, NY, a total distance of around 223 miles. Doing the math results in a figure of 11 MPG which seems fairly decent for a 18 ton armored vehicle. If the truck had a full tank when picked up the numbers would change some but it’s a safe bet to assume it came bone dry.
What you see below is a Autocar CK64B. A rare truck by any standard. Take a moment to google the name and see how many images you find. I’ll wait.
Autocar CK64B – Click to Enlarge
Back already? That didn’t take long. Did you try Bing? Nah, don’t bother, they have zero images! Clarence sent me this photo with the simple title of “CK64B at local scrap yard, gone the next day“, what a tragedy.
Autocar CK64B – Click to Enlarge
Not much is known about this truck but it’s safe to assume it had something to do with concrete industry at some point during its working life. Clarence tells us that it most recently was used as log loader. To the left of the hood a 230 Cummins once lived and was paired to 13 speed transmission. Heavy Rockwell rears resided out back.
The ATHS has a nice picture of what this truck may have looked when new. Click here to view a 1969 model setup for moving concrete blocks.
You can’t save them all but sometimes you wish you could. Once again, big thanks to Clarence for sharing this cool truck.
Towtastic! Don’t worry I’ll never use that word again. Yesterday I came across this sharp looking Peterbilt 389 of Rick and Rich Towing. This rotator (Century) has plenty of bells and whistles to make it stand out. It’s a look that naturally fits a Peterbilt.
Here’s a look at the business end of things.
I have no idea what half of that stuff is used for but it looks cool. I’m guessing those shackles provide leverage when you put a cable through them? Apparently I learned nothing from all those episodes of Highway Thru Hell and Wrecked.
