wornout wrench
Senior Member
I disagree also
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Who makes the best heavy haul truck? (Semi)
- Thread starter Drewster2016
- Start date
I disagree also
I'm limited with my posts, but really? The modern version of the newer Allison's can't be beat! Oh, and yes I can shift. So if you can't program computer code, don't surf the net. (HEF)
Yeah , On a manual shift transmission I feel the same way . If the driver cant do it they don't need to be in the seat .
Is that what you were saying ?
Back to the thread ...... Who makes the best heavy haul truck ?
I'm sticking with Kenworth . Won't go wrong with a W- 900 KW pulling anything .
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Birken Vogt
Charter Member
It is up to the truck owner to determine that, and the insurance company...sounds like the insurance companies think of it the other way around
excavator
Senior Member
I still prefer a manual transmission but the fact is the new Allison's and the Eaton autoshift transmission are pretty hard to beat. A local trucking company went with the Eaton in their over the road trucks and found that drive tires last a lot longer. The autoshift is just much smoother than a manual trans. But I have to agree somewhat with turbo64, but just because we say that doesn't mean that if you have an automatic you don't know how to drive. But I definitely would not recommend buying a truck with an automatic in it just so someone who doesn't know how to shift can borrow it. IMHO that's asking for trouble.
Tiny
Senior Member
This whole thread is opinion and here is mine . The equipment is important . But I pulled everything the old crane rental place had with a t 600 , N14@420 hp and a 9 speed . The driver specs are more important than the truck specs IMHO . Good driver can make the day in anything .
The last lowboy hauler the rental place had was t800 kw 600hp an an 18 , good truck . However I swapped to the tractor mount boom truck by that time . only drove a couple of times but was happy with it .
The last lowboy hauler the rental place had was t800 kw 600hp an an 18 , good truck . However I swapped to the tractor mount boom truck by that time . only drove a couple of times but was happy with it .
ScottAR
Senior Member
I really have no opinion on manual/auto. Either would probably work fine for this. The powershift trans from Cat hasn't been mentioned but I have not seen many on the road either.
I only question the sanity of someone starting a equip. hauling biz and loaning out the truck for free.
I only question the sanity of someone starting a equip. hauling biz and loaning out the truck for free.
gkenworth
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2014
- Messages
- 64
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
- Occupation
- HD Mechanic / heavy haul truck driver
If you can't shift stay out of the truck. Imho
Good luck getting your foot in the door in this industry if you can only drive an automatic.
Allisons are great bulletproof Trans but I'm not sure they're worth the $$.
After a 5 yr hiatus from driving truck I received an offer to drive a push truck w an 18 speed. Nothing new to me. First day on the job, I didn't get a solid job offer till we went up the first major hill, (& I hadn't missed a shift). Certainly didn't try to catch every gear, or even every other gear.
Gross weight @ 600k.
That's a KW C500 by the way. A little heavy for practical lowbeding but great in the bush.
Good luck getting your foot in the door in this industry if you can only drive an automatic.
Allisons are great bulletproof Trans but I'm not sure they're worth the $$.
After a 5 yr hiatus from driving truck I received an offer to drive a push truck w an 18 speed. Nothing new to me. First day on the job, I didn't get a solid job offer till we went up the first major hill, (& I hadn't missed a shift). Certainly didn't try to catch every gear, or even every other gear.
Gross weight @ 600k.
That's a KW C500 by the way. A little heavy for practical lowbeding but great in the bush.
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gkenworth
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2014
- Messages
- 64
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
- Occupation
- HD Mechanic / heavy haul truck driver
Yup. That's a Scheuerle 22 or 24 line.
Shimmy1
Senior Member
AMEN brother :beerchug Getting to be way to many "Steering wheel holders" "Windshield Ornaments" whatever else you want to call these "truckdrivers" :throwup that got their license from some driving class and had never driven anything bigger than a car 2 months before. I won't deny the fact that an auto will extend drive train life and allow better fuel economy, but only for inexperienced drivers. I've seen way, way too many morons who couldn't back up more than 10 feet or who are too lazy too make a wider turn and drag the trailer down the ditch. And we wonder why the FMCSA keeps trying to take our freedom of choice away.
MitchSA
Well-Known Member
Got any more pics of the truck? We run a whole heap of C500's, 510's and 540. A fair few twin steer tri drive C500's with QSK's and 18sp although some have been repowered with signature's. The 510's have QSK's and 18sp while the 540's have QSK's and a remote mount allison 6610. The 18sp cant handle the hp/torque of a pumping QSK
Good thread, i took delivery of a W900B and absolutely love it. Been using Freightliners prior and they just werent spec'd heavy enough. 600 hp, 18sp, 4.10 rear, 20K front, 20K pusher and 46K rear have made for a great combination. Never driven many KW's before but the inside i really like, plenty of room and well laid out gauges.
Thanks, it pulls like a train, all while getting 2.5mpg.
still learn'n
Senior Member
Essayons did you order that truck the way you wanted it? See several things that I was wondering if it came from the factory that way! Nice looking rig
Well, it is a federal gov. truck so that's why there's no visor or air breather covers, extra lights or stainless pieces. When ordering anything with the government you can only specify mission critical items, not luxury or shiny bits. I would have maybe preferred a long hood but, it wasn't an option. So to answer your question, yes I did spec everything deemed mission critical, axles, hp, gauges, wheelbase, etc. To be honest, it's an extremely well optioned truck considering our ordering restrictions and I'm super excited about it.
still learn'n
Senior Member
O ok sorry didn't even look to close at name on door! I had my hood repainted on 2005 W900 and left stainless pieces off below headlights and kenworth guys thot that it would get all scratched up but havnt had issue yet!