Hands-on Trucking

Hands-On Trucking
Berg Humbled by Mack Challenge
Competing in Mack's driving contest wasn't entirely foolish, but "winner" he wasn't
4/1/2008
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
MaxxForce Heavy Diesels... Smooth, Quiet, Gutsy
International's upcoming 'big-bore' engines have interesting features, and test fleets offer positive reviews
3/1/2008
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Dodge Ram 5500HD Shows Serious Midrange Abilities
New commercial truck has a beefy chassis and the premium Cummins turbo diesel
2/1/2008
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Kenworth-Eaton Hybrid Makes Clean Deliveries
"Diesel-electric" truck saves about 35 percent in fuel for its owner, a building supply chain located in hilly Seattle, Washington
1/1/2008
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Volvo Sleeper Cab Means Off-Road Rest
Decent power from a new EPA '07 diesel and notable gearshift improvement make the 430 a nice place to work
11/1/2007
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Component Integration in Heavy Trucks
Vertical integration as practiced in Europe and Asia gains ground here, for better or worse
10/1/2007
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands On Trucking
Multiplexed Wiring Aids Truck-Equipment Integration
10/1/2007
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Mack Pinnacle is Solid and Satisfying
This new model has much more than a new name — a bigger, stronger engine, for instance
9/1/2007
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
General Motor’s Heavy Duty Pickups Come Work Ready
Most people expect a firm ride in 3/4- and 1-ton pickups,and they'll get it in the new Heavy Duty models
8/1/2007
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Big, Bold Nose Among WorkStar's Features
The taller hood houses a bigger radiator for '07-spec diesels, which at this event were all yellow
7/1/2007
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On-Trucking
Trio of Ts: Show Basic Strengths
Kenworth's versatile T800 can be fitted for many on/off-road duties. But wait — what model is that mixer?
6/1/2007
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On-Trucking
SuperDuties Provide Super Ride, Traction
Ice storm complicates logistics of press event, but doesn't stop Ford's redesigned-for-2008 heavy pickup trucks
4/1/2007
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Volvo, Mack Diesel-Electric Hybrids Work for Air Force
Prototype diesel-electric truck for the U.S. Air Force is easy to drive, and it could lead to commercial production in 2009
3/1/2007
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
'Driving Experience' Key to GM's New Pickups
The half-ton Silverado and Sierraalso show new emphasis on design,inside and out, for better and for worse
2/1/2007
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Spicer Deflation Device Gives Trucks Go-Ability
Bleeding air from tires eases travel over deep sand, and some customers now ask for delivery by "tire truck"
1/1/2007
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Ram 3500 HD Adds Beef, Power
Dodge is getting serious about medium-duty trucks, and has a real contender with the latest model and its '07-spec Cummins Turbo Diesel
12/1/2006
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Peterbilt 365's Newness Is Mostly Under Its Hood
One of the builder's renamed models looks and drives like a 357, but without the diesel exhaust odor
11/1/2006
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Are You Ready For January '07 Engines?
New 2007 diesels will burn much cleaner, will run hotter, cost more, and need special fuel, motor oil and servicing
10/1/2006
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
New Engines, New Looks Included in '07 Trucks
10/1/2006
by Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Monster Pickups Are More Than Toys
Accubuilt's rendition of the really-big-pickup theme is capable of some serious hauling and towing
9/1/2006
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Tundra Double Cab: Not Big Enough?
Drive one and you'd probably say it's fine, but a larger one's on the way
9/1/2006
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Terex Mixer Shows Concept's Advantages
Good visibility, decent maneuverability, and an Allison automatic make this front-discharge chassis easy to drive, but are also important to its delivery role
8/1/2006
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Roomy Yukon XL Now E85 Capable
GM includes full-size SUVs in its boosting use of corn-derived ethanol to get us away from imported oil
7/1/2006
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Unimog Goes Anywhere, Almost Automatically
An automated mechanical transmission is Mercedes-Benz's clever answer to the Allison question, and it might well be sufficient
6/1/2006
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Paystar Mixer Truck Offers Weight-Loss Lessons
International's 5600i truck is as nice to drive as it is lean at the scales, which bodes well for driver and owner
5/1/2006
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Basic Ford F-350 Truck Offers Deluxe Performance
Plain-Jane trim is only skin deep, as Ford's F-350 Super Duty truck comes with comfort, performance and a high capacity for work
4/1/2006
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Volvo's VT 800 Heads Right Down Your Alley
This gleaming heavy hauler is big on style, power and comfort
3/1/2006
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Chrome Glints from Mack's Rawhide Tractor
Attention-grabbing trim boosts egos but doesn't tarnish this rig's basic toughness
1/1/2006
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
T800's Short, but Long On Comfort
The latest version of Kenworth's 'T8' is set up for snow plowing, but not on this 100-degree day in Texas
11/1/2005
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Deere CNG Engine Runs Clean and Quiet
A prototype natural-gas-powered M2 was costly, but makes business, strategic and clean-air sense, says PG&E
9/1/2005

Hands-On Trucking
Looks Brutish, But It Behaves
Peterbilt's 357HH shrugs off Houston's heat and humidity as it smoothly cruises the concrete
8/1/2005
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Condor Chassis Is Strong but Lovable
Freightliner's low COE is built primarily for trash hauling, but works great as a concrete pumper truck, too
7/1/2005
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
CX Automatic: A Smooth Operator
Caterpillar's vocational truck transmission will offer new competition in a growing market segment
6/1/2005
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Mack's Axle Back Takes Turns Tightly
The third in the Granite series is made for heavy axle loads in many eastern/central states
5/1/2005
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Volvo's VT880 Has Big Features
The new model's prime reason for being is a Big Power 16-liter diesel, which needs a huge hood to house it
4/1/2005
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
International 7700 Offers More Capacity and a Smooth Ride
The new model is designed for bridge-formula states, and it features a forward-set steer axle and lightweight frame
3/1/2005
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
M2Vs Mean Business in Snow and on the Go
Vocational variants of Freightliner's Business Class Series show exceptional maneuverability and a good ride on and off road
2/1/2005
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Cat's C15 Easily Handles This Job
Heavy specs for heavy hauling include the most powerful truck diesel on the market - the 625-horsepower C15
1/1/2005
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Factory Made 4×4s Go Almost Anywhere
Medium-duty Chevy Kodiak and GMC TopKick are nimble and quick - both on-and off-road
11/1/2004
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Cat C9 with Allison Moves This Pete Well
An even smaller engine will do, until the neighbors start complaining
9/1/2004
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Volvo's VHD Tractor Shows Poise, Even on Back Roads
You'd really like this truck's VE D12 diesel, which is good because it's the only one available
8/1/2004
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
International's 7500 Has New Power to Go and Slow
Do HT 570 and Diamond Logic exhaust/engine brake add excitement? They did for some folks at this NASCAR facility
7/1/2004
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Kenworth 'Super 18' Comfortably Keeps Things Legal
Is this truck in your future? It might be if your state legislators are talking about a Formula B law
6/1/2004
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
As Good Driving As It Is Lasting
Is Western Star the best-built truck you can buy? Most users think so
4/1/2004
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
SuperDrive System Claims High Fuel Gains
Low-rpm engine, hydrostatic transmission also cut pollutants and weight, the company says; and driving it is so easy, it's almost boring
3/1/2004
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Allisons Help Drivers And Drivelines
Quicker off the line and smoother over rough terrain, automatic transmissions can more than pay their way
2/1/2004
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Hino's Conventionals Retain Solidness of Its Low COEs
Destined only for the United States and Canada, these serious trucks could make some serious inroads in the midrange market
1/1/2004
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Nissan's New Titan: Not a Typical 'Import'
It's longer, wider and higher than most 1/2-ton models from Ford, General Motors and Dodge, and it's made in America
11/1/2003
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Unimog Goes Everywhere, Does Almost Anything
This new truck gives mechanical meaning to "multitasking"
9/1/2003
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Ford Shows Off Its Loaded F-150
Equipped for work or play, the F-150 is stronger, safer, more refined, nicer driving and better looking than the current series
8/1/2003
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

New Products

Pa. Governor Calls for National Focus on Infrastructure
5/12/2008

China Demand for Construction Equipment to Outpace World
Demand for construction equipment will increase 12.7 percent per year through 2011, according to a market research firm, The Freedonia Group 5/12/2008

2008 CONEXPO-CON/AGG
2008 CONEXPO/CON-AGG is the international gathering place in Las Vegas, NV for the construction industries, showcasing the latest equipment, products, services and technologies. 5/9/2008

Lee County Budgets Take-Home Vehicles
5/9/2008

Montgomery County Gets Creative to Save on Fuel
5/9/2008

U.S. Concrete Reports 1Q Results
5/9/2008

2008 CONEXPO Featured Exhibitor
TT Technologies
5/8/2008 6:21:00 PM

E-Update for May 5, 2008
5/2/2008

Managing Emissions Compliance
If you want a clear picture of what's in store for equipment managers in the coming years, consider the Titanic. That's how Leigh Dennis, CEM, heavy equipment service manager at Fowler Contracting in Raleigh, N.C., visualizes the future's biggest challenge—emissions management. "The Titanic collection of diesel-powered industries is steaming towards the emissions iceberg,