Hands-on Trucking

Hands-On Trucking
Kenworth Aims T470 at Vocational Work
'Tis the season to be plowing, and this premium Baby 8 has just the right stuff to handle the job
3/1/2010
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Navistar's 2010 Diesels Keep Their Cool
Driving a MaxxForce DT in a WorkStar vocational truck proves that cooling modules ably do their duties, at least on this chilly, rainy day
1/1/2010
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Western Star 6900XD Proves a Real Rocker
Integrated Dump aims at tasks mainly done by off-road haul trucks, but at much lower cost
11/1/2009
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Mack TerraPro Feels More Spacious
Redesigned engine cover and dashboard adds room for the driver, but this is still a Mack-tough truck
9/1/2009
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Ford Transit Connect Is Bigger Than It Looks
Roomy, agile and quick, this new-to-America small van is the right size for many jobs, Ford execs say
8/1/2009
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Lightweight Peterbilts Boost Bulk-Hauler Payloads
A normal load of cement is 27.5 tons for this Kansas fleet, which uses leasing to acquire and maintain these tractors
7/1/2009
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
International’s LoneStar Has a Retro-Happy Face
Radical styling catches eyes, but there’s much more to this latest model from Navistar
5/1/2009
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Volvo I-Shift Has Indiana Fans
Volvo's self-shifting electro-mechanical transmission works quickly and smoothly for this loyal fleet
4/1/2009
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Fitzgerald Glider Runs Like a New Truck
Rebuilt engine and remanufactured transmission cut substantial cost from the price, and there's no federal excise tax, either
3/1/2009
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Eaton Hybrid Drive Applied to a Dump Truck
With Eaton's electric system, Peterbilt's latest Model 335 works best in stop-and-go operations
2/1/2009
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
SCR Diesel Engine Delivers Good Fuel Economy
Selective catalytic reduction, to be used by Mack and others for 2010 diesel engines, has worked well so far in fleet testing
1/1/2009
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Two-Mode Hybrid: Smooth and Quiet
Advanced gasoline-electric system from GM and Chrysler saves fuel and is intriguing to operate; next year it'll be available in pickups
11/1/2008
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
International PayStar 5900i SBA Expands Capabilities
New axle setting shoulders more weight and aids maneuverability,while the truck lives up to its “premium” billing
9/1/2008
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Freightliner FLD-SD Has Old-School Style, Modern Mechanicals
The last of Freightliner's long running FLD series proves as pleasant to drive as anything our editor has handled
8/1/2008
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Kenworth T170 Is The Real Deal
Kenworth's Class 5 truck shows "premium" build quality, though its stout cab could use some stretching
7/1/2008
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Addi-Drive Delivers Enhanced Traction On- or Off-Road
Hydrostatic front-wheel drive turns a 4x2 or 6x4 truck into a 4x4 or 6x6, while Creep-Drive allows very low speeds for specialty work
6/1/2008
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

Hands-On Trucking
Sterling 360 Medium Duty Truck Scoots Along
Driving the Sterling 360 Class 4 truck was outright fun. It is a slick, quick and nimble truck that deserves more sales than it gets.
5/1/2008
By Tom Berg, Truck Editor

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

New Products

Excavator Operators Raise the Bar for Effective Sites
4/1/2010

Snorkel
Snorkel enters the U.S. ultracompact, low-level work platform market with Pop-Up brand aerial work platforms. 4/1/2010

Panasonic
Toughbook H1 Field handheld tablet computer from Panasonic has a six-foot drop rating and optional SmartCard. 4/1/2010

CEAttachments
CEAttachments Grouser Hard Pad Tracks are over-the-tire tracks for skid steer loaders. 4/1/2010

Landoll
Boasting a 21-cubic-yard-heaped capacity and 11-foot-11-inch transport width, Landoll’s Icon Model 821 scraper features rapid eject to improve cycle times. 4/1/2010

Terex Roadbuilding
The four-wheel-drive, four-wheel steer Terex RS445C Reclaimer/Stabilizer features a service center at the rear of the machine, allowing easy access to the hydraulic replenishing tank, fuel tank and automatic lube system. 4/1/2010

Kenco
Customized to meet specific jobs, the pictured Slab Lift has a 6,000-pound capacity with a 10- to 12-inch grip range. 4/1/2010

Trimble
Trimble GCS900 Grade Control System version 11.2 improves data collection and makes it more flexible and easier to operate. 4/1/2010

CEAttachments
Edge 4-in-1 combination buckets are built of high-strength steel, and the clam shell bottom is shaped to prevent bowing of heavy material. 4/1/2010

Hilti
New Hilti DSH 700 and DSH 900 hand-held gas saws cut wet/dry concrete and asphalt. 4/1/2010

Hands-on Trucking

New Products

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