Ford 450 vs Ram 3500

[CJONE]

Yeah try explaining to a company man that you are shutting down his multi-million dollar frac job because you have a truck that has gone into regen and you can't get it to start back up to run it's PTO. I had to explain it so many times I carried print outs explaining the emissions systems to them. IIRC CAT has completely gotten out of making road engines because of all the emissions controls.

That is exactly what I was referring to, glad I am not the only one who has seen this. It is a good friend who has to explain this not me! People think you are blowing smoke when you give them a figure of millions of dollars but some of these jobs up here are 2 million plus just to get STARTED on the job. One was cancelled up here and it cost 2.2 million without the job being started! I can only imagine the size of the jobs you have down there, just to have them screw up for emissions crap! Some one really needs to get their heads out of their butt. CJ

 

[CJONE]

A friend went from getting 8 mpg with his 1990 Freightliner log grapple truck w/Series 60 Detroit to 4 mpg with his 2008 Freightliner w/C15.

Average Mileage on service trucks went from 5 down to 2, this included location time but you get the drift! Not good. CJ

 

[CJONE]

I wouldn't bet on it. The only disadvantage the duramax has is its 3.73 ratio.swap that to 4.30 to match the ford and my money's on the Dmax.the duramax is underrated...it's at least 425 /825 already.most 11 dmaxes dyno out at 350 375 stock at the wheels....the ford is rated right on the money...as is the dodge.

I'll bet on it, my experience is with GM's Kodiacs. you load these trucks heavy and the mileage is terrible and they do not hold up very well. the D-max is great for making horsepower but Torque is what it needs in these bigger trucks. The engine does hold up but I would expect more than 200k in a medium duty. So far out of the 6 only 1 is past 200k and I don't think it will be used much more. These units are being switched out for either Freightliners or F550-650's. I cannot comment on the new Ford diesel in a medium duty. No experience with that. The Cummins, well very very few issues. If I could buy a Ford with one it it, I would have already done it. CJ

 

[RedNeckRacin]

I'll bet on it, my experience is with GM's Kodiacs. you load these trucks heavy and the mileage is terrible and they do not hold up very well. the D-max is great for making horsepower but Torque is what it needs in these bigger trucks. The engine does hold up but I would expect more than 200k in a medium duty. So far out of the 6 only 1 is past 200k and I don't think it will be used much more. These units are being switched out for either Freightliners or F550-650's. I cannot comment on the new Ford diesel in a medium duty. No experience with that. The Cummins, well very very few issues. If I could buy a Ford with one it it, I would have already done it. CJ

Don't the f-650's and up have a cummins and caterpillar option? They don't even use the powerstroke in them IIRC.

 

[Red Horse]

Don't the f-650's and up have a cummins and caterpillar option? They don't even use the powerstroke in them IIRC.

NO-they did offer Cat and Cummins in 650/750 at one time but Cat is no longer in the on highway business. See my post on page 4. Why doesn't Ford offer the 6.7 Scorpion in their own class 6/7? Some say its an "availability issue". I'm afraid its because they know better.
Does it make power? Absolutely. Can it last at 33,000 lbs GVW and high mileage? My guess is it can't-not built for that. And the 750 can now be rated at 37,000 lbs. GVW. Can you imagine a Power Stroke at 37,000 pushing a 9 or 10' snow plow? IMO, not for long!

 

[RedNeckRacin]

AH, my ford info is a tad dated then since they are not on my radar until we start talking Louisville

 

[Wolfy]

Some highway workers told me that their new trucks are not half of the old Louisvilles. My dad and I had a couple. They didn't have much top end, and I didnt quite figure out the 5&2.

 

[CJONE]

NO-they did offer Cat and Cummins in 650/750 at one time but Cat is no longer in the on highway business. See my post on page 4. Why doesn't Ford offer the 6.7 Scorpion in their own class 6/7? Some say its an "availability issue". I'm afraid its because they know better.
Does it make power? Absolutely. Can it last at 33,000 lbs GVW and high mileage? My guess is it can't-not built for that. And the 750 can now be rated at 37,000 lbs. GVW. Can you imagine a Power Stroke at 37,000 pushing a 9 or 10' snow plow? IMO, not for long!

I am guessing you'd be right, engines can be "turned up" but how long will a engine designed to build 400Hp at 50% duty cycle, last at 90% duty cycle. Not very long, you start cooking pistons and topends. CJ

 

[Red Horse]

I am guessing you'd be right, engines can be "turned up" but how long will a engine designed to build 400Hp at 50% duty cycle, last at 90% duty cycle. Not very long, you start cooking pistons and topends. CJ

For sure! I think that was always the demise of the early "mid range" diesels. Mis-applications. Those in the Northeast will remember Red Star Express. I was working in Buffalo and a Red Star driver came in for a pick up driving a new Ford C-8000 pulling a 40' box. Truck was powered by a 3208 Cat (Ford called it a V-225) and I asked the guy how he liked it. "Ah, ball of fire" he says.."pulls 40,000 pds like its nothing". And I'm sure it did-but not for any extended life.

 

[Wolfy]

I had two trucks with Cat 3208s and found them to be somewhat reliable, (they did gell up some) but underpowered, esp on the highway. Maybe suitable for a 25,000 GVW 5 yard dump.