Red Horse

Thx-so my memory ISN't that bad! Is the FCM still offered?

Didn't Mack buy a company by the name of Savage? As for an existing chassis, not a bad thought-why wouldn't that low pro trash chassis work? Have to be able to clear the cab for the discharge end of the drum

Very nice-thx

Don't know about the F-850 Super Duty as to location. But the Ford blower is on Rt 2?? And the Athey (I think) belt loader is on a ramp in Hartford.

Well having bought my share of Macks (R's and DM's, CH's) and while I love my B-61X, I have to say, the Louisville was a good value. Arm rests fall off? Yep-Ever break a frame?-never . As for these Cargos. I have to say they are sold in some of the toughest areas of the world. If you go to Ford's web site and work your way to Ford Turkey, you can see some big Cargos- dual front axles, heavy rock bodies etc. And they don't look like they spend too much time in nice urban settings! If Ford ever gets back into class 8, I would hope these trucks provide some good engineering feedback

Ok Bulldog-your eyes are better than mine-where is the button???

200 buck premium per load for this thing sounds like a bargain. Kind of surprised the maintenance cost for a front discharge would be twice to three times a conventional. In any case as always, nothing like the right tool for the job. I'm sure there are plenty of jobs were a belt mixer is the most cost effective answer. If had a redi-mix business of size I would think a good mix of rear/front/belts would cover all the bases. Not exactly good from a parts/maintenance perspective but in a competitive business, the customer rules-unless you are the only game in town. Again here in this neck of the woods (Mass) I would bet front discharge is 3 to 1 on replacements. " PS Wheeled my share of concrete off the ass end of B-81's, LJ's, A-cars using a "Jackson prime mover" in my youth (EJ- Foxon, Velardi etc)-but in my old age can appreciate the new technology

Actually I saw another picture-on same Blueovalnews thread -of a white 650 with the same hood treatment. Except this picture showed truck from rear and you could see exhaust. Small muffler and pipe-so this said to me this truck was probably a gas job. Also someone suggested this might be some sort of hybrid. Seeing that little exhaust, makes me think that might be a possibility. Think of it-if we are thinking this was to accomodate a larger radiator-because say there was an 8.3 Cummins or something bigger than a 6.7 Cummins under the hood would you not think it would have a significantlybigger exhaust system?? Not the case. I'm thinking the new truck will use the Euro Transit glass house (doors, windshield etc) so maybe it has something to do with that.

EJ- Hah!! Excellent comment- I actually predicted something like that coming from you.

Well this would appear to be the first sign that they ARE going to do something. I don't think they will ever be in the "large car" business to compete with Paccar etc, but what does it take to go from class 7 into 8 vocational? Not that much

thx Matt- I clicked on link did a "copy" then a paste? don't know how the travelogue got on

Matt-see if this works If not,just got to Blueovalnews.com, forums and click on the 750 mule thread

How about it KSC. Any word on the pix of the Ford 750 Mule that was posted on the Blue Oval New Forums yesterday. It came from a SEMA posting . It is a current 750 Crew Cab with a "toy hauler" box. Looks like it has a much bigger radiator as the hood is wider, higher and looks like it sets a bit forward. Some have suggested its an early mule for the Avon Lake mediums but I wonder if it isn't just something they are working on in short term to put say an 8.3 cummins or some Westport CNG motor in the current truck. Any thoughts? :idunno:

Matt where do you find this stuff? That one at the top is a TK 6 Michigan. We (Carafa Builders) had one in North Haven except it was a back hoe They had big tubular sticks. The "6" I believe was the smallest Michigan and did not have an engine in the "house"-it was powered by the prime mover-ours was a Waukesha or Continental gas job- 5 speed with a two speed aux. 12 x 20 military type rubber. I was the "kid"- drove machine from job to job

Wonder what kind of premium they get per yard for this service? Has to be a very high maintenance cost unit. then again cheaper than bringing in a pump. In any case I think the days of rear discharge mixers are numbered except for certain applications- like big volume jobs feeding a pump. But for the average delivery, a front discharge is placing concrete literally the minute the truck hits the jobsite. Once contractors get used to that, they don't want to screw around with some guy backing up to forms, wrestling chutes etc.

Ah yes-bought 3 new 97 F-250's New Haven, Portland and Chelsea. NH's lasted the longest.

To each his own as they say. No doubt a lot of effort and workmanship. But to me its like painting a Ferrari pink! Two sticks, green interior, and spokes forever

Yeah Matt-but not like the old days when Louisvilles, C-models and even F-750's/800's ruled the P & D business. i wonder if Roadway has finally retired the last of their C-models?

I can believe the space issue-then again, its a Super Duty Cab. Is an F-250/350 uncomfortable? I don't think so. Then again, maybe P & D drivers don't ride around with their asses on the floor like a lot of idiots you see today just barely peering over the wheel of their "large cars"! In any case, Ford is supposed to be moving medium s back to this country (Avon Lake Ohio plant)from the Navistar JV in Mexico and the truck will be all new-we shall see.

2100 CLASS 6 AND 7's with the 6.7. Wow- that is about a third of Ford's yearly volume and a huge percentage over Paccar's vol. I would almost have to say that a big chunk of that number must be a fleet account that was behind the push to get the 6.7 as an RPO? Like maybe Ryder?? Penske?

I guess in my lifetime I paid too many bills for Cummins-V-185's V-210'S and Triple Nickels And like I said, only reeason dodge sells vs ford or GM is the 6.7.

IMO this sounds like a bad idea. Volume is king-who is going to buy this for their half tons? Not Ford, Not GM and as someone noted, Dodge will if anything be relying more and more on their Italian connection. This guy Marchione is no dope. He will do whtever he can to boost utilization within the Chrysler/Fiat family. And as for Cummins and Dodge, I say the only reason Dodge sells as well as they do is many people want no part of a V-8 Power Stroke or Duramax and like the 6.7 Cummins. If they are counting on Toyota/Nissan to build volume, forget it. I would bet Ford probably sells more light duty trucks in a month than Nissan and Toyota combined sell in a year. Oh and Ford if they ever do decide that a diesel makes sense in a 150, will have their own 5 cylinder diesel.

So Green Dash I note an F-750 straight truck in background. Don't see many of those in freight P & D. Is Ford a big customer of Pitt-Ohio?

Matt- Wow- long day-amazed your old man at his age could do that "turn"! Paul's U I assume-got a lot of press! Best part is all the dirt moving out back right?

Priorities-Sounds like the tough part is behind you-you will have an even better appreciation for your relationship going forward.