Red Horse

How about some specs? Beauty!

Wow- the door latch? Like the bumper sticker says..."Things happen". Outside vendor. But the 1.6 issue? Talk about a screw up!

The following is on today's Car Connection : March 28, 2017 You know it, we know it, even people in Algeria know it: America's infrastructure is in a sad state. How sad is it? America's infrastructure is in such a sad state, gravel roads are making a comeback. That might sound like a punch line from the world's dullest, policy-wonkiest comedian, but unfortunately, it's no joke. A step backwards The change in infrastructure policy has been most obvious in Omaha, Nebraska, one of America's 50 largest cities. Like other municipalities large and small, Omaha has grown in recent years, and with that growth has come the realization that roads serving once-suburban neighborhoods weren't built to code. Cracks and potholes are commonplace. Omaha's Department of Public Works determined that it would cost some $300 million just to repair those ailing residential streets. But the city hasn't sought more funding from state or federal sources to do so. No, it's taken steps to get to the root of the problem--literally--by grinding those crumbling streets into gravel, claiming that gravel streets are far easier and cheaper to maintain. City residents who'd been hoping that officials would come up with an outside-the-box solution aren't amused. But so far, Omaha has stood by its decision. It has determined that the cost of maintaining roads in residential areas should be borne by the homeowners that live on those roads. (Never mind the pesky fact that residents pay taxes to ensure that roads remain up to snuff.) In some cases, residents have been able to raise some of the money needed for repairs, and officials have agreed to chip in a portion from the city. As you might guess, though, that strategy doesn't work well for homeowners in poorer areas of town. Sadly, Omaha isn't alone. Pavement-to-gravel transitions have taken place in the majority of states--27, according to a study published last year by the Transportation Research Board. The issue affects communities large and small, from coast to coast. So, what's to be done? Based on a quick poll we conducted last autumn, most of you think that new taxes are required to fix America's crumbling highways and byways. Some like the idea of a higher federal gas tax (which, after all, it hasn't been raised since 1993). Others think that a pay-as-you go tax for motorists would be the most equitable. Whatever the case, a plan is needed soon, and it ain't going to be cheap. President Trump knows that, and he's said that he's planning to ask Congress for $1 trillion to repair the U.S. infrastructure. A couple of weeks ago, we would've thought his odds on getting such a bill passed were pretty good. Trump, of course, is a Republican, and enjoys fairly healthy support among members of his own party. Furthermore, infrastructure spending is popular with Democrats, so there'd some opportunities for bipartisan cooperation. In the wake of last week's healthcare debacle, though, Trump clearly exacerbated some tensions within the GOP. Making the pitch for a 13-figure ask--especially an ask for a project likely to be unpopular with Republicans, who'd prefer to slash spending--will now be very, very tricky. For people in Omaha and elsewhere, the timing is crucial. Tags: congressDonald TrumpInfrastructureroadNews I've often wondered, if there was a time to raise the gas tax, raise it now. We've forgotten 3 buck plus a gallon gas, so if we could tolerate say another nickel, now is the time. Perhaps the tax could be pegged to a given price per gallon -gas or diesel- and as the posted price of fuel went up the tax could be reduced. Bottom line the cost of repair will be huge-one way or another we will pay. IMO pegging it to fuel is fairest/ the more you use the road the more you pay. Want to buy a Mustang or Camaro V-8 vs a Focus or a Cruz?-fine-you pay more. Want a 600 HP Pete vs a 13 liter? Again you pay And I know- 600 HP when driven correctly might give you MPG close to the 13L-but how many guys are content to "drive accordingly." Just food for thought No such thing as a free lunch.

Makes sense to me. Might miss a sale or two because a particular truck is not in stock but overall bloated inventories just lead to reduced prices-good for consumer-bad for my stock IMO

For sure-and to think how a completely vertically integrated truck was such a selling point in the old days. So today it is increasingly a "component" truck. But what is F'liner doing? IMO becoming the Mack of old with their own drive train. And as Lmackattack noted-Paccar is kicking butt in the vocational markets Fleets that were always Mack-no longer the case-and as the "old boys" who started their businesses -or should I say whose fathers and grandfathers started their businesses with AC's then LJ's then B's truly become "Old boys", the loyalty factor continues to shrink.

Kevin, Does that go back to Bluediamond days???-in which case would have made even more sense as those Fords had same frames as the 4400 Internationals built at Escobedo. Thinking back to the old days-I imagine no such thing as an outsourced frame in an Allentown Mack! Safe to say-NOTHING is made from raw material at Macungie right? What about New River? Any Volvo components actually made in that plant???

Current 750 offers big frame RBM numbers as is. Only thing they need IMO is another power train choice beside the 6.7 Power Stroke/Torque Shift trans- like the 9 liter six they build in Turkey and a companion manual or an Allison.

Interesting- I guess the full trailer is a transfer tank-interesting concept-straight job makes the pick ups then transfers. I always said farm pick up drivers are the best-between "live load" in a tank without baffles and then going into the same old farms today with five axles that were picked up with single axle tractors and single axle tanks 60 years ago , these guys have to be good.

If so-P-LEASE -do not post!

Dolgeville-Home of Adirondack bats! Mclaughlin-Millard! I imagine that plant was torn down years ago-still have one hanging in my bat rack in garage-grandkids don't knowwhat a wood bat is!

Thx Paul but no luck. I don't see the letters/symbols you refer to. When I click "choose files", I bring up my albums. I click on the pix, "select image" and the box comes up with "Uploaded Images" with.."IMG3739 JPG" and message "Upload failed" Bob

Have been unable to upload photos. Any issue taking place with this?? Uploading from MacBook Pro

Wow-this sounds like a big can of worms. How many people are going to be looking for that CK-4 designation in the donut. And what do the manuals that came with trucks built a month or two ago say? This sounds like it has the makings of a warranty nightmare.

Kevin, I would have to believe it would be a cold day in hell before Daimler would do ANYTHING to make it easier for Ford to get back in business in a serious fashion. They accomplished their objective-killed Ford and picked up 10% of class 8 and 20% of class 7 for not a lot of money-and avoided being sued by the dealers!

I was told by someone that Daimler's original plan for the Acterra was it was going to be offered as a separate franchise. Thus the reason for a distinct name vs. just a numerical designation like "Sterling 750". The only problem was the dealer organization was still in an uproar over the sale and threatened some sort of suit if Daimler continued down that road

House of cards! It is mind boggling that these guys can think this will work. Just think of the quality control issues the manufacturers have NOW in a controlled environment. ?

And just think of the fun you will have when you have a warranty issue. After they answer your call in the Manilla call center, you will give them your serial no. Then they will tell you..."We will contact your builder sir-and once we find him, he will give you a call" Who in their right mind would buy such a vehicle???

McDonalds!

Yawn! Glad to hear they are still offering a "tractor for towing" . Must mean.."In addition to a fifth wheel for tractor applications, we offer a factory pintle hook attached to a heavy duty plate on the rear crossmember for other towing applications." Oh and this guy Ruppert the GM for commercial sales and marketing was crowing about the fact Ford is the only game in town in class 1-7. When is he going to start advertising that fact? Saw the Henkels & Mcoy piece-not a new 650-750 shown!

Kevin, I don't see how the Granite can compete with the F'liner medium duties from a pricing perspective. Mack can put an 8 or 9 liter engine in the Granite but IMO it is still a legitimate class 8 truck. This would be not much different than F'liner putting the new D8 in a Coronado or Cascadia. You can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear or in this case, why make a sows ear out of a silk purse Having said all that, I can see why some diehards might want to attempt to maintain their loyalty to Mack but I would have to believe the price differential would have to be significant. Just how much can you decontent a Granite to get it down to medium duty price levels???

Thx Kevin-don't know where i got the Parker Hannifin idea. But looking at the Eaton cut sheet, "Mass 1250 pds.", I guess that is one negative assuming it is the added weight of the system. Although what is the weight of the batteries in some of these other hybrids. One other negative I see is a minimum 191" wheelbase. But again, using Eaton's example of refuse, what a perfect application-a lot of brake applications and frequent starts. I wonder why the concept did not make it. Again first thought is cost but what hybrid is NOT costly. I also think Ford had done a lot with hydraulic assist-perhaps they were the ones hooked up with P-H.

The hydraulic hybrids seemed to make a lot of sense in terms of simplicity. Whatever happened to I believe Parker-Hannifin (sp?) didn't they do quite a bit on this? I believe knock on these is the weight of the accumulator tanks?

Interesting, Wards made no mention of Ford in class 6. They were the 2016 leader at 36.46% with a huge December at 51.3% Guess the U-haul order has been met??

Hah-good one on Western Star-surprised heavy truck people would not catch that. Going back to Ford check out the video where the "fleet manager" in the "oil and gas sector" talks about her Super Duties. All kinds of 450/550's and in the background? International bucket trucks. If you have to do your spot at that company, maybe you could cut out the scenes where your competitor to 750 is clearly shown. And by the way, "double whammy"-this company in the "Oil and Gas sector"-you would think its an oil exploration/producing outfit? Nope-looks like its an electric utility. As for not having a gas motor right out the gate, that would be surprising given Fords big sales numbers with 650 gas.

Hmm...."to bucket loaders"..... And I thought the Ford marketers were brain dead. Perhaps at some point Mr Schegman's staff will provide him pictures of a "bucket loader" and an aerial bucket truck! Wonder if the lack of reference to a gas engine has any significance??