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Sizing Up Your Engines
Match the powertrain to your application for the lowest cost of operation.
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By Curt Bennink
Senior Field Editor
Recent fluctuations in diesel fuel pricing, and the new technologies being introduced to the diesel engine market, place increased emphasis on spec'ing the most efficient powertrain for your medium- and heavy-duty truck applications.
"Obviously, with the price of diesel fluctuating over the past year, we probably see a little more emphasis on getting the right engine, horsepower wise," says David McKenna, Mack Trucks powertrain marketing manager.
Efficiency is achieved by finding the best powerplant that matches your requirements. "First and foremost, never buy more horsepower or torque than you need," says McKenna.
Recently, however, more trucks have been spec'd with additional power. This can be attributed in part to competition for drivers. "With the driver shortage, there has been a horsepower creep," McKenna notes.
"Driver retention is always a big issue," says Matt Stevenson, manager of product strategy, Sterling Truck Corp. "A lot of times, guys like engines that are probably more powerful than they need. Drivers always like a little more power."
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