Horsepower and Fuel Mileage.

You are obviously up north where heat is not the biggest concern. BUT I have to be really careful watching water temps when climbing hills. That is with a larger radiator new cac combo that was suppose to handle 750 hp.

So if I can ask or add another section here without hijacking the op. Where is the line between Fuel mileage/HP & temps? If anyone can add that in, that would be great. Are the 500+ hp motors kicking out enough torque at a low enough rpm to still maintain operable temps?

 

If the 600 ISX is too much for moving 140,000 ... then what application is this engine suited for? I vote the ISX 600 hands down. Flat land, doesn't matter which engine you buy they will all be about the same MPG wise because it will take X amount of hp to keep that load moving whether the maximum rated hp is 500 or 600. The 600 should give you more longevity than the other ones because less of the time will be spent at actually making it work hard. Also keeping that kind of weight slow enough to go down that 11-12% grade ... you may just need that superior engine brake cummins has.

 

Each engine is different. I know the Cummins runs in the 210-230 range normally while my MP8 usually runs down at 180. I had to get a fan clutch replaced on one of my trucks and while the fan would work it would kick on late going up a hill, the temperature would spike to around 220-230 and then the warning lights would come on and if you kept on pushing it the engine would shut itself down. What is normal operating temperature for one engine is the overheat temp on another.

 

Bare in mind gearing is just as important as HP, I run heavy 67k empty up to 200k loaded all are trucks are 525 to 550 ISX largest factor no matter which HP level is rear gearing (all are18speed with 11R 24.5) 4:11 works better than 3:91, maybe 4.30's might the best compromise for our situation, but don't have one in our small fleet ?

 

I'm long out of spec'n trucks, but will give u all the help I can.
Rule:
#1 don't talk about fight club... it doesn't exist. j/k
#2 The engine cannot outperform the drive train.
#3 The drive train cannot outperform the frame.
Before I explain, let me preach haha

I know you ask about HP, but cant let this go unanswered...
@ 140,000 you really push the limit over many hauls. I'd look first at frame, this monster load you carry will make trans/rears wanna break through frame, and show itself as spider cracks if you use anything less than a double frame over time.

HP is 'mostly dictated by computer'.. you have a puter that regulates the fuel, and turbo boost. If I can make a Dodge pickup that will show the same numbers, would you haul 80,000 lbs with it? surely not!

Why?, because even if the engine survived, the trans or rear would be shot.
Get my drift... you need all parts working in the same picture.

Choose any engine you want, mate it to a trans/ and rear that will give you the most torque at the speed you need.

When the are mated right, you'll be happy!

 

Ive pulled Super B's in BC with 450 HP. It's tedious. I'd get a 600 DD16 and gear it for a 60 MPH @ 1375 RPM cruise speed. Compared to Detroit, Cummins only has half a warranty.

 

There isn't much like that anywhere else in the continent. LOL

I'm not a very fast driver so 58-60 MPH seems very comfortable to me and the stopping distance with 140,000 is substantial. I think Detroit says 1375 is the economy gearing and 1475 is performance. So i figure you could do 58- 60 loaded and 65 empty and be in the ballpark. Unless fuel cost isn't an issue. Either way I'd get the 16 over the 15 because you cant go higher than 565 (or is it 505 now?) on the 15.

I think I'd ask about disk brakes as well. I talked to a guy at West Fraser in Sundre the other day with a brand new set of trains, he said it was a $10 K option for disk brakes. worth it in my opinion.

 

I thought the old rating for the DD15 was 565 but for 2014 its been reduced to 505 and anything bigger has to be the DD16. Not positive on that however.

I'd get disks on the tractor for that kind of weight. I know how those hurtin' albertans drive. Worst drivers in Canada.