Need to buy a used single axle tractor. What engine?

When I started 20 years ago I also had manuals in my city trucks, but over time have switched to autos-guys were just too hard on clutches and trannys.

 

Since we're barring pre-emissions equipment here are my suggestions:

definitely get an allison, probably a 3060 or similar/related model. Cheap to maintain, super dependable, there's mountains of them out there. Mostly employee-proof.

for emissions gear you can instantly ignore Navistar (international) & CAT. they have the most emissions problems in the given size range. The DT was a great motor but IH really went down the wrong rabbit hole with emissions. The C7 isn't as bad as the larger CAT engines but it's an orphaned product line so in the long term I'd skip it even though it'll be a good $2-$4000 less than an equally spec'd Cummins.

The Mercedes engines aren't bad but they are a semi-orphaned product line and there wheren't heaps of them made so parts and mechanics that are going to be skilled with them might be harder to find.

That leaves Cummins and Hino. The Hino engine is supposed to be good but parts and mechanic availability won't be as good as a cummins so it comes down to how close/good your local dealership is. The cummins ISB/ISC engines can be serviced ANYWHERE so they're a good choice and their early emissions engines aren't as bad as they might be and it's my understanding that through recalls and workarounds they're pretty solid now.

So... unless you've got a rockstar Hino dealer around, cummins with an allison is your best bet. Paccar equipment (KW & Pete) have better electrical systems and are easier for independent mechanics to maintain, internationals are cheap but have good visibility and aren't bad to actually drive around in, but the electrical systems get flaky and can be expensive and dealer-ship intensive to maintian. Freightliner is freightliner and somewhere in the middle on all of these issues. I don't personally like the way the cabs are set up but there's plenty of them out there.

If I where you I'd look for a single axle tractor spec'd for beverage delivery. Beer & soda delivery tractors. Especially the ones built from medium duty chassis (K270, pete 335, international 4300, FL m2). Those will be a bit cheaper, more likely to have the allison, and will be physically smaller which will help with novice drivers when they get in tight spots. I'd lean towards the paccar equipment as it's easier to maintain the small stuff yourself. Like real west-coast mirrors instead of $500 plastic ones that are a SOB to replace, dash switches that aren't computerized and don't require a degree in computers to diagnose. etc.

Also, don't buy a truck from the northeast, I try and buy my used gear from the south east and drive it home due to rust.

 

Its sad all these drivers that can't drive these days.. If its not a auto there lost. Had a fool try to car jack someone in Memphis Tn this past week. He got mad could not find drive in that 6 speed manual. LOL
Not sure where your at, but there was a single axle FLD with auto for sale in Craigslist around Nashville Tn last week.

 

Have you thought about chopping an axle out of a tandem truck?

 

Didn't show up on yer search cuz they ain't cabovers...

 

I just traded off a 2007 single axle non CDL 4300 dump truck with the DT466. The truck was reliable but had no power. I drove it 700 miles last week to the place I traded it and I had difficulty maintaining 70mph on mild hills and this was empty.

I hauled my 18k backhoe on a pintle trailer with it and would often drop to 30-40 mph on mild hills.

I would get a bigger motor if going to be hauling the excavator.