Summary
Technology and innovation are constantly chugging along.
Summary:
From the nostalgic days of the horse-drawn buggy, we’ve journeyed through a remarkable evolution in hauling vehicles, culminating in the modern 18-wheelers.
Article:
A two-mule-driven wagon can carry about 1,700 pounds. It can pull about five times its weight, or approximately 8,000 pounds, for short hauls. That was all that was available,
Fast forward a century, and we witness a remarkable leap in technology and innovation. Today, we have 18-wheelers that can haul a staggering 80,000 pounds. This significant increase in weight-carrying capacity has revolutionized the trucking industry, allowing for more efficient and cost-effective transportation of goods. To put this into perspective, the truck and trailer, without any cargo, weigh about 35,000 pounds, leaving a whopping 45,000 pounds for cargo weight.
For Instance:
Take the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine, for instance. In the 2024 model year, it can churn out an impressive 400 horsepower and a massive 1,000 lb-ft of torque, a true testament to the incredible power of modern diesel engines.
- The 2021 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine offers even more power. It has a high-output (HO) rating exclusively for the RAM 3500 equipped with the Aisin transmission, boasting 420 horsepower and 1,075 lb-ft of torque.
- The 95-liter 16-cylinder QSK95 is Cummins’s most powerful high-speed diesel engine, exceeding 4,000 horsepower. This engine, designed for extreme power and performance, is often used in hauling vehicles that require maximum towing capacity and acceleration.
- Major manufacturers of diesel engines include Caterpillar, Cummins, MTU-Rolls-Royce, and Volvo.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Diesel_engine_manufacturers
I have always been captivated by diesel engine technology, especially that of Cummins, Detroit, and International Harvester. The sheer power of their horsepower and torque is a marvel to behold.
Fun Songs about the 18-Wheeler Lifestyle:
Six Days On The Road, By Dave Dudley, 1963
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHbGhEfnh2E
East Bound and Down, by Jerry Reed, 1977
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G0ro0ySwOo
Convoy, C.W. McCall, 1975
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd5ZLJWQmss
18 Wheels And A Dozen Roses, Kathy Mattea