MAN retakes crown in factory power

[benrk]

Hi!

Thought it might be interesting for some:

German truck manufacterer MAN, the 1st to brake the 600hp barrier with a 20l V10 in the early 90s, had lost the power-crown to Volvo's D16 a good while ago, after Volvo topped up the D16 with a 660hp version earlier this year, MAN now showed the succesor of their TGA, the '08 TGX, with a new 680hp 16l V8 with 3000Nm torque (anybody ever found a conversion tool lb-ft/Nm? For comparison: standard 400hp 12l have around 1800-2000Nm).
Since Volvo sells the D16 now also in north america, I guess the race is on over here too, let's see what Cummins & Cat are coming up with.

I didn't find any official info yet on MAN's website, but here's the link to the article & pic in Germany's truck magazine "Trucker" (of course in German)

http://www.trucker.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=550594

Greetz, Ben

[Accremonious]

Try this link for the conversion:
/www.onlineconversion.com/torque.htm
Let us know what you get, OK?

[benrk]

Thanks for the tip!

"3 000 newton meter = 2 212.686 441 845 pound foot"

Had tried a couple of converters with all kinds of values, but torque was never included.

Anyways, 2200 lb-ft sure would be fun in the Rockies!

[Accremonious]

Now with that kind of torque what would you have to have for a clutch, drive shaft, transmission, and differentials/rear axles? This is an engineering problem of course but it is also a driver education/training challenge. The higher you go in torque and horsepower, the more potential for problems. This kind of equipment is not for rookies nor new driver training!
One of the supervising mechanics a decade ago @ a Volvo dealership set his owner/operator friend up with an unusual combination. It was a Detroit 550HP, on the heaviest duty Eaton 18 speed, and rear end ratios were 2.79 or 2.75:1. They alleged that this 660 Volvo loaded out at 80K gross, running Toronto to Vancouver and back, could on occasion get 12MPG.(Imperial)They were using standard #2 Diesel, and the only other gimmick was that the computer had to be frequently "re-tuned" ! Now they did say that on the backstroke downhill with the Prairie winds at the back, this engind was barely turning over! I was told that if I wanted to I could see the fuel receipts and other papers. It was also a test to see if I would be interested in buying one of these set ups! When I told them that my wife was a Leasing Credit Collections Senior Account Administrator for Newcourt and she had told me "I cannot afford the divorce and the big truck too", the discussion sort of died quickly!
That unit's specs are right out on the outer limits of where you can ever expect to operate and with only an exceptionally good driver. Plus it is an expensive combination that takes longer to pay off even though there are fuel savings. It is also a heavier combination, so the freight grossed will be less than other more capital cheaper combinations will be.

[benrk]

@Bookworm

You're thinking too american. MAN doesn't spec this truck with aftermarket parts, they're not a truck assembler but a truck manufacturer, this truck comes with MAN engine, transmission, axles & electronics.
When MAN sells a truck like this, it works, that's what they are known for.

Scania, Volvo & MAN have about the reputation in Europe like the Paccar brands in North-America.

MAN has the official website out now for the new model, here's the link, in english
http://www.man-mn.com/tgx-tgs/_index/group.html?country=group&language=en

Greetz, Ben

[PavementPilot]

Never mind using it over the Rockies, I would love to try 680 hp and 2250 ft/lbs of torque pulling 63,500 kgs over Mine Hill on Hwy 6 in the Monashee's. That hill is 10%. My question though is, how good is the 'Thrust Reverser' on the other side of the hill?

[RodeoJoe]

Just to get a little off topic here, although fuel mileage was mentioned, I was informed the other day that ole RJ is the fuel economy champ of the outfit I drive for. I have been driving #72, a 2005 Columbia with a 450 Mercedes and a 13 speed for the past 3 years. The truck (and I) have been running up and down I-5 mostly grossing between 65,000 and 79,000 lbs and I'm informed that so far the truck mileage is 8.8 mpg imp. The truck now has 810,00 km on it and has very little work done to it. The engine has had an EGR cooler replaced, a couple of starters, and the fan clutch has been rebuilt. The valves have never been touched nor have any of the other internal engine parts. So far the engine uses no oil between changes and just loves to run. The engine has been recently dyno tested to see if it qualifies for extended warranty and shows no sign of wear. I have been a dyed in the wool KW/Cat fan but from my point of view (and the company's) that little Columbia with the MB is one hell of a combination. The truck is quiet, comfortable, and does the job. I'm impressed.

[Accremonious]

Just to get a little off topic here, although fuel mileage was mentioned, I was informed the other day that ole RJ is the fuel economy champ of the outfit I drive for. I have been driving #72, a 2005 Columbia with a 450 Mercedes and a 13 speed for the past 3 years. The truck (and I) have been running up and down I-5 mostly grossing between 65,000 and 79,000 lbs and I'm informed that so far the truck mileage is 8.8 mpg imp. The truck now has 810,00 km on it and has very little work done to it. The engine has had an EGR cooler replaced, a couple of starters, and the fan clutch has been rebuilt. The valves have never been touched nor have any of the other internal engine parts. So far the engine uses no oil between changes and just loves to run. The engine has been recently dyno tested to see if it qualifies for extended warranty and shows no sign of wear. I have been a dyed in the wool KW/Cat fan but from my point of view (and the company's) that little Columbia with the MB is one hell of a combination. The truck is quiet, comfortable, and does the job. I'm impressed.

From some of my former colleagues experiences with the Columbia's and MB engines you have been very lucky. Our guys have have no end of problems including computer shut downs, no power(dead) and oil leaks. They all want their Detroit's back!

[RodeoJoe]

I don't know what our guys are doing differently, but our outfit has had excellent results with that combination. I'm not sure how many we have, there is at least 15 of 'em. The entire fleet has been relatively trouble free, some initial turbo problems and some injector problems. The injector issue was resolved with a factory change-up and the turbo problem also seems to be resolved. Ours are used mostly on the south haul, that is the run that I mentioned in the previous post. They seem to work just fine as long as we don't overwork them, ie, pulling three leggers. I'm driving mine according to MB's guidelines, that is, upshift when the tach hits 1500 and downshifting when the tach drops to 1100. The engine retarder seems to work really well also, the truck still has the original brakes on the drive axles. The steering axle brakes have been changed cuz the original driver smoked 'em up once and they glazed over. It is also a learning experience driving them and there are several things that an experienced driver has to get used to, but all in all, if I ever got stupid enough to consider buying a truck at my stage of life, I would seriously consider one of them for the right application. Just as an aside, one of the things that initially concerned me was that 47 acres of grey plastic in the Columbias. I figured that the thing would be a rattle trap and drive me nuts but so far, knock on wood, the truck is still rattle free even after being pounded up and down California's goat trails they call I-5. To each his own, I guess. Thank goodness they make different stuff for different folks. If we all liked the same thing we'ed all be driving around in blue Plymouth 4 doors or something equally boring.

[norrie99]

I want one in a tandem. Can ya get one here?

[truckermanitoba]

transx ie crashx.they have about 400 of them.the one i drove was the same as yours.no rattles from the dash ect.the power was not there for pulling till i read the owners manual and changed how i shifted.the turbo went out of the one i drove not while i was driving the shop found when doing the oilchange.the milage was 6.5 kept track with a pencil.which is the avearge they pay the feul charge to owner opp.know this because i seen a few complaining when what they got was less than what used.siad some of the big shippers paid that wayhave a bench mark for milage and pay the surcharge that way

[Trucktool]

Hi!

Thought it might be interesting for some:

German truck manufacterer MAN, the 1st to brake the 600hp barrier with a 20l V10 in the early 90s,

...snip


Cummins KTA engines were available for OTR in 600hp ratings in 1978.

[Geoff123]

VOLVO have out done MAN.

VOLVO now top 700bhp