That is just about the truth too! I spent a # of years driving a Maxim 100' tillered aerial ladder truck with what was supposed to be a 350 horse 8V71. I was always complaining how gutless it was and would tell the shop if it had 350 horses they for sure were all Shetland ponies.

 

You can't be afraid to find red-line with those things. That's the only way to get the power out of them.

 

Oh believe me I know that. Still no power on that particular rig. We had several others with 8V71's that ran much better. I started driving when almost every truck you saw had 2 boxes to shift so I am a bit old school. Before I retired the Maxim was replaced with a new tillered aerial powered by a 460 horse series 60 and electronic Allison. Great rig and left the Engine in the dust. I loved that since with the old rig SOP had become the Engine out first when we had to respond where we were on a good climb. Not so with the new rig.