I'm proud to say that I spent the last 2 months hauling grain for a local farm. I have been pulling goosenecks around since before I had a drivers license but after spending the last 2 months hauling around 90000-100000 lbs gave me a new appreciation for full time truck drivers.

Truck was a Mack with a 350 and a 9 sp and trailer was 42' Timpte, not the best or fastest rig on the road but it got the job done.

 

Gives you a new perspective, huh? I noticed that million mile farm trucks are easier to keep centered in your lane than the new cars.

At least you had a 350. Last grain haulers I drove had good ol' 290s, with a million or more miles. At least the trannies had splitters for the high side.

 

350 was enough power but a 10 or 13 sp would have made it better especially on those over 100k loads. too much space between 7-8-9.

 

have you tried a 290 with a 10 speed an a 2500 gallon water tank without any baffels half full

 

LMFAO! that sounds fun and challenging! sure would make a great youtube video, especially on a slippery road, hahaha

 

ya starting an stopping on a hill with atranny that when in gear [pick one ] has 6" of shifter play , i swear grampa made me do it to watch me fight with it

 

I'd watch, but I don't know if I would try it. I have a couple of good stories...I had a box truck come out of nowhere and pass me going across a 1 1/2 lane river bridge. The last 6' or so of the box hit my mirror and each rivet pulled the mirror out farther. Luckily he got by me before the bridge got real narrow. I also had an older couple try to run me off the road because about 10 kernels of corn hit their windsheild because they were following to close.

 

ya the 290 was awesome on torqe it got swapped for a 350 with 3 stage jake thats not so great on torqe but itll roll coal both of these are cummins the 290 you could speed shift when you jammed the hammer though the floor

 

almost finished another corn harvest. Same ol Mack, I was wrong about the engine, a little closer inspection it is a E7 400. Clutch went out and took a couple of days to get part so I got to drive a Freightliner with a 12.7 Detroit 470hp with 10 spd. It was nice to have more power and another gear to get it rolling but the tranny was making a loud noise, no diagnoses yet. new record for me...106,200lbs gross.