As a former trucker in the US I sure enjoy these videos. Might mention that trucking across North Dakota is a bit like a piece of Oz, but no road trains and plenty of truck stops!
Just came back for another visit. I always enjoy coming back to this video and watching it again. Tonight I'm also going to share it with my Facebook friends.
@Drafty01 It is a very tight fit but that was the original engine. I don't think KW changed the cabs. The starter motor and oil cooler are very hard to get at. The highway engines have got a different turbo mounting to the earthmovers. 28V3137. It was an 'A' motor but we changed to 'B'. Also turbo updated.
You can adjust the fuel racks with Cat's adjusting tool to get whatever HP you want within reason. Mine was rebuilt as a B motor & set at 550 HP on the chassis dyno which is about 600 at the flywheel. The twin turbo marine 3408 can put out 800 HP.
I left the second trailer and dolly at Meckering roadhouse just up the road from Northam because it was getting late and I wanted to get the first one in without the hassle of the dolly hanging off the back. Normally you'd park at Northam and take the first trailer and dolly in. I went to England about 10 years ago and there is a big difference in the trucking scene !
Hey Chris, My dad does double tankers between Melbourne and Sydney and I go with him whenever I can...But watching your clips makes me want to go with you so much! Hahaha Cheers ;)
It's a mesh stone guard, most long- haul trucks in Australia have got them. Our roads away from the cities are two lane and it saves the windscreen from stones kicked up from vehicles coming the other way.
Most guys would like a bonneted American truck with a long wheelbase and a big sleeper, and that's what you mainly see in the north and west. KW is the biggest seller in class 8 over here. They are higher to accommodate the much bigger radiators......that's one area the euros fall down on. Also the euros have got tiny sleepers. Volvo and Scania used to have bonneted trucks here but now they only sell cabovers.
Usually we split them up at the roadtrain park at Northam but this time I did it just up the road at the Meckering truckstop. Everyone with a multi combination licence can back a trailer and dolly under the second trailer, it's backing a two trailer roadtrain onto a third trailer that will test you out.
@gm16v149 Most drivers use UHF radios here but they're usually for companies and businesses. The dump truck I drive for a railway company has a Kenwood radio and the boom crane truck I also drive has a Motorola radio. Both trucks have CBs installed and is mainly use while driving on the highway and the Kenwood/Motorola radios are used for work.
Same here originally. But it's easy to reset them. On the dyno you get the balance between smoke, horses, and fuel economy. Most guys here I know have them set at around 550 - 600 HP at the flywheel. There's quite a few still around, mainly on roadtrain work
what kind of manifold pressure will she pull? even when you ease into it she puts out quite a hays of smoke. Nice to see someone appreciate a piece of equipment and use it, not abuse it.
It was the first KW made with a 3408 in Australia and it was on the front cover of July '82 Truck and Bus mag. It's had a change of clothes since then. No, Bulls never owned it but they had at least one like it. Mine had a 20 spd Spicer, then a 13 spd R/R, now it's got a 16 spd Spicer Pro-Shift.
@jmm2000 We use UHF radios which are much clearer than the 27 meg. CBs that I think you guys still use in the states. Uniden is the most popular brand which is made in Australia. Also a lot of us have got satellite phones because the mobile phones don't have a lot of coverage outside of the settled areas.
Don't have much tyre probs but yes we change our own. Nearest tyre dealer could be 100's of miles away. On the Nullarbor if it's wet you just don't get off the road.
4 trailer roadtrains with a tri-drive prime mover have 7 tri-axle groups and go to 160 - 180 tonnes gross depending on permits. Generally have 600 - 620 HP Cat or Cummins.
that pass is about like Black Moutain in north carolina in the US we get behind trucks on that hill that go 4 mph. even our pick up truck can only do 35 mph. what does that screen on the front of you truck do?
Depends how you drive it, the wind, weight etc. But with a two trailer roadtrain at 80 tons about 3.8 mpg, one trailer at 42 tons about 5.4 mpg. The latest computer engines are better on fuel but not that much. But if it's windy with a high, heavy load and two trailers I've been down to 2.8 mpg.
Actually that's my brother's kid and 21,000,000 people over here wouldn't agree on your last comment ! Thanks for watching the vid, at least you watched it to the end, the start of it does go on a bit.
Nice vid! How were your EGT's climbing that grade going flat out? Do they ever get to the point were you have to back off? Whats an exceptable EGT for that engine? Thanks!
Hi there, I have no problem understanding the Aussie accent, it's the British accent that I have a problem, especially when they talk fast. Thanks for your compliment. Ya, my truck was in Truckin' Life in the late eighties and then again early this century. I used to enjoy getting the magazine.
come on fella, more videos please, are the roadtrains aloud to run triples to perth yet or are they still only doubles. I remember the first double to run the nullabor (Bracknells) in his white Mack..
Over here I think it was because they were expensive, heavy (1.5 tons with the Brakesaver), maybe emissions, and the 3406 had proved OK and was a lot cheaper. Same reasons as in the States I guess. Everyone loved 'em, though (they still do!) They're still made for earthmoving etc........ no problems with parts.
Yeah, could be waiting a while, tho they never stopped making them for earthmoving and marine. Kenworth in Australia brought back the Cummins 19 liter K Series for the real ultra- heavy stuff because the Signatures kept grenading. So you never know....
Just looked your serial no. (prefix 28V) up on TMI (Cat's Technical Marketing Info site). Must be getting on a bit as it's only got 3408Bs from 444bhp to 503bhp. 503's have a Full load speed of 2100 and torque of 1585lb-ft of torque at 1400rpm - probably your sweet spot I reckon. "Red line" is at 2287rpm - pretty high for one of these! They don't have these in NZ - no large loads allowed - not like Aussie anyway. Cheers, Drafty01.
Brings back memories. The really boring part was going back from Perth to Port Augusta with the empty trailers doubled up. Not many trucks used the 3408, only ever heard of a handful in Oz in 20 years. Simon Kerswells K100 - 3408 was rumored to be able to suck windcsreens out when overtaking.
Nicely done demo of OTR ops here! BTW, is this truck equipped with the Eaton-Fuller RTLO-22918B, as I suspect the case to be from the Caterpillar V8? And with what axle ratios?
verry nice vid. i drive a v8 16 liter my self (scania) but i don't think it will last 1 month out there down under hahaha.. great engine that cat. show us more please. thanks
Holy Cow! That would be quite a squeeze, getting a 3408 into a truck. I'm picking this would have had to have the cab under side modified to fit it in. I work for a CAT dealer in NZ, so know how big and heavy these are. What's the engine serial no?
Always love coming back to your old videos Chris...
As a former trucker in the US I sure enjoy these videos. Might mention that trucking across North Dakota is a bit like a piece of Oz, but no road trains and plenty of truck stops!
Just came back for another visit. I always enjoy coming back to this video and watching it again. Tonight I'm also going to share it with my Facebook friends.
@Drafty01 It is a very tight fit but that was the original engine. I don't think KW changed the cabs. The starter motor and oil cooler are very hard to get at. The highway engines have got a different turbo mounting to the earthmovers. 28V3137. It was an 'A' motor but we changed to 'B'. Also turbo updated.
Great Video!!!
I am fascinated the country and the long road.
Every trip an adventure.
Thanks you Chris, for a ride.
She's got the mean ass sound and power, great vid - Thanks & Cheers!!
Love the Kenworth buddy your RUclips clips are always good to watch MCL keep on truck,n an may you always have the shiny side up 10/4
You can adjust the fuel racks with Cat's adjusting tool to get whatever HP you want within reason. Mine was rebuilt as a B motor & set at 550 HP on the chassis dyno which is about 600 at the flywheel. The twin turbo marine 3408 can put out 800 HP.
I envy you guys over there, ya'll probably don't have to put up with half the crap that that we do!!! awesome vid!!
Something not heard of in the U.S.A. anymore, air starters! Good vid.
Nice truck you got there and the engine sound so sweet.
hope to go back next year and see them live
Good stuff! You got a good son there mate!
Don't forget the V8 Mack engine, they were popular over here once and there's still plenty of them getting around.
It's a standard 3408 truck engine with a CAT hydraulic Brakesaver, fuel racks set to give 550 HP at the wheels.
(10/2018)- Beautiful tractor!
Didnt sound like it broke a sweat on Eucla Pass!
I left the second trailer and dolly at Meckering roadhouse just up the road from Northam because it was getting late and I wanted to get the first one in without the hassle of the dolly hanging off the back.
Normally you'd park at Northam and take the first trailer and dolly in.
I went to England about 10 years ago and there is a big difference in the trucking scene !
Yeah, it was, the counterweights and boom sections went from Perth to Port Adelaide.
50 tonne payload all up.
LOOONG straight roads!
Hey Chris,
My dad does double tankers between Melbourne and Sydney and I go with him whenever I can...But watching your clips makes me want to go with you so much! Hahaha
Cheers ;)
I drive a Canadian version of a road train. I have always wanted to come to Australia and try the big ones! Great video, thanks for posting.
They were recently running quad trailers instead of triples across the Nullabor due to the train line being washed out, bloody awesome site!
It's a mesh stone guard, most long- haul trucks in Australia have got them.
Our roads away from the cities are two lane and it saves the windscreen from stones kicked up from vehicles coming the other way.
Most guys would like a bonneted American truck with a long wheelbase and a big sleeper, and that's what you mainly see in the north and west.
KW is the biggest seller in class 8 over here.
They are higher to accommodate the much bigger radiators......that's one area the euros fall down on. Also the euros have got tiny sleepers.
Volvo and Scania used to have bonneted trucks here but now they only sell cabovers.
About 90 km to Northam where there's a big hook-up yard under lights or Meckering a few kms extra
Usually we split them up at the roadtrain park at Northam but this time I did it just up the road at the Meckering truckstop.
Everyone with a multi combination licence can back a trailer and dolly under the second trailer, it's backing a two trailer roadtrain onto a third trailer that will test you out.
Good stuff, more please!!
@gm16v149 Most drivers use UHF radios here but they're usually for companies and businesses. The dump truck I drive for a railway company has a Kenwood radio and the boom crane truck I also drive has a Motorola radio. Both trucks have CBs installed and is mainly use while driving on the highway and the Kenwood/Motorola radios are used for work.
Same here originally. But it's easy to reset them. On the dyno you get the balance between smoke, horses, and fuel economy. Most guys here I know have them set at around 550 - 600 HP at the flywheel. There's quite a few still around, mainly on roadtrain work
Interesting sound. Im not used to 4 stroke V8's. The only v8's im used too is the detroits. The 8v92's and the 8v71's. Pretty nice video by the way.
what kind of manifold pressure will she pull? even when you ease into it she puts out quite a hays of smoke. Nice to see someone appreciate a piece of equipment and use it, not abuse it.
It was the first KW made with a 3408 in Australia and it was on the front cover of July '82 Truck and Bus mag. It's had a change of clothes since then.
No, Bulls never owned it but they had at least one like it.
Mine had a 20 spd Spicer, then a 13 spd R/R, now it's got a 16 spd Spicer Pro-Shift.
@MattytheDem I'm not sure because the HP has been upped a fair whack.
kool narration & cam work too btw..thnx 4 sharing.
Remind's me of when i was little and riding with my dad in his semi! Hauling fuel in michigan, USA. Well done.
@SeaDollarsBertram Half the east coast is flooded at the moment but yeah, we don't get much rain out on the Nullarbor Plain.
1980. KW in Australia only fitted the 3408 engines to cabovers and that's the engine I wanted.
We've got plenty of truckstops on the east coast, some are average but a lot of them are real good. On the west coast they are a long, long way apart.
@jmm2000 We use UHF radios which are much clearer than the 27 meg. CBs that I think you guys still use in the states. Uniden is the most popular brand which is made in Australia. Also a lot of us have got satellite phones because the mobile phones don't have a lot of coverage outside of the settled areas.
Don't have much tyre probs but yes we change our own. Nearest tyre dealer could be 100's of miles away. On the Nullarbor if it's wet you just don't get off the road.
4 trailer roadtrains with a tri-drive prime mover have 7 tri-axle groups and go to 160 - 180 tonnes gross depending on permits. Generally have 600 - 620 HP Cat or Cummins.
@straightpipesrule 450 HP was the original setting but it's now about 600.
Nice video. I always liked the Aussie trucks!
It is a 16 speed Spicer ProShift.
How do I get my hands on the Valiants in the back ground
Enjoyed It Mate , Good Stuff.
Nice Video! Keep on Truckin' Safely!
Yeah, still got it mate. Thanx. The KW's got a new bullbar and paint job since you saw it last, no thanks to a bull between Broome and Derby.
Hey great machine, I am a sports car racer from Florida who has a secret desire to drive one of these!
It says K124CR on the build sheet.
It's set at about 600 HP at the flywheel.
Another great video mate, Would you be able to do a video showing how you shift down gear
Spotted the Bunker truck at 1:56 ,I was the trailer mech for them for a couple o years in perth
Just like to keep the gear together as there are a few places where you can assemble a road train around Perth.
No, it is a 4 stroke.
Mine is Bourne's cousin's old truck.
Bournes truck is painted green now, still getting around with a B-Double.
Hi there Hank....hope you could understand our Aussie accents!
I saw your rig in one of our truck mags over here.....impressive.
that pass is about like Black Moutain in north carolina in the US we get behind trucks on that hill that go 4 mph. even our pick up truck can only do 35 mph. what does that screen on the front of you truck do?
Depends how you drive it, the wind, weight etc. But with a two trailer roadtrain at 80 tons about 3.8 mpg, one trailer at 42 tons about 5.4 mpg. The latest computer engines are better on fuel but not that much. But if it's windy with a high, heavy load and two trailers I've been down to 2.8 mpg.
Actually that's my brother's kid and 21,000,000 people over here wouldn't agree on your last comment !
Thanks for watching the vid, at least you watched it to the end, the start of it does go on a bit.
I'm working on it, just hard to find the time
@ANDREASRIAL Varies a bit but about 3.7 mpg fully loaded @ 180,000 pounds
'They do that a lot ... sometimes." Lol!
My Spicer is 1600 ft.lbs which is OK as long as you're careful in the lower gears. Diffs are 3:7 ratio.
About 600. Been juiced up a bit.
550 at the wheels on the dyno.
Update: I found out from earlier Comments that no RTLO is aboard---how strong a Spicer PSPO or TSPO is needed for a 3408 Cat?
Glad you like it !
You wouldn't believe it but there's a 110 kph ( 70 mph) speed limit and traffic cops sometimes get out there with radar
I think they made the VT555 witch was refered as the triple nickle cummins.
It's 36.5 meters long, I thought Canadian A-trains were about the same length. Biggest road trains over here are 53.5 meters, on public roads anyway.
I think a few trucks in the U.S. had the 3408 in the past
Nice vid! How were your EGT's climbing that grade going flat out? Do they ever get to the point were you have to back off? Whats an exceptable EGT for that engine?
Thanks!
No, it's got a Caterpillar Brakesaver which is a hydraulic retarder.
Nicely filmed. Enjoyable trip without leaving home. I'm curious to your moniker. Deep down a DD 2 stroke fan?
Glad you like it
Hi there, I have no problem understanding the Aussie accent, it's the British accent that I have a problem, especially when they talk fast. Thanks for your compliment. Ya, my truck was in Truckin' Life in the late eighties and then again early this century. I used to enjoy getting the magazine.
come on fella, more videos please, are the roadtrains aloud to run triples to perth yet or are they still only doubles. I remember the first double to run the nullabor (Bracknells) in his white Mack..
Love that thumper
Sounds like a 20 speed spicer??
CAT POWER!! ALL DAM DAY BABY!!!
Over here I think it was because they were expensive, heavy (1.5 tons with the Brakesaver), maybe emissions, and the 3406 had proved OK and was a lot cheaper. Same reasons as in the States I guess. Everyone loved 'em, though (they still do!)
They're still made for earthmoving etc........ no problems with parts.
Yeah, could be waiting a while, tho they never stopped making them for earthmoving and marine. Kenworth in Australia brought back the Cummins 19 liter K Series for the real ultra- heavy stuff because the Signatures kept grenading. So you never know....
Just looked your serial no. (prefix 28V) up on TMI (Cat's Technical Marketing Info site). Must be getting on a bit as it's only got 3408Bs from 444bhp to 503bhp. 503's have a Full load speed of 2100 and torque of 1585lb-ft of torque at 1400rpm - probably your sweet spot I reckon. "Red line" is at 2287rpm - pretty high for one of these!
They don't have these in NZ - no large loads allowed - not like Aussie anyway.
Cheers,
Drafty01.
@w9driverby Not sure about that ..I would suggest email the Australian embassy in U.S.
You could say that.
I've owned them and worked with them in the past.
You should do a video on how to hook up and unhook a roadtrain
What type of radios do you use for communication? In North America, drivers use C.B.s (I've seen the brand name 'Corba' on most CBs).
There are KWs around with 7,000,000 kms. Mine's done 4,500,000 kms.
When are you going to do a vid on how to hook up a roadtrain?
*****...awesome..love these outback vids!
i'll have to come on a trip with you soon chris, nive vid!
Brings back memories. The really boring part was going back from Perth to Port Augusta with the empty trailers doubled up.
Not many trucks used the 3408, only ever heard of a handful in Oz in 20 years. Simon Kerswells K100 - 3408 was rumored to be able to suck windcsreens out when overtaking.
Nicely done demo of OTR ops here! BTW, is this truck equipped with the Eaton-Fuller RTLO-22918B, as I suspect the case to be from the Caterpillar V8? And with what axle ratios?
Great truck. What gearbox is it?
I love all the v8 s and that is beautiful the most perfect gear selecting I've heard in a long time but u all don't have that engine
Thanks....will do
verry nice vid. i drive a v8 16 liter my self (scania) but i don't think it will last 1 month out there down under hahaha.. great engine that cat. show us more please. thanks
Is this VDO speedometer on the electrical impulses?
Łukasz Lewandowski Yes it is, same as the tacho.
Good old kenworth
Holy Cow! That would be quite a squeeze, getting a 3408 into a truck. I'm picking this would have had to have the cab under side modified to fit it in. I work for a CAT dealer in NZ, so know how big and heavy these are. What's the engine serial no?
nothing quite like a cat, 18 spd?
How much power does it have?
At 1600 RPM, what is the road speed, somewhere around 100 Km/h?
look at 2.27. Speed is just above 90kph at around 1800-1900 rpm.
KristianVinther1 Those revs are too high for that speed, he must have been down at least half a gear.