Combines Grain truck

take an old semi tractor strech it put box on we have use both 350 cats and 400 cummins both work great one has a 9 speed which is fine but 1st is a little high geared as opposed to a 13 speed when pulling out of a field.

The greatest concern would be to get a truck with the proper rear axle ratio. If it is to fast eg. 3.55 then the you will not be able to go slow enough to pick up "on the go" from your combine . Any thing in the 350hp range will pull a pup alright,but 500hp will pull it better. Depends what you want. Transmissions are another place where more is better, check 1st gear ratio and more gears can compensate for less hp. A 350hp and 10spd with 3.70 rears should do what you need.

PC, Are you looking for a truck already set up or are you looking to buy a retired road tractor and set it up yourselfIJ For what you're wanting it for you will want at least 350 hp engine and I think a 9 speed transmission is the easiest for a rookie like yourself to learn to drive, and since you won't be on the highway much you sure don't want one that is geared very high. If it runs somewhere between 60 and 70 mph at 2100 rpm that is probably about right for what you will use it for, but if it will run 75 at 1500 rpm that one is not for you. By the way I have had very good luck with Cummins engines but the next guy will tell you that Cat or Detroit is the only way to go. It's your choice. Have you considered going to a semi or even a small semi. That is the least expensive way to go for a grain truck if you can use a semi. Good luck! Here is a link to a lot of used truck tractors.

Unit 2, I don't really have a preference in whether is already set up or not. I just want a truck that works well for the money. I would like to stay away from a semi because of turning restrictions on many of our county roads. I thought a tandem with a pup would be easier to get around. A small semi might be an option if it was a lot cheaper. Thanks for the input.

You are going to want at least 400hp to pull the loaded truck and pup,especially if you have rolling ground. I'd seriously consider an 8ll tranni if you can find one. These transmission are 8 speed with a deep reduction giving you 4 super low gears.

Been there, buy a short semi.It will shorter, cost less, and hold close to 1000 bushels. Try turning a straight truck on 24 30" rows. you will see what I mean. You won't have to back up or stop with the semi. Jack knife the tractor trailer when loading in the field if it is soft. The truck will get going easier that way.

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I personally would stay away from detroit engines...bad experiences in the past. Caterpillar's C-15 and 13 speed eaton fuller transmission is usually an easy shifting well balanced set-up in any short wheel base semi tractor.