Quick Spin: International LT625

ProStar origins are evident in the long-nose LT625, which has enhanced aerodynamics and a swoopier appearance. The “6” means a setback steer axle and “25” denotes a 125-inch BBC. Photos: Tom Berg

It's quiet! That's my prime impression of International's recently introduced LT series tractor after an autumn press event at the Navistar Proving Grounds in Indiana. I drove three LT625s around a 3-mile paved track.

Quietness is engineered into the evolutionary LT (for Linehaul Transport) series, which is based on the ProStar that Navistar will soon phase out. Noise is muted by effective sound-deadening insulation, particularly door sealing. Consequently, wind and road noise are all but gone.

That was true for two of the tractors, anyway. The third was plagued by constant squeaks. Turned out it did not have grease on the hood pucks, Navistar told us later. That made it squeak badly. Once that was addressed — after I had driven it — the squeaking stopped, Navistar said.

However, this truck had the sole manual transmission among the trio, and my preoccupation with shifting delayed my noticing the interior noise. The transmission was an Eaton Fuller 18-speed that was a joy to operate. Out on the track, I slowed several times so I could downshift and go back up the ratio ladder, often using the thumb switch to split the main gears, just for the fun of it. This is seldom the case with manual gearboxes in contemporary heavy trucks, so kudos to Navistar engineers for that.

In the other two tractors, Eaton UltraShift Plus 10-speed automated transmissions worked flawlessly. The tractors' 14.9L Cummins X15 diesels, standard on long-nose LTs, were good partners, with strong power and torque unobtrusively interrupted by very smooth shifts. A new, compact column-mounted selector controls self-shifting transmissions; it was simple and easy to use, and also operates the engine ...Read the rest of this story

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Ford Recalls Super Duty Trucks for Fire Risk

Photo courtesy of Ford.

Ford Motor Co. is recalling 7,103 2017-model year Ford Super Duty trucks in the U.S. so dealers can address a potential fire risk tied to fuel leaking, according to the automaker.

In these trucks, over time, a missing reinforcement could lead to a fuel tank strap separating from the frame, resulting in the fuel tank moving out of position and possibly contacting the ground, Ford said. This condition increases the risk of a fuel leak, which in turn elevates the potential for fire in the presence of an ignition source.

Ford noted, however, that it isn't aware of any related fires, accidents, or injuries.

Dealers will make an inspection and install a fuel tank strap reinforcement to resolve the issue. They will look for the presence of a reinforcement bracket on the No. 3 crossmember at the front fuel tank strap attachment location. If no reinforcement bracket is found, one will be installed at no cost to the customer, Ford said in a released statement.

The recall covers 2017 Ford Super Duty trucks built at the Kentucky Truck Plant from Aug. 10 to Sept. 17 of this year.

In addition to the trucks being recalled in the U.S., Ford is recalling 964 in Canada and two in federalized territories for the same problem. Ford's reference number for this recall is 16S45.

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