#Tico shunt truck driver#
#Tico shunt truck full#

It’s a nice big yard in Mississauga, Ont. This tells the driver, without getting out of the cab, the transmission fluid level, how much life is left in the filter, and when the transmission oil should be changed.Ĭapacity’s Mike Hignett gave me room to boot around their rental yard with a new TJ5000. One nice feature of the Allison electronic transmissions standard in Ottawas and Capacities are the built-in prognostic functions. But a daily check of oil in the Ottawa involves hopping up on the hood (unless you want to raise the cab). I drove each truck hard as though it were Christmas season at Purolator’s Rexdale hub: lots of starts, stops and squeezes jackknifes and hard swings in both directions twists and spins, etc.ĭuring a vehicle inspection, Capacity and TICO can have their engine and transmission read from outside the cab.

#Tico shunt truck driver#

My primary interest was driver comfort, safety and efficiency. But coming off the highway, my chops weren’t particularly hot during these test drives, though I got a little better with each swing. In my driving career, I’ve done hundreds of hours in both Ottawas and Capacities. But I’m sure the manufacturers will bend over backwards to accommodate any configuration of options specified by a customer. For instance, all three shunts had heated mirrors but only two of them had a motorized right-hand mirror. The three trucks came with different packages and options, but the prospective buyer should understand that a myriad of possibilities are available from each manufacturer, and many factors have to be considered when pricing a unit.

Next year, all three makes expect to add Navistar engines to their repertoires. Each truck was powered by a Cummins QSB industrial engine, although Cat engines are still available this year (except in the TICO). Horsepower varied from 204 to 173 to 160, but this is not a huge issue in most shunting operations unless very heavy loads are involved. The trucks I tested were all 4×2 off-road shunters, typical of what you’d get from each manufacturer if you were looking for a tractor to service a tandem-tandem yard. New kid on the block TICO (Terminal Investment Corportation) builds its own tractor in Ridgeland, South Carolina and also has a long history in the US, but has just entered the Canadian market. Traditionally, the Canadian market has been split between Capacity trucks built in Longview, Texas and Ottawa tractors made in Ottawa, Kansas. Shunt trucks have been around for about 50 years. And there are no worries about damage to the delicate and expensive exhaust stack on EPA models, or having to wait for them to burn off soot while doors are crying for trailers. Buyers are increasingly cost-conscious these days and swapping an EPA engine for an industrial one can knock thousands off the price. According to sales reps, off-road terminal trucks now account for about 25% of new orders. And if the plant were to undergo construction, add new entranceways, or an additional drop yard was needed down the road, then the equipment wouldn’t be limited to backyard duty.īut the popularity of off-road shunts has increased greatly in the last few years. Even though most of these shunts would probably never leave the yard, they could still go and get their own fuel if necessary. They were priced similarly to the road-legal shunts and most customers opted for being able to certify their units if the need arose.

#Tico shunt truck full#

's dedicated transportation services of Truckload and Less Than Truckload, along with Mid States Leasing's customized Full Service Leasing results in a complete transportation provider able to meet any and all of our customer's transportation needs including Tico Spotters and Yard Tractors! No Matter what you call them: Terminal Tractors, Spotters, Yard Trucks, Yard Mules, Yard Dogs, Jockey Trucks, Hostlers or Shunt Trucks- TICO has them.Up until 2007, off-road terminal tractors were a rarity. Our ability to provide truck sales, parts and service, combined with Wheeling Transportation Northwest Trucks of Bolingbrook, Inc., a family run business, is a leading provider of transportation services located in Bolingbrook, IL. We value the opportunity to create a long-term relationship with our customers, and we do that by giving you the best customer service available. When you are ready to invest in a used truck, our friendly and knowledgeable sales, financing, service, and parts departments are prepared to make sure your experience is outstanding, from assisting while you're making your choice to ongoing maintenance and customization. We Rent Lease and Sell Tico Spotters! We are also proud to carry a large selection of pre-owned inventory. Northwest Trucks of Bolingbrook is now Chicago Lands Tico Spotter and Yard Tractor Dealership.