Reasons Why Towing Business Owners Should Go For Higher Torque Diesel Engines

Posted on: 28 November 2017

As a towing business owner, you might be undecided on the kind of truck to choose for your fleet. Well, diesel engines are the best for towing purposes because of a variety of reasons, for example, higher torque, fuel economy, and engine durability. Notably, torque refers to the turning power of a vehicle, and it is a product of horsepower. With this in mind, it is clear to understand why high torque is essential to a towing truck. Most importantly, you need enough turning power on the wheels to enable your diesel engine truck to tow a load that is heavier than the truck itself. This article attempts to explain high torque capability of diesel engine tow trucks. 

High Compression Ratio – An engine works by moving pistons up and down, which compresses fuel, thereby providing sufficient power to propel the vehicle. During the compression process, there is usually a minimum as well as a maximum volume of fuel in the cylinders. In the case of a diesel engine, the ratio between the highest and lowest fuel volume is usually large because the pistons in a diesel engine have to make a longer stroke compared to other types of engines. The longer stroke comes about because the pistons have to pump up and down over a larger internal volume in the cylinders for them to make a full rotation. This means that your truck will not rev up like other trucks, but the torque generated is enough to pull the heaviest of loads, which is ideal for a tow truck business.

High Calorific Value – High pressure is usually exerted on pistons from burning fuel. When compared to petrol, diesel exhibits lower energy waste index, that is, approximately 44800KJ/kg, compared to petrol that has 48000KJ/kg. The consequence of this is that since diesel is more viscous than gasoline, it tends to store as much as 15% more energy per volume. Therefore, every time diesel burns in the engine, it transfers more power to the pistons thereby increasing torque output.

Higher Boost – Most diesel engines today are turbocharged to compensate for what these motors lack in speed and horsepower. As a result, when the pistons move up and down, the turbo-charge creates high pressure on the power stroke, and this leads to a higher torque output. Unlike other engines, diesel turbo is designed to produce high boost pressure thereby minimizing pumping losses in the engine. Consequently, the motor becomes efficient in energy conversion, which is critical to delivering higher torque output.

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A Lifelong Hobby

When I was a kid, I used to live a few doors down from a garage run by a guy called Alfredo. It was a proper old-fashioned garage, like something out of an old movie: He did everything by hand and took great pride in his work. I hung around there as much as I could get away with, and I learned a lot about cars just by watching them all at work. Eventually, once I turned about 14, he hired me for a weekend job. I didn't keep up that line of work once I left for college, but I've carried the passion behind it with me into adulthood. These days I work alone building and improving my rides rather than fixing other people's, and I figured it was about time I shared some of what I've learned about parts and maintenance.