KENWORTH’S REAL DEAL
I’LL BE BLUNT. The perception in some minds has long been that Paccar’s MX-13 engine is fundamentally a DAF product and, therefore, not worthy of a Kenworth. The reality, however, is that in either a Kenworth or a DAF, the MX-13 is a gutsy, respectably efficient engine that is at least the equal of any similarly-powered 13-litre in the business.
But don’t just take my word for it. There are now a sizeable number of Kenworth owners and drivers with a highly positive view of the MX-13, driven in large part by a steadily expanding reputation for strong performance, staunch reliability and entirely acceptable fuel economy.
Take, for instance, the view of Lance Fisher, the long-serving fleet manager of Sydney-based fuel haulage specialist John L Pierce.
Widely regarded as one of the most professional and innovative fleet managers around, and certainly among the most authoritative in the fuel haulage industry, Fisher is responsible for a fleet of more than 120 trucks, predominantly Kenworths but also a significant number of Macks.
Yet, despite the bulldog’s enduring presence, he makes no secret of a strong regard for Cummins, particularly for B-double work where the company sticks firmly to the tried and true combination of Kenworth cab-overs and conventionals punched by Cummins X15 engines. Simply stated, Fisher’s steadfast opinion is that for top-weight B-double duties and everything above, Cummins cubes are king.
For single trailer roles, however, Mack Granites powered by the MP8 13-litre engine have been the norm for quite some time but with Granite about to be replaced by the long anticipated but largely untested Anthem, a forthright Fisher confirms the Paccar MX-13 mounted in Kenworth’s T410 is starting to scratch deep into the dog’s domain.
Since JL Pierce’s first MX-13 arrived in a Kenworth T409 in October 2015, the company now operates nine of the Paccar-branded engines: eight in superseded 409s and one in an early version of the T410.
“Sure, we were a little apprehensive to start with,” remarks Fisher, “but that original MX has now done well over 700,000km and,
