Commercial Trucks

Yellow Deck offers all types of semi-tractors for your transport needs. In addition to the semi-tractors currently available in our SALE INVENTORY, we can locate the right semi-tractor for your needs.

Common Body Style

Cab: The cab comes in several styles to fit your drivers schedule and route demands. The sleeper cab sizes vary depending on the comfort level your driver requires and the max payload your want to move. The smaller the cab, the lighter weight, the more you can haul. It’s all in the math.

Sleeper Cab: The sleeper can come in so many different dimensions and layouts.

Day Cab: The day cab is the daily work horse. Cab is simple. Usually with a passenger seat. Variations may include wind deflector (roof shield) , or chain rack.

Axle Ratings, quantity, and setting.

Axle ratings: common axle ratings are 12,000lbs in front and 40,000lbs in rear. From this standard ratting you can go up to 20, 000 front and 55,000 rear. (Some higher axle ratings exist but are not common.)

Axle Quantity: In the USA the most common semi-tractor is the tandem rear axles. Followed by Single rear axles. The tri axles and quad axles are limited and usually specialty heavy haul semi-tractors.

Axle Setting: On some trucks the FRONT axle is set forward and on others set back. The axle forward has the axle pushed closer to the front bumper, it gives a better ride and may allow more weight carrying capacity. The axle back would allow for a more rounded aerodynamic front and fenders, shorter wheel base and tighter turning radius. The rear axle setting is determined by the wheelbase. The wheel base is the distance from center of front axle to the center of the rear axle(s). The longer the wheelbase the more weight distribution. However, longer wheelbase also means harder handling in tight spaces.

Other features to look for:

• Fuel tank sizes
• Aluminum vs steel wheels
• Air slide 5th wheel  vs manual
• APU: Auxiliary power unit to run A/C-heater and other functions while parked saves fuel.
• Wind deflector (air shield) and Side Fairings
• Load Chain rack
• Snow chain rack

Selecting the power unit.

Every driver or transport company has their favorite power unit. All have their pros & cons. All are proven and well established brands like: CUMMINS, CAT, DETROIT, INTERNATIONAL, MACK, VOLVO, and MERCEDES BENZ. As of 2007 all USA engine require ULTRA LOW SULFER DIESEL (ULSD). Check to see if your country has ULTRA LOW SULFUR DIESIEL (ULSD). ULSD is 15ppm (parts per million of sulfur). Some ULSD engines have sensitive sensors and emission control systems that react negatively to NON-ULSD fuel. As a result operating a ULSD engine with regular diesel fuel can lead to operational problems and eventual damage to the engine resulting in repairs. Many countries that receive their fuel from the USA, or have adopted USA or European fuel standards have ULSD. However, it is best to verify with your local fuel distributor.

Once you have identified the right engine make for your truck, determine the horse power (hp) requirements and the maximum mileage (or Kilometers) of existing use you would like to see on the engine and chassis.  The lower the mileage, the higher the price. So determining your comfort zone on engine use and useful life is important. Some buyers are ok with an engine having 1.5 million miles. Others can have no more than 250,000 miles. To some extent your budget will determine the mileage, tractors YEAR of manufacture, and other physical conditions. A well maintained engine, which has been overhauled once already, with 1.5 million miles is perfectly suitable for use in a low impact operation. USA road conditions and equipment maintenance deliver very high useful life from the equipment.

The availability of parts and part prices should be considered when selecting the right power unit for your operation. For example: CAT, MERCEDES BENZ, & VOLVO are considered to be high priced parts for Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).  Yet CUMMINS, DETROIT, and MACK are considered reasonably priced. Some engine brands also lend themselves to high quality aftermarket parts which are lower in cost than OEM parts. In some countries the popularity of an engine brand can mean the difference between easily locating parts and not. So if DETROIT engines are popular in your country and parts are easily available then that should be taken into consideration. Yellow Deck can provide OEM and aftermarket parts for all these major engine brands.

Transmission & Differential.

Operational demands on you transmission and differential. One should consider the road conditions & topography, type of trailer being towed, and the cargo weight being transported when selecting your transmission and differential ratio.  Driving on USA highways is not the same as driving on certain highways overseas. You may also have topography considerations such as mountains and elevation, hills, switch backs, etc. The type of trailer being towed and cargo weight are also major factors. A tractor for transporting 25tons inside a dry van on a flat highway will not need the same power (reduction) as a lowboy with 50ton going over a mountain pass. These are extreme examples to make the point that these issues should be taken into consideration. In the USA some highway tractors have a 2.64 ratio rear with a direct drive 10spd transmission. (No overdrive). To some this sounds like it may not have enough power, but since it has no overdrive it actually pulls like a 3.25rear with overdrive.  A direct drive transmission also tends to be more durable according to the pros.

Common Transmission options in the USA:

• Manual with overdrive 10spd, 13spd, & 18 spd
• Direct Drive 10spd (NO OVERDRIVE)
• Autoshift (automatic transmissions)