I started with Cummins in Feb., 1970, just out of college in Tech Service. The Nh-220 was still being built, the NH-250 was still the number one seller, but that would change pretty soon as the demand for more HP took hold, soon the NTC-290 was the leader. I got to see the introduction of FFC, Big cams I-IV, N14, L10, ISM11, KT(A)-1150, B-Series, and much more in my 31 years with Cummins and Cummins distributor before I left in 2001. I used to go down to the assembly line and watch them assemble the 855 product, could go watch a bare block casting come in, go to the new block machining line, which was pretty long and U-shaped, bare block in one end, fully machined and ready for assembly line at other end. I would go to the Tech Center where engineering was located as well as many test cells all with dynos for product development . I happened to there the day they started the first K2300, V-12, lots of cheers when it lit off. Got to see a lot of things with Cummins in my years there. I wouldn't recognize the place now, or the product line, I was a mechanical engine guy.
Great video. Cummins engines powered the majority of logging boats in Canada since the early 40’s. Russel Brothers Ltd was the #1 Cummins dealer in Canada and installed them in almost all their tugs that they built. I own a 1945 40’ logging tug with the original HMR-4
Nice video there👍🏽 Even though I am an 18 y.o boy who still studying at the Polytechnic in the Mechanical Engineering Department, I love the older diesel engines, including the first era of the Electronic using at the engine. Because I think, they were the best engines out there, the easy to fix and use, and it is also pretty much clean (no sensor cables, electrical wiring, etc. hanging and enclose almost entire engine) than nowaday diesels. I wonder if someone could build the 743 engines again, which, is one of my favourite, especially its sound, even though I'm live in Indonesia, were there is almost no on-road or off-road Cummins engine except for generators.
Great Video. It brought back a lot of memories. In 1969 my father purchased 4 Kenworth's with NTC-335, up until that time we were running Detroit 8V-71. The increased fuel economy and performance were like night and day. In 1972 we went to buy 6 more Kenworth's and to encourage us to upgrade to NTC-350, they were priced lower than the NTC-335. The NTC-350 became a standard in the industry. Back then Cummins engines were painted beige, something Detroit couldn't do with the oil they leaked.
People talk about the small block Chevy having longevity, being in production from 1954 to the present (in small quantity). But the H, NH, NT, N14 series has that beat. Another long-lived engine that was born in Indiana is the Allison T56 turboprop. In production since 1955. I have worked at each of those companies at one time or another.
Thank you so much . The only history lesson that I actually enjoyed from start to finish . We need to document automotive history more and particularly auto heavy giants like Cummins, Eaton, meritor and their earlier beginnings. Look forward to the future , but never forget the past.
Dog this is fascinating, you guys in Columbus Indiana created a very great business at Cummins, nice to see some of the important history described here.
Is yours the Staffa? Looks like it’s engine in your photo. I’ve got a few of the gators, 26’, 28’ and 38’. Ran the Mink Isle last week to take Robert cox for a tour around Thunder Bay.
If Cummins would have fixed the tapered crank on the 927, and left the 855 platform back then, I truly believe Cummins would have been in a different position even today. I believe that engine would have surpassed the Caterpillar in the 80s.
In order to compete with CAT they needed to copy them, first thing to get rid of individual heads as they don't offer the rigidity necessary for the block, get rid of the PT fuel system,
Shouldn’t be. I’d like to own my own vehicle and do what I want with it. If the government wants to make manufacturers put garbage on vehicles then they should pay for the vehicle or pay for the parts when they go bad.
What is the difference between say NHS and NHRS, so it is just injection pressure from the double disk pump and later the PT pumping system (39:40) that allowed the higher outputs?
