forward vs setback

[blackhoodie]

I am currently looking at mounting a crane on the back of a 4900 western star. but I am not sure to go with a forward or setback axel. trying to find out the pro's and cons between the two. also i was looking at a cat c13 but am told that there is a mercedes benz 4000 (mbe4000) available for a better price...does anyone have any imput into mercedes?

[bigjoe]

The set back front axle will give you better turning radius.

Concerning Mercedes engines....at this point you would be a captive customer to a handful of Mercedes certified shops....mostly Freightliner dealerships, and even then there would be just a few select technicians trained & certified to work on them. This was the case with electronic engines until they gained popularity and became standard.

I personally would stay with CAT just for the name rcognition & ease of locating service. If you break down in a location with no Mercedes service for a few hundred miles you are in a world of hurt.

[blackhoodie]

thanks big joe. safe truckin'

[quinny]

Depending on the size/weight of the crane you are mounting, you may have to look at an 18,000 or 20,000 lb front axle a guy i work with has a knuckle boom mounted behind his bunk and his empty weught is just over 34,000 lbs, bobtail. I believe his front axle weight is almost 18,000. This is in a freightliner with a 48" integtal sleeper with a set back axle and a C13. I agree that you should stick with the Cat, or a Cummins, for the reasons bigjoe gave.