Equipment Roundup: Ford unveils 2018 Super Duty; Deere’s new 204L, 304L loaders; Nikola 550-hp electric UTV; Thompson Pump RECON2000T; Cat S41 rugged phone review

Updated Jun 30, 2020

Deere’s new 204L, 304L loaders equipped to tackle rough terrain

John Deere has launched updated models of its 204 and 304 compact wheel loaders saying the new machines are designed to increase productivity “in small spaces and over rough terrain.”

The new 204L and 304L compact wheel loaders replace Deere’s 204K and 304K models and are aimed at contractors, landscapers and rental center operators, Deere says.


Thompson Pump RECON2000T allows remote pump control, monitoring from a smartphone

GM is recalling certain 2011-2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 and GMC Sierra 3500 trucks equipped with dual fuel tanks. The low fuel level sensor for the front tank may stick causing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear tank fuel pump or update the fuel-level sensor software, as well as inspect the front tank, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. GM reports that 35,292 trucks could be affected by the recall.


Ford unveils 2018 Super Duty with improved 6.7L Power Stroke, dually F-450

For the 2018 model year, Ford’s 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel engine will get a class-leading power boost.

Todd Eckert, Ford truck group marketing manager, says redesigned cylinder heads that offer added strength under higher loads and optimized fuel and turbo boost calibrations that take advantage of the increased cylinder head capacity add 10 horsepower and 10 more lb.-ft. of torque.

The 6.7-liter Power Stroke for the coming model year will feature 450 horsepower and 935 lb.-ft. of torque, each best-in-class. For those keeping score, that’s 5 more hp and 25 more lb.-ft. of torque than GM’s 6.6L Duramax.


REVIEW: Cat S41 improves on a great rugged phone form factor

In the nearly five years since Caterpillar entered the smartphone market with its first Android rugged phone, the B15, the company’s phones have entered a state of refinement. No device to date better illustrates that than the new Cat S41.

Cat announced this phone back in September and sent the device along to me for review a few weeks back. It manages to be at once the company’s most unexciting and all-around best phone to date. Here’s why.

To read more, click here.


The Nikola Zero is a 550-hp electric UTV informing development of the company’s semi truck

Nikola Motor Company (NMC) has positioned itself to rival electric auto-maker Tesla for the crown of trucking’s King of Alternative Power, but much like Elon Musk and his various side businesses, Nikola founder Trevor Milton has also diversified his team’s talents.

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Next year, NMC will debut its Nikola Zero utility vehicle (UTV), targeting military applications with its four-seat dessert runner. Milton says secondary uses cover a range of work and recreation, including the mining segment which has increasingly turned to UTVs for their compact size and ability to handle aggressive terrain. However, UTV emissions can be deadly deep in a mine shaft.

To read more, click here.