by Brad Bentley

Mike Ryan is a consummate pro when it comes to driving big rigs fast.

But his skills behind the wheel of his 1,950-horsepower daycab  Freightliner Cascadia required him to dig a little deeper as he put it into a powerslide going up the infamous “Ws” on Pikes Peaks narrow two-lane road to the summit.

Ryan never lifted and kept his Detroit-Diesel-powered race truck between the 1,000-foot cliffs and the rock walls during the  88th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb June 27.

Known as The Race To The Clouds, it started off as anything but, with clear skies and sunshine and perfect conditions for record-setting action in these race classes: Unlimited, Super-Stock Car, Open Wheel, Pike Peak Open, Showroom Stock, Motorcycles (five classes), Side Cars, Quads, Time Attack and Big Rig.

Several drivers came through with breakthrough performances and record times, but there were numerous delays with drivers going off course, which allowed the always unpredictable weather to become a factor later in the day.

By the time Mike Ryan’s Detroit Diesel-powered Freightliner Cascadia completed the course in the Big Rig class to cap the racing action, there were snow flurries at the summit of Pike’s Peak and rain on the rest of the mountain.

Ryan is always a fan favorite and everyone was excited to see how he would fare this year. The weather was a slight factor, but suspension understeer issues, which slowed Ryan in the switchbacks section of the course, took away what otherwise might have been a record run. However, Mike still made an impressive climb up the course, and the fans were certainly not disappointed.

The Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb is essentially a race against the clock, so everywhere you turn people are focused on numbers. With that in mind, here is a “by the numbers” look at the Race To The Clouds:

1916 – the year Spencer Penrose, a Colorado Springs businessman finished construction on the world’s highest highway, a toll road to Pike’s Peak. Soon, Penrose decided to hold a race to the top, with a colossal silver trophy as a prize, and the Race To The Clouds was born. It has been held every year since, making it the second oldest road race in America. Only the Indianapolis 500 precedes it.

14,110 – the elevation of the top of Pike’s Peak. This is almost a mile higher that at the Start Line. Many racers, including Ryan, carry bottled oxygen to help them deal with the high altitude.

61,626 – the length (in feet) of plus grade on the race course, which is a mixture of pavement and dirt/gravel surface.

16 – the number of times Mike Ryan has raced in the Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb. He competed on a motorcycle for two years, and in a big rig for 14.

12 – the number of Unser family members who have competed in the hill climb over the years. Many of racing’s most famous families, from Dallenbach, Millens, Donner and Mears, have had multiple competitors.

13:03 – Mike Ryan’s time this year. This was only 20 seconds off his still standing big rig record of 12:43, set in 2006.

1,950 – the amount of horsepower Ryan can generate from his engine, which was completed  “in-house” in two months time. As built from Detroit Diesel, it dyno’ed at 1,600 hp. The compounding turbo set up from Borg Warner and BD Turbo along with the Snow Performance water-methanol injection added about 350 hp, according to the suppliers.

9,700 – the weight (in pounds) of Ryan’s customized Freightliner Cascadia, which is 1,200 lbs heavier than his previous truck, a 2005 Freightliner Century Class ST. The extra weight and the fact that Ryan did not have a factory powered race team engine like his previous truck make this year’s performance even more impressive.

156 – the number of turns Ryan had to navigate on the 12.42-mile course as it winds its way up Pikes Peak

10:01.408 – the record time set in 2007 by Monster Tajima in a Suzuki XL7 Hill Climb Special. Tajima competes in the Unlimited class, where anything goes as long as it passes safety inspection. Both Tajima and drifting star Rhys Millen were thought to have legitimate shots of completing the course sub-10 this year, but both fell short. Tajima was the closest at 10:11.

Truckin’ For Kids

Pride & Polish rolls into SoCal for a good cause

The Truckin’ for Kids Truck Drags and Show & Shine is an exciting event held annually in Southern California. This annual fund raiser attracts a diverse crowd of people who are interested in everything from big rigs and drag racing to supporting children’s charities or just plain old having a good time. This year the event also hosts the final of five Custom Rigs Pride & Polish national events.

The goal of the Truckin’ for Kids all volunteer crew and the truckers who participate in the Truck Drags is to raise money to provide various children’s charities with funds to help kids in need.

Irwindale, CA - Toyota Speedway
Saturday, October 23 – Sunday, October 24, 2010
Trucks to be onsite by Friday, October 22

The 2010 Truckin’ For Kids Show Entry and Space Reservation forms will be available soon on the Pride & Polish web site.

NAVISTAR RECEIVES ORDER FROM BOYD BROS. TRANSPORTATION FOR 325 EPA 2010 INTERNATIONAL PROSTAR+ TRUCKS

Recognized as “Best Fleet to Drive For,” Boyd Bros. Selects the Ultimate Drivers Truck for its Fleet—the 2010 International ProStar^®+

WARRENVILLE, ILL. (May 20, 2010) – Navistar, Inc. announced today that it has received an order from Boyd Bros. Transportation, Inc. for 325 International^® ProStar^® + tractors equipped with EPA 2010 Advanced EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) MaxxForce^® 13 engines.

Headquartered in Clayton, Ala., Boyd Bros. is a leading flatbed carrier with more than 1,000 trucks in its fleet, specializing in the time-sensitive transportation of steel products and building materials. Boyd Bros. is well regarded for the treatment of its drivers and was recently named the “2010 Best Fleet to Drive For” by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) and CarriersEdge.

“We’re proud to win new business from Boyd Bros. and we look forward to delivering the ProStar+ to their fleet,” said Jim Hebe, senior vice president, North American sales operations, Navistar. “Boyd Bros. prides itself on driver satisfaction and the ProStar+ delivers a winning combination of driver-inspired comfort features and outstanding fuel economy.”

Boyd Bros. currently operates more than 60 International ProStar trucks with EPA 2007 MaxxForce 13 engines and has logged nearly 8 million miles on these trucks.

“We’ve had great results with the existing ProStar tractors in our fleet and look forward to even more success with the ProStar+,” said Chris Cooper, chief operating officer, Boyd Bros. “From the significant fuel economy advantages we’ve realized, to the appreciation our drivers have for the quiet, comfortable ride, we’re excited to reward our drivers with the ProStar+.”

Further demonstrating its commitment to its drivers, all of the ProStar+ trucks delivered to Boyd Bros. will be equipped with Navistar’s factory-installed MaxxPower^® battery-powered HVAC system (heating, ventilation and air conditioning).

The MaxxPower HVAC system is an industry-leading highly efficient anti-idle solution that provides heating and cooling in the sleeper compartment in accordance with Truck Maintenance Council (TMC) requirements.

“Boyd Bros. has always listened to our drivers and we strive to make improvements that will have a positive impact on their lives,” added Cooper. “As we take delivery of the new ProStar+ over the next several years, we’ll be providing our drivers with the most fuel-efficient and driver-friendly trucks on the road today.”

“With the ProStar+, we challenged ourselves to make the best even better,” added Hebe. “With aerodynamic and weight-saving enhancements, the re-engineered and highly functional interior and the no-hassle emissions technology of our MaxxForce Advanced EGR engines, the new ProStar+ provides an unparalleled level of driver satisfaction, while delivering the lowest cost of ownership in the industry.”

Lincoln Electric Launches Money Matters™ Promotion

Company offers manufacturer’s rebate of up to $200 on its most popular welders

The Lincoln Electric Company has launched its Money Matters™ customer rebate promotion.

For a limited time, customers can apply for a manufacturer’s rebate of up to $200 on the purchase of one of four of the company’s most popular welding machines.

After purchasing a qualified welder from a Money Matters participating distributor, customers can submit their proof of purchase online at www.lincolnelectric.com/moneymatters and will receive a check in the mail.

Lincoln Electric’s Money Matters rebate program applies to the welders listed below:

·         POWER MIG® 140C – $589 retail price after $75 mfg. rebate (K2471-1)

·         POWER MIG 180C – $689 retail price after $75 mfg. rebate (K2473-1)

·         POWER MIG 216 – $1,459 retail price after $125 mfg. rebate (K2816-1)

·         Ranger® 225 – $2,999 retail price after $200 mfg. rebate (K2857-1)

Visit www.lincolnelectric.com to learn more about the program, review the program rules or to locate a participating distributor near you.

Local Community Having Parade to Celebrate Truckers as Comes to Historic Lexington, Va.

The 28th Shell Rotella SuperRigs® will be held in the scenic and historic Shenandoah Valley of Virginia from June 10-12 at the LEE HI Travel Plaza in Lexington, Va.

Shell Rotella SuperRigs®, the premier truck beauty contest, will feature a number of fun and entertaining events for drivers, their families, and the entire community.

Some exciting events taking place include; Trucker’s Movie Night; featuring Smokey and the Bandit at one of the last Drive-in Movie theaters left in America on Thursday, June 10.

As a show of support and interest in Shell Rotella SuperRigs®, the local community is organizing a parade on Friday night which will showcase some of the contestant entrants, a special collection of antique trucks, as well as local community and civic organizations.  The parade will proceed through downtown Lexington and end at LEE HI Travel Plaza where a spectacular fireworks show will kick off the Big Rig light contest.

A carnival will be held daily during SuperRigs at the LEE HI Travel Plaza.  The schedule is as follows: Thursday, June 10, 7 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.; Friday, June 11, 7 p.m. – 11:30pm; Saturday, June 12 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.  There will be a different band playing each night and the Big Rig Lights Contest is scheduled for Friday night.  Additional details will be announced as they become available.

The Shell Rotella SuperRigs® competition is the premier truck beauty contest for actively working trucks. Owner/operator truckers from across the United States and Canada will compete for cash and prizes valued at $25,000.  Additionally, 12 lucky drivers will be selected to have their trucks featured in the 2011 Shell Rotella SuperRigs® calendar.  Every entrant in the contest will be awarded with a gift package valued at more than $50 while supplies last.

Trucks are judged by industry professionals who work for major trucking publications and broadcast companies.  Judges score the rigs on exterior appearance, design, detail/finish, originality, and workmanship.  In total, 25 working trucks receive awards for categories such as Best of Show, Tractor, Tractor/Trailer Combination and Classic categories.

Lexington and the Rockbridge Area

Lexington, founded in 1777, is home to Washington & Lee University and Virginia Military Institute.  There you will also find the Lee Chapel, Stonewall Jackson House, George C. Marshall Museum and a downtown filled with wonderful specialty shops and fine restaurants.  Located only minutes away are the Natural Bridge of Virginia, the Virginia Safari Park and two breathtaking scenic drives – Goshen Pass and the Blue Ridge Parkway.  For more information on the area you can visit – www.lexingtonvirginia.com.

Local Community Having Parade to Celebrate Truckers as 

Shell Rotella SuperRigs® Comes to Historic Lexington, Va.

The 28th Shell Rotella SuperRigs® will be held in the scenic and historic Shenandoah Valley of Virginia from June 10-12 at the LEE HI Travel Plaza in Lexington, Va. Shell Rotella SuperRigs®, the premier truck beauty contest, will feature a number of fun and entertaining events for drivers, their families, and the entire community.

Some exciting events taking place include; Trucker’s Movie Night; featuring Smokey and the Bandit at one of the last Drive-in Movie theaters left in America on Thursday, June 10.  As a show of support and interest in Shell Rotella SuperRigs®, the local community is organizing a parade on Friday night which will showcase some of the contestant entrants, a special collection of antique trucks, as well as local community and civic organizations.  The parade will proceed through downtown Lexington and end at LEE HI Travel Plaza where a spectacular fireworks show will kick off the Big Rig light contest.

A carnival will be held daily during SuperRigs at the LEE HI Travel Plaza.  The schedule is as follows: Thursday, June 10, 7 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.; Friday, June 11, 7 p.m. - 11:30pm; Saturday, June 12 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.  There will be a different band playing each night and the Big Rig Lights Contest is scheduled for Friday night.  Additional details will be announced as they become available.

The Shell Rotella SuperRigs® competition is the premier truck beauty contest for actively working trucks. Owner/operator truckers from across the United States and Canada will compete for cash and prizes valued at $25,000.  Additionally, 12 lucky drivers will be selected to have their trucks featured in the 2011 Shell Rotella SuperRigs® calendar.  Every entrant in the contest will be awarded with a gift package valued at more than $50 while supplies last. 

Trucks are judged by industry professionals who work for major trucking publications and broadcast companies.  Judges score the rigs on exterior appearance, design, detail/finish, originality, and workmanship.  In total, 25 working trucks receive awards for categories such as Best of Show, Tractor, Tractor/Trailer Combination and Classic categories.

Lexington and the Rockbridge Area

Lexington, founded in 1777, is home to Washington & Lee University and Virginia Military Institute.  There you will also find the Lee Chapel, Stonewall Jackson House, George C. Marshall Museum and a downtown filled with wonderful specialty shops and fine restaurants.  Located only minutes away are the Natural Bridge of Virginia, the Virginia Safari Park and two breathtaking scenic drives - Goshen Pass and the Blue Ridge Parkway.  For more information on the area you can visit - www.lexingtonvirginia.com.  

Where: Lebanon Valley Expo Center – Two miles south of Lebanon, PA. Turn east on Rocherty Road from Route 72.
When: Saturday, June 26, 2010

Meal Tickets & Information: 717-665-6347

Schedule of events:

• 10:30 a.m. Trucks meet at Fairgrounds
• 11:00 a.m. Parade of Trucks
  Vendors, Food, Benefit Auctions, Rodeos, Truck Judging, Children’s Activities, Light Show
• 5:30 p.m. Chicken or Pork BBQ
• 6:30 p.m. Awards and Concert
  Gospel Concert: Mark Trammell Trio Southside, AL  & The Swartz Family, Sturgis, MI

The Second Annual Cotton Patch Large Car Gathering and Diesel Drags will be May 1 at the San Angelo Dragway in San Angelo, TX.

Festivities will include a display of working show trucks, antique trucks, and diesel drag races.[kaltura-widget wid="gojc1mvk2g" width="260" height="260" addpermission="" editpermission="" align="right" /]

Proceeds from the “Charities Choice Award” will benefit the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund.

It is not necessary to pre-register for the gathering. Truckers wanting to participate can pay $20 at the gate the day of the show. If they would like to race, it is an additional $17. To be a part of the event, trucks need to be at the track by 10 a.m. on Saturday. General admission tickets are $6 for adults and $2 for children age 12 and under.

The San Angelo Dragway is located on U.S. Highway 87 South at 10492 Hawk Ave. Truckers arriving on Friday will be permitted to park at the race track overnight. Roach says the track can easily accommodate 50 to 100 trucks. Participants arriving Friday night are invited to a reception dinner.

For more information about the Cotton Patch Large Car Gathering and Diesel Drags, click here or call Tommy at 325-473-8880 or John at 432-559-4567.

New 300hp diesel V-8 aimed at the medium-duty commercial truck market

ST. LOUIS, MO. (March 10, 2010) – The 2010 MaxxForce^® 7 V-8 turbodiesel charged into the spotlight this week as Navistar (NYSE: NAV) unveiled the new engine at the National Truck Equipment Association’s (NTEA) Work Truck Show in St. Louis, Mo. The powerful 6.4-liter MaxxForce 7 includes a new rugged 300-horsepower model that offers medium truck owners outstanding fuel economy and low overall cost of ownership.

It combines a 28,000-psi (1,900 bar) high-pressure common-rail fuel system, dual sequential turbocharger system and a high strength compacted graphite iron (CGI) block to power all standard-cab models of International^® DuraStar^® Class 6/7 commercial trucks and the new International^® TerraStar^™ Class 4/5 commercial trucks.

Four available ratings range from 220-300 horsepower and 560-660 lb.-ft. torque. The MaxxForce 7-powered TerraStar will be matched with an Allison 1000 transmission for optimum power output.

“This V-8 marks one of the most significant product upgrades in our history as we met the market’s challenge for big power from an efficient, reliable and durable platform,” said Jim Hebe, Navistar senior vice president, North American sales operations.

“Customers whose business involves pickup and delivery, towing and recovery, landscape or emergency vehicles such as ambulances, will find the MaxxForce 7 to be the perfect fit for their operations with true commercial vehicle power, durability and capability.”

For higher performance and increased durability, an improved air-management strategy includes dual sequential turbochargers and a dual-path exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooling system. The smaller, primary turbo responds quickly for immediate take-off at low engine speeds and the larger, secondary turbo provides peak power at higher speeds and on steep grades.The free-wheel turbo design protects against vibrations for improved durability.

Dual-path EGR cooling provides cooler EGR in a robust, solidly mounted cast-aluminum housing that suspends critical components to resist vibration and increase reliability. A floating-core EGR cooler design allows for thermal expansion, which significantly extends system performance and life.

The high-pressure common-rail fuel system enables precise fuel dosing, injection timing and optimal combustion. This results in better fuel efficiency, in-cylinder reduction of emissions, and one of the quietest running diesel engines in the industry.

The MaxxForce 7 is also compatible with quality B5 to B20 biodiesel blends that meet the industry specification.

The MaxxForce 7’s CGI block brings increased durability and lower noise without added weight, compared to typical gray iron. Because CGI has at least 75 percent higher tensile strength, 45 percent higher stiffness and near double the fatigue strength of gray iron, castings don’t have to be as thick and heavy in order to achieve the desired structural integrity and durability. At just 1,225 pounds, the 2010 MaxxForce 7 V-8 adds payload and axle capability.

The MaxxForce 7 also offers outstanding unaided cold-starting capability to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit, with a highly reliable intake-air grid heater so it’s ready to go at every turn of the key. Hydraulic roller-cam followers provide a service-free valve train, as valve lash adjustment is not required.

Another key feature of the MaxxForce 7is its chassis-mounted electronic control unit with standard built-in electronic engine protection features which automatically guard against adverse operating conditions.

International^® brand on-highway commercial vehicles powered by 2010 MaxxForce engines will use MaxxForce Advanced EGR emissions technology.

Navistar has pursued its in-cylinder emissions solution path for most of the past decade, with a goal of providing the most customer-friendly powertrain in terms of fuel economy, performance and overall ownership costs. MaxxForce-powered vehicles require only diesel and operate just as commercial vehicles of the recent past.

Most importantly, MaxxForce Advanced EGR provides customers with a no-hassle solution that keeps responsibility for emissions compliance with the manufacturer, not the vehicle owner or driver.

MaxxForce-powered International brand vehicles are backed by the largest commercial-truck dealer network in North America with nearly 800 dealer locations and 7,000 service technicians.

* New model rating for 2010

Every custom fab shop needs a plasma cutter for speed, accuracy and creative curves. Our guide will help you find the right one at the right price…

By Larry D. Walton

When 4 State Truck’s Brian “Shaggy” Schwartz sets about to slip a set of headlights into the front bumper of a customer’s 379 Peterbilt, he side-steps the five-foot-tall roll-a-way with its assortment of grinders and metal cutting tools and reaches for the one tool he knows will quickly and cleanly cut out the openings he’s marked in the in the stainless steel: a plasma cutter.

Schwartz  isn’t the first, nor will he be the last, custom rig builder to use electrons instead of muscle to cut shop time and improve productivity. Plasma cutters are the in tool, while hacksaws and cut-off saws are going the way of the Diamond T.

“Plasma cutting,” according to Lincoln Electric, “is ideal for cutting steel, and non-ferrous material less than 1 inch thick.”

Elizabeth Truck Center fabricator uses plasma cutter to customize headlight housing on a custom rig.

You can use plasma on bumpers, on taillight bars, frames, cab structures, exhaust systems and mirror brackets – just about anywhere where a hole saw, hacksaw, or cut-off saw is too slow or too awkward.  Fast and clean, a plasma cutter could move to the top of your metal cutting tool wish list.

Plasma cutting conducts electricity from the torch to the work piece through a jet of ionized gas, usually compressed air. While the plasma heats the work piece, the high velocity of the gas blows away the molten metal creating the kerf or gap between the two sides.

Plasma cutters melt metals much like a welder does, but the process removes a thin strip of the molten material rather than crudely melting a big puddle of metal and blowing it apart as does the traditional cutting torch.

But the plasma cutter is much faster and simpler to use than the old-fashioned “hot-wrench.”

According to Miller, “Piercing, or creating a hole, can be performed by placing the torch at a 40-degree angle to the workpiece. Press the trigger.”

Fast and accurate, plasma cutters can more than pay for themselves in repairs to your work fleet.

“When the cutting arc is initiated, bring the torch tip to a 90-degree angle and the arc will pierce the base metal. A good rule to follow is that you can pierce up to 1/2 of the maximum cutting thickness provided by the machine.”

There are a lot of plasma cutters on the market, so be a discerning buyer.

As with all of your treasured shop tools, look for capacity, performance, ease-of-use, reliability, portability, and value when looking for a plasma cutter.

When it comes to working on custom rigs, another  item to look for is versatility. Quite often the cuts are on angles or require making clean, smooth holes — and some of the new plasma cutter technology is designed for exactly those purposes.

Many of the specifications to look for in a plasma cutter are much like welders: speed, duty cycle, power supply, weight and cost. Also compare different models for the types and thickness of material the machine can cut.

MEET THE PLAYERS

ESAB

ESAB’s  PowerCut lineup features an external housing      design that is damage, corrosion and weather-resistant, while remaining lightweight for portability.

Also contributing to machine longevity are electronics, which are suspended from the aluminum frame to insulate them from shock and vibration. Sealed switches – silicone-sealed switches are immune to corrosion, as well as dust and dirt infiltration

ESAB PowerCut

PowerCut torch disconnects are tool-less and readouts showing pressure or amperage are of the large and digital variety.

Power input voltage selection can be made with a switch on the back of the machine. These ESAB machine automatically selects one of three modes: normal, grate and gouge. The gouge mode delivers the extra output voltage needed for the plasma gouging process.

The PoweCut 900 is rated to cut 7/8”, the 1300 cuts 1 ¼” and the 1600 cuts 1 ½”. http://www.esabna.com/powercut/models/

Hobart AirForce 250ci

HOBART

Hobart’s AirForce 250ci Plasma Cutter features a built-in air compressor. It weighs only 28 pounds and is powered by 120 volt household current. A unique non-stick drag shield allows drag cutting without a standoff. Controlled pilot arc allows you to cut through grates, chain link fence & other perforated metals. It can cut through painted or coated surfaces without retriggering gun. http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/plasma/

HYPERTHERM

The Powermax 190c by Hypertherm is a compact unit with 1/8″ capacity and a built-in air compressor, which makes it ideal for portable use.  Operating on 115 or 230 volt current, the machine’s output is 12 amps. Weight – 46 lbs. Comes with 20’ lead and spare consumables. http://www.hypertherm.com/en/Products_and_Services/Manual_Plasma/powermax190c.jsp

The Daytona Power Plasma 3100

DAYTONA

The Power Plasma 3100 is the newest plasma cutter in the Daytona line-up.  It can be plugged into 115V or 230V without  flipping a switch. It weighs only 30 lbs. and can cut 3/8″ steel . http://store.daytonamig.com/powplas30.html

Daytona’s N250 is available in 110V version, which plugs in most anywhere and cuts up to 3/16″. The 220V version cuts up to 1/4″ comfortably. Each comes with torch, full set of consumables, ground, and power cables. http://store.daytonamig.com/

MILLER

Miller’s Spectrum®625 X-TREME™ weighs only 21lb but has a cut rating of 5/8 inch mild steel at 12 inches per minute and can cut ¼-steel at 60 inches per minute. Automatic Air Regulation automatically adjusts torch air pressure for optimum cutting and gouging performance, which eliminates the need to a pressure gauge or manual regulator knob on the unit.

Miller Spectrum 875

Auto-Refire™ eliminates retriggering when cutting fences, grates and other expanded metal. Line voltage compensation provides rock-steady output even with fluctuations in input power.

The Miller Spectrum® 875 http://www.millerwelds.com/products/plasma/spectrum_875/ cuts up to 7/8″ mild steel .  Miller says their “Ultra-Quick Connect™ torch and work cable offers the fastest plasma torch and work cable connection and removal in the industry.”

The unit automatically adjusts the air pressure to the torch for optimum cutting and gouging. The pilot arc switches in and out as fast as needed when cutting expanded metal and provides maximum power for cutting thicker metal. Auto Postflow calculates the length of postflow time based on the amount of cutting time to optimize consumable life. The cooling system operates only when needed, which reduces the amount of airborne dust/dirt pulled through the unit. http://www.millerwelds.com

Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 82

THERMADYNE

Thermadyne’s Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster series ranges from the 39, which is rate for  ¼” mild steel to the 152, which cuts 1 ¼ “.  The series features microprocessor controlled front panel LED’s, a rugged roll bar for added durability, one set of consumable parts for the entire range of machines, lead extensions of up to 100’ and the flexibility to move quickly from hand to mechanized cutting with the change of a torch. http://www.thermadyne.com/thermaldynamics/

Thermal Dynamics AirCut 15c

Thermadyne says their Thermal Dynamics AirCut 15c is “ready to cut right out of the box,” because of its built-in air compressor.  This light weight, light duty (3/16 inch max.) machine can plug right into a single-phase 120 volt outlet, which means you can use it almost anywhere you can find power. Rated to cut 1/8 inch at 25 inches per minute, this machine is fast for its size. http://www.thermadyne.com/thermaldynamics/

Looking for good deals? Below are some of the e-tailers we found who sell  ESAB, Thermadyne, Daytona, Miller and Spectrum. So check them out as you do your e-shopping price comparisons. –CR