Cummins diesel engines have been building a reputation for quite some time now. In fact, they first hit the market more than a century ago. In the beginning, they were mainly used for agricultural applications in equipment like pumps and other stationary machines. It didn’t take them long to expand into tractors, though. From there, the company ventured into marine engines and generators.
Of course, Cummins engines soon made their way onto the road with some of the first standard vehicles equipped with them being food delivery trucks back in the early 1930s. By the 1940s, they began appearing in military transport trucks. Today, they’re everywhere from tractor-trailers to construction equipment and beyond. Though the company has built several iterations of the diesel engines that helped foster its long-running reputation, custom 3rd gen cummins are among the most popular for heavy-duty vehicles.
What Makes Third-Generation Cummins Engines Stand Out?
Cummins engines have an array of stand-out features, and they’re among the reasons they’ve become so highly sought after at this point. Though many models have plenty of strong suits to brag about, the third-generation models are some of the best. They’re used in several types of vehicles from heavy-duty Dodge pickups to Peterbilts, Macks, Freightliners, and Kenworths. Why are they so popular? Take a look at some of the most exceptional reasons.
Durability
For one, these engines were built for durability. They can hold out for anywhere from 500,000 to over a million miles with routine maintenance. They’re made to last even through constant use and abuse. Like many heavy-duty engines, there’s no need to give up on them after they’ve racked up hundreds of thousands of miles. They can simply be overhauled, which is a much more cost-effective alternative than replacing them altogether.
Efficiency
Being diesels alone makes these Cummins engines more fuel efficient, but they’re designed for over-the-top fuel economy. They have fantastic compression ratios, and they operate at lower RPMs. They’re also turbocharged, and their fuel injection systems further ramp up their efficiency. Those features give them more power without burning more fuel than necessary. Their added fuel efficiency, combined with some of their other advantages, make them more affordable to operate over the long-term.
Fewer Emissions
Third-gen Cummins engines produce fewer emissions than some other heavy-duty diesels as well. That comes from a few of their built-in features. One is their highly effective DPF systems that filter out many of the particles that would otherwise pollute the air. Their EGR systems essentially recycle and reuse certain amounts of exhaust gases too. While not all of them require DEF to meet the latest emissions standards, they can work with it to make them even more environmentally friendly.
Customizability
Furthermore, their customizability makes third-generation Cummins diesels extremely popular. They’re a perfect base for numerous upgrades, including modifications to make them more efficient and powerful. Their ECUs are particularly suited to fine-tuning, and although they’re already turbocharged, you can upgrade for even more speed and power. That may affect the fuel efficiency to an extent, though, so it’s important to find a balance.
Taking Full Advantage of the Third-Gen Cummins
Cummins diesels have been popular for decades, and they’re perfect for heavy-duty use. They’re durable, efficient, and eco-friendly. They’re also highly customizable, so they can be modified in numerous ways to make them more suited to specific needs. From construction equipment and dump trucks to 18-wheelers and beyond, they’re powering a long list of vehicles, and they’ll continue to do so for years to come.
