Diesel News From Around the World Archives

The Effects of Globalization on Food Supply Chains

If every country’s culture could be represented by a phone, globalization would be the phone line that connects those cultures. In National Geographic’s words, globalization can be defined as “the increasing connectedness and interdependence of world cultures and economies.” Since this connection manifests into a global economy, a variety of markets have been affected, bringing…

Contour Farming and Sponge Cities: Working With the Land Instead of Against It

The need for more effective conservation efforts is becoming more urgent worldwide as shifts in the climate prompt a wide variety of changes in ecosystems around the world. Water sources are of particular concern, as they are one of our most vital natural resources. These resources are becoming more and more at risk of depletion…

How Smart Technology Will Impact the Future of Our Food Supply

The human population is growing at an incredible rate. The United Nations projects there will be nearly 10 billion people by 2050, which is an increase of about 2 billion from where the headcount stood in 2022. With so many mouths to feed, the future of our food supply is a top priority, whether you’re…

By Featured Writer Mike McGlothlin For the most part, diesel long-blocks are pretty solid, with rigid components like forged-steel crankshafts and connecting rods, mammoth-sized wrist pins, rod bearings, and main bearings, gear-driven accessories, and densely-cast gray-iron blocks proving nearly unbreakable. Sure there are freak instances of dropped valves, bent rods, and cracked blocks, but…

High School Cummins Swap: The Story Of A Student-Built, 6BT-Powered F-350

By Featured Writer Mike McGlothlin Despite the decline in skilled trades courses offered at American high schools, hundreds (if not thousands) of programs have survived the college-or-nothing craze that has swept through the country’s education system. Huntley Project High School in Worden, Montana is one such institution. Here, in a town of just 480…

What Does Engine Coolant Do? Some people know, and some people think they know what coolant is and the role it plays. In short, coolant transfers heat while providing antifreeze protection to an engine to keep your car on the road. Internal combustion engines create heat from well, combusting fuel. This creates the energy that…

1) Cummins 6BT 5.9 The Cummins 6BT 5.9 is a straight-up, solid, reliable engine. With 25 years’ service in commercial marine applications, it is a popular choice for many, for a variety of reasons. The 6BT can be set up with Keel cooling, Heat Exchanged cooling, dry exhaust, wet exhaust, and an array of PTO…

Everyone has heard of Caterpillar (CAT) engines, whether you’re an engine enthusiast or just an average joe. If you haven’t heard of them, you’ll likely recognize their logo at the very least. Cat or Caterpillar Inc. is a renowned engine manufacturer that has been around since 1925. Cat and their founding fathers have a remarkable…

Farmers will have to increase their agricultural output by 70 percent before 2050 to feed our ever-growing population. That’s a lot of pressure, leaving no room for error, or worse, equipment failure. When the time comes to plow, cultivate or sow, sometimes the window to do so is shorter than one would like, especially as…

6BT vs. ISB: Comparing the P-pumped 12-Valve Cummins To Its 24-Valve Successor

By Featured Writer: Mike McGlothlin The promise of medium-duty capability in a light-duty application has always made the 12-valve 6BT 5.9L Cummins an easy sell for Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 owners. The cast-iron inline-six is about as robust as an anvil, features a simple 2-valve per cylinder design, and—thanks to having the kind of…

How (and Why) the 4BT Cummins Is So Popular

By Featured Writer: Mike McGlothlin If it fits, it ships—but if it outperforms, outruns, and outlasts everything else at the same time then it’s probably worth having. We’re referring to the 4BT Cummins, of course. With its packageable dimensions, abundance of low-rpm torque, overland-friendly fuel efficiency, and decades-long durability it’s become a household name in…

Are Gas or Diesel Engines Better for Off-Roading?

Gas or Diesel Engines for Off Roading? First, We all know the Cummins 4BT is considered King of Hill when it comes to off-roading diesel engines. The low end torque output mixed with the reliability of a Cummins Industrial Engine can't be beat. That being said we are opened minded here at Big Bear... we…

Skid Steer History and Future Market Share

Skid Steer History Back in 1957, brothers, Cyril and Louis Keller were approached by a local turkey farmer who had a problem. Could they think of a way of a way to get all of the turkey crap out of his barns in a more efficient way than the cumbersome front loader machine that they…

There are crate engines and then there are crate engines that rock. Weighing in at a little over 500LBS the Cummins® R2.8 is the lightest and smallest out of the ISF family. Its four-cylinder burner will get you 161 HP at 3,600 RPM and the best part of 270 LBS-FT of torque at 1,500 –…

Well Hot Dog! News broke recently that a new flagship pickup concept known as the Jeep Wrangler "Scrambler" will finally be introduced to the North American Market. The guys over at Chrysler are pulling some concepts straight from Jeep's 1950s Military M37 Days. It’s been over 4 years of rumors but more and more info…