Landscape & Irrigation

September 2016

Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.

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34 September 2016 Landscape and Irrigation www.landscapeirrigation.com is measured by the amount the truck's body tips side-to-side, independently of the wheels, during cornering. Ram 2500 and 3500 offer gooseneck (center-positioned ball in the bed) or fi fth wheel (similar in appearance to a tractor-trailer connection) capability. Ram is unmatched in terms of offering the most complete "hitch 'n go" Towing Prep Package found anywhere in the heavy-duty category. Additionally, Ram features an in-box connection junction and a standard Class 5 receiver hitch with a four- and seven-pin connector on the bumper. Ram offers two different dual alternator systems on its heavy- duty pickups, providing additional power for higher electrical loads from commercial vehicle upfi ts and accessories. Ram Heavy Duty models equipped with the Cummins 6.7-liter diesel engine offer dual 220-amp alternators (best-in-class 440 amps). Both the Ram 2500 and 3500 equipped with the new 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 gas engine also offer a dual-alternator system — the fi rst gas- driven application of its kind in either class — which combines 220- and 160-amp units for 380 amps of total best-in-class output. Although the Ram Power Wagon benefi ts from a fi ve-link rear suspension, it also utilizes a unique front suspension system to maintain its leadership in off-road capability. The modifi ed front three-link system incorporates high-movement links, allowing for additional fl exibility and axle articulation. The Power Wagon is powered by the 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine contributing to Ram Power Wagon's title: the most capable production off-road truck in the industry. The Ram Heavy Duty also features another innovation, the industry-exclusive Ram Active Air intake system. When the intake system senses extreme heat, it draws cooler air from the front of the vehicle — a function that also engages at high altitudes for superior throttle response in low oxygen environments. When conditions are wet from snow, ice or water fording, the system pulls air from an under-hood inlet, clear from snow packing and water. The Ram 3500 boasts a best-in-class GCWR. A contributor is the 11.8-inch rear axle matched with the high-output diesel engine boasting a 300mm hypoid gear set, a four-pinion helical differential and a cooling-fi n-equipped aluminum differential cover for optimal thermal management. Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty trucks offer innovative features, including a fi ve-link coil suspension with optional air suspension on Ram 2500 and a supplemental air bag suspension option on Ram 3500. Heavy-duty trucks generally have suspensions equipped for constant, heavy payloads. This can result in a harsher ride when unloaded. The Ram 2500 offers a choice between two segment-exclusive rear suspensions for best-in-class ride and handling: a fi ve-link coil system or air suspension system. The fi ve-link coil design provides better articulation over obstacles than a leaf spring system, and the robust coil springs are more than up to the task of handling the loads required of the Heavy Duty Ram 2500 — up to a segment-best 17,980 pounds for towing. The Ram 2500 also offers a rear air suspension system. An air bag replaces the coil spring, much like on the Ram 1500. Load capacity is not sacrifi ced and the Ram 2500's best-in-class ride and handling gets even better, crushing the competition with two doses of engineering innovation — fi ve-link coil standard and air suspension option. Another benefi t to the air suspension design is the load-leveling capability, which automatically detects load on the rear suspension from a trailer or payload. The air pressure increases until the vehicle reaches normal ride height, leveling the truck and improving stability and loaded ride. The Ram 3500 continues to utilize the rear Hotchkiss leaf spring system, but now offers a supplemental air suspension system on single rear-wheel (SRW) and dual rear-wheel (DRW) applications. By adding supplemental air bags to the rear suspension, Ram Truck engineers were able to soften the leaf springs, allowing for more unladed suspension movement. When a high-load capacity condition exists, the air suspension automatically fi lls the rear air bags to level the truck to improve stability and ride quality — even when pulling a best-in-class 31,210-pound load. In the front, the Ram Heavy Duty line features an advanced three-link front suspension to ensure roll stiffness. Greater roll stiffness, also known as body roll, is an important characteristic in taller vehicles, especially trucks with heavy payloads. Roll stiffness 2016 RAM HEAVY DUTY

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