Better Farming - October 2016

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20 Farm News First > Better Farming October 2016
Farmers rely on
their trucks to
fill a wide
variety of roles –
whether it be
transporting crop
inputs and feed,
travelling to family
events and industry
meetings, or even
just offering a quiet
and comfortable
location to grab a
sandwich in the
field.
With ongoing
technological and
engineering devel-
opments, the
features and capa-
bilities of these
trucks are advancing
at a rapid rate.
Pickup truck driv-
ers can connect with
friends, family and
industry representatives while on the
road or catch their favourite country
music or ag programming, thanks to a
range of digital technologies.
Drivers can also carry and tow
heavier loads due to the introduction
of new metal alloys, such as alumi-
num, which has increased the
strength and durability of pickup
trucks while reducing their overall
weight. An added benefit of this
engineering development, when
combined with other design im-
provements, is the decreased fuel
consumption.
Given the centrality of the pickup
truck to most farm operations, Better
Farming spoke with representatives
from Ford, General Motors, Ram
Truck and Toyota to find out about
the designs and new technological
features in their 2017 line of pickup
trucks.
PICKUPFEATURE
A round up of 2017 pickup trucks
These trucks offer a range of options and benefits for Ontario farmers.
by TROY BRIDGEMAN
Ford 2017 Super Duty truck lineup
“Our customers look at technology as
a tool,” said Mike McGarrell, truck
marketing manager for Ford Motor
Company. “They are looking for
technological features that enable
them to maximize their productivity.”
Ford has been at the forefront of
the truck’s technological evolution
since 1925 when its first pickup, the
Model T Runabout, rolled off the line
in Detroit.
It came with very few options, but
as Henry Ford famously said, “A
customer can get it painted any
colour they like as long as it is black.”
Much has changed since then, with
the 2017 Super Duty being offered in
five trim levels. It has numerous
options to allow customers to build
the ideal truck for their application,
and of course, in a variety of colours.
McGarrell said the 2017 Ford F-Series
Super Duty is the most exciting line
of trucks they have built to date with
significant advancements in power,
durability, and innovative technology
that consumers can use to work more
efficiently, and safely.
“The new 2017 models are im-
proved in every way,” McGarrell said.
Bigger cabs have increased storage
capacity and improved passenger
comfort.
The use of a high-strength mili-
tary-grade aluminum alloy body and
bed has helped reduce the overall
weight of the vehicle. This design
decision allowed more weight to be
allocated to the high-strength steel
frame. This redesigned frame is up to
24 times stiffer than its predecessor,
thus allowing for better towing,
payload, ride and handling.
The redesigned frame and ad-
vancements in engine and transmis-
The 2017 Ford Super Duty F-250 Lariat.
Courtesy Ford Motor Company