Ottawa 6x4 Street Legal Yard Truck | Expert Product Review

Written by Steve Jones | May 21, 2024 10:31:51 PM

In all my years selling yard trucks here in the Mid-South, I’ve only sold a few 6x4 Ottawas. Not because they’re bad! Kalmar Ottawa makes great trucks. They're reliable machines designed to last a long time.

I don’t sell a lot of Ottawa 6x4s because most operations don’t need a yard truck this big. Unfortunately, other equipment reps either aren’t aware (or fail to mention) the 4x2 Ottawas can be configured to carry heavier, longer loads.

In this article, I’ll explain when to buy a 6x4 yard truck and when to choose the smaller, less expensive Ottawa 4x2.

Ottawa’s Dual Axle, Street-Legal Yard Truck

The Ottawa 6x4 EPA/DOT has three axles and six wheels. It has two axles in the back, just like an over-the-road semi-truck, but you don’t need a CDL to drive a yard truck.

The “DOT” part of the name means this vehicle can be driven on highways, freeways and other public roads. All you have to do is title it and tag it. This yard truck is also EPA/CARB compliant.

Both the Ottawa 6x4 DOT/EPA and 4x2 DOT/EPA are designed for operations with dispersed warehouses or distribution centers where trailers have to be shunted along public roads. If your facility is self-contained on private property, the Ottawa 4x2 Off Road may be a better choice.

KALMAR OTTAWA 6X4 SPECS

Manufacturer: Kalmar Ottawa

Product Page: kalmarottawa.com

Fifth Wheel Capacity: 80,000 lbs.

Front Axle Capacity: 12,000 lbs.

Rear Axle Capacity: 40,000 lbs.

Fuel: CNG, LNG or diesel

Price Range: Starts around $170,000

Top Speed: 45 mph with ABS brakes, 25 mph without

Engine: Cummins 200 hp with OBD, 250 hp engine available

DEF Tank: 10 gallons

Value for the Money: Excellent

Spec Sheet: (PDF)

Before You Buy a Tandem Axle Yard Spotter, Consider This:

The primary differences between the Ottawa 6x4 and 4x2 (besides the number of axles) are capacity and price.

Both have a top speed of 45 mph with ABS brakes (25 mph without ABS)
Both trucks come with a 200 hp engine and may be upgraded to 250 hp

The stock 4x2 has a 40,000 lb. capacity — but this can be increased with a heavier rear axle. Request a quote to learn more.

Move a lot of refer trailers? You may have been told to get a 6x4 because, with a standard 4x2, it can be a little cramped on the catwalk with the refrigeration unit sticking out past the trailer. While it’s true that the 6x4 has more room (133”), you can also get a 4x2 with a longer frame.

When to Buy an Ottawa 6x4

For the right application, the Ottawa 6x4 is an excellent choice. It has the highest power-to-weight ratio in its class and is ideal for operations that:

Switch 10+ trailers a day
Need a 60,000 lb. capacity truck

The 6x4 is also better for locations where traction can be a problem. If the truck needs to transport trailers across gravel, up a muddy incline or operate in occasional snow, the Ottawa 6x4 is the superior choice.

Just for fun, here’s a video showing some unique applications for the Ottawa 6x4 (note: the official name for the Ottawa is the T2 Terminal Tractor).

Ottawa YARD TRUCK Pros and Cons

Pros:

Ottawa yard trucks are easy to maintain. Routine maintenance and checks like oil and transmission fluid monitoring can be done at ground level.
They come with a GRACO grease jockey system, which lubricates components while the equipment is operating. This extends the life of your equipment, minimizes downtime and keeps the truck running well even in harsh conditions.
The reinforced L-frame chassis handles shock loads better than the other yard spotters.

The thing I like the best about Ottawas (in general) is the cab. It’s optimized for operator comfort and efficiency. A few years ago, Ottawa completely redesigned their trucks based on customer feedback.

As a result, all Ottawa yard trucks have:

Intuitive controls and a simplified gauge cluster
Suspended control pedals for smoother, more responsive operation
A large steering wheel for better control
User-friendly rocker switches for easy monitoring and operation
A Bluetooth radio
Step and grab-handle systems for safer mounting and dismounting
Superior visibility through an XL windscreen
A spacious dashboard with room for yard-management system devices

CONS:

If you need to shunt trailers more than a few miles, buying a yard truck (in general) doesn’t make sense. Yard trucks are designed to travel short distances at medium to low speeds. Ottawa trucks can go 45 mph, but it takes a while to get there.

Buy or Rent Yard Trucks in the Mid-South

Unsure if an Ottawa yard truck will be a good fit for your operation?

Try before you buy. We rent yard trucks in Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and eastern Arkansas. Please be advised: yard trucks are in high demand the last few months of the year. By the end of October, our inventory can be rented out. If you need a yard truck in the fourth quarter, we highly recommend making a reservation.

Contact us online or by phone 844-LILLYCO (1-844-545-5926). We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about yard trucks or other material handling equipment. We’re an authorized Ottawa/Kalmar dealer and service provider for Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and eastern Arkansas.

You can also visit us at one of our 13 locations across the Mid-South.

Arkansas - Jonesboro
Alabama - Birmingham, Dothan, Irondale, Madison, Mobile, and Montgomery
Mississippi - Tupelo and Richland
Tennessee - Jackson, Kingsport, Knoxville, and Memphis