Higman takes delivery of first QSK38 powered pushboats

Written by Nick Blenkey
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M/V Capt. Calvin Hatfield

MAY 2, 2016 — Higman Barge Lines, Inc., Houston, has recently taken delivery of its first pushboats powered by Cummins Tier 3 compliant QSK38 engines.

Built by Hope Services at its Dulac, LA, shipyard, the 78 ft x 34 ft M/V Capt. David Carriere has a molded depth of 10 ft and has been built to a design by Houma, LA naval architect firm Entech & Associates Inc.

Propulsion power is provided by a pair of Cummins QSK38 engines, each developing 1,000 HP at 1,800 RPM.

A sister ship with the same propulsion package, M/V Capt. Calvin Hatfield, was delivered in December 2015 by Houston’s Southwest Shipyard.

The engines turn 73-inch diameter four bladed Sound props with 58-inch pitch. These props are mounted on six-inch diameter 18-foot 11 7/8-inch long shafts with  6:1 reduction Twin Disc 5321 gears.

The engines mark Higman’s transition from Cummins K38-M2 EPA Tier 2 mechanically controlled engines to the electronically controlled QSK38 Tier 3, electronic engines for its newbuilds.

Employing the same V-12 cylinder base engine as the K38-M2, the QSK38-M featureselectronic injection with a modular common rail fuel system. This, along with a number of other modifications, provides for a cleaner fuel burn and results in lower emissions.

“Higman has had many years of success with the legendary K38 and we are excited to continue working with them on these new boats as they transition to the new electronic QSK38 product,” says Michael Aufdermauer of Cummins Mid-South.

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