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Crawlers, Dozers, Loaders & Backhoes Discussion Forum

Mack messup?????????

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carl

02-21-2004 17:23:36




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I've been shopping for tandem dumps for 2 years.Today I bought a retiree out: A '76 RD700,triaxle,a '85 DM-600 and his collection of 3 wrecked ones ,a rebuilt spare 300 engine and 40 foot trailer of new and used parts.Tires,etc,etc.Now that the deed is done,have I messed up going mack? The trucks work for $45 per hour,as many hours as you want.I have two drivers now working for 25% and can get two more.Most drivers want more flash than Mack,but I believe I can keep the seats full and we do our own repairs. Input please

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John Van Valkenburgh

02-23-2004 15:31:57




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 Re: Mack messup????????? in reply to carl, 02-21-2004 17:23:36  
Carl, I think you made a good choice going with the Mack. Years ago I drove Tandems and Tractor-Trailers for a Sand and Gravel hauler. My favorite was a 72 Autocar with the 13 speed Fuller transmission and (335?) Cummins Turbo Diesel. Lots of power and always had just the right gear. It was gorgeous too. For the most part though the owners prefered Macks. Most had a 5 speed and some had a Cat engine. My only complaint was the gear spacing. Hard to get the 1-2 shift when starting up a hill. Overall they were the most rugged dependable trucks we had and in the end that is what counts. You're doing this for profit, not glamor. Best of luck, John

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Dr Cy Kosis

02-22-2004 18:35:04




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 Re: Mack messup????????? in reply to carl, 02-21-2004 17:23:36  
Macks are sure 'nuff tuff, but I wouldn't want to drive one ever ever EVER again. When I was running rock as a lease operator we could drive whatever we wanted to write the check for but all the company drivers had to drive "dem dogs". I kinda ground some salt in the wounds by having nice large decals made for the cowl on each side of my Freightshaker with the Mack bulldog surrounded with a slashed circle and the caption around it "No Dogs Allowed". To me as driver, I don't wanna dive no "One Stack Mack with a Window in the Back". As an owner, I might would want a yard full of them for their reputation of being nerly indestuctable.

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Joel

02-22-2004 09:15:11




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 Re: Mack messup????????? in reply to carl, 02-21-2004 17:23:36  
Carl, Macks are as good as any other truck, if properly maintained. I was shop manager of a spring repair shop for 14 years. The biggest, most expensive problems we saw with Macks was owners letting the rear suspension pads and bushings wear out to the extent that center castings were ruined, and trunnion towers cracked. The torque rods that mount on top of the rear to the center crossmember must be kept in decent shape or you will experience driveshaft and u-joint failures. Spring u-bolts must be properly torqued or you will break leaf springs in the area between the rear tires, if the front u-bolts aren't kept properly torqued they will break through the center bolt area. Many Macks have a tapered king pin that can be adjusted to compensate for wear. When you grease the truck, jack it up on the frame rails and get the weight off of the bushings so that the grease can get to the point load of the pins. Mechanically, engines, trans, and rears are very rugged. Again, proper maintenance will save you money in the long run. Regular oil and filter changes are cheap insurance. Good luck with your new venture.

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Phil Munson

02-22-2004 07:28:45




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 Re: Mack messup????????? in reply to carl, 02-21-2004 17:23:36  
Deacon Dick Stoyell always told me that the Mack was the only truck tough enough, with a good PM program, to outlast five or ten drivers. 237s and 300s are bullet proof; as are all Mack trannies and rears. Got some parts if you need em.



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John

02-22-2004 04:44:42




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 Re: Mack messup????????? in reply to carl, 02-21-2004 17:23:36  
While it has been many years since I have been in a Mack I think they are the best truck built for dumps. Yes they do not ride like a Pete or KW but these trucks are made to stay on the blacktop. A Mack is built to take the wheel hop and other things that come with working in soft sand and dirt. I like the 237 W/ 6 speed over the 300 but this is still a good motor.



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Taylor Lambert

02-21-2004 18:10:42




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 Re: Mack messup????????? in reply to carl, 02-21-2004 17:23:36  
I drive a DM600 Mack every day with a Twin stick six speed. I run a wood waste landfill and i dont think theres much out there to kill one lol. I haul for an RV manufacturer and I have to back down long alleys and other tight spots with the rolloff containers. I like the speed selections with the six speeds. Its not the most beautimous nor is it the most comfortable but it is a good short run and offroad truck with good ground clearance. You should be able to keep them on the road full time, I keep an old F600 Ford single axle busy.

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Mitch

02-21-2004 18:52:50




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 Re: Re: Mack messup????????? in reply to Taylor Lambert, 02-21-2004 18:10:42  
I have an '82 Mack and have worked on several old Macks, B-models. I believe they are the toughest truck there is. They are for construction and the abuse they can take. Parts are high, but it is easy service.



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greg

03-03-2004 19:21:41




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 Re: Re: Re: Mack messup????????? in reply to Mitch, 02-21-2004 18:52:50  
Have a customer that uses 3 Macks for silage hauling, and one for liquid manure. These things are ugly, dirty, nasty, and were worn out long before this guy got them, he switches drivers like he changes his underwear, and these trucks are bulletproof. You have to respect a company ( respect them, not like them) who uses the smallest cubic inch engine in a highway truck ,can use it offroad without any problem, and has to use a triple countershaft transmission to keep everything reliable and handle the torque capacity of these "small engines"

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