Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/107622
trucks | by Jack Roberts JRoberts@randallreilly.com Refined workhorse Mack's Granite blends power, performance and elegance D riving a new fully-loaded Mack Granite dump truck near Allentown, Pennsylvania, I was reminded that there's something special about the rolling Pennsylvania backroads. I was following State Road 309, running south from West Hazelton toward Tamaqua. It's something like 350 years old – a pleasant reminder of how much transportation has changed. Mack has deep roots in this area.The Mack brothers hammered out their first bus 112 years ago and 80 miles away in New York City.The brothers relocated to Allentown – not far from the big-city action but with the benefit of being close to Bethlehem Steel Works. My Granite test drive began at the company's Customer Center – a combination museum, product and technology showcase and test facility. Curtiss Dorwart, Mack's vocational products marketing manager, explained how Mack's expertise can be found everywhere on a Granite.Take the fuel/diesel exhaust fluid tank arrangement:The 111-gallon diesel tank is D-shaped Inside: Quiet, refined, practical N ot long ago, driving a dump truck meant a long day getting bounced around in the cab and deafened by the overwhelming road and engine noise. Behind the wheel of a Granite, those days are ancient history. Mack engineers have added serious sound and vibration dampening to the chassis. One can carry on a conversation in normal speaking tones, even when starting out at full throttle. Once you reach cruise speeds, this remains as quiet a cab as you're likely to find. The interior blends class and common sense. Nice touches like chrome-accented bezels and button-tuck upholstery on the seats, door panels and ceiling are hallmarks of the Champion interior. The floor mats deliberately are earth-colored to hide the inevitable grime that makes its way into the cab. Even better, the Granite's floor plan and mats have been designed specifically for easy cleaning; there are no little nooks or crannies to trap dirt when you're trying to sweep it out. EquipmentWorld.com | February 2013 41