Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/114712
Refined workhorse Inside: Quiet, refined, practical Not 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 uphol- 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 in contrast to the usual circular design. Dorwart says Mack engineers found this configuration enhances the tank's structural integ- stery 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. Dorwart calls this design philosophy "application excellence." Mack's Granite is tough, well-designed and intelligently conceived: a blend of power, performance and elegance. The truck was fitted with an Allison 4500 RDS six-speed automatic transmis- rity while adding capacity. It also allows the use of stronger and safer J-brackets to hold the tanks in place while seamlessly incorporating the DEF tank. Touches such as this show why the Granite is so well-suited for the often-brutal conditions of dump work. drive away with more When everything depends on delivering on time and on the money, you can't afford to drive away with anything less than the best built, most reliable, highest standard trailer on the road. Powered by industry's best innovation, Great Danes are made to maximize your payload so you can get more return on your investment. Take immediate delivery from a wide selection of trailers at our Great Dane branches and authorized dealers. Or let us custom build a trailer tailored to your exact needs. everest www.greatdanetrailers.com champion freedom reefers dry flatbeds vans Great Dane and the oval are registered trademarks of Great Dane Limited Partnership. Text INFO to 205-289-3555 or visit www.ovdinfo.com 42 | Overdrive | March 2013 Test_Drive_Granite.indd 42 2/27/13 11:10 PM