Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/764523
T his spring, Mack introduced its 2017 engine lineup with improvements in fuel economy and power. Mack claims fuel effi ciency gains of 2.1 to 8.8 percent over prior model year engines. The MP7 11-liter and MP8 13-liter engines feature an updated wave piston design that boosts the compression ratio for more thorough combustion plus a common rail fuel system for more precise fuel injection. A two-speed coolant pump also aids fuel effi ciency. From a standing start the new AMTs will hold you for three seconds as you step off the brake pedal and onto the accelerator. 2 0 1 6 V 3 | BULLDOG | 1 3 I didn't know what to expect (from the test drive). We did the test drive with the Pinnacle. It was fabulous. It's amazing how you can take that thing and stop on a hill and set your brake on that thing, and then take back off and climb the hill, with no hesitation. The power in the engine was awesome. It had good take-off power, very smooth in shifting, and then the (engine brake) on that thing is awesome. I did get two of the mDRIVEs in my Pinnacles, and I want to get them in my dump trucks and my transfer trucks. Ron Bowman, Kelley Trucking, Bakersfi eld, California I really like the creeper gears. Whether you're backing up or whether you're heading up the hill, it's just an amazing improvement. I'm familiar with the mDRIVE and the Mack 505 motor. We've run the MP8 505 motor, and it's a good engine. It's just a good experience, lots of power, pulls well, shifts well, it's just a good truck. The thing I'm most excited about is continuing to grow our fl eet with new trucks, with more mDRIVEs and getting rid of our standard (manual) transmissions. Having the ability of taking a fair- to-OK driver and putting him in with the new transmission and you can make that guy a really good driver. He's able to focus more on the road and what's going on around him, and less about shifting the truck. It's less wear and tear on the truck and it's just a no-brainer when it comes to picking a transmission with that truck. Andrew Skipper, O&B Tank Co., Texas I an very impressed. I think you have to drive it to appreciate what Mack has done with that truck. Landfi ll application is very rough, very hilly, and I think it would be more practical to use (mDRIVE HD) in that application. Mike Stillwell, Gibson Co. Solid Waste, Princeton, Indiana T his spring, Mack introduced its 2017 engine lineup with improvements in fuel economy and power. Mack claims fuel effi ciency gains of 2.1 to 8.8 percent over prior model year engines. The MP7 11-liter and MP8 13-liter engines feature an updated wave piston design that boosts the compression ratio for more thorough combustion plus a common rail fuel system for more precise fuel injection. A two-speed coolant pump also aids fuel effi ciency. From a standing start the new AMTs will hold you for three seconds as you step off the brake pedal and onto the accelerator. I didn't know what to expect (from the test drive). We did the test drive with the Pinnacle. It was fabulous. It's amazing how you can take that thing and stop on a hill and set your brake on that thing, and then take back off and climb the hill, with no hesitation. The power in the engine was awesome. It had good take-off power, very smooth in shifting, and then the (engine brake) on that I really like the creeper gears. Whether you're backing up or whether you're heading up the hill, it's just an amazing improvement. I'm familiar with the and the Mack 505 motor. We've run the MP8 505 motor, and it's a good engine. It's just a good experience, lots of power, pulls well, shifts well, it's just a good truck. The mDRIVE HD with creeper gears is the reason I'm here today. As I update the fl eet, I'm going to roll over to the mDRIVE completely (from automatics). (The test drive) showed me everything I wanted the answers to. David Tesone, Tesone Transport, Pittsburg The mDRIVE is easy to operate. Saves drivers from wearing out clutches and not tearing out rear ends. Probably less damage to the trucks. Less maintenance and the drivers are able to focus on the roads. Steven Meyers, H&H Concrete on Demand, Ft. Worth