Mack’s Transmission Solution for TerraPro Concrete Pumper Trucks
Mack Trucks plans to provide its transmission solutions for Mack TerraPro concrete pumper trucks early this year. It is referred to 13- and 14-speed mDrive HD AMTs, which are supposed to enhance operating characteristics, ensure reliability and fail-safe operation. All Mack transmissions are equipped with split-shaft PTO feature. This unit receives power directly from the gearbox, providing increased torque for accessory machinery including concrete pumps.
mDrive HD transmission
mDrive HD split-shaft functionality
According to Mack Trucks representatives, the
mDrive HD is the only gearbox option with split-shaft PTO feature, which allows
drivers of TerraPro trucks to enjoy all advantages of the mDrive HD gearbox. Complementary
to enhanced operation characteristics and efficiency, this AMT helps to improve
safety at work. Drivers do not have to focus on gear shifting, which is performed
automatically, and can devote more attention to the road situation.
In this truck model, the AMT will be paired with the 11-liter Mack MP7 engine. Mack trucks are equipped with a sophisticated GuardDog Connect system, which ensures monitoring of the truck condition, service planning, diagnostics of repair problems. Mack officials claim that maintenance intervals for its AMTs reach up to 500 thousand miles.
With impact-protected internal elements,
including more durable gears and synchronizers, the mDrive HD gained
recognition in trucks for the construction industry. The 13- and 14-speed
options are equipped with low-ratio low gears, ensuring enhanced starting
characteristics and driveability. All automated gearboxes, produced by Mack,
have an oil cooler, which ensures ideal working temperatures, even under the
most severe conditions.
Opinion on mDrive HD operating characteristics
Moreover, Mack AMTs have the following features:
- Rock Free, allowing drivers to run through complex bits of the road without getting stuck for a long time;
- Auto Neutral, which helps to avoid accidents by automatically engaging the N gear when the handbrake is on;
- Grade Gripper, ensuring that the car will not move backward on an uphill slope.
TerraPro trucks equipped with Mack AMTs will hit the market in February 2019.
