New dump truck

[tysonj0331]

We are buying a new or newer tandem with a drop axle. We will mostly use this truck for pulling our tri axle tag trailer where we can not get a lowboy. I need a truck with enough power to haul 13,000’ elevation grades pulling a tag with a 160/180 Deere excavator. I also want the truck to ride decent for a dump truck. The leading candidate so far is a gr64b Mack with mp8 engine and 12 speed auto. My current trucks are n14 and 3406 powered 379 Pete’s so I know nothing about new trucks and the brand quality now days. Is the Mack a good rig? Does anyone with experience have a better recommendation for new model dump? New Pete or kenworth experience?

 

[Tyler d4c]

Are you talking a single screw with a lift axle or a twin screw with a additional lift. Either way everyone around here seems to like the x15 cummins probably end up having to build the truck you want out of a tractor if your going for what I think your wanting. Aka a dump truck that will give the big dogs a run for there money.

 

[FWD]

I purchased a 21 Western Star 4700 SF Dump last year. It has a 20,000 lb front axle and a lifting 20,000 lb pusher axle, 470 hp 13 litre Detroit with an 8LL Fuller transmission, 46K Meritor axles with full lockers and 3.91 ratio with a Tuff Trac spring suspension. It is not the best riding empty, but with more miles it seems to be getting better. I had a heavy pintle hitch installed and pull a 3 axle Eager Beaver trailer with a ZX 160 Hitachi excavator. It handles it fine, but I am not any where near the elevation you are at. I also like the way it handles 12-14 yards of gravel, but I don't think it would be good with that amount of gravel with the trailer and excavator. Maybe someone will come along that knows what elevation will do to performance.
FWD

 

[NepeanGC]

I've got a 2017 Volvo VHD D11 425hp/1550tq (tandem) and a 2019 Volvo VHD D13 455hp/1750tq (triaxle). No issues with either.

I believe the Mack MP8 is identical to the Volvo D13. Lots of power and torque. Our D11 however is the truck that tows our 20-25ton tag, usually with buckets and attachments in the dump body. Handles it like a champ. Both trucks are relatively low mileage, D11 is at 150k miles, and the D13 is at 120k miles, so time will tell how they hold up. From all the Volvos I see around here, it appears to be a proven platform with little issue. Interestingly both our trucks have identical fuel economy at 6.3mpg. Even though the truck with the D13 grosses about 10 metric tons more.

Both are equipped with Volvo T-ride. The tandem with its short wheelbase rides like an ox cart when it's empty. With 5+tons on board though it's all good. Our triaxle rides nice empty or full. Wheelbase appears to make a massive difference as both trucks are 20k front axles with 46k rears, and the triaxle adds a 20k self steering lift axle.

 

[Nige]

Maybe someone will come along that knows what elevation will do to performance.

All I can say regarding electronic engines operating at significant altitudes above sea level is either cross your fingers that the atmospheric pressure compensaiton mapping actually goes far enough for the altitude at which the engine is operating - or ask before buying.

I came across several cases of engines that were operating in environments where the actual atmospheric pressure was outside the range of compensation offered by the software. As a result none of them ran worth a plugged nickel.

 

[tysonj0331]

All good to know thanks. I think I am going to end up with that Mack I am still waiting in the dealer. I know my 03' 2754 international tandem dump with hendricks rides awful empty and tows terrible. The 370hp n14 and allison auto is nice for guys who cant drive and moving onsite but going down the highway forget it.

 

[kenworth]

Why would you want to but a new truck with all the various problems they have when you have 2 trucks now with very desirable engines.
I would repair and rebuild what you have instead of buying new.
You can do a lot of fixing on what you have compared to what a new truck costs.
Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[suladas]

Why would you want to but a new truck with all the various problems they have when you have 2 trucks now with very desirable engines.
I would repair and rebuild what you have instead of buying new.
You can do a lot of fixing on what you have compared to what a new truck costs.
Just my 2 cents worth.

Totally agree, the 3406 will tow as good or better then a lot of the newer engines and you already own it. I don't have a ton of experience with newer trucks but the 3406B 400hp pulls harder then the 500hp maxxforce does, that's the only newer engine i've ran to compare to. Also more reliable then the new junk, and way better mileage.

The 3406 will tow a 160/180 like nothing, I pull a 210 and i've never found mine lacking in power one bit. Granted I don't live in the mountains, i've pulled some steep grades with it and it really impresses.

 

[dieseldog5.9]

I own a Mack Granite, haul a 315 Cat, and live in the " Mountains", Appilacian mountains are not the Rockies, However at one point in my life hauled beer out of golden Colorado so I am familiar. It gets the job done, and is a basic dump truck. I would not want to haul my 315 up I70 through silverthorne with my Mack. With this said my truck is a 400, the 427 was a better pulling engine, and I am not at all familiar with MP8 or the Automatic.

My .02 would be bigger displacement equals better Jake brake power, so something 15 liters.
Macks are not know as big power houses, so I would look for something 15 liters.
Camelback suspension in my opinion, rides shitty, hops around empty downhill on the jake, is expensive to fix.
Mack rearends do not have lockers.

My Granite is however fantastic with a tag trailer.

When I bought a dump truck it was a battle between my check book, and what was available. You are are at the Mack Dealer and not on Craigslist so guessing you are not in the same situation.

My pick, C15 single turbo, 18speed, 46-160 4way lock rears, airliner suspension. In a Western star, or T800 Kenworth.

 

[CM1995]

Just my $.o2.

The best dump truck I ever owned was a 2007 (pre-emissions) Mack Granite with MP7 and Allison 6sp auto. Dream to drive with plenty of power and would haul ass. I'm not a "trucker" and never want to be, all I need is a truck to get from point A to point B in the most efficient, safest and easiest way - that truck fit the bill.

Hauled a 160 Kobelco from Birmingham to the Gulf Coast which is a good 5 hours with no stops. Not many hills and relatively flat but easily ran 70-75 comfortably.

The truck was great driving around the city in stop and go traffic. Regularly hauled a 315, D6N, D5G and 953. Our business plan changed and it's just cheaper and easier to hire out dump trucks and moving equipment but if a nice pre-emissions Mack Granite with 6sp auto came across my door it would be hard for me to not buy it if it was priced reasonably.

 

[AzIron]

I second rebuilding what you currently have it will be cheaper than buying new n14s are probably one of the cheapest strongest hill climbers that can be built the 3406 will perform on par with an n14 it's just more expensive to build to that kinda power but honestly running high elevations set them up to 400 to 425 and you probably have the best set up already

Cat and Cummins both have data that will work that elevations on there electronic motors you really dont want to start playing the game of high elevations and emission engines and the reliability will not be close to what you currently own