Mack adds new ride, steering systems

The Mack mRide spring leaf over rubber block suspension now offers vocational customers additional weight savings, allowing for increased payload when paired with proprietary Mack axles.

Mack Trucks announced improvements available on its new vehicle models.

Mack said its new mRide spring leaf over rubber block suspension targeted for vocational applications needing improved stability and greater traction on jobsites, now offers additional weight savings for increased payload when paired with proprietary Mack axles.

“Mack made these enhancements as a result of ongoing continuous improvement that is a hallmark of Mack’s product development,” said Tim Wrinkle, Mack construction product manager. “The Mack mRide already offers customers a smooth ride, and now when paired with our legendary Mack axles, it saves weight and reduces their total cost of ownership.”

Available at 40,000 and 46,000 lb. suspension ratings and with standard track axles, customers can save 140 lb. with drum brakes and 146 lb. with air disc brakes as a result of casting suspension components into the Mack axle housing. Mack axles are produced at Mack’s powertrain facility in Hagerstown, Md.

The mRide’s parabolic springs are thickest at the center to ensure the clamp load area offers the greatest strength and are tapered to improve driver comfort, Mack said. The system is designed to provide extreme articulation and constant tire contact, delivering superior traction on the rough terrain of jobsites.

The mRide is fully integrated with Mack MP engines, transmissions and axles and can be spec’d in the Mack Pinnacle axle forward, Mack Granite, Mack TerraPro and Mack LR trucks.

Mack’s Command Steer active steering system is now in production in Mack Granite axle back models.

Mack also announced that Mack Command Steer active steering system engineered to reduce driver fatigue, is now in production on Mack Granite axle back models. Command Steer combines an electric motor with the Mack Granite model’s existing hydraulic steering. Multiple sensors throughout the truck monitor the terrain, driver inputs and environmental elements more than 2000 times per second. Based on the collected data, the system provides variable steering effort through its electric motor, applying additional torque as needed to make it easier to keep the truck on the desired route.

“Driving a heavy-duty construction truck is physically demanding on the body,” said Wrinkle. “Jobsites have uneven road conditions, which contribute to wear and tear on the driver. Mack Command Steer has been shown to reduce driver effort by 85%, improving jobsite safety and driver productivity.”

An additional benefit of Mack Command Steer is that the system features a unique return-to-zero capability that automatically returns the steering wheel to the center position in forward and reverse, helping to simplify tight maneuvers, the company said.