Mack Granite
Last month we reviewed the Mack Pinnacle™ series, which makes an ideal dump truck for the Western market. This month we’ll look at the primary vocational offering from Mack, their Granite model.
The Granite is the number-one selling heavy duty Class 8 conventional straight truck in the United States. It comes in axle-forward and axle-back models to accommodate local and federal weight distribution regulations.
The Granite is a strong, lightweight vehicle that delivers more payload and bigger profits without sacrificing Mack’s legendary durability. That makes it well-suited for a variety of applications throughout the West.
For instance, in northern California, where many truckers are paid by the hour rather than by the ton, Granite is an outstanding choice for owners seeking durability in heavy-duty service. The truck’s rugged design also makes it ideal for handling boom cranes in oil fields, among other applications that require exceptional strength.
Durability and reliability are built into both the chassis and the cab.
Granite utilizes the Cornerstone™ chassis system with multiple framerail thickness choices and inner rail reinforcements coupled with application-specific crossmembers. Cornerstone is available with nine different rail and liner combinations affording tremendous flexibility in specifying a chassis that minimizes chassis weight and delivers maximum weight-carrying capacity. The cab design is extremely robust, using galvanized steel structural elements designed for durability and proven in severe applications around the globe to minimize total cab weight.
Comfortable, efficient cab
The Mack® Granite® can be spec’d for any application in the West. |
Granite is also designed for comfort. Instead of mounting shocks in the center of the cab, Mack has mounted canted shocks outside the frame to provide maximum stability over rough jobsite terrain. The cab utilizes advanced firewall materials and the floor mat provides excellent sound-dampening performance.
Granite’s spacious cab and ergonomic design give drivers plenty of leg, belly and headroom. Driver comfort has been dramatically improved by positioning the adjustable steering wheel, seat and new suspended pedals in-line, a combination that reduces driver effort. Getting in and out of the cab is nearly effortless thanks to strategically placed steps and grab handles.
The Granite interior is easy to clean — from the one-piece, paw-print signature floor mat to the beautiful dash. The interior trim is available in two colors, Sandstone or Slate Gray, with three trim levels, Purebred, Pedigreed and Champion. Brushed-nickel accents complete the new look.
Combined with the new dash layout with fingertip placement of key controls and clean visibility of gauges, the new Granite cab provides excellent customer value.
Powerful new engine
Powering Granite is Mack’s new MP™ engine series. These engines deliver plenty of horsepower plus great low-end torque. The MP7 has a horsepower range from 325–405 HP and the MP8 provides 415–485 HP.
The MP series features Mack’s renowned engine families. Granite is available in MaxiCruise® (1,200–1,950 rpm), which provides performance for rolling interstate and full-load applications, and Maxidyne® (1,200–2,100 rpm), which provides power for high-performance, severe-duty conditions, especially off-road applications.
Controlling the engine is the latest version of the Mack Vehicle Management and Control System, V-MAC® IV. In addition to more than 100 proven programmable features, V-MAC IV adds a host of new items, including ABS-based tamper detection, integrated starter protection and programmable daytime running light overrides.
The Granite is equipped with a number of features to help owners run economically. Flexible fender extensions over the top of the wheels protect the hood and control splashing. A three-piece stylized front bumper makes replacement quick and cost efficient. The halogen headlamp covers are made from durable Lexan® to handle the punishment of a rocky jobsite better than glass-sealed beam lights. With the sloped hood, optimal headlight placement and available perimeter lighting, drivers can confidently work the most treacherous jobsites day or night.
The Mack® Granite® super dump with a new MP engine
offers a balance of strength and weight. |
Soft sand or mud can be difficult terrain for a truck. Granite owners can now have quick and effortless control of tire pressure on the fly with the one-touch Central Tire Inflation system factory installed as an option.
Adding a body is also easy. Granite fuel and air tanks are positioned to minimize the need for bodybuilder relocations. No need to wonder, too, if the electrical systems will talk to each other. Granite’s BodyLink™ system consists of a 19-pin connection that maintains the integrity of the electrical system. Bodybuilders can use this easy access connection to provide the power and logic to operate their bodies efficiently.
Built for the Western market
One of the historic strengths of the Mack brand is its flexibility. Through Mack’s network of dealers, Granite can be spec’d for the specific requirements of the application. Take the super dumps used in asphalt and sand/gravel material hauling, for example. Mack dealers have developed specs that make Granite stronger, lighter and more maneuverable. They can give Granite the highest RBM frame rating in its class, an important consideration in high-stress boost-a-load applications.
As with all Mack vehicles, reliability is engineered into every truck. The Mack philosophy of balanced design means all essential components are engineered and built to work together optimally for better performance, greater reliability and minimal downtime.
Repairs are hassle-free when your Mack dealer is your only contact. And if you do have a problem, emergency roadside assistance is available 24/7 in the U.S. and Canada through the Mack OneCall® CompleteCare Center at 1-800-866-1177.
You can see Mack products and speak with its representatives October 21–22 at the Construction Truck & Equipment Expo/Truck Show Latino.
(Rev 10/06) |
