The Mack LR(Low Ride) is a series of heavy-duty (Class 8) trucks built by Mack Trucks. They are a forward control cab-over-engine type, where the driver sits in front of the axle. A flat front has two large windshields. The cab is very low-profile and has dual driving controls with a stand-up driving position on the right side. It is used in refuse service with front, side, and rear-loading refuse compactor bodies. Introduced in 2015 it remains in production in 2020.
The LR is a direct evolution of the 1994 model LE[1] and the upgraded 2007 TerraPro LE.[2] All three models are mechanically and visually similar.
Design
The LR is a forward control cab-over-engine type. The cab is mounted very low and forward, allowing a step up from the ground to the cab floor of only 17 inches (43cm). It has a stand-up right-side (curb) driving position. Total loaded weight can be up to 72,000 pounds (33,000kg).
Advanced electronics are used for engine, chassis, and body controls, as well as maintenance. The trucks have ABS. The service brakes can be electrically applied, allowing the driver to exit leaving them on. This system can also shift the transmission into neutral when it is applied. There are locations for a joystick and other controls. Rear-view cameras are often fitted.
Mack builds their own major components (engines, axles, and suspensions) and promotes an integrated design but all LRs use a vendor transmission. Most other vendor components are also available but engine choice is very limited.
Engines
The LR is available with a Mack MP7 diesel, CumminsWestport natural gas engine, and since 2020, an all-electric drivetrain.[3][4]
The Mack MP7 is the base engine in the LR. It is a 659 cubic inches (10.8L)overhead camturbochargedinline six-cylinderdiesel engine. It develops 325 to 425 horsepower (242 to 317kW) and 1,260 to 1,560 pound force-feet (1,710 to 2,120N⋅m) of torque.[5]
The Cummins Westport L9N is a 543 cubic inches (8.9L) turbocharged inline six-cylinder natural gas engine. It develops 329 horsepower (245kW) and 1,000 pound force-feet (1,400N⋅m) of torque.[6][7]
Transmission
Allison RDS 6-speed transmissions are used on all models except the LR Electric. The RDS is a fully automatic planetary gear transmission with a lock-up torque converter.
LR Electric
The LR Electric has 2 AC motors with 536 horsepower (400kW) Peak and 448 horsepower (334kW) continuous power. This is combined with a 2-speed Mack Powershift transmission. Power is supplied by a NMC lithium-ion battery pack (Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide) that can be charged in about 2 hours at 150 KW.[8]
Frame
A ladder frame with beam axles is used. Front axles are on semi-elliptical leaf springs. The base rear suspension is a Mack tandem but other axle/suspension types are available. The LR has more frame options than other Mack trucks, with drop frames available. Wheelbases are from 173 to 246 inches (440 to 620cm) and 250 inches (640cm) with a drop frame.
Mack powered axles have the drive carrier on top of the housing instead of the front of it like other manufacturers. This lets the driveshafts be in line from the transmission to and between the axles at a higher level above the ground.
Other powered axles are available from Dana-Spicer and Meritor. These have front mounted carriers and in tandems the two axle housings are different.
The Camelback tandem is the base rear suspension. The Camelback has multiple leaves that rock above the bogey pivot then curve down and under the axles. It is available in ratings of 38,000,46,000, and 52,000 pounds (17,000,21,000, and 24,000kg).
The mRIDE tandem has tapered leaves that rock above the bogey pivot then go out and above the axles. Struts go from the bottom of the bogey pivot out and under the axle. They have more wheel travel and ground clearance than the camelback. They are rated at 40,000,48,000, and 52,000 pounds (18,000,22,000, and 24,000kg).
Vendor tandem combinations can be ordered.
Applications
Front-loaders have a boom or "arms" that goes from the body over and then down in front of, the cab. Two forks pick up the container. The container is then lifted up and over the cab to be dumped into a hopper on the top of the body. For curbside pick-up a container is held in a low position and material is loaded into it. It is dumped into the hopper when full then returned to a low position. A large wall the height of the truck is hydraulically moved towards the back of the truck and compresses waste into the body. At the designated disposal site, the wall can move all the way to the back of the truck, and about 6 inches out that back to unload the truck.
Side loaders drive next to bins placed on the curb. They either have a hopper on the side or pick up a bin and dump it into a hopper on the top of the body. A large horizontal packing ram that is anywhere from 6-36 inches tall is hydraulically forced through a small space in between the hopper and truck "body". Waste is compressed until the hydraulic packing ram can no longer move.
Rear loaders have a large hopper on the rear end. They can load bins, cans, and loose material. A large scooping compactor crushes and scoops refuse into the body. Rear loaders are well known in the waste industry for being the "take all" truck.
Related Research Articles
The Ram pickup is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by Stellantis North America and marketed from 2010 onwards under the Ram Trucks brand. The current fifth-generation Ram debuted at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, in January of that year.
The Ford Super Duty is a series of heavy-duty pickup trucks produced by the Ford Motor Company since the 1999 model year. Slotted above the consumer-oriented Ford F-150, the Super Duty trucks are an expansion of the Ford F-Series range, from F-250 to the F-600. The F-250 through F-450 are offered as pickup trucks, while the F-350 through F-600 are offered as chassis cabs.
The medium-duty version of the Ford F-Series is a range of commercial trucks manufactured by Ford since 1948. Derived from the smaller F-Series pickup trucks, the medium-duty range is currently in its eighth generation. Initially slotted between the F-Series pickup trucks and the "Big Job" conventionals, later generations were slotted below the L-Series "Louisville" trucks; the last two generations are the largest vehicles produced by Ford since its exit from the heavy-truck segment.
The M939 is a 5-ton 6×6 U.S. military heavy truck. The basic cargo versions were designed to transport a 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg) cargo load over all terrain in all weather. Designed in the late 1970s to replace the M39 and M809 series of trucks, it has been in service ever since. The M939 evolved into its own family of cargo trucks, dump trucks, semi-tractors, vans, wreckers, and bare chassis/cabs for specialty bodies. 44,590 in all were produced.
The Diamond T Company was an American automobile and truck manufacturer. They produced commercial and military trucks.
The Mack Titan is a heavy-duty truck produced by Mack Trucks. Two variants are produced: one for the Australian market, introduced in 1995 aimed at heavy road train operators, and a 2008 version introduced in North America. The Titan can haul loads up to 200 tonnes GCM and comes with many heavy duty options that are not usually found on highway trucks.
The Mack F series was the third generation of cabover trucks from Mack Trucks. Its production began in 1962 and ended in 1981. It was produced primarily as a set-forward axle truck but a setback axle version was shipped overseas. The cab came in a 50-inch (1371.6 mm) day cab. Sleeper models included a 72-inch (1828.8 mm), 80 inch (2032 mm) and later a "bustle back" was added that lengthened the sleeper to 86 inches (2184.4 mm).
The International TranStar, is a range of Class 8 trucks produced by Navistar International for North America. Produced nearly exclusively as a semitractor, the product range is focused towards local delivery and regional shipping.
The International Loadstar is a series of trucks that were produced by International Harvester from 1962 to 1978. The first product line of the company developed specifically as a medium-duty truck, the Loadstar was slotted between C-Line pickup trucks and the heavy-duty R-series. Following the discontinuation of the R-series, the Loadstar was slotted below the Fleetstar and Transtar conventionals.
The International Fleetstar is a series of heavy-duty trucks that was produced between 1962 and 1977 by International Harvester. Slotted above the Loadstar and below the Paystar and Transtar conventionals introduced after it, the Fleetstar was the first truck line that International designed specifically for vocational use.
The Mack Pinnacle is a series of heavy duty trucks produced by Mack Trucks. Introduced in 2006, the Pinnacle is the successor of the Mack Vision. Currently, the product line is sold in the United States and Canada; in Venezuela and Peru, the Pinnacle is marketed as the Mack Vision Elite.
The Mack M123 (G792) was a 10-ton 6x6 semi-tractor introduced in 1955. The Mack M125 was a heavy cargo truck version of the M123. The M123 was used to tow tank transporter trailers while the M125 towed field artillery pieces.
The Mack MC/MR series, also known as the "Cruise-Hauler", is a cabover truck first introduced in 1978. It is of a distinct "set back front axle" design, with the driver compartment mounted ahead of the front axle and with a large, flat, divided windscreen covering almost half of the truck's frontal aspect.
The 5‑ton 6x6 truck, officially "Truck, 5-ton, 6x6", was a class of heavy-duty six-wheel drive trucks used by the US Armed Forces. The basic cargo version was designed to transport a 5-ton (4,500 kg) load over all roads and cross-country terrain in all weather. Through three evolutionary series there have been component improvements, but all trucks were mechanically very similar. They were the standard heavy-duty truck of the US military for 40 years, until replaced by the Medium Tactical Vehicle (MTV) beginning in 1991.
The Diamond T 4-ton 6×6 truck was a heavy tactical truck built for the United States Army during World War II. Its G-number was G-509. Cargo models were designed to transport a 4-ton (3,600 kg) load over all terrain in all weather. There were also wrecker, dump, and other models. They were replaced by the M39 series 5-ton 6×6 trucks in the 1950s.
The Mack Granite is a series of heavy duty and severe service trucks built by Mack Trucks. It has a long, low-profile hood and a high-visibility cab. Designed as straight trucks for local construction, waste removal, and other vocational jobs, it is also available as a semi-tractor. Introduced in 2001, it remains in production as of today.
The Mack TerraPro is a series of heavy duty and severe service trucks built by Mack Trucks. They are a forward control cab-over-engine type, where the driver sits in front of the axle. A flat front has two large windshields. A spotting feature is small notches in the lower inside of the windshields. It is used in refuse service and for construction concrete pumps.
The Mack Anthem is a series of heavy duty trucks built by Mack Trucks. It has a long low-drag hood and fenders. Introduced in 2018, it is designed primarily for highway use.
The Mack MD is a series of medium-duty trucks built by Mack Trucks. It has a short, low-profile hood and a high-visibility cab. It is designed as straight trucks for local delivery, construction, and other vocational jobs. The MD was introduced in February 2020 entered full production in July 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
