Makeri_Driver

I always liked using U and DM for spotting log trailers on logging jobs. Sitting on the drivers side made it easy to drop and hook trailers and it was easy to jump in and out of all day. We routinely moved 28-32 trailer loads a day using 2 spot trucks with the one driver that also trimmed up the loads with a pole saw.  

Weren't the 300 Plus engines considered Econdynes? I remember see those badges on the hoods of 300 Plus R's with 10 speeds.

I lost interest when he said 4 Speed Allison! 

From my use the 3208 is the worst Cat engine ever made and probably one of the worst diesel engines ever made! I hated them in Louisville Fords! They had no power and my 534 Gas would out pull it. The only way I would be willing to work on a 3208 would be to remove it. I would rather run a 671 Detroit in its place! At least it would sound good!

When I was logging we loaded and set out trailers because of haul distances of 100 miles one way. We had W900 KW, 4900 Western Stars, 9400 Corn Binders all with air ride and 2 Superliner Macks with 350's and 9 speeds on 38 k camel back rears. In the winter when the red clay was the slickest we had to push every truck to get them off their landing gear and get them started. The Macks were about 20 minutes slower on the haul but they could drop and pick up their trailers without getting stuck allowing those drivers to pick up extra loads that were loaded after the crew had gone home. They just did so much better offroad than the other trucks did with air ride suspensions. Tough ole dogs!

Previous all Mack fleet I remember from childhood 70-80s was WC Fore Trucking Gulfport,Ms.

Cotton ran all R models pulling short frameless Palmer Dump trailers hauling fill dirt. Later he ran Cruiseliners and Superliners. I remember them hauling fill dirt for a Standard Oil Refinery in Pascagoula. He had around 100 trucks on a 9 mile haul! 

A logger friend of mine still runs an all Mack fleet. He has one really nice restored R, a lot of Superliners, CH models and new Pinnacles. CF Marion Cumberland,VA  

I have used 5 speed Macks in the woods as haul trucks and later as set out or spot trucks. Usually had to have the skidder push them to get started in soft ground. The low in the compound of the 6 speed was much better. 

I can remember the first time I saw an R700 parked at our post plant loaded after getting in too late to be unloaded. The next morning the driver rides in with another truck and starts his Mack. The air starter first caught my attention but the buzzing of an 8V71 DD made me do a double take. That sound just seemed so strange coming from an R Model. 

12 hours ago, mechohaulic said:

i sit and read these post finding myself in total awe. so glad i'm out of that work , still keep my CDL active with the hopes of taking an old B model on a road test. challenge is the CDL  a medical card is nearing impossible. open heart surgery in 2015 changed a lot of things

A lot of guys find luck getting their medical card and exam at a CVS clinic.

Thats a very rusty double frame.