rsmartyn

Hi Wax, Single axle tractors to dumps are common and work great, my B's been doin it for 23 years but tandems are different because of the greatly increased weight. Most tractor frames aren't doubled let alone tripled so the twisting torture of being driven loaded off road could take it's toll. You've gotten good advice on trannys and rears. My DM has a 6 speed low hole 21,000 front and 58,000 rears which is standard for tandem dumps around here in NJ and can really take it. In PA I think the max gross is 56,000 on a tandem and a truck with those specs would be to heavy to carry anything but feathers. The price was right on your truck and if you're driving and loading it yourself with it's limitations in mind you'll be alright. Don't know if I'd waste my money on a Mack wannabe truck with the same situation.

Glad to hear that Macks are the same the world over, making their owners money. Had a friend from NZ who used to import race horses to the US. He used to say that you can't go any further that NZ because if you do, you start coming back.

This is the outfit that I contacted by phone who were very helpful:

Mack Trucks Historical Museum

997 Postal Rd.

Allentown, PA 18103

610-266-6767, Fax 610-266-6823

Also older Motors Truck Manuals will give you some info and can be found inexpensively on Ebay. I tried clicking on your web site JD, but it didn't come up. I'm always open to new sources of parts and info.

Couldn't agree with you more Dick, but it would have been nice for us Mack guys to see one of those ugly older Volvos blown up instead.

Hi Guys. Detroits are a reliable tough engine but all I remember about those Acars, Diamond Reos and Fords powered by them was having a sore right arm and left leg from shifting all day. Real snappy empty but with a load .... maybe I'm just getting old and lazy. Ever see one run backwards? When I was younger and dumber I'd stall a crane powered by a 671 and it would run backwards. I don't think my boss would have liked that. How about a runaway Detroit? We had dewatering pumps with 4-71's or 53's that ran full throttle all the time. When they'd occasionally run out of fuel the rack would stick wide open and after priming and restarting look out! All you could do was pull the emergency stop and run! Never did see one come apart though.

Beautiful project! Here in New Egypt NJ a good friend of mine had a 1964 B61 tandem with I think a 711 at first hooked up to a quad box, then a 237 and finally a 300 (289) still hooked up to the 18 speed quad box. He ran mostly asphalt (grossing at 70,000) and usually didn't let his other drivers use it, just him. Never had any trouble with the trans probably because he drove it himself. I always wondered how that little radiator could keep that big hot engine cool but it did. LOL on that beautiful truck!

Hi JD, You got some good advice from these guys, maybe I can add a little. Old wiring and electrical components are always a problem so watch for a short that could burn your truck! Most components can be modernized and new wiring harnesses are available (that's next for mine). Another problem I experienced is the bell housing bolts (to the engine block) behind the flywheel loosening up and elongating the dowel holes in the bell. Happened to me (costly but worth it) and I heard it's common on diesel B's. I thought the starter was loose but the whole bell was wigglin' one way and the engine another. A lot of kingpins and tie rod ends are adjustable which could save you a few bucks. Wedge brakes are a pain but can be upgraded to "s" cam type. The good news is with a "B" you've got something really solid to work with. Good Luck!

Hi Guy, The biggest problem through the years with my B has been the wiring. The clicking noise under the seat is either the series paralell switch or the solenoid. Better get a wiring schematic to make sure everything is connected right and then check out the wiring itself for shorts. Next is the paralell switch itself which could have an internal short. Some parts for the switch are no longer available and if that's your case a newer style switch can be wired in or change the whole thing over to 12 volt starting. That's what I'm about ready to do. The B's are a great truck but the electrical system is their weak spot. Good luck!

Hi Guys, My 1961 B61 Mack is the best thing I've ever owned but not for the nostalgia (I was 9 in 1961) or how it performed 23 years ago when I bought it but because it serves my needs today. If somebody would build something as tough and reliable as that old truck I'd buy it (new is nice) but I haven't seen anything out there that does the job any better. I'm not an over the road long haul guy but instead do excavating and the B model and 27 year old DM make me money. It's discouraging to see todays disposable throwaway trucks and equipment full of electronics that screw up and leave you stranded with BIG repair bills. As long as I can still get parts and keep them going, I plan on using the B and DM and make money. Isn't that why we all do this anyway? RS Martyn

why dont you lot get metric , like the rest of the developed world. you are living in the past guys! a 6x4 tractor here in NZ is average at 21 tonnes gross weight legally, even though the manufacturers ratings on the axles are higher, It is just that the government wont spend the money they gather fron Diesel tax and Roadusercharges to put back into the highway network, so therefore the trucks are rated lower to reduce road damage.

nig

No offense Roaduser but they needed something real simple for the rest of the world to use, that's why they came up with the metric system. Here in the states we're smart enough to work with what we've got and build some of the best trucks the rest of the world has ever seen like B model Macks.

Hey do you know of any superliners for sale with a cummins engine

Robert! Remember, If it ain't Mack, then take it back! RS Martyn

I remember AAA rebuilding trucks back in the day. It seems like nobody does that anymore. Acme Markets used to rebuild their R and U Models by putting a Pedigree engine in, tearing down the trans and rears and at least new bearings and seals, and a new cab. I think at the time the Pedigree cost about $6,500 and the Cab was $7,000 and change. Seemed like a pretty good deal back then. I guess nobody can find mechanics to do that kind of stuff anymore.

Joe

Hi Joe, I can't help but wonder whether it's a lack of mechanics or the economics or whether the new stuff just isn't worth rebuilding. RS Martyn

Is there any way to get any sort of an operators, parts, or service manual for theses old B's? Or is there anything else that gives basic maintenance, capacities, etc.?

Hi JD, I read on another topic Timothy Maikshilo giving advice to contact the Mack trucks Historical Museum at 610-266-6767. When I called, the lady was very helpful and is going to send me the kind of information you're looking for. In turn I'm sending them a donation to keep their operation going. Also, you could keep an eye on Ebay. RSMartyn

I was just making a basic point about weights here in Virginia, but as much as I'm not one to overload any truck, a few times that my half tons got loaded up to around 6200 or 6300 at the gravel yards, the trucks handled it just fine. (I run 60's and early 70's Chevy pick-ups with manual transmissions). And it was nice to know that I was within legal limits to boot.

Hi Bill, Boy do I miss my '71 Chevy C10 step side! Drove it for 19 years, and well over 200,000 miles. Second best thing to my B model. Bob martyn

Around 3 weeks ago i bought a 1967 Mack R611T 6 wheeler tractor with a 673T, Quadbox, 29k lb rear and a wet system. When i was a kid i used to drive by the companies yard on I-95 and see all the trucks lined up. The company had probably 20 trucks, mainly Macks with probably half of them being B models. The opportunity came to purchase this truck and i jumped at it, one of the reasons being their is no rot on the truck and almost no rust.

So far i've changed the fuel filters and steamcleaned the frame and rearend. This weekend i'm going to be putting maxi/spring brakes on the truck.

Here is a photo of the truck as it sits. I'll update this thread with progress photos.

Looks like you've got something really nice to work with, good luck. AAA trucking? Looks like their colors and specked out like the tractors they had. They used to rebuild their B models over and over at their yard near Trenton NJ.

Hi Shamrock, I'm not sure if this is any help to you or not but here's my experience. My '61 B61 was a tractor that I turned into a single axle dump. All it had was a drum parking brake on the drive shaft and single acting air chambers on the rear brakes. One day while loading it on a hill, off it went without me behind the wheel. I picked up a pair of spring set air release chambers which fit without any modification. Then I put a parking brake valve in the dash and ran the plumbing to the chambers to release the springs and a supply line to the valve. The service line remained unchanged. This truck has lever type actuating cams and not the wedge style. If this is any help to you let me know, I've got a digital camera and can go into more detail. Bob Martyn

I want to replace the maxi brake chambers on my B73 with a more modern brake chamber like trucks use today, how hard is that and what parts are required, i would like to see pictures of a set up. I am thinking spring and that means time to restart the resto!!!!!!!

Thomas

There is only 1 field available per question...if you have more than one truck, just seperate them with a comma like this:

Make: Mack

Model: B61T, DM686S

Year: 1961, 1981

I don't wanna add to many fields because they will fill up the member profile area pretty quick! I can add more fields in the profile view (You would have to click a members user name to see them) If you guys would like that, I can add truck #2 & Truck #3?? Let me know what you think!

Thanks Barry, It worked just fine and you have a great site. As far as changing the profile view, what you have works for me but maybe the guys with more trucks would like your suggestion. Keep up the good work, RS Martyn

Hi Barry, I've been trying to add my DM686SX in my veiwing profile under additional info but haven't been able to. I tried the directions you gave here but can't make it work. This is a great website and even an old dog like me has been able to find a lot of helpful info in the short time I've been here. RS Martynl

Click 'My Controls' at the top right of any page...then scroll half way down til you see 'Edit Profile' that should open the profile where you can change the info...be sure to click 'save changes' when done! Let me know if you have any problems...I can make the changes for you.

Hi Trent, Thanks for the good words and info on postig photos and I apologize for screwing up my reply (I had to get my wife to help me figure it out). It's a beautiful warm sunday here in NJ and I'm going outside to work on the "B". I've got problems with that old brittle wiring and am trying to get a little more time out of her while I send my DM686SX into the body shop for a face lift. The DM's a tandem dump and does most of the heavy lifting now but the "B" is far from retirement still running strong and turning heads pulling a load down the road. This summer I plan on redoing the cab & paint but have to do the DM first (my "new" truck is a 1979 and the cab needs to be redone first!) Anyway while I'm out there I'll take a digital picture of them and use your advice to post the photo. thanks, Bob Martyn

great stories Bob! love to hear all the stuff others have done with there trucks. Most of us here have these funny stories to tell also and it always gives me a laugh..

To post a pic scroll down to the bottom of the page and find the file attachment. then clic on browse to search your file. double click on your file you want. then click "add this attachment"

after you figure that out you can start a photo album and save your pics there for all to see.

great to have you aboard Bob!!

Trent Blasco

great stories Bob! love to hear all the stuff others have done with there trucks. Most of us here have these funny stories to tell also and it always gives me a laugh..

To post a pic scroll down to the bottom of the page and find the file attachment. then clic on browse to search your file. double click on your file you want. then click "add this attachment"

after you figure that out you can start a photo album and save your pics there for all to see.

great to have you aboard Bob!!

Trent Blasco

great stories Bob! love to hear all the stuff others have done with there trucks. Most of us here have these funny stories to tell also and it always gives me a laugh..

To post a pic scroll down to the bottom of the page and find the file attachment. then clic on browse to search your file. double click on your file you want. then click "add this attachment"

after you figure that out you can start a photo album and save your pics there for all to see.

great to have you aboard Bob!!

Trent Blasco

great stories Bob! love to hear all the stuff others have done with there trucks. Most of us here have these funny stories to tell also and it always gives me a laugh..

To post a pic scroll down to the bottom of the page and find the file attachment. then clic on browse to search your file. double click on your file you want. then click "add this attachment"

after you figure that out you can start a photo album and save your pics there for all to see.

great to have you aboard Bob!!

Trent Blasco

Hi Guys, My name is Bob Martyn and I'm glad I stumbled across this web site. Here's the important stuff -

I bought a 1961 B61T tractor in 1983 and have been driving it ever since with only one trip home on a wrecker's hook after a really bad accident that would have put a lesser truck in the junk yard and me in the hospital. She's a single axle with a huge Eaton split rear (the only one like it the Mack people tell me), a TR720 5 speed trans and powered by an END673 with no blower. The first owner pulled a tank trailer with it, the second owner moved heavy equipment with a low bed trailer and I'm the third owner. I pulled off the fifth wheel and put an 8 yard dump body on it and at first pulled a 9 ton equipment trailer but now have a 20 ton trailer also. Without a doubt this truck is the best thing I've ever owned in my life and when I die I just might be buried in it. There are so many stories I can post after 23 years of proud ownership but I'll just tell you two of my favorites. In '90 I had a cast on my left forearm and hand which made driving a B with no power steering difficult but so what. The engine quit on me with a clogged fuel filter (my fault entirely). With no one to call for help, I put a plastic bag over my hand, dumped out the filter can and banged the element on the curb. After I put it back together and pumped the primer she fired right up and got me home! Try that with a new Granite. Another favorite was a few years later while fueling up. A new Kenworth all decked out with a loaded dump trailer pulled up behind me but sitting on an incline. He ran out of fuel and couldn't switch over to the other tank which was 1/2 full. I offered to pull him up to the pumps which he doubted my old Mack could do telling me he was 80,000 lbs. I told him that if the tires will grip the pavement, my old B will pull him up there which it did no problem. He got out, cursing his new KW not believing that my old Mack didn't even work hard dragging him. Enough of my rambling. I'd appreciate whatever help I can get from this site to keep this great old truck on the road and not a museum piece and in turn, whatever help I can offer to any of you guys just ask. By the way, the B is nicknamed "Baby Skiddle" and I'll post photos when I can figure out how.

Bob Martyn & Baby Skiddle