leegsr52

I'm also purchasing a new Granite. Trying to figure out which transmission to go with. Was looking at 310MLR and 318LR. I'm from old school 12 speed. Had several guys suggest the allison. Would like to know peoples opinions. I'm using truck for a volumetric mixer (mix-on-site) concrete truck. Need low gears, and creeper gear for pouring curbs. Seems like the allison has some advantages. Never driven one. Looking for input from people with experience with them.

Thanks guys! Talk about confusing the issue! LOL So, here's what the specs are so far: 20,000# front axle - 425x22.5 rubber (needed to get the 20k rating, unless I go with the 315/80R22's, but they don't fill the wheel wells) 20,000# steerable pusher - 425x22.5 rubber 46,000# Mack double locker rears - 12R24.5 rubber Axle ratio - 4.10 Single deep frame (just made it under the single frame length limit with a 153"ca and 241" wheelbase MP8 - 415HP (maybe 425) T310MLR transmission or T318LR (hence...the undecided issue!) These two currently being the options I think would be best for our situation (Then again, the last time a specd. a new truck, was in 1987 - with a twelve speed, which by the way, I think Mack should still be making. Thank you emissions! That is one reason why I was thinking about going with the T318LR, because you CAN split forward gears. The only issue I have with the transmission, correct me if I'm wrong, is that you can't shift through reverse gears (well...the first two), like the T310MLR. Near as I can find out through Mack specs, the T318LR has a low reverse ratio of 29.98, then 24.58 and 6.41(can you say....useless!?), in comparison to the T310MLR with a low of 23.96 through 2.40, which you can actually shift through. Too bad they couldn't figure out a way to do that with the 18 speed....what a combo that would be! I recently spoke with a contractor friend of mine, who bought an RD 10 wheel dump with the Allison. He's not thrilled with it. He says you don't retain control enough over the truck when backing down steep slopes and such. The application we're using this truck for is as a volumetric (mix-on-site) concrete mixer. http://www.zimmermanindustries.com/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=5&Itemid=19 Although in a majority of our work, our truck stays on the pavement, we do go onto job sites and residential sites, where we really need a low creeper gear. I've had jobs where we've had to back up 45 degree inclined driveways starting from a dead stop at the road, loaded to my max, which sometimes can end up being 80,000#+ (shhh...did I say that?) Also, we do a considerable amount of curb backing work, which requires a very low creeper gear. Call me stubborn, but even though I'm pretty progressive when it comes to keeping up with with change and new technology, etc, I'm still a little old fashion, in that I would prefer my Mack to be ALL Mack. (well....as much as it can be these days....lol). I'm beginning to think I should have just closed my eyes, and picked something off the lot!! So, with all that being said, please, pick my opinions apart! Thanks guys!

I'm trying to decide on transmission for a new Granite. Have narrowed the choices, with the help of my Mack dealer, to the T318LR 18 speed or the T310MLR 10 speed. Let me start off by saying that I am a big fan of the old 12 speed. For construction and off road, I think it is the best transmission that Mack ever made. Just my opinion. That being said, and never having driven either of the two newer transmissions, I'm trying to get as close as I can to the old 12 speed as far as reverse gearing, and close ratio shifting. The thing I like about the 10 speed is the five shiftable reverse gears, similar to the old 12 speed. It also has very low crawler gears. The thing that bothers me about it, is the wide spread in ratio between forward gears. No splitting available in the forward gears. I've heard complaints about this this style of transmission, when it comes to pulling hills, and not being able to grab a half a gear. The thing I like about the 18 speed is having the ability to split gears. The thing it lacks is the the shiftable reverse gears, and low speed ratios aren't as low as the 10 speed. Looking for your opinions or experiences on either of these transmissions. There is also the allison auto transmission option. But I'm not sure if that would be a good option.