StarshipDM685SX
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NLA
in Antique and Classic Mack Trucks General Discussion
Posted
What a mighty Mack mechanical marvel-a bold statement of Mack's engineering and manufacturing preeminence. I drove for the largest Mack construction fleet in MD in the mid-80's, Joseph J. Hock. We had over 110 DM and RD 10 wheel dumps, a number of tractors/dump trailers, and 1 DM800 tractor. We used it to pull a triaxle lo-boy loaded with whatever would fit on it. D9's ((blade on) and crawler cranes (w/counterweights) were no match for this manly tractor. It made a fortune for our equipment hauling business. For whatever reason (?!) the scale man never saw a need to weigh the loaded rig. Maybe it was making some $ for the scale man. Is the DM800 the successor to the B81? I'd enjoy blogging with anyone who is familiar with the specs/history of both models. I began driving dump trucks in 1969-in a 10 wheel B81 dump 20 speed 24" rubber 'no steering' and a steering wheel you dare not wrap your hand around when crossing rutted ground-unless you didn't mind getting a thumb or two broken when the wheel whipped right or left against the stop. As I recall a 180 HP Thermodyne non-turbo engine. Not a lot of horsepower, but adequate torque and lots of reduction. You could shift it 3 times just going through an intersection. It was great fun to drive.