Triplex in a N61

[Superdog]

There was some N model discussion on ATHS,and I mentioned the "air shift" Triplex that's in mine.Here are some pics.

[Doug Maney]

Very interesting.

[Olivetroad]

That is a neat setup - do you have a photo of the whole truck?

[umodelnut]

wow. Thats pretty cool!!!!!

[Freightrain]

Wow....that's cool. Didn't think both handles were air shifted? Very unique set up. Bet you had to be very "ginger" with it to get it to shift smoothly? Wonder how much "feel" you have in the controls?

Wonder if you could bolt that onto any Triplex? If it still worked right, wonder if you could transplant it into a B Model or something like that. Make up a console to hold the controls. That would be really different!

[ThaddeusW]

That is simply awesome. Goes to show you there was plenty of interesting truck technology way back when. I like how you have to wait for the neutral light before letting go of the clutch. I would assume if the light blew it would leave the driver hanging with his foot on the clutch for quite some time before they decided to let go and see what happens. They should have reversed the logic and designed it so the light goes out when in neutral.

Thanks for posting the pictures.

[twostickmutt]

that looks slick mike. an old guy like me would like to take that thing for a rip.

[Superdog]

Here's a pic of the whole truck.I bought it out of a junkyard in IL that was being crushed out back in '95.40 acres of nothing but trucks,teens to the '70's,lotta neat stuff was crushed.Anyway,the N61 had 1966 plates and was showing 381k.It had been there a long time.never could get any of the wheels to roll,steering column is froze tight.It'd take a fortune to restore,but I'd never seen another in person at the time and couldn't let it go away forever.

[Superdog]

I found the remains of a registration in the truck,it apparently was owned by a Owner/operator and leased to Aetna.I know nothing of the company at all.

[umodelnut]

Nice Mike, was there any U models in that junkyard that N model came out of?

[Freightrain]

I know Aetna had an office next to my buddies machine shop for years. It closed some time ago and the little building torn down. I remember the sign. Looks like sign says Warren, Ohio which is about 45 minutes east of me.

Would be neat to tinker with. Even if to not restore, but just make it run again.

[Superdog]

Nice Mike, was there any U models in that junkyard that N model came out of?

There was some of everything, a chain drive AC,E models,A models,L models,H models,G models,F models,B models,U models,R models.i need to find someone that has pictures as it was a once in a lifetime deal.All my film got ruined,unfortunately.Had I been a rich man I would have bought them all,but I was only able to save a few,this N61,a G753,a B20,a EGU,and 2 truck loads of misc.parts.

[Rob]

Nice Mike, was there any U models in that junkyard that N model came out of?

All crushed flatter than day old beer in the sun.

Uncle Rob

[JumperAndSon]

Neat! I would love to have it. I think my neighbor has one like that, when I get back to PA I'll go down and look. I'll post some pictures if I can.

Ben

[umodelnut]

There was some of everything, a chain drive AC,E models,A models,L models,H models,G models,F models,B models,U models,R models.i need to find someone that has pictures as it was a once in a lifetime deal.All my film got ruined,unfortunately.Had I been a rich man I would have bought them all,but I was only able to save a few,this N61,a G753,a B20,a EGU,and 2 truck loads of misc.parts.

Its not your falt Mike, but im seriously ready to cry, im not kidding. Do you remember if they were early U's with oil bath breathers, or younger ones like mine. Also whats your estimate on how many were there? sob sob sniffle sniffle.

[slpwlker]

I found the remains of a registration in the truck,it apparently was owned by a Owner/operator and leased to Aetna.I know nothing of the company at all.

They are now owned by the Tii family which owns Greentree Transportation

http://www.transportinvestments.com/afl.php

[Mike]

I would have mistaken it for a late 50's Ford Cabover if it were not for the Mack emblems.

mike

[Green Dash]

An N model nust be rare enough these days, let alone one with an air shift.

Here's a page from a brochure.

And here's the rest of it.

http://public.fotki.com/modeltrucks25thscale/truck_brochures/mack/mack_n-40_1958/

[57 bcr]

Thanks for posting those photos,Mike.When we talked about that truck on the phone,I had a hard time imagining the set-up.That certainly is a rare one.Tough to float the gears in on that one,I bet! And thanks Green Dash for posting the brochure link.You just can't get this kind of knowledge anywhere else but BMT,can you? Makes me want to turn my C-8000 FORD into an N,even if its only cosmetically!

[vision386]

Hydro-pneumatic clutch control? sounds fancy!............................................Mark

[Brocky]

Hyrdo-pnumatic clutch??? Was that an air operated hydraulic clutch??? Or a straight air clutch???

Have never seen or even heard of a lever operated air shift system before..Sure would like to look one over as it looks like the clutch could be plumbed into the shift lever with no problem..

I have driven a pusher type school bus with a straight air clutch, took a while to get used to but worked fine.. Just do NOT park it in gear!! This was prior to spring lock brakes so if the air leaked down you were on the move when it started!!

Brocky