Bill 88 R 688 ST Posted April 15, 2023 Share Posted April 15, 2023 Triangle's New and Improved Mack Camelback Lighter Weight • More Payload • Better Performance • Longer Life Replaces current SRI part # : 62-147 (4QK4005A) 62-143 (4QK4004A)(25192117) Sold in pairs (axle set) with necessary U-Bolts. Contains: two (2) Light Weight Camelback Springs, Complete U-Bolt kits with four (4) 1-1/4" U-Bolts and associated nuts & washers. Benefits: Lighter Weight: 216-300 lbs. per vehicle savings Improved fuel economy or increased payload Easier installation Increased Life Expectancy: Bench tests reflect greater life when compared to the OE version. Vehicle tested on dump and roll-off trucks, plus front & rear load garbage packers. Superior Ride Performance: (loaded and unloaded) Installation Modifications Required: U-Bolts ONLY! Uses standard insulator pads, top plates, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted April 15, 2023 Share Posted April 15, 2023 I did see a R model listed for sale only a week or so ago in QLD with these on and they were described as Scania soft ride conversion? Might not of been exactly the same but three leaves on the camel back trunion Sorry I can be of no further help Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hans Remmers Posted April 15, 2023 Share Posted April 15, 2023 Similar concept to a mack taperleaf suspension. They ride quite well but some people say they're too weak. If you're grossing 80k max and not pounding the sh!t out of it they might do well. My family had 2 with taperleaf doing dry bulk and they did fine and both trucks I have now are taperleaf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Mack Posted April 15, 2023 Share Posted April 15, 2023 Hmm? I have not seen those before... I am curious. I know what TRUE Camelbacks can do, but I am interested to know how well they do in the hard working world of a MACK TRUCK... I have no knowledge to offer, so I guess I'm sittin on the bleachers with a beer in my hand. jojo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark T Posted April 15, 2023 Share Posted April 15, 2023 Usually when a spring doesn't have a lot of leaves they require shock absorbers . I know that definitely applies to tapper leaf, those IDK. Something to think about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 never had any dealing with this set up, challenging to see all the positives // lighter / better performance / etc. basically they are the best thing since sliced bread.. maybe that's where all the recycled cans have been going. 50 yrs ago i wouldn't have understood a suspension carrying 8oK that consisted of air bags and not 58K steel springs either, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 Mack had a spring setup like this for the steer axle in the early 80's I think the ride is proven to be better and this style of 3 leaves has been Europe for well over 40 years, probably closer to 50 Amd that was used on both drive and steer axles The Mack M ride (rebadged Volvo thingy) is reported to work well and is a parabolic leaf spring setup as well I reckon it would have to ride better, couldn't ride any worse Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Mack Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 Paul, is that the ''T- Ride'' of todays world.. I actually have heard good things about it.. It's been around for decades.. Kinda chaps my ass that Volvo has a better set up.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill 88 R 688 ST Posted April 16, 2023 Author Share Posted April 16, 2023 Thanks to all who have chimed in. Now that I have the old suspension apart, seems to me that the old leave packs are ok, and could be re-used, going to go with all polyurethane bushings spring pads etc... and I came across this set up, and was just wondering if going to this set up with all poly bushings might really improve ride quality, but am concerned because I do alot of dump work in the spring/summer, and spend a decent bit of time off road in the slop.... Was hoping someone had some real world experience using this set up and if they had any insight into longevity vs ride quality improvement... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joey Mack Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 Bill,,, I do not have ANY knowledge of ,, 'OFF Brand' set ups.. Of course I know that a Mack Camel back set up is Tried and True.. I have been around dump trucks for 2+ decades and I know that suspension works hard.. However... I am a mechanic and not an owner of a fleet.. so the fleet guys know more because they have many different suspension set ups.. just my take on this... Jojo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Bill 88 R 688 ST Posted April 16, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 16, 2023 Couldn't agree more jojo, I guess the truth is in the fact that I bought this truck from a concrete company I used to work for, they bought it in 95 with 200k on the meter ran it for 24 years, me piloting it for 15 of them, and as far as i can tell from the book of service records I got with it, the suspension has only been re-bushed once around 375k. I bought it in 2019 and try to only use it in warm weather/no salt conditions in an effort to keep it alive... it now has 701k on it.. I believe I am just going to re-use the old spring packs and go with all poly bushings, pads etc.... 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 4 hours ago, Joey Mack said: Paul, is that the ''T- Ride'' of todays world.. I actually have heard good things about it.. It's been around for decades.. Kinda chaps my ass that Volvo has a better set up.. Yeah mate, dunno if it is better or not, but it is good from all reports Used on road trains shifting cattle, a lotta off road work spending most of their life well over 100 tons, so it has tp be pretty good to handle that type of work Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 4 hours ago, Bill 88 R 688 ST said: Thanks to all who have chimed in. Now that I have the old suspension apart, seems to me that the old leave packs are ok, and could be re-used, going to go with all polyurethane bushings spring pads etc... and I came across this set up, and was just wondering if going to this set up with all poly bushings might really improve ride quality, but am concerned because I do alot of dump work in the spring/summer, and spend a decent bit of time off road in the slop.... Was hoping someone had some real world experience using this set up and if they had any insight into longevity vs ride quality improvement... I remember some years ago on here a fella rebuilt and rebushed his camel back with neoprene gear Afterwards he noticed the this chirp spund when running empty The neoprene elephant ears and bushes didn't have enough flex to allow the axles to track when cornering They got replaced with normal rubber type and the problem was solved I had a hunt about and turns out Im full of crap Thought the bushes got changed and it fixed the issue Still pretty sure that might be the case and the answer posted in a separate thread, you all know it is highly unlikely for anyone on here to get sidetracked Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MACKS Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 13 hours ago, Hans Remmers said: Similar concept to a mack taperleaf suspension. They ride quite well but some people say they're too weak. If you're grossing 80k max and not pounding the sh!t out of it they might do well. My family had 2 with taperleaf doing dry bulk and they did fine and both trucks I have now are taperleaf. I don’t think anybody is gonna gross 80,000 0n 38,000 suspension,not for long anyway.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjh Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 Most dump trucks here are speced with antisway leafs inch thick stead of 3/4 ! Cant see that tapper leaf set up in a dump truck ?! how ever that T ride has been working as stated for decades and is similar in nature ! Might be OK! The draw back I see ! The standard camel back upper leaves can be duplicated At any spring shop where by that tapper leaf not so much! strictly a Mack Item! $$$$$$$$$$ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hans Remmers Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 MACKS, I was implying 80k gross as if this is a tractor with semitrailer. Certainly not on the truck alone. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark T Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 Dump work ?? do yourself a favor and just put new springs in. Longest way sometimes turns out to be the shortest . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MACKS Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 I would stick with the original type springs and pads,how do u improve the ride on 38000 rears,they already ride like an old caddy.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill 88 R 688 ST Posted April 16, 2023 Author Share Posted April 16, 2023 Thanks again all for the input. Decided I am going with new spring packs and orig style rubbers on it. Really appreciate this forum and all who give their 2 cents. Maybe some day if i can retire, I'll play with the suspension a bit. For now while i still work it, After all things considered, I will go with factory spec rear setup. Might be able to gross a bit more anyway since my wallet will be close to empty..🤣😑 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 Looks like they start on 44k setups?... Don't know if they make 38k versions. Also I havent seen any weight ratings listed on any of the quick research I just did. So I wouldn't trust it as far as I could throw it. 38k is a bit light weight for off-road dump truck work, but we have a 1979 volumetric concrete mixer truck we have had since 1986. Same 38k rears, the suspension has held up very well. It just got new rear springs a couple years ago, one side was sagging, other side finally broke a leaf. Now that you know what breaks to look for I'd say run it. Also, the trunnion bars do break sometimes. We had one break on our 58k setup between the saddle and the stand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill 88 R 688 ST Posted April 16, 2023 Author Share Posted April 16, 2023 Joe, They say it Replaces current SRI part # : 62-147 (4QK4005A) That part # shows as Mack Rear Leaf Spring | 10 Leaves | 19,000 lbs. Capacity SKU 62-147 Just wanted to throw that out there. But thanks again to all for the input. it is greatly appreciated.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark T Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 1 hour ago, Bill 88 R 688 ST said: Thanks again all for the input. Decided I am going with new spring packs and orig style rubbers on it. Really appreciate this forum and all who give their 2 cents. Maybe some day if i can retire, I'll play with the suspension a bit. For now while i still work it, After all things considered, I will go with factory spec rear setup. Might be able to gross a bit more anyway since my wallet will be close to empty..🤣😑 They're not that bad (cost) if you break it down to cents per mile. You fix it now and freshen it up, it'll last for years. I've found on the trucks with a "C" cab (CH CL CT) it's worth the effort to get gas shocks for the cab and make sure the front cab mounts are in good shape. They're no air ride, but those trucks ride better than comes to mind. Especially if it has some nice fresh taper leafs in the front. and new springs in the back, you'll see an improvement you didn't even realize was missing over the time it took to wear out the ones you're replacing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 Sorry I was basing it off this conversation from several years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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