New Mack Anthem

[james j neiweem]

A new Mack Anthem is on its way the 25th of June. It is supposed to cater to the regional haul market. From the sneak preview it looks like it has the Volvo cab in place of the Mayflower cab. Lets hope it has an axle forward version if the Pinnacle is dropped.

[Bullheaded]

I saw some spy pics too. Sad. Another Volvo. I sure hope they don't ruin the Granite next and turn it into an ugly VHD.

So I guess Mack really has no interest any more in offering heavy spec tractors for logging and dump trailer work.

[james j neiweem]

They have a heavy spec Mack tractor. Its called the Granite. But nobody seems to buy them in a tractor configuration. I don't get it.

[Bullheaded]

5 hours ago, james j neiweem said:

They have a heavy spec Mack tractor. Its called the Granite. But nobody seems to buy them in a tractor configuration. I don't get it.

Because they won't give you a decent sleeper. Mack could have sold lots of Titan's and Granite's if they would have just offered the 60 inch midrise on them.

I had friends that had the HOS sleeper on their Granite's and they froze to death in them in the winter.

[mowerman]

That’s really weird because I just read a couple of weeks ago. They were not going to do anything with the anthem. I saw a brand new pioneer at the show. It wasn’t the ugliest thing I ever seen. I think the worst thing about it was the windshield I didn’t care for it was too bubbly, but you fellas are right. There is too much Volvo in it. Best of luck to them.

[james j neiweem]

There are plenty of heavy spec tractors from producers other than Mack that don't have sleepers. So why aren't there more heavy spec Granite tractors. Is weight the issue? I can see it for trailer dumps but not lowboys. Maybe they are under powered.

[Nobody454]

absolutely underpowered - most hp out of a MP8 is 505, cummins is 605, no wonder nobody wants a heavy spec mack lowboy

[Geoff Weeks]

Pulling the same stuff we moved with 350-400hp!  I moved the same stuff the oldtimers (at that time) moved with 200 hp!

[mackey58]

Yep what if they had to drive290 Cummins or a 300 em6 do I say a 2stick 😲

[Geoff Weeks]

I showed up at a train de-rail, with a 6-71 (238 hp) Fleetstar, and was getting razzed, the old semi retired driver for the H-H company said "we used to move super loads with that power'.   

I used my Fleetstar because I knew I would have to go down an access road to retrieve the rail car. I took all the trailers down, turned them around and stretched them out for the other "large car's", on the understanding I would get the 1st load out! They ribbed me I could have the 1st load but would be last to be unloaded. The old gray hair said under his breath "don't you bet on it! You could here that 6-71 for miles, and I was the 1st to unload!

[Joseph Cummings]

6-71 2 valve in this Hendrickson

 

 

[Geoff Weeks]

My DART oil field 150 has a 6-71 2 valve, they were rated at 200 hp! When they went to 4 valve they jumped to 238.

[tjc transport]

5 hours ago, Geoff Weeks said:

Pulling the same stuff we moved with 350-400hp!  I moved the same stuff the oldtimers (at that time) moved with 200 hp!

for 21 years i ran heavy equipment all over the tri state area with a DM800 powered by a 237 and mud stick trans. 58k rears with 14-24 tires on tractor and trailer.

with the "S" tags on the trailer, i was legal for 215,000 lbs total weight. i had a bolt on third axle for the trailer, but never used it.

[Geoff Weeks]

Only thing that has changed, is the tolerance for slow moving large loads. 

[tjc transport]

so true. these days they try running me off the road for only doing 45 mph loaded with the W900 Kenworth. just because i have 7 axles, you aint stopping 180,000 lbs without running over a couple teslas, two transit busses, an a volvo bobtail tractor.

[mackey58]

Yep the new drivers get them automatics,put there foot on the dash check there 4screens stuck on the dash and either get in the hammer lane or tie up the right lane updating there Facebook page can't move over to let you merge.sorry had to vent

[T-Mack1]

So,  I just retired from the Quality Group at the Mack Macungie plant.  Part of the groups function is reviewing new projects.  So, that said,  I first worked on the new Pioneer and the improved Anthem in Oct of 2023.  They needed completed truck cabs to send for the NHTSB crash testing.   The last one was a few days before I retired on January 10th 2025.  I know exactly what the new Anthem looks like, but ..... sorry,  I signed non-disclosure papers on the project.   I can say it rides real nice.  And,  both the Pioneer and the refreshed Anthem get an advertised 11% better fuel mileage (relative to how much lead is in your foot).   If you are still driving for a living,  get your annual fuel bill out and figure out what 11% is.

Are the Mack Pioneer and the Volvo VNL the same? Only sort of.   The Mack maintained the dash layout that is more setup for the working man (switches closer to reach), and slightly nicer trim levels.  It also maintains the engine programing that gives the truck better throttle response, leaving MPG up to the driver (there is times you need power like getting on a busy interstate).    They share many many body and frame parts, which can help save costs and keep the company competitive.    As for the new look, well I didn't like the look of the original Anthem when it came out, but it grew on me.  Same with the new trucks.

What I know about the Granite Axle back and both axle forward models (Pinnacle & Granite),  They are marked for updates but I don't have dates.   The update are part of the latest emission standards which has fuel mileage requirements.   As for the axle forwards, I was told Volvo does not offer an Axle forward so they don't fully understand why people want them.   Maybe they should watch the training videos Mack has on the different axle configurations and the why of them.  A rather boring video but good info.

The last Anthem sleeper rolled off the assembly line a week of two ago.  The last Old style Anthem day cab will roll off later this year.