Since you ordered some changes have been made in product options. The Allison RDS3000 is now available. Air ride suspension options are now open for order in the shorter wheelbases. Nice Video. I have two (sold) units on the ground with the RDS3000 and they also required a larging cooling volume which is included with the package..
Super nice Mack MD! Never knew that the B6.7 Cummins was the only engine offered in this particular line, you'd think there would be a medium duty Mack engine of some kind! If I'm not mistaken, the Allison 2500 RDS is programmed to be in what is called Economy mode, where it'll shift the way you describe. If you press the mode button (I think), you can change it to Performance mode, or Power mode, so that it'll shift at the highest RPM's possible and will hold each gear for as long as possible. Not sure if you'll lose 6th gear in Power mode, but it's worth checking out next time you drive it. Would love more driving videos on your Mack MD when you get the chance!
Yeah, they don’t offer any of the MP series engines in the MD line. I’m really happy with the B6.7 though, I specifically shopped trucks with that driveline for what we do.
@robstruckshop1150 the MP was offered in a small version of the Granite called an MHD Granite for many years. I sold a lot of them, but it never caught on nationally and was dropped two years ago.
Excellent video…I’m a landscaper in Minnesota and we are blindly in search of a dump truck. Probably like your company, we are not driving it all day. Get materials to the job site and get a load of debris out on the way home. When we decide to buy one, we will use it for 20+ years. This video really helps make the decision process easier. We all have CDL’s but currently only drive under CDL Ram 4500/5500 dump trucks. Any advice on how you would order your truck differently? Scott, Living Space Landscapes MN.
Hi Scott! We actually run ours most of the day, we have a full time driver to feed the 5 crews. The reliability and efficiency of the 6.7 Cummins was exactly what we wanted because of the miles we put on it and the fact that like you, we’ll own it 20 years. If I could do it again I honestly wouldn’t change much- this truck is lightweight and gives a great payload number- it weighs 16,040 with a driver , so we can put right about 17k in it. In a perfect world I’d design an electric auto tarp where the arms would work with a contractor dump. I’d also add air ride if I could- partially for the ride but more so to keep the truck level with any load. As far as the Mack chassis goes I wouldn’t change a thing (other than an air horn and a stack, neither of which are available!) Appreciate the feedback on the video and I’ll check out your website- always good to hear from fellow landscape contractors. Hope you have a great season!
I always wanted to see a review on the MD. Btw Do you have a extra menu on your dash when you're stopped and the parking brake is on? You should be able to take off the speed warning off on that menu. I know in the anthem you can. I can't remember if is that you have to move the speed up or something like that buti know in the anthem you can. I don't know in the MD
Really appreciate your thorough review. We have 2023 Granite Triaxles with the same cab etc. and the freezing temp warning that constantly pops up is annoying. Same with the overspeed warning at 70. I've been through all the menus but can't seem to find out how to turn them off. Any ideas? Thanks.
I just had the dealer take care of that for me- they charged me 1 labor hour to raise the overspeed warning to 75 (beyond the geared limits of the truck) and another labor hour to adjust shift parameters for the Allison. The dealer confirmed that both conditions have to be addressed with ECM/TCM flashes, you can’t do it from the driver menus.
@@robstruckshop80 Figures lol. I'm just a driver so that'll never happen. Cruise control is also disabled on all the new ones too but they specified them that way which big time sucks. Appreciate the info.
Oh man, no cruise?! That sucks especially on a nice new truck. I agree though, the freezing temp warning is obnoxious too and I forgot to have them look into that.
Hey Rob. I’m in the process of restoring an LN9000 just like yours. Where did you get parts for it? I’ve checked with ford and Cummins with no luck. Thanks
Hi Cole- you’ll have to use a Freightliner/Western Star dealer. Daimler owns them and owned Sterling before it folded so they have the rights and access to the old Ford heavy truck line. Most or all of the body and interior parts are long out of production though so you might not have much luck on everything. For body parts it’s all used or you can find basics like seals, door latches, etc on eBay or from parts stores. For driveline parts, seals, bearings, brake parts, etc, your local heavy truck parts store can get everything based off part numbers. On the engine, Cummins can get it all- sign up for a free quickserve account on Cummins.com and enter your ESN- you’ll have access to all the engine parts diagrams and the associated part numbers.
Hello Rob, how is the Allison since the dealership reprogrammed the TCM? I assume the truck originally came with fuel sense 2.0 and they changed the software with out that option. Before reprogramming the software would the truck shift into neutral with the service brake depressed? Thank you!
You know this is going to sound bad but I have t driven it since the re-flash! A driver runs it every day and I just haven’t had a reason to run it. Unfortunately I can say one way or the other about the shifting into neutral thing either, it’s been almost a year since I’ve ran it!
It was completely custom built by STE Truck in Almont, MI. They subcontracted the steel portion to a local fabricator who only builds heavy truck bodies and roll off cans. STE did the aluminum fab and the upfit in-house. If I recall the total upfit was 30-35
Class 6 and up trucks don’t have “tow ratings”. A tag trailer that can handle a 20k excavator will weigh somewhere in the neighborhood of 8k so you’re talking almost 30k of weight behind the truck for a total GCWR of 60-80k depending on the trailer. A 33k GVWR truck like this would pull that legally but I would personally prefer a heavier spec truck with more power, a heavier transmission and tandem axles.
@@mikefrench3800 the RDS2500 transmission has a 33k GCWR weight restriction. The Allison RDS3000 is now available for up to 66k GCWR and includes a larger cooling system. I do not recommend an air brake trailer due to the vehicles air capacity and reserve.
There’s no such thing as “tow ratings” outside of the pickup truck world so that’s really a matter of opinion and axle ratings. Personally, with a single axle truck in this power range I would stick to a tag trailer of less than 20k GVWR, so a max of 53k. We pull a 15k trailer and therefore our GCWR and elected weight on the license plate is 48k
@robstruckshop1150 ya I know. It's always been a problem especially with a skid steer or a 580B. It's prevented a lot of sales in many truck lines we sell.
Hello Rob, how is the Allison since the dealership reprogrammed the TCM? I assume the truck originally came with fuel sense 2.0 and they changed the software with out that option. Before reprogramming the software would the truck shift into neutral with the service brake depressed? Thank you!
Hello Rob, how is the Allison since the dealership reprogrammed the TCM? I assume the truck originally came with fuel sense 2.0 and they changed the software with out that option. Before reprogramming the software would the truck shift into neutral with the service brake depressed? Thank you!
Since you ordered some changes have been made in product options. The Allison RDS3000 is now available. Air ride suspension options are now open for order in the shorter wheelbases. Nice Video. I have two (sold) units on the ground with the RDS3000 and they also required a larging cooling volume which is included with the package..
Super nice Mack MD! Never knew that the B6.7 Cummins was the only engine offered in this particular line, you'd think there would be a medium duty Mack engine of some kind! If I'm not mistaken, the Allison 2500 RDS is programmed to be in what is called Economy mode, where it'll shift the way you describe. If you press the mode button (I think), you can change it to Performance mode, or Power mode, so that it'll shift at the highest RPM's possible and will hold each gear for as long as possible. Not sure if you'll lose 6th gear in Power mode, but it's worth checking out next time you drive it. Would love more driving videos on your Mack MD when you get the chance!
Yeah, they don’t offer any of the MP series engines in the MD line. I’m really happy with the B6.7 though, I specifically shopped trucks with that driveline for what we do.
@robstruckshop1150 the MP was offered in a small version of the Granite called an MHD Granite for many years. I sold a lot of them, but it never caught on nationally and was dropped two years ago.
Excellent video…I’m a landscaper in Minnesota and we are blindly in search of a dump truck. Probably like your company, we are not driving it all day. Get materials to the job site and get a load of debris out on the way home. When we decide to buy one, we will use it for 20+ years. This video really helps make the decision process easier. We all have CDL’s but currently only drive under CDL Ram 4500/5500 dump trucks. Any advice on how you would order your truck differently?
Scott, Living Space Landscapes MN.
Hi Scott! We actually run ours most of the day, we have a full time driver to feed the 5 crews. The reliability and efficiency of the 6.7 Cummins was exactly what we wanted because of the miles we put on it and the fact that like you, we’ll own it 20 years. If I could do it again I honestly wouldn’t change much- this truck is lightweight and gives a great payload number- it weighs 16,040 with a driver , so we can put right about 17k in it. In a perfect world I’d design an electric auto tarp where the arms would work with a contractor dump. I’d also add air ride if I could- partially for the ride but more so to keep the truck level with any load. As far as the Mack chassis goes I wouldn’t change a thing (other than an air horn and a stack, neither of which are available!)
Appreciate the feedback on the video and I’ll check out your website- always good to hear from fellow landscape contractors. Hope you have a great season!
Nice Mack. I really like that dump body. But I gotta say, I really love that Ford you got there!!
Thank you sir! There’s a bunch of videos about it on the channel if you haven’t seen them
Just found your channel. I will have to check them out. Thanks.
I always wanted to see a review on the MD. Btw Do you have a extra menu on your dash when you're stopped and the parking brake is on? You should be able to take off the speed warning off on that menu. I know in the anthem you can. I can't remember if is that you have to move the speed up or something like that buti know in the anthem you can. I don't know in the MD
I’ll have to check out that menu the next time I drive it, thank you
Really appreciate your thorough review. We have 2023 Granite Triaxles with the same cab etc. and the freezing temp warning that constantly pops up is annoying. Same with the overspeed warning at 70. I've been through all the menus but can't seem to find out how to turn them off. Any ideas? Thanks.
I just had the dealer take care of that for me- they charged me 1 labor hour to raise the overspeed warning to 75 (beyond the geared limits of the truck) and another labor hour to adjust shift parameters for the Allison. The dealer confirmed that both conditions have to be addressed with ECM/TCM flashes, you can’t do it from the driver menus.
@@robstruckshop80 Figures lol. I'm just a driver so that'll never happen. Cruise control is also disabled on all the new ones too but they specified them that way which big time sucks. Appreciate the info.
Oh man, no cruise?! That sucks especially on a nice new truck. I agree though, the freezing temp warning is obnoxious too and I forgot to have them look into that.
Hey Rob. I’m in the process of restoring an LN9000 just like yours. Where did you get parts for it? I’ve checked with ford and Cummins with no luck. Thanks
Hi Cole- you’ll have to use a Freightliner/Western Star dealer. Daimler owns them and owned Sterling before it folded so they have the rights and access to the old Ford heavy truck line. Most or all of the body and interior parts are long out of production though so you might not have much luck on everything. For body parts it’s all used or you can find basics like seals, door latches, etc on eBay or from parts stores. For driveline parts, seals, bearings, brake parts, etc, your local heavy truck parts store can get everything based off part numbers. On the engine, Cummins can get it all- sign up for a free quickserve account on Cummins.com and enter your ESN- you’ll have access to all the engine parts diagrams and the associated part numbers.
@@robstruckshop80 ok thank you
Hello Rob, how is the Allison since the dealership reprogrammed the TCM?
I assume the truck originally came with fuel sense 2.0 and they changed the software with out that option. Before reprogramming the software would the truck shift into neutral with the service brake depressed? Thank you!
You know this is going to sound bad but I have t driven it since the re-flash! A driver runs it every day and I just haven’t had a reason to run it. Unfortunately I can say one way or the other about the shifting into neutral thing either, it’s been almost a year since I’ve ran it!
Hi Rob, do you use a telematics system for your Mack MD? Were you offered GeoTab from the dealership? Thanks and great review!
We do not use any telematics currently. I know that it’s built into the truck but we don’t really need it and our dealer never offered.
Got it, thanks!
Thats a very nice drop side bed, i would love to know who made it and what you paid. I have a gallion and its okay but not great.
It was completely custom built by STE Truck in Almont, MI. They subcontracted the steel portion to a local fabricator who only builds heavy truck bodies and roll off cans. STE did the aluminum fab and the upfit in-house. If I recall the total upfit was 30-35
This guy sounds a little like Mike Rowe.
🤣
You looking for a mack? Never mind you bought one nice rig.
Hahaha yup I got the one I needed
You ever check your real world mileage??
I have not, I only run the truck once or twice a year
md7 is a cdl truck and an md6 is non cdl right? nevermind, answered my question
Haha, yes you are correct
How much weight will it pull? 10 ton excavator and tilt trailer?
Class 6 and up trucks don’t have “tow ratings”. A tag trailer that can handle a 20k excavator will weigh somewhere in the neighborhood of 8k so you’re talking almost 30k of weight behind the truck for a total GCWR of 60-80k depending on the trailer. A 33k GVWR truck like this would pull that legally but I would personally prefer a heavier spec truck with more power, a heavier transmission and tandem axles.
@@robstruckshop80 Thanks a lot!!!
@@mikefrench3800 the RDS2500 transmission has a 33k GCWR weight restriction. The Allison RDS3000 is now available for up to 66k GCWR and includes a larger cooling system. I do not recommend an air brake trailer due to the vehicles air capacity and reserve.
@@garylantz8630 Thanks!
What is the max weight you can pull including the trailer ?
There’s no such thing as “tow ratings” outside of the pickup truck world so that’s really a matter of opinion and axle ratings. Personally, with a single axle truck in this power range I would stick to a tag trailer of less than 20k GVWR, so a max of 53k. We pull a 15k trailer and therefore our GCWR and elected weight on the license plate is 48k
@@robstruckshop80 the RDS2500 has a tow restriction of 33k GCWR. The RDS3000 is now available
Then we are exceeding it by 15k.
@robstruckshop1150 ya I know. It's always been a problem especially with a skid steer or a 580B. It's prevented a lot of sales in many truck lines we sell.
It’s not a Mack r model
No it’s not…. Not as capable, but a lot more comfortable!
@@robstruckshop80 You ain’t kidding I drove the DM and R models there hard riders empty loaded not to bad
Hello Rob, how is the Allison since the dealership reprogrammed the TCM?
I assume the truck originally came with fuel sense 2.0 and they changed the software with out that option. Before reprogramming the software would the truck shift into neutral with the service brake depressed? Thank you!
Hello Rob, how is the Allison since the dealership reprogrammed the TCM?
I assume the truck originally came with fuel sense 2.0 and they changed the software with out that option. Before reprogramming the software would the truck shift into neutral with the service brake depressed? Thank you!