BC Mack

not involved, just saw them while cruising the ads... I know little about the B's but figured the cast rads we not common Canadian Peso's, not US$$ BC Mack http://www.kijiji.ca/v-heavy-trucks/edmonton/1965-mack-b75/1204611425?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true http://www.kijiji.ca/v-heavy-trucks/edmonton/1965-mack-b75-t-a-truck/1204612824?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

In the 45 years I have been on-off with buses I remember the days when buses were front engined, there was only room for a driver in an isolated cab, a fare collector or conductor rode in the back... a trend in the mid sixties was to reduce staffing to one person operation and so came the rear engined vehicles so the entrance could be in front of the now set-back axle... in doing so there was a massive rear weight imbalance, highway coaches were underfloor mid engined and far better balanced.. the only logical modern bus I saw was made by Ailsa in Scotland, it became a Volvo company, a front engine double decker, one operator, the engine hump served as a counter for the farebox and a barrier to stop the thugs... then over the years along came the bleeding hearts design committees... walk straight in, kneeling buses, multiple wheelchair positions, doors that open without pushing, friendly lighting, honeycomb floors, and on and on.... and what you get today for a million bucks is a 60ft bendy tube with a small Cummins ISL/B engine, powered by natural gas, propelled by a hybrid trans with batts on the roof, drop axles, front bumpers scraping all the now too high kerbs... that are slugs and barely leave the stop when fully loaded.... and, if the passengers pay anything for the ride (we have over 40 different 'benefits' passes) you put $2.50 in the box and ride for as far as you like, try that in a taxi. our tax dollars pay the "grants" municipalities get for buying these useless devices.... and these pieces of crap guarantee me a well paid job... bless them..!!!! BC Mack

rear engined artics and snow.... it's like pushing a wet noodle, it just bends... or drifts into the kerb... we're dumb enough here in Vancouver to expect them to go uphill in the snow.... and the rest of Canada is no smarter when the feds give you a grant. BC Mack

Fred from what I have seen on the MH's, 120gal = 3 straps, 90gal = 2 straps BC Mack

Simard in Quebec was one company that modified trucks to twin steer... back in my old days in the UK, 4 axle twin steer was very common for tipper (dump) trucks and fuel tankers.. BC Mack

when I worked for an airline many moons ago we contracted out our local trucking after moving our own for years.. some accountant said it would be 'cost effective'.. well, one of the 'wraparound stetsons' got to move a GE CF6-80 (Boeing 767) on a shop stand from the hangar to the satellite shop about 10 miles away... it's mostly freeway except for the tunnel.... you guessed it.... he used the wrong height trailer, the shop stand made it 18" higher than a shipping stand and he creamed the top 12" off the fan case and top blades... over $250,000 for the repair to the engine and fours hours getting it freed from the tunnel... in rush hour.... the local constabulary were none too pleased with him. I do remember the regular truckers moving engines around north america always appeared to me to be the cream of the crop, knew what they were doing and the prices we paid were high... we once paid for a double team to take an AOG engine from Vancouver to Los Angeles to load on a 747-400F nose freighter of Northwest Airlines, it was heading for China where we had a plane grounded... I saw the trucking invoice after, wow. been out of that game for years so not sure if it is still as lucrative.... I would assume it still carries a premium. BC Mack

Wimps..!!!! LOL these guys drive a bus chassis from factory to body builders 200 miles away at 70mph... grab a cup of tea, thumb a ride back... and next day do it all again.... hardy guys, always got my respect when they passed ME on the motorway...!!! BC Mack

I have this old photo taken of my truck in the 90's.... according to the Mack build sheet is was built specifically for the maximum weight of 63.5 metric tons gcvw (140,000lb)... hauled lumber one way and bagged fertilizer back, if returning empty they put the rear trailer on top which saved ferry fees (charged by length not weight)... lots of these trailers in western Canada, if fact Chevron use this configuration for delivering to gas stations in the big city, citing more maneuverability than a single trailer... A local building supply company, Rona, is using this trailer system with curtain sides, use it for wallboard etc from warehouse to smaller stores, quick to unload from the sides.... I've seen new super-b trailers with lifting axles for returning empty... I assume someone has rationalised the weight/cost/scrub factors. found photos on the net but the good ones were Hanks so decided not to poach them... we've been there with Hank... overall our bridges aren't collapsing, not perfect, but the roads in general are good, upgrading is happening, bridges which were built in 1958 are getting seismic upgrades as we do get quakes... and you've all watched 'highway thru hell' so you know what the terrain and weather is like... it's not straight and flat..!!! BC Mack

the system on my MH is similar to yours, however the process is pretty generic, you will need to plumb in a few temporary test gauges.... check air supply pressure to foot pedal, it should be tee'd off the protected accessory circuit, eg, air seat, air suspension, heater etc.... watch what it does as you pump down the brakes to kick in the compressor, if pressure is getting low you may have other air system issues... check it too at inlet at fuel pump actuator, possible pinched line or leak if a lot lower than pedal pressure. pulsing can be either an air leak in actuator unit (you have a new throttle pedal unit, right?), or a sticky piston seal... I assume there is no binding on the sliding rod to the fuel pump throttle lever. oil in the air tanks can swell or gum up the seals and make sure the exhaust is clear too pretty simple systems but you need to know the pressures before you start buying parts on a guess.. from your information, is would appear that on light throttle you are getting a surge, my guess is the air pressure at the fuel pump end is too low or there is a leak which gets compensated for with more throttle pedal movement... just my wild guess... not easy diagnosing on the internet.. :-) I used to work on air throttles on the old GM buses, worked better than 40ft cables but now it's all fly-by-wire..!!! as others will mention, not the best system for a truck, solid rods work much better but it could be something Mack put in the dampen the torque as you mash down the pedal. added pics for those not familiar with the air throttles... BC Mack

I think you pretty well nailed it.... it's not the trucking industry's fault the infrastructure isn't there... the industry is not buying the wrong equipment just what is being sold.... the trucks can't excel in efficiency if the bridges are not strong enough, the roads are too narrow, suck fuel, egr's, nimby's, parking, duty hours et al.... if the gov has not got a national policy for all states which is well funded then you aren't going to get efficient... if you took all the 'foreign aid' dollars back you would have a good head start at the funding part, just got to find a leadership that isn't biased or bent.... so what do you truckers do?.. you go 'cheap', short term plan your finances as you don't know if you are in business next year outbid by a guy who just bought a bankrupt local truck company for peanuts and is now underbidding you in a race to the bottom..!!! the customer nearly always chooses the lowest bid for moving a load. the answer?.... it's not just the wrong equipment... it's the whole package. BC Mack

Paul... if you really want to offend them... talk about going metric just like the rest of the planet..!!!! however, you are correct... in a world of increasing trade the ISO container was meant to replace conventional boxvans, everyone should be pulling skeletals... I recently saw a unit heading for Vancouver Port with 3 20ft containers, see if I can find a photo of it somewhere. agree with you that the trailer will be the new focus. this old photo is from 80's, most 40ft flats had twistlocks as loads could differ day to day. BC Mack

would be interesting to see what they could do for Canuck efficiency if they came up to our super B weight of 140,000lb or the LCV's cube... if they could even came up with 0.5mpg improvement then our ton/cube/mile ratio could reap some payback. BC Mack

That's the expensive way to do it.... All they need to do is look up "Russian Truck crash" videos on youtube and all their research data will be there... Pick the manufacturer of the truck you may wish to purchase and watch how it survives a head-on, or not. No offense Vlad, but your countrymen do tend to have a higher accident rate than most.... LOL BC Mack

is the red paint on the door seals normal Mack painting practice of that era??? today they would paint first and add seals later not pristine by any means but practically zero miles... I suppose we are guided by the old car "barn find" definition but I have heared that the tin worm could be heard at night when the factory lights were turned out.... so not quite 'rust free'... LOL BC Mack

seen this before... http://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/whistler/whatever-happened-to-the-hydrogen-highway/Content?oid=2283903 we paid many millions for twenty custom built NewFlyer city transit buses for Whistler prior to the 2010 winter olympics.... I think it was 2.6mil each, big plans by our gov and california to build a supply chain down the left side of america.. of 20 buses they were lucky to get 8 running on any day... and all 8 had two factory mechanics riding with the bus for the few hours a day they actually made it into service... the fuel..... was trucked from Quebec, 3000km away into a $1.2mil storage facility built just for these 20 buses. all was folded up a few months after the games finished and saw no bidders at auction last year, so they went for scrap. gotta give the guy an A+ for BS.... for while he has grasped an idea held my many others in the past he has put the cart in front of the horse. I did read that the energy taken to obtain and transport hydrogen cost more than the energy gained from the product.... sort of like getting our gasoline from farm fields.... and then buying produce from Mexico. BC Mack

OD H-T-H new season starts on TV up here in two days.... someone sent me this thread, looks like the Alberta oil bust hit him in the wallet big time.... http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/115719-highway-thru-hell/ BC Mack

The writer should visit a Transit bus garage and have a quiet word with the mechanics who fix the hybrids, may change his tune a bit..!!! The power assist for acceleration from a stop and the braking retardation are the two good features.... just not sure if a highway semi could benefit carrying all that weight and cost, it may suit small/medium delivery trucks but he just said that isn't working out. When we blow a DPIM or IGBT, my manager cringes... $$$ Remember, in the trademarked Allison system, the engine has no starter... you can't bump start them and pushing for more than a few feet with the axle still in causes considerable damage... so, operator mindset has also got to change. I don't dislike them... just can't rave about the perceived cost savings vs. gains in greenhouse gas stuff. Perhaps 10 years from now, they will develop something that works for a good price... even then, I will lease not buy. BC Mack

There are others but he probably works for Edwin Shirley Trucking.... considered as the pioneer of rock group logistics (before it was called logistics!!) http://www.yourock-weroll.com/ And he is right about Calais... that's a time bomb now at 11:59pm. Found a few pics of their purple trucks. BC Mack

As a former 25 year resident of London I have to say... nothing wrong with the magazine... :-) maybe the MP should go for a solo walk in Brixton at midnight BC Mack

It may come down to new trailer concepts, designs to accommodate the lower weight but higher cube loads that could be the future of general freight... one of the issues being addressed is maneuverability, if the active steer trailers such as trialed by 'Denby' gain more support from industry then the demand for short wheelbase, 90-100 bbc coe tractors will probably increase. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lairKr1Nf0Q LCV's or turnpike doubles, 2 53' trailers are restricted, take large facilities to assemble at the end of the limited road, the potential of a Denby style active steer trailer pulled by a coe is tempting to shippers... as truckers in North America used to condo's and long hoods there would be howls of protest but ultimately the big shippers are controlling the industry and have greater leverage with governments... imagine them without the need of a driver..!!!!... imagine a vehicle road tax by the foot..!! change is coming, not tomorrow... take a look back over the last 25, or even 10 years... all my local impoverished truckers have wraparound stetsons and even the homeless people are giving them food, LOL, that's how far down the abyss it has gone here. BC Mack

Kn what Gearhead said.... build air to max with brakes off (blocked!) and shut it off... check for leaks at the maxi's park side (air pressure is holding the brakes off) check for leaks in the housing or drain hole...and the QR valve.. have someone make a full brake application, when stabilised no more than 3psi per minute air loss is allowed, again go around and check for leaks.... before your helper's leg spasms..!! build up the air, shut off, open up the discharge line out of the compressor and bubble check, the SC-3 non return valve on the wet tank end should hold the air in, if not, it leaks back into the compressor and out the inlet side. at least your D-2 governor seems to be good if it cuts in-out at about 25psi spread, it can be adjusted for max but not spread. even the airbags and valve on the cab should be static checked too... if the loss while running is not due to brake applications or cab then you have a malfunction that needs to be found... and while you're at it, ensure the low air alarm works on both systems... and that test will check the pressure protection valve too. BC Mack

good luck... we've run 'flavour of the day' hybrid buses and while the regen braking is definitely better they can't be certified as such, wheel brakes only are used for stopping distance tests. The electric actuated brakes I've been reading about should be replacing air operated units but the friction brake will not disappear too soon. we've got about 200 hybrids, deliveries started in 2009.... now we are rushing to replace the battery packs which are all coming due for the 7 year life limit... at $67,000 each set.... 140 due this year!!! no one has yet proven to any of us that there are economic advantages in hybrid... they tried all this in the 1920's, I've worked on an old 1924 Tilling Stevens petrol/electric, and its just the microprocessors today that make it work better. however, our trolley buses run on 600vDC overhead and they have been proven to cost about one third of a diesel or cng in $/km and life cycle costs (providing the overhead supply is already in place). all this wonderful technology is getting beyond reason for practical daily use, it is interesting that we are entering Buck Rogers territory with Casey Jones driving and the bored Maytag repairman on standby.... is old new again? maybe we'll get steam back soon...!!!! BC Mack

most of the media outlets are now reporting that Ice Road Truckers Darrell Ward died today in a plane crash near Missoula MT... in a crappy show he wasn't too bad a guy given the scripted drama, I'm sure in real life he was just like the rest of us.. just google his name and you will find a news source. I found it here... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3763620/Ice-Road-Truckers-star-Darrell-Ward-52-killed-plane-crash-heading-Montana-film-new-air-crashes.html BC Mack

Freightrain... your points are exactly what is being discussed on other forums.... those experienced in moving this machine state it should have been loaded facing the other way with the bucket curled to bring the boom down... also noted.... and the Brits call this type of equipment "plant"... they note that it is the wrong trailer being used, a "low loader" (low bed) is the more usual and could be due to a "subbie" (contractor) being used and not one of the machines own company trailers and more knowledgeable drivers. the photo you clipped shows the other discussion item... is the bridge full height 16'6" in the emergency lane?, note the curve under the remaining portion by the support column on the opposite side.. BC Mack

we all mock the exporting of Mack trucks to the far corners of the planet where in many cases they die a brutal death... I think it is comforting to hear from an owner who is interested in keeping his truck running with absolutely no local support... we all know it is not getting any easier in North America to run and repair older trucks.... I tried to repair 1960's British buses here in Canada and empathise with his problem. BC Mack