farmer52

Thanks for the information.

Thanks for the listing link. I am specifically looking for a sleeper cab. I have decided to take a break and pass on the purchase of another MH. If I get back in the market I am sure all the good MH612s will be history. Thanks again everyone for your comments!

I am talking about Martin's Pastry, the company/fleet that owned these trucks. A group of trucks (MHs and IH 9600s) were traded to Mack Trucks (for 2011 Macks) and the trades are being exported by Mack. Mack thinks they are worth money (twice what the market shows)! Thru a contact of mine at Mack Allentown, Mack Greensboro agreed to sell me one truck. Of course at the same price as they are exporting them. For the record...I am specifically looking for a single axle tractor as I do not need a tandem (10K to 25K payload). I want to stay under $5K but still have a road worthy truck. My plan is to register the truck as a RV since I will eventually be pulling a trailer with living quarters. If I could rent a tractor to pull a trailer I would not be looking to buy another truck. Also, I would not have to worry about skirting the DOT, IFTA, and all the other crap. I was paying $500/year insurance for my previous MH612. However I learned my lesson (finally), the next truck will NOT BE FOR SALE until I am 6' under or someone offers me $1MM!! But as I previously mentioned, I am seriously considering passing on this purchase. I will unload my NOS parts this winter and rethink my future hobby plans.

Parts book shows a bushing (insulator) - 20QL 251. I can't find the part numbers for the bolt and nut.

Rob, Thanks for the input. This is strictly a hobby and no intent to make any money with it. I don't know what it is like to make money as I am lucky to "break even" on anything. Back to my situation, I really like the MH truck and nice ones are getting hard to find. The Martin trucks are the best condition and maintained trucks I have seen. I am a little "upset" with the current sale of these trucks as Mother Mack is involved. I feel I am being "pressured" into making a decision on this truck as Mother Mack has an export deal in the works and is reflected in the "high" selling price. I really hate to see these trucks being exported and taken out of "inventory" for future collectors. By buying another MH I am trying to preserve a piece of Mack history. But at the end of the day is it worth the effort? As for the parts truck, my intent is to have extra parts (mainly cab hardware) available if needed. As for your recommendation, I am spoiled with modern conveniences like A/C and also the E7 engine with electronic controls. Older Macks in good condition (no rust) are bringing more money than I want to pay as I do not have a facility to restore a truck. I do most of my work in the "big shed". As for the roadblocks they were somewhat self imposed as I was trying to be "legal" and on the up and up. By the time I had the situation figured out the wheels were in motion for selling my previous truck. I will definately do things differently the next time like pleading "ignorance" which is easy for me to do. I can't rent a truck to pull a trailer since I need $1MM liability insurance which I cannot obtain as a private individual (I have exhausted several avenues searching for insurance). I don't mean to sound like sour grapes but the fun of collecting big iron (trucks and tractors) is gone (thanks alot to Uncle Sam and the export market). Perhaps I should sell my tractors and pick a new hobby (doing nothing). However I am not content with "sitting on the porch". I will probably pass on the purchase of another MH and unload all the NOS MH parts I have "collected" during the last couple years. Heck, a new hobby....selling stuff! But the parts are probably not worth what I paid for them. Hence "not making any money". Thanks again for your comments.

Okay here is the situation...I have an opportunity to purchase one of the last MH612 trucks at Martin's. This truck is identical to my previous MH (EM7 300 and T2050). They also have a "parts" truck without an engine (everything else is there including the transmission) that I can purchase. At the end of the day I will have about $6000 into the two (2) trucks. Additionally I will have to pay to have the spare truck trailered/towed from PA to OH. Should I purchase them or take the money and save my pennies and purchase a CH612 next year? In another year to two Martin's will be trading some of their CH612 w/sleeper trucks. I would appreciate your thoughts and thank you for your input.

It took some time for me to get comfortable driving the 5 speed in my MH612. It seemed like you had to run the engine up to 2000 rpm in order to catch the next gear. Mine had a T2050 (overdrive) and I never could get it into 5th gear unless I was going about 50 mph. Also the shift linkage does not help with shifting gears. I think a 10 speed would be more driver friendly. A friend of mine told me the 5 speed transmission was "bullet proof". Enjoy your new "toy".

I do not believe any E6 engines were electronic. The E7 is the first engine to go electronic. I think it was around 1990. My 1992 EM7 was electronic. I believe some E7s were mechanical. I am sure there are others on this site that know for sure (and will correct me if I am wrong).

Larry, Thanks for the pics and updates. It looks like it is coming along very well. Keep the pics coming.

Craigslook defaults to www.claz.org. It appears the same as before, just different name. Another search engine is www.searchtempest.com.

Spike, Welcome to the group. Have you contacted anyone at Hercules in Canton? They may still have some HS parts.

Hi Greg! Nice find. 440/4X4/4.56 and good gas mileage...forget it. Take a look at some newer dually trucks for tire size. Then decide how big you want to install. Have fun!

Dang! I have a conference to attend in Toledo that weekend. I am bummed!

A few pics from the show.

GREAT SHOW TODAY!! The weather was perfect and a lot of nice trucks. This was my first year attending and I was very impressed with the variety of trucks. I never saw so many Superliners in one place.

How is the visitor parking area? What time does the festivities start on Saturday? Thanks!

I am still planning to attend on Saturday (no truck tho). I will be arriving in Lancaster Friday night. Hope to meet some of the people from this group. Have a safe trip everyone!

You sure have good eyes! I missed that and looked at the cover again. Yes it does look like the roof is dented. At first I thought it was a reflection but you can see the antennas are crooked and there is a bigger gap between the roof and roof faring. Maybe it is the water catch basin for the built-in bunk "shower".

As most of the regular readers on this site know I sold my MH612 and now I am having seller's remorse. But that is water over the dam so to speak. I thought I could rent a truck from Ryder, Penske, or a local dealer but they will not rent to a private individual unless I have $1MM liability insurance. I checked with my insurance agent (State Farm) and they could not find any underwriters that would insure me. So now I am stuck without a truck and cannot rent one. I recently found a 2000 Ryder CH612 with 600K miles on the clock. I have not seen the maintenance history but I will request and review the history before making any decision. One item in particular is the camshaft. I would think it was changed with this many miles on the engine. The price is right on this truck if it passes the "smell" test. I know I should not be pursuing a newer truck but I am spoiled with the conveniences of power steering, A/C, and air ride suspension. Now for the BIG questions...should I consider the purchase of another truck? Or does anyone know where I can rent a truck? Or does anyone know an insurance company that will provide liability coverage? Or should I search for another MH612 and convert to an air ride? Thanks for any suggestions!

Got to meet Larry today at a local car show and also see his B61. Nice truck! It will be even nicer with this air ride on the back. Keep us posted on your progress.

I like it!!!

Dave, Is it paid for and all I need to do is drive it home? I would like to see it and am trying to arrange my schedule to come to the show.

Location? Directions? Thanks!

Is the smoke blue or black? Blue smoke is an indicator of oil consumption. Black smoke usually indicates too much fuel. Is the power turned up? Black accleration smoke could mean the puff limiter needs adjusting. Bad injector?

Personally I prefer a cabover and owned four (1-H67 and 3-MH612) but I have never owned a conventional. I like the COE look, better forward visibility, and shorter turning radius. Downsides: COE tends to ride rougher, harder to get into (getting out is easy - just fall out), less room in the cab, have to tilt cab to work on the engine, and not as good fuel economy. My next truck (toy) will likely be a conventional.