MACK NO Brush Buster

[1958 F.W.D.]

Karl, the brush breakers in the Pine Barrens of NJ weren't quite as "radical" as the ones on Cape Cod. There were a few deuce and a halfs (which came from Ft Dix excess property most of the time) and they were beefed up a bit but never as heavy duty as the cape units.

[j hancock]

Hopefully it will soon be in my property in Virginia. I made an offer and now it's his turn. Paul

That would be a good rig to get some saw logs out.

A NO skidder would be sweet! And who needs a chainsaw, just push 'em down.

[Superdog]

FT.Dodge,no kidding?

[Mike]

Thanks guys for posting all of these great trucks. Also thanks Vlad for posting, I especially like the original military look. I must be getting older cause I now like mostly original trucks. Would especially like to see a Diamond T military trucks. I'll put some photos of my dads WW2 photos together and post. I don't have any Diamond T photos that his outfit used to pull the big guns.

mike

[slpwlker]

FT.Dodge,no kidding?

Over in your neck of the woods

[Superdog]

not real close,but we used to haul alot of hogs there. Used to be a good sized Mack dealer in Ft.Dodge,too,but I think they got bought out .

[Vladislav]

Thanks guys for posting all of these great trucks. Also thanks Vlad for posting, I especially like the original military look. I must be getting older cause I now like mostly original trucks. Would especially like to see a Diamond T military trucks. I'll put some photos of my dads WW2 photos together and post. I don't have any Diamond T photos that his outfit used to pull the big guns.

mike

I hope you guys don't brake me down for off-topic, here are some pics I have of the "big" diesel WW2 Diamond-T's.

The color pic is of the fresh restored one I catched up in France this past D-Day selebration and the black'n white ones are those trucks in a civil service in Russia right after the war.

Mike, it would be too interesting to get over your dad's service days.

Paul, good luck on the deal with the Red monster.

[41chevy]

FT.Dodge,no kidding?

Yes. How close is Fort Dodge to you?

Maybe we should start a thread on Military Trucks ? Paul

[Mike]

I agree Paul. Could be some interesting vehicles posted.

Vlad, I had no idea the hoods were so long. Thanks for posting.

mike

[Vladislav]

Any truck might be military if you paint it correct

Mike, there was another, "small" version with a hood shorter and a gasser.

But that's a matter for a new thread indeed.

[Gmerrill0516]

I was looking at the picture book for the FC/FCSW/NM trucks the other day and note the similarities between these beasts and the NO. Obviously the "N" series trucks are alike and share what I would call the L model nose. The cab appears to be consistent with the exception of the C type cab. I believe the cab is wider than an L cab but shares the architecture of the shape of the doors and such. It is clearly not an A or B cab with the big radii on them. The dash had the L model speedometer and gages at least in the few shown in the book.

Massive frames and what looks like three big steps up into the cab make for an impressive looking truck. The NM is 12' wide and they had six wheel drive with what looks like the Mack front end used in the NO trucks too. Can anyone add to or correct my assumptions here? Wicked Cool trucks...

Greg

[41chevy]

There are apparently 3 versions of the NO. A 1940 version a 1942 /43 version and a 1943 to 1945 version, I think since the specs are very close it is just three different contracts-purchase orders.

Power was a military spec EY 707 over head valve gas engine 170 b.h.p. , MACK 5 speed with 5th gear direct, hi and low range transfer case, MACK CR38 and CR39 rear axles with a ratio of 9:02. Front was a FA49 elevated axle ( no ball joints it had a bevel gear drive instead). Borg Warner air brakes, with an electric trailer brake. 160 gallon fuel tank. 2053 built. GVW was a bit over 44,000 lbs. After WWII most if not all in Europe were rebuilt by Corbitt and given to Allies in NATO. According to my info what was in production here when Germany surrendered were finished and put in reserve. Later given to Civil Defense units and a few lucky municipalities. Paul

The MACK FA49 elevated front axle was used in most all military MACK chassis up to the 1960's at least probably to the 80's for military units. The Bevel gear drive is wear resistant and nearly unbreakable for use with limited repair or maintenance facilities

[Superdog]

Yes. How close is Fort Dodge to you?

Maybe we should start a thread on Military Trucks ? Paul

Ft. Dodge is about 230 miles NW

[Superdog]

The MACK FA49 elevated front axle was used in most all military MACK chassis up to the 1960's at least probably to the 80's for military units. The Bevel gear drive is wear resistant and nearly unbreakable for use with limited repair or maintenance facilities

FA49 axleA.jpg

FA49 Frontaxle.jpg

wear resistant and unbreakable,you can bet Volvo shit canned that design.

[Gmerrill0516]

I'm a mechanical Engineer and that design is absolutely beautiful. I'd like to shake the hand of the guy who's head that came out of. It is inspired, based on simplicity and durability in design. There were no cheap a$$ worries about it costing an extra buck it was made to work and work well for a long time.

It must have been a pleasure to work out and see built.

[Vladislav]

Mack N series trucks were specially designed army vehicles. There were mostly NR, NM and NO of different versions wich had many basic components of a L-model. Some early versions had L-model cabs. Although there were also different N's such as NJU or NB wich were different.

NR, NM and NO have much of look in common but technically were different also. NR was 6x4 with a frame and chassis components of LF or LJ.

NM had L-model hood and a cowl and cabs on early versions with Mack 707 and Mack 5-speed. But they were equipped with Timken-Detroit axles and a transfer case. A frame had "stepped" design, rails were higher under a hood and a cab than at rear to clear up a front wheel drive. NO was one more different beast. It had heavy rated Mack rears on Camelback with front axle like Paul described. 707 gasser under the hood (the same as in NM) with Mack 5-speed but integrated with a transfer case. The same style tranny was used in some heavy 6x6 B, something like B-813SX if I'm not wrong.

[Loadstar]

Came across this brush breaker for sale.... Not a mack but a good example of New England breaker.

[41chevy]

Their 1967 is a nice unit, but I've got my heart set on the MACK. I live near the Fire Matic company and passed up a few trade in units. Thanks for posting it though. Paul

[gearhead204]

with no skid plate it must have been a truck killer to have to back up, I can picture in my mind all sorts of bad stuff happening. maybe since you guys have a lot of hard wood its not as bad ? the stuff we have would remove all air lines and cables and probably the fan and rad. core and steering hoses .

[Superdog]

Here's another surving NO Mack,owned by Daryl Gushee in ME. If I remember right,the truck came out of Alaska.

[41chevy]

with no skid plate it must have been a truck killer to have to back up, I can picture in my mind all sorts of bad stuff happening. maybe since you guys have a lot of hard wood its not as bad ? the stuff we have would remove all air lines and cables and probably the fan and rad. core and steering hoses .

Here is a new 1956 doing what it was made for up Cape Cod way. Like us it is mostly scrub pine

Heres one of ours on L.I.

[Vladislav]

Here's another surving NO Mack,owned by Daryl Gushee in ME. If I remember right,the truck came out of Alaska.

GW748H560_02.jpg

GW933H699_01.jpg

Any ideas on what is under the hood now?

[Superdog]

Any ideas on what is under the hood now?

far as I know still has the 707

[TozziWelding]

That International breaker has been for sale in front of the "ballet" on Great Neck Rd. for years.

[1955Maxim]

The Mack NO pictured was Plymouth County MA Brusbreaker 1-5, nicknamed "Smokey". It was acquired by the county in the early 1960's. It was built locally. It had a 1500 gallon steel tank water tank and two Hale FZZ fire pumps mounted on the rear behind the water tank. It carried several hundred feet of fire hose and was stationed at the Kingston MA Maple Street Fire Station.It was sent to brush fires in Plymouth, Bristol and Barnstable Counties when requested by any Fire Department in those Counties. It was best to call for it early on as its top speed was 30 mph. However, once on scene, it was an invaluable workhorse. One interesting tool in the toolbox were plugs used when the brake air lines were damaged and losing air. Disconnect the line at the air block, insert plug, and keep on chugging.It left Kingston around 1970 and went to a private party in West Bridgewater MA. After that I lost track of it. I think I have a photo of it. Will look to see if I can find it. Any info or additional pics you have would be appreciated.