bts-4120 Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 do we even have the HD button in the states I can see where it would be a useless trans if you don't get the performance button Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/page/4/#findComment-335449 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oso2 Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 4 hours ago, bts-4120 said: do we even have the HD button in the states I can see where it would be a useless trans if you don't get the performance button Useless? Please - the man is running 140 tonnes (300,000lbs). I think the mDrive in econo mode can handle American loads of 80k and under. I've never seen an HD button. Hauling heavier loads of 125k I just switched between econo and performance. I'd generally leave it on econo unless I was starting on a steep hill or something. But the econo mode would move the truck, no doubt about it. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/page/4/#findComment-335471 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamsterGrrrl Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 Sure the Volvo automated manual can handle 100+ tons, but for how long? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/page/4/#findComment-335492 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outback Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 There is no actual HD button. You press and hold the performance button down for a few seconds and it goes into HD mode. This will be displayed on dash screen. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/page/4/#findComment-335502 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullheaded Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 3 hours ago, TeamsterGrrrl said: Sure the Volvo automated manual can handle 100+ tons, but for how long? For longer than an 18 speed Eaton would last with todays steering wheeler holder seat covers trying to move 140 tons, LOL. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/page/4/#findComment-335508 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtymilkman Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 The mDrives will last well. They may be single countershaft but they are designed to be single countershaft. Very heavy bearings and gears Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/page/4/#findComment-335510 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 From what I am told a lot of M drives sold out here pulling a lot bigger weights than the US surely that that must something Paul Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/page/4/#findComment-335518 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamsterGrrrl Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 I've also heard of M-Drives needing rebuilds at only 400-500k miles, we've come to expect twice that from Maxitorques and even Eaton twin countershaft transmissions. There is also the price of a rebuild to consider- $15k for the M-Drive as Volvo is the only source. You might get lucky and find a new take out for $3k or so, as a lot of new Mack buyers are pulling out the M-Drives before they put their new Macks in service. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/page/4/#findComment-335521 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1965 Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 59 minutes ago, TeamsterGrrrl said: a lot of new Mack buyers are pulling out the M-Drives before they put their new Macks in service. Sure seems like a lot of time & money to do that must be buying them at a steal Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/page/4/#findComment-335536 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuffguy707 Posted June 5, 2016 Author Share Posted June 5, 2016 If they are pulling the M-drives why are they even buying the trucks with them ? Seems kind of stupid to me. I talked to my dealer friday and I asked him more about the M-drive and he told me he hasn't had any problems with them at all. He said he heard of one guy having computer issues which caused one to not shift properly but it was resolved quickly. He said he even has one guy who is pushing a million miles on one already without a problem. I am really considering the M-drive. I just can not make up my mind on the truck. 1 Quote Tony Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/page/4/#findComment-335550 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1965 Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 3 hours ago, Tuffguy707 said: If they are pulling the M-drives why are they even buying the trucks with them ? Seems kind of stupid to me. I talked to my dealer friday and I asked him more about the M-drive and he told me he hasn't had any problems with them at all. He said he heard of one guy having computer issues which caused one to not shift properly but it was resolved quickly. He said he even has one guy who is pushing a million miles on one already without a problem. I am really considering the M-drive. I just can not make up my mind on the truck. Only main concern (for me) if I was buying would be resale value of the Mdrive; I've always thought if I bought a new 1 it would last me rest of my life; but don't think that way anymore with all this new stuff; think if I was going to buy new I would have in my mind of trading it at the best recommended time; could buy a new year old 1 probably lot cheaper than ordering 1; there again don't know; but that way you could also try something & if didn't like it you would know when you trade Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/page/4/#findComment-335566 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuffguy707 Posted June 5, 2016 Author Share Posted June 5, 2016 3 hours ago, 1965 said: Only main concern (for me) if I was buying would be resale value of the Mdrive; I've always thought if I bought a new 1 it would last me rest of my life; but don't think that way anymore with all this new stuff; think if I was going to buy new I would have in my mind of trading it at the best recommended time; could buy a new year old 1 probably lot cheaper than ordering 1; there again don't know; but that way you could also try something & if didn't like it you would know when you trade Thats very true. I was thinning about asking a local company around here who runs all Macks and they have CHU tractors some with M-drives and others with 18 speeds if I could drive them or at least get their opinion on the setups they have. Quote Tony Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/page/4/#findComment-335606 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1965 Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 Keep us posted as to what you do; I'd like to know; I was kinda in same idea & went used route 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/page/4/#findComment-335610 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oso2 Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 11 hours ago, TeamsterGrrrl said: I've also heard of M-Drives needing rebuilds at only 400-500k miles, we've come to expect twice that from Maxitorques and even Eaton twin countershaft transmissions. There is also the price of a rebuild to consider- $15k for the M-Drive as Volvo is the only source. You might get lucky and find a new take out for $3k or so, as a lot of new Mack buyers are pulling out the M-Drives before they put their new Macks in service. I've heard the opposite: that the iShift and mDrive are reliable, trouble free pieces of equipment. I've never heard of an overhaul at 500k, and I've certainly never heard of anyone yanking them out prematurely. They're built to take 750hp engines and 140T loads overseas. They're not going to self-destruct just because they're used in the USA. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/page/4/#findComment-335631 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kscarbel2 Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 1 hour ago, Oso2 said: I've heard the opposite: that the iShift and mDrive are reliable, trouble free pieces of equipment. I've never heard of an overhaul at 500k, and I've certainly never heard of anyone yanking them out prematurely. They're built to take 750hp engines and 140T loads overseas. They're not going to self-destruct just because they're used in the USA. All that said, you realize that the Volvo I-Shift (and Mack-branded variants) is available in many versions with differing ratings. The units sold in Oz are not identical to the units sold in the states. Volvo's US market I-Shift (mdrive) brochures don't list models, max torque ratings or gear ratios........no specs whatsoever. Apparently you're supposed to blindly trust them, and not question. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/page/4/#findComment-335634 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oso2 Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 Yeah - and Volvo isn't the only one to hide information either. But here you are - these are from 2009. I have my doubts about the advertised maximum GVW of 132,000lbs, as they've been used up here in Canada for years on Super-B's (Max GVW of 139,000lbs). Overdrive is a .78 ratio, btw. http://productinfo.vtc.volvo.se/files/pdf/lo/ATO3112C_Eng_01_953845.pdf http://productinfo.vtc.volvo.se/files/pdf/hi/ATO2512C_Eng_01_953831.pdf http://productinfo.vtc.volvo.se/files/pdf/lo/AT2512C_Eng_01_953804.pdf Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/page/4/#findComment-335687 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullheaded Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 "They're built to take 750hp engines and 140T loads overseas. They're not going to self-destruct just because they're used in the USA" And operating in consistently higher ambient temperatures than we experience here in Canada and the U.S. As for people pulling M-Drives out and replacing with manuals......you're living in a fantasy world. Resale? Well they are almost outselling manuals now, so I don't think resale will be a problem, LOL! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/page/4/#findComment-335700 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbigrig Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 Working at a Mack/Volvo dealer I can say we usually have 2-3 I-Shifts apart per month. Some are complete swaps others are components of the trans. Not so many M-drives up here yet but they are starting to catch on. That and because Volvo out sells Mack here at least 3 to 1. The Transmission has a good Warranty with it and on the resale side I've seen it impact the value negatively for the first few years. The value of the trucks with auto's seem to be starting to climb up here. I would be a little cautious about buying a used one with over 650K miles on it without cracking it open. It's more then $15K to replace one complete. Tack another $5-10K on. Allisons are much more common on Granites these days and are doing well on the construction side. Only Sucky part is the up charge on the option. Having said that, we've pulled a few Mack T300 series out in the last few years but no Fullers. Hmmmmmm Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/page/4/#findComment-336459 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kscarbel2 Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 On 6/6/2016 at 6:05 AM, Tuffguy707 said: Thats very true. I was thinning about asking a local company around here who runs all Macks and they have CHU tractors some with M-drives and others with 18 speeds if I could drive them or at least get their opinion on the setups they have. When you spoke with the truck sales people at Watts Mack (owner of this site), and/or Jim Toussaint at Worldwide Equipment's Knoxville location, what did they have to say? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/page/4/#findComment-336515 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oso2 Posted June 14, 2016 Share Posted June 14, 2016 11 hours ago, bbigrig said: Working at a Mack/Volvo dealer I can say we usually have 2-3 I-Shifts apart per month. Some are complete swaps others are components of the trans. Not so many M-drives up here yet but they are starting to catch on. That and because Volvo out sells Mack here at least 3 to 1. So, not knowing how many trucks you see per month, it's hard to gauge what 2-3 means. Would you rate their reliability as good? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/page/4/#findComment-336565 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbigrig Posted June 14, 2016 Share Posted June 14, 2016 2-3 trucks with I-shifts removed for rebuild per month. It's as simple as that. Don't read to far into it. They are fairly reliable while under warranty. I wouldn't buy one with more the 650K miles unless you had some money stashed away to replace or rebuild it. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/45167-titan-or-chu-pinnacle-for-a-lowboy-tractor/page/4/#findComment-336568 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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