Maxidyne Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 Introduced in 1978, the MR will next year tie the R model variants (1966-2006) as the longest lived Mack models. Though probably not the most comfortable cabover, none of the newer designs can match the MRs combination of ruggedness, visibility, and maneuverability. Wikipedia link here. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/51698-the-mr-is-about-to-turn-40/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyT Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 I have driven a lot of Cabovers, ironically the best riding was a single axle mh spring ride with air ride cab! The Ford 9000s were said to be the best riding of all, never drove one! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/51698-the-mr-is-about-to-turn-40/#findComment-385135 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyT Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 In the early 80s an mh cabover and a KW Cabover hit head on in a one lane restriction in a pa tpke tunnel at 35mph the Mh was hauling Coleman campers. The KW driver was killed instantly the Mack driver was seriously injured(never drove again!) But he was walking around when I spoke to him at Ryders Pittsburgh terminal! Macks engineers were so impressed that they came to Pittsburgh from Allentown to view the wreckage! The reinforced fibreglass on the MH is apparently very strong! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/51698-the-mr-is-about-to-turn-40/#findComment-385138 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kscarbel2 Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 Billy, we had a customer run his MH off Afton mountain in Virginia. The cab completely disconnected. The cab's safety cage worked as designed.....the driver suffered no serious injuries. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/51698-the-mr-is-about-to-turn-40/#findComment-385139 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxidyne Posted November 17, 2017 Author Share Posted November 17, 2017 UPS had the biggest fleet of MHs, and I used to go by a big UPS hub several times a week and could see any wrecked trucks at the back of the lot... Never saw a wrecked MH. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/51698-the-mr-is-about-to-turn-40/#findComment-385162 Share on other sites More sharing options...
57 bcr Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 I remember picking up a BULLDOG magazine at the O'Hare Branch (Elk Grove Village,Il.) around Christmas time '76,showing an engineer measuring a clay model of what would become the MC/MR and now Terra Pro. I thought to myself,they can't replace the MB, NOOOOOOOO! . Well,they did and the rest is history. Timeless. Al Quote IF YOU BOUGHT IT, A TRUCK BROUGHT IT..AND WHEN YOU'RE DONE WITH IT, A TRUCK WILL HAUL IT AWAY!!! Big John Trimble,WRVA Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/51698-the-mr-is-about-to-turn-40/#findComment-385232 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phase 1 Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 It looks like the MR is set to pass the R Model for the longest running cab, which was 40 years. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/51698-the-mr-is-about-to-turn-40/#findComment-385236 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kscarbel2 Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 The Mack MR has soldiered on since its introduction in 1978. Under Volvo, rather than invest in a much needed all-new cab and chassis replacement for the MR, they dragged their feet and finally introduced the hideous looking Terrapro in 2007. Certainly this low-cost, modest refresh of a now 40-year-old truck, notable only for its tacky plastic front fascia (appearance), has done nothing to impress the refuse industry. Has anyone noticed the growth of Peterbilt 520 and Autocar Xpeditor sales? The MR (Terrapro) is long on the tooth - the refuse industry would welcome a game-changing new refuse chassis that would revolutionize the business in the way the MR did in 1978. However Volvo has demonstrated no willingness to invest in that direction. Historical note - The Mack MR was introduced in 1978, in response to Crane Carrier Corporation's "Centurion" launched in 1974. Mack President Henry J. Nave was so impressed with the industry-changing Centurion, the first vehicle of its kind designed specifically to meet the needs of the refuse industry, that he ordered Mack engineers to study and surpass it. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/51698-the-mr-is-about-to-turn-40/#findComment-385239 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lmackattack Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 the same trend around here is that WM is buying natural gas powered trucks and they have drifted away from mack. even with WM roll off trucks I see more new petes than Mack. that being said I think the Granite is a better roll off chassis. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/51698-the-mr-is-about-to-turn-40/#findComment-385241 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kscarbel2 Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 42 minutes ago, Lmackattack said: the same trend around here is that WM is buying natural gas powered trucks and they have drifted away from mack. even with WM roll off trucks I see more new petes than Mack. that being said I think the Granite is a better roll off chassis. There are many reasons I wouldn't buy a Volvo MR. The problematic Delphi-supplied fuel injection system is in the Top 5 (Delphi E3 unit pump or the new jury rig Delphi F2E common rail). I have great experience with Bosch, and Cummins-Scania XPI. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/51698-the-mr-is-about-to-turn-40/#findComment-385246 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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