CaptainCrutch Posted April 4, 2019 Share Posted April 4, 2019 I happen to occasionally see the Hagerstown Drivetrain Plant’s rest mules on their runs, and today they had a new one, a brand new black Pinnacle with a huge sleeper. The only chrome is the stacks. I’ll try to get some pictures the next time I see it. It’s hauling a flatbed with a bunch of weights on the back and in smaller red text on the sleeper it says Mack Trucks Inc. along with the DOT number. It’s a pretty sweet rig. Quote Who needs a back yard when you could have a Yard?! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/56563-new-pinnacle-test-mule/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
james j neiweem Posted April 4, 2019 Share Posted April 4, 2019 What is a test mule. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/56563-new-pinnacle-test-mule/#findComment-419806 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainCrutch Posted April 4, 2019 Author Share Posted April 4, 2019 They take a truck off the assembly line and run it loaded around without stopping it until it comes time to replace the old one which is typically decided by either a breakdown, which is pretty rare, or that the vehicle has put enough miles on it that they decide to make sure it’s stoll the way it should be. Or atleast that’s how Mack does it, basically quality control for the drivetrain plant. They’ve got a few running around at a time usually. You can tell which ones are the test mules because they’re a solid color, are hauling giant cement blocks, and have Mack Trucks Inc. written kinda small somewhere on the truck. The other ones I’ve seen are a long Cassis MR, an LR tractor, a granite tractor, and now this Pinnacle. They really never shut them off unless there’s a breakdown and they never stop but to change drivers and fill up with fuel. Quote Who needs a back yard when you could have a Yard?! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/56563-new-pinnacle-test-mule/#findComment-419834 Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 15 hours ago, CaptainCrutch said: They take a truck off the assembly line and run it loaded around without stopping it until it comes time to replace the old one which is typically decided by either a breakdown, which is pretty rare, or that the vehicle has put enough miles on it that they decide to make sure it’s stoll the way it should be. Or atleast that’s how Mack does it, basically quality control for the drivetrain plant. They’ve got a few running around at a time usually. You can tell which ones are the test mules because they’re a solid color, are hauling giant cement blocks, and have Mack Trucks Inc. written kinda small somewhere on the truck. The other ones I’ve seen are a long Cassis MR, an LR tractor, a granite tractor, and now this Pinnacle. They really never shut them off unless there’s a breakdown and they never stop but to change drivers and fill up with fuel. That would be a pretty boring job !! terry Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/56563-new-pinnacle-test-mule/#findComment-419912 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbigrig Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 I think the MRU one is purple. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/56563-new-pinnacle-test-mule/#findComment-419913 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainCrutch Posted April 5, 2019 Author Share Posted April 5, 2019 On 4/5/2019 at 9:30 AM, bbigrig said: I think the MRU one is purple. It is, I think the long chassis one is the new electric mule because it’s always stopped on the side which is something I’ve only seen with electric drivetrains, especially since I’ve NEVER seen a test mule broken down, and they have to stop to take temperatures to make sure the batteries aren’t getting too hot. Just a guess though. Quote Who needs a back yard when you could have a Yard?! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/56563-new-pinnacle-test-mule/#findComment-419921 Share on other sites More sharing options...
james j neiweem Posted April 6, 2019 Share Posted April 6, 2019 May bee the electric MR can increase MR sales Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/56563-new-pinnacle-test-mule/#findComment-420026 Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg1 Posted April 6, 2019 Share Posted April 6, 2019 If they run them until they breakdown that would be a short trip in a new truck. 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/56563-new-pinnacle-test-mule/#findComment-420044 Share on other sites More sharing options...
james j neiweem Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 (edited) Keg 1 : That's funny. I wonder if the new ones can make it to morning coffee break. Edited April 9, 2019 by james j neiweem Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/56563-new-pinnacle-test-mule/#findComment-420239 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post CaptainCrutch Posted April 9, 2019 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 9, 2019 I finally got a picture today. 3 Quote Who needs a back yard when you could have a Yard?! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/56563-new-pinnacle-test-mule/#findComment-420249 Share on other sites More sharing options...
james j neiweem Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 Hood looks long enough for a Cummins x15 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/56563-new-pinnacle-test-mule/#findComment-420253 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullheaded Posted April 10, 2019 Share Posted April 10, 2019 18 hours ago, james j neiweem said: Hood looks long enough for a Cummins x15 Ya, but even if that ever did happen, Volvo would still make sure Mack ignores the heavy haulers. They would probably limit it to 450 h.p. and 1650 torque. LOL Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/56563-new-pinnacle-test-mule/#findComment-420328 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullheaded Posted April 10, 2019 Share Posted April 10, 2019 22 hours ago, james j neiweem said: Keg 1 : That's funny. I wonder if the new ones can make it to morning coffee break. Probably get lots of coffee breaks on that job every time it does a parked regen, LOL. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/56563-new-pinnacle-test-mule/#findComment-420329 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian71583 Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 That truck is old for any data they get chassis/cab related. The Pinnacle has had the new stand up sleeper box for a year now. Lots of other minor changes here and there over that time. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/56563-new-pinnacle-test-mule/#findComment-420411 Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg1 Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 I saw a red granite in Warren Pa Friday . lt looked like a tractor without the fifth wheel and a couple big blocks on the back. Mack trucks on the door. i was sitting at a red light daydreaming when it came around the corner looked a little odd with the blocks on it and then i remembered this post. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/56563-new-pinnacle-test-mule/#findComment-421998 Share on other sites More sharing options...
james j neiweem Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 New Granite heavy haul perhaps? Wish full thinking. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/56563-new-pinnacle-test-mule/#findComment-422005 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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