Mack MBR600 Australia

[AussieMack1988]

Gday guys and Gals

I have a few questions for all you MACK enthusiasts out there. My father and I bought an MACK MBR600 twin steer cab over tipper to cart grain around our properties in Central west NSW Australia. We have been unable to find ANY information on this truck or its lineage? Its an air start diesel with a 9 speed Road Ranger gearbox. Any help would be greatly appreciated! 

Cheers

Edited August 26, 2021 by AussieMack1988

[mowerman]

Great choice I’m sure you will get lotta years out of it sorry can’t help you much but lots of other guys can on here .bob 

[mrsmackpaul]

What are you trying to find out ?

I know they sold them here (Australia), not in huge numbers but numbers big enough I still see the odd truck about 

 

Paul

[AussieMack1988]

Hey thanks for the quick replies! Any information really? Motor size, maybe a place to find an online manual? Also is there any one out there who has converted this type of truck from air to electric start? 

Cheers 

[mrsmackpaul]

Not many convert to electric start in Australia but it has been done and is a pretty simple procedure I feel

Dunno about online manuals but there is usually plenty of manuals, reproduction or original on line for sale

Photos of the motor and the plate on the motor should be able to tell you all you need to know 

The chassis number is used for id in Australia on the older Macks like this even though most Mack dealers ask for the vin number they will soon go "it doesn't work" 

So the chassis number is stamped behind the leading drive wheel drivers side on Australia 

 

Paul

[mowerman]

The air start is a lot easier and cheaper  to maintain  but you do what you want with your truck … bob

[mowerman]

It’s only got 2 major components… bob

[70mackMB]

Pictures!- Pictures!- Pictures!  I need more   WE need more pictures! lol

Most all of the sales brochures, manuals, sales man spec sheets that l have were found on EBay.

Say what you want, but that's a nice looking truck! Bent bumper and all! Ha   .....Hippy 

 

[mowerman]

Ya what he says more photos… bob

[Hayseed]

Ring the Phone Number on this Page...

https://www.macktrucks.com.au/parts-and-services/support/gvm-gcm-upgrade-letter/

 

Make sure you have all the Numbers of the Plate inside the Cab. The Most Important one seem to be the M.S.R. (Mack Stock report) Number.

 I haven't done one for a fair While, But I have always found the Blokes who answer that Phone Number to be Approachable & helpful.. 

 

Is that Blue the Original Paint?

[AussieMack1988]

Ok guys thanks so much for all your help! I am going to start getting the old girl harvest ready tomorrow. She hasn't started in 6 months so it's going to take some coaxing into life. Sadly it's a pretty rough old truck but tough. Eaton 9 speed is a great box to learn on! 😄 more photos tomorrow...please go easy on the judgement on the trucks condition. We bought it as a paddock truck! 

Edited August 27, 2021 by AussieMack1988

[mowerman]

Can’t be any worse than mine it needs everything we are looking forward to sharing them.. bob

[Freightrain]

If still the original Mack motor it shouldnt take much to bring to life.

Due to air start, I would maybe pump the fuel primer and make sure its ready to fire.  If it leaked down for some reason, pumping it up will help get it started quicker.

[Vladislav]

The same truck model in the US would be called MB. Your mark MBR means it's a MB built using R-model chassis as the most every Mack truck built in Australia was. So actually I expect finding a typical R-model chassis with typical (one of) in-line 6 cyl Mack engine (if it's a Mack engine) with a MB-model cab fitted on. I doubt it would be easy to find info on the particular model (but too possibly if someone in your country has a manual) but quite easy to find info on R-model chassis components and Mack engine. I'm pretty sure if you post some basic views of the engine and the chassis a lot of members on the forum would determine their kind and narrow down the search on the info sources.

Vlad

[AussieMack1988]

[AussieMack1988]

[Joey Mack]

The air starter on this truck should have the same bolt pattern as a 42 MT Delco starter.. I suggest using a 39 MT because its lighter and has gear reduction and will crank with weak batteries..  the air starter should be an Ingersoll Rand tire gun without the long anvil....  so to make the conversion. you could attach a battery tray, and (2-3) 925 amp. group 31 batts. and a simple push button start system, and rock-and-roll... jojo

[mrsmackpaul]

Just one thing JoJo, we dont call batteries by type this or that in Australia 

So apart from 925 amps, how big in physical size is the batteries so Aussiedog can make select the appropriate battery

 

Paul

[AussieMack1988]

Would they equate to N70Z batteries dimension wise? The reason for the battery/ starter question is because we often don't have a compressor where we are. On a side note, I started the old girl today..bit of aero start and lots of air and off she chugged!! Now the air leaks/no brakes working/hi lo selector not working to solve! A few months before harvest...so I have a little time but any suggestions hints or tips are welcome!

Cheers

[Hayseed]

I'd just use 3-4 N70 Batteries, they're as Common as ars   Bellybuttons here in Australia..

Aussiemack, Back in the day EVERY Mack was Air start & they all carried a big long Air Hose with a Tyre Chuck one end use the Air in Your Tyres to charge the Start Tank..

Assuming all your Tyres have 100psi in them & the Air Tank equalises with the Tyre.

1st tyre give you 50 psi

2nd gives you 75psi.

3rd gives 87.5 psi which will(should) be enough to start the Old Girl

then turn around & pump You tyres back Up..

[mowerman]

Truck don’t look too bad at all same just mostly neglected good luck glad to see you got it running most important ha ha good deal… bob

[Brocky]

Vlad and Aussie Mack:

Are you sure the last R in the model number refers to the R model chassis or to the Down Under right hand drive???????

[Vladislav]

46 minutes ago, Brocky said:

Vlad and Aussie Mack:

Are you sure the last R in the model number refers to the R model chassis or to the Down Under right hand drive???????

Brocky, I belive so. We discussed the frame matter a few times and the turn out was every Mack built in Australia (and probably in NZ too but I'm not sure at the moment) used Eastern R-model frame rails. It is easy to see on pics with the bonnets/hoods open. R-model has quite distinguishing shape of the front portion of the rails so easy to recognize. As long as I remember Superliners used heavier (taller) R700 rails. I have no idea on were standart R-600 (9 inch) rails took place but seems too possibly. Pics show R's, RW, Valueliners both in-line and V8 and also F-models utilized those rails. Adding the point Aussie F-models were marked FR the matter gets a look of making sence.

I should admit though all that doesn't relate to Renault-generic Macks. Definitly Aussie Mack Magnums used European wheels what means European hubs. So I'm about almost sure Magnums were complete Renault chassis/cabs.

[Vladislav]

10 hours ago, AussieMack1988 said:

Would they equate to N70Z batteries dimension wise? The reason for the battery/ starter question is because we often don't have a compressor where we are. On a side note, I started the old girl today..bit of aero start and lots of air and off she chugged!! Now the air leaks/no brakes working/hi lo selector not working to solve! A few months before harvest...so I have a little time but any suggestions hints or tips are welcome!

Cheers

When I just need to start one of my Mack trucks, after long time in the most cases, it's enough to attach two 75-90 Ah batteries. It works for warm temps and for in-line engines, I just don't have any trucks with V8. You can spin electric starter for a total of couple of minutes before they show low down. Sure if you're going to use the truck for work it's better to put larger batteries.

The air issues usually go off after finding and plumbing air leaks. But if they wouldn't you're in a need of investigation of the air brake components. Mostly valves and air line lay out. If you didn't do that work before it may require a bit of education. Once I got in such situation I googled "truck air brakes" and found a lot of articles with detailed description of the whole system operation and each valve design. Spent a couple of evenings reading and than figured the matter of the issues in less than a coule of hours. Had a few valves revised (freed up/cleaned) and a few air lines to swap.

[Hayseed]

9 hours ago, Brocky said:

Vlad and Aussie Mack:

Are you sure the last R in the model number refers to the R model chassis or to the Down Under right hand drive???????

Vlad is correct Brocky..Mack Australia used the R Model chassis for everything..

 

8 hours ago, Vladislav said:

I should admit though all that doesn't relate to Renault-generic Macks. Definitly Aussie Mack Magnums used European wheels what means European hubs. So I'm about almost sure Magnums were complete Renault chassis/cabs.

Vlad, I own one of those COE Magnums. They came into the country as Glider Kits. Cab, Chassis & Front Axle.& were fitted with the entire Drivetrain Here. It has the euro 335pcd Wheels all round..

 

The Quantums were a little bit Different. The early Ones came in as Glider Kits, & were quite problematic. the Later ones were CH Chassis fitted with the Quantum Cab, & where a far better Truck by All accounts..

Pretty sure there's a Thread (or 2-3) here about them..