Popular Post seyser Posted July 12 Popular Post Share Posted July 12 I purchased this 79 R model about 5 years ago to use on our small farm. I had planned to find a hopper at the time but unfortunately that never happened and the truck was tucked away in the shed. Fast forward 5 years later and I finally purchased a trailer. I pulled the Mack out last night and hooked it up in the yard to see what it would look like. This simple setup should be a nice asset to our farm. The Mack needs a few things including a brake relay, fluid changes, and probably update the front steers to tubless 22.5's. Anyways here are a couple pics: 8 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 Excellent bud… thanks for that and have a ball…. Bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/#findComment-555075 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rubber Duck 006 Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 Nice Rig!!! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/#findComment-555077 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Weeks Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 If it is only going to stay local, and not many miles a year than I would stay with what it has. Nothing wrong with tube types, other than finding them in stock while traveling OTR. For farm use and local use they are every bit is good as tubeless and tend to loose air more slowly while sitting between use. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/#findComment-555081 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladislav Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 The pictures turned out really nice! Some fresh paint on the truck's wheels would notably improve the look. Good luck on putting her into fully operational condition! 2 Quote Никогда не бывает слишком много грузовиков! leversole 11.2012 Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/#findComment-555087 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 Looks like a work horse wanting to work We (99% of Australians) just put tubless rims on the spiders (daytons) This allows the use of 22.5 tubeless that are everywhere in Australia This makes them suitable for long distance on and off highway use Paul 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/#findComment-555088 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Brocky Posted July 12 Popular Post Share Posted July 12 Treated respectfully that R model will be a great workhorse on the farm for the rest of your life.. 2 1 Quote Brocky Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/#findComment-555093 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rubber Duck 006 Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 5 hours ago, Vladislav said: The pictures turned out really nice! Some fresh paint on the truck's wheels would notably improve the look. Good luck on putting her into fully operational condition! I'd paint the centers blue and the rings white 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/#findComment-555098 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brocky Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 22 minutes ago, The Rubber Duck 006 said: I'd paint the centers blue and the rings white And maybe (??) the bumper white also??? 2 Quote Brocky Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/#findComment-555099 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post seyser Posted July 13 Author Popular Post Share Posted July 13 Thanks everyone! I would eventually like to paint the centers black and the wheels either white or silver. I mostly plan to keep it original. The truck is a legit low mile truck with 118k miles and 4400 hrs. I purchased it from the original owners widow. It was a one owner, one operator truck that was used to pull a lowboy. The white paint is original and the blue accent was painted at Kansas City Mack before the owner picked it up in late 79. 6 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/#findComment-555100 Share on other sites More sharing options...
yarnall Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 (edited) Thanks for the photos. It looks great. My father says all wheels should be red and all rims should be silver. Mike Edited July 13 by yarnall 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/#findComment-555102 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBWhite Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 Nice setup! What brand of trailer is it? Timpte? That should really give that R model a good load with 1000 bushels! Electric tarp too! Was that very hard to wire in? 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/#findComment-555104 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 Lots of room for lots of ideas that thing is the bomb very fortunate to have bought it lots of us so jealous…. Bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/#findComment-555105 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 I believe I’m changing the front tires to tubeless rims split rims are very dangerous. I’m thinking of doing that with mine just the front tires. I used to change them and I was a teenage kid in 73 at 68 . Don’t feel so comfortable.around them … bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/#findComment-555106 Share on other sites More sharing options...
70mackMB Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 l'd volunteer to drive that for you but the commute's a bit long. l had a '77 with a 300+, 10spd RR, and a 36" bunk. Like Brocky said, take care of it and it will take of you. .....Hippy 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/#findComment-555112 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Weeks Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 9 hours ago, mowerman said: I believe I’m changing the front tires to tubeless rims split rims are very dangerous. I’m thinking of doing that with mine just the front tires. I used to change them and I was a teenage kid in 73 at 68 . Don’t feel so comfortable.around them … bob Lock ring wheels/rims are NOT dangerous, if you know how to work with them. Not having them on the front, but having them elsewhere doesn't make much sense. The amount of energy stored in a truck tire, be it tubeless or tube type is considerable and needs to be treated with respect. I have thousand and thousands of miles on lockring wheels and never had a "dangerous moment'. I have had blow outs on the steer at 70 MPH with both tubeless and tube type, of the two, type type was easier to handle, the truck didn't want to pull or wander like the tire flip/flopped in gutter of a tubeless did. Of the countless lock ring wheels I have serviced over my years, I NEVER EVER had on blow apart. It isn't luck, it is knowing how to work with them. Fine, if you want to spend money on new rims and tires, but if your tires are sound you don't "HAVE TO". The Firestone RH-5 deg wheel was a bad design, and the only one I will not have, they have made people think that all multi piece rims are like handling a live grenade, which simply isn't the case. When properly handled and assembled, the bead of the tire expands over the lock-ring and forces it into the lock groove, once that happens you could cut the lock ring into sections and it still wouldn't come apart. Far too many assemble, clip on an air chuck and walk/run a way, and if it doesn't explode assume they did it correctly. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/#findComment-555115 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 I just worry about age and hairline cracks that you can’t see the front ones. Not sure why I have explain myself about 60 year old rims beat to death on mostly off road operations…. lock ring is pointing right at you also don’t feel comfortable working in front of it at all . I’ve never seen one blow apart, but they can do some healthy damage… if you prefer those…. Go for it most of us do not… and yes, I worked at a tire shop and 73 and changed quite a few of them didn’t even use a cage those days….. As far as painting rims, they always look good with hubs black or color of truck.. bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/#findComment-555117 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 But yes, I do remember the lock ring digging into the rim since I repaired a lot of them and as you mentioned, it’s almost impossible to blow apart. Most of us just feel better without them as a teenage kid I used to be able to finish up a tube repair in 15 minutes, that’s time from jacking up to jacking down …. Bob 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/#findComment-555119 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Weeks Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 My point was while there is nothing wrong with tubeless, and the availability of tires in stock for them far exceeds tube type, there is no NEED to change. If I had tires that were serviceable I would use them, rather than throwing them out and spending money on tires AND rims. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/#findComment-555122 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjc transport Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 i only saw one lock ring type rim blow apart. in 78 we had a flat on a firetruck. called a local tire repair shop who sent out their top man. as he was airing up the tire with lock ring facing up after pulling the nail and replacing the tube. i asked him why he was not using the tire cage on the back of the service truck he said "i have been doing tires for 45 years and never had one" he never got to say "blow up" as the ring came off, decapitating him and continued up into the roof of the engine bay. that big hole in the lower roof of station one is still there as a reminder to do things rite, or don't do them at all. luckily it did not go through the floor of the lounge upstairs, because there was a couch directly above it with two people sitting on it. i did many split rims over the years, but always either used a cage with ratchet straps around the tire/rim, or aired with lock ring facing down. ratchet straps around tire/rim, and a machine bucket over the tire/rim. Quote when you are up to your armpits in alligators, it is hard to remember you only came in to drain the swamp.. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/#findComment-555125 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post hicrop10 Posted July 13 Popular Post Share Posted July 13 Nice looking rig,I have a 79 also mine only has 75,000 miles on it.Dad brought 20 of them along with 10 u models,15 dm600 tri axles. 2 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/#findComment-555127 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 Man that thing is the bomb… yes TJ that’s my exact point. You never know I have never seen one blow apart. But from what I heard, it usually happens when you’re mounting it…. Bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/#findComment-555128 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 And yes,Geoff,,, new rims are not cheap… bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/#findComment-555129 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 We have a very low budget tire shop right down the street. I’m going to talk to him and see if I can get some takeoffs already mounted container chassis use the same kind… bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/#findComment-555130 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Weeks Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 (edited) I would caution that straps and/or chains are not a substitute for a cage, neither are designed to absorb a blast, straps will be cut like hot butter and chains can become shrapnel. The are plenty of videos on the net of a tire coming apart in a tire cage, it is a single use item, they are there to absorb the energy release. BTW tube type and tubeless contain about the same stored energy. so MRSMACK doesn't have to find a picture and to set other hair on fire: Edited July 13 by Geoff Weeks Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/74339-r-model-farm-truck/#findComment-555134 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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