Quote:
Originally Posted by silvan
Ironically, Mackman, now that I've driven my first Mack tractor, I have to say I'll drive anything but. I have no idea what model of Mack we have over here at R+L, but everybody warned me not to drive one if I could avoid it. Now I know why.
The truck looked like so many good ideas that just went wrong, it was tragic. The ride was supposed to be comfortable, but it was squishy. The controls were supposed to be friendly, but I still have no idea what the circle with the X through it button was supposed to do (differential lock, maybe?), and it took me forever to find the mirror heat. It was supposed to be quiet, but that just meant I had no idea what the engine was doing, and I kept lugging waaaay down on hills.
The absolute worst thing was the brake pedal. I've driven Peterbilts, Volvo's, Freightliners, Kenworths, Internationals, GMCs, and even a Ford or two. They all have the same brake pedal, in the same place, that works the same way. That stupid Mack had a completely different pedal in a different place for some reason, and I don't know how many times I missed it trying to slow down. It's even worse than the stupid oversized foot-shaped Kenworth fuel pedal, which, until now, I thought was the most brain damaged invention in the history of trucking.
I'm glad to be out of that thing in one piece, and I'm going to lose my Mack key. Internationals aren't exactly luxury rides, but at least they put the controls in sensible places, and they're safe to drive for normal humans who don't drive these idiotic Mack things all the time.
I guess you'd be just the opposite, and you'd be a danger to women and children everywhere if we put you in a normal truck. Sorry about that, neighbor. Different strokes and all that...
LOL sorry I'm just now reading this. Let me answer your 1st question.
I still have no idea what the circle with the X through it button was supposed to do (differential lock, maybe?),
It is the engine shut down override. If your buzzer comes on with the red light on the dash if you hold that switch down it will override the auto shutdown for 30sec. to get the truck off to the side of the road etc.
I been around peterbilts, IHs and Macks. out of them all i love my macks. They are good strong trucks. Yes they have went down hill alittle since volvo bought them out. But overall i still think they are a great truck. Your right to each their own i guess. But when it comes to straight trucks Mack is the #1 seller.
BTW since 2003 all Mack cabs are the same on the inside. So the CV, CH,CL etc all use the same cabs. Just different hoods.