Monday, September 04, 2006
Mack Trucks inc. has the "military transport answer"
From the early days when the U.S. Army bought Mack Trucks to perform all sorts of haulage jobs during World War I and II to recent emergency uses of Mack's commercial trucks during DESERT STORM in Southwest Asia, Mack's dependability and quality served the American soldier well. When the British made the analogy that Mack Trucks were "bulldog" tough during WWI, the name stuck and is one of America's best known trademarks. Today, as one of the most successful American commercial truck manufacturers, Mack believes that its products can continue the Mack legacy and offer benefits to the U.S. military.
The Mack display at the National Guard Association's 119th General Conference in New Mexico features commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) heavy duty Mack tractor and Fontaine Specialized trailer. This combination can easily haul a 70-ton M1A2 Abrams tank over major highways and bridges in the United States. This combined tractor trailer application is called the "military transport answer" (MTA).
The Mack tractor features a roomy and comfortable three-person cab with advanced instrumentation and air conditioning to minimize driver fatigue. Several varieties of luxurious sleeper cabs are available that can be tailored to unique military requirements. It offers the broadest fuel efficient engine horsepower range available in the industry, from 250 horsepower to 460 horsepower in the Mack E7 in-line, six-cylinder engine and up to 500 bhp (going to 650 bhp in the future) in the Mack V8 E9 engine-all electronically controlled and Environmental Protection Agency emissions compliant.
Dual-cab air shocks and single-air springs provide optimum driver comfort. ABS brakes are standard while a central, tire-inflation system is optional. A fifthwheel height location provides commonality with other military trailers currently in the inventory.
It is all backed by a generous Mack Trucks Inc. warranty and excellent dealer service organization. One full year of free roadside assistance and towing of onhighway vehicles is further proof of Mack's four-square stand against breakdown. No matter where you are or what time of the day (800) 866-1177 puts you in touch with the only help you need. In addition, Mack Leasing Systems will structure flexible leases with the military that can also cover maintenance to provide budget flexibility and stabilization.
The Fontaine Specialized Company has been producing heavy-duty trailers for the automotive market since 1941. The key to hauling heavy loads is to distribute the concentrated weight of the Abrams tank across several axles to minimize the load transfer to the road and bridges. Permits are easily obtainable when the resultant loads are distributed within the capabilities of the road and bridges for the route desired.
The MTA trailer utilizes air suspensions throughout which dampen the impact loads and extends frame life. A hydraulically removable gooseneck (hydraulic fluid flow provided from Mack tractor) facilitates loading the unloading of the tank and provides maximum clearance to negotiate steep overpasses and high railroad crossings. The COTS trailer design results in desirable low-operating costs per mile (e.g., less than 10 lube points overall) and utilizes readily available off-the-shelf components.
Cost conscious users will be pleased to compare the MTA pricing which will provide approximately 40 percent savings in initial acquisition costs and continue delivering lower operation and maintenance costs throughout the life cycle of the equipment.
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