“Mack axles are engineered to be extremely durable, without sacrificing performance or reliability, which is a very popular selling point for our customers,” says Tim Wrinkle, Mack construction product manager. “Knowing this, Mack enhanced our warranty to increase the return on investment for customers. We’ve improved our warranties to allow customers to have more coverage, while also enhancing the standard heavy-duty warranty to be best in class.”
The standard heavy-duty warranty for line haul, construction and refuse was extended to 60 months or 500,000 miles for vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 80,000 lb. or a Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of less than 143,000 lb.
The standard normal duty warranty for long-haul, short-haul or pickup and delivery was extended to 60 months or 750,000 miles. The vehicle must have a Gross GVWR of less than 63,000 lb. or a GCWR of less than 100,000 lb.
Heavy construction, heavy refuse, off-road, heavy haul, mining, logging or oil field vehicles with a standard severe-duty warranty now have coverage for 24 months or 100,000 miles for vehicles with a Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) of less than 52,000 lb., or a GVWR of less than 80,000 lb. or a GCWR of less than 143,000 lb.
“Mack axles are best-in-class in terms of durability, ground clearance and increased efficiency, and Mack just made them even better,” Wrinkle says. “The enhanced standard axle warranty touches every heavy-duty truck application, so we’re pleased to be able to bring this offer to our customers.”
Mack has a long, rich history in axle design. In 1920, Mack introduced double-reduction architecture that improves durability by reducing the speed from the drive shaft before transmitting torque to the axle shaft, helping to spread and balance loading over two gear sets. Throughout the following years, a number of additional design advantages were added to Mack’s proprietary drive axles based on continuous research and engineering, the company says.
Durapoid bevel and helical gears are one such design advantage. This offers favorable gear tooth geometry to help eliminate localized stress and loading on the gear tooth end, adding improved strength and increased gear life. This design also reduces frictional losses, resulting in Mack axles delivering up to 1.5 percent improved fuel efficiency.
A top-mounted design means Mack axles are less prone to main seal leaks, while also offering up to two inches of additional ground clearance for increased maneuverability at construction sites, as well as in other off-highway applications. Improved driveline angles maximize universal joint life, reduce vibrations for a quieter and smooth ride and allow for greater axle articulation. It also reduces torque losses for improved efficiency, Mack says.
All proprietary Mack drive axles are built in the U.S. at Mack’s Hagerstown, Md., powertrain facility and are available in a wide range of weight ratings. Mack axles also pair well with Mack’s suspension options, including Mack Twin-Y, Mack mRIDE and the Mack Camelback for vocational applications.
