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48 • ROCK products • May 2016 www.rockproducts.com EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY LOADOUT & TRANSPORTATION Mack Trucks announced two new versions of its Mack mDRIVE HD auto- mated manual transmission (AMT). As the first truck manufacturer in North America to offer low reduction gear ratios in a proprietary automated manual transmission, the mDRIVE HD 13-speed and mDRIVE HD 14-speed meet the needs of an even wider range of customer applications with the pow- er and performance that only a fully integrated powertrain can offer. Mack made the announcement at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis. Available in direct or overdrive con- f i g u ra t i o n s , t h e n e w m D R I V E H D 13-speed offers a low reduction gear ratio designed for easier starting on steep grades or when the truck is under heavy load. The mDRIVE HD 14-speed, available only in an overdrive configu- ration, adds a second ultra-low-speed reduction gear designed for curb pour- ing applications or low-speed, heavy- haul maneuvering. Both transmissions offer up to four reverse gear ratios. "We launched the original mDRIVE HD in response to customers looking for an AMT capable of withstanding tough vocational applications," said John Walsh, Mack vice president of market- ing. "Now, with the mDRIVE HD 13- and 14-speeds, we're taking the next step and combining low-speed capabilities with the performance and productivity benefits of our ground-breaking AMT." The new models share their architec- ture with the standard mDRIVE HD, including reinforced internal compo- nents and the same gear ratios for the 12 forward speeds. The addition of the low reduction and multispeed reverse gears is made possible by a short exten- sion added to the front of the transmis- sion case. Despite the additional capa- bilities, the new models are less than 5 in. longer and only 90 lb. heavier than the standard mDRIVE HD, maintaining a weight advantage of nearly 150 lb. com- pared with automatic transmissions. For the first time, customers will also have the option to spec the mDRIVE HD in Mack Pinnacle models, including the new mDRIVE models. The new low reduction gears not only improve per- formance in off-road, heavy haul and construction applications, they enable as well the use of a faster rear axle ratio to improve on-road fuel economy while maintaining startability. "The mDRIVE HD is just as at home on the highway as it is on the job site," said Stu Russoli, Mack highway and pow- ertrain products marketing manager. "Highway customers with challenging loads will appreciate the extra flexibil- ity provided by the low reduction gear ratios." In addition to the two new models, all Mack mDRIVE transmissions, includ- ing the standard mDRIVE and mDRIVE HD, received updates for improved per- formance and durability. The transmis- sions are controlled by a redesigned gearbox control unit , while a new clutch with a larger torsional damper helps reduce driveline vibration. Com- ponent wear monitors were also added to enable predictive maintenance. Mack Trucks, www.macktrucks.com RailBoss Rail Scale Enhanced to Improve Yard Efficiency and Savings Rice Lake Weighing Systems recently re-released the RailBoss rail scale with added enhancements. An innovative sensing zone, MS quick-disconnect cable connectors and a streamlined installation bring added value to the already rugged and robust rail-car weighing system. Running balanced rail cars at or near capacity assures the greatest efficien- cy and profit. RailBoss eliminates the guesswork of volumetric measuring and variable tare weights. The new lon- ger sensing zone eases rail car weigh- ing, and trains not being weighed can move across the scale at normal line speed without affecting the scale. RailBoss' MS quick-disconnect cable connectors reduce unexpected main- tenance and repairs. Automatically releasing before damaging tension is reached, the cable connectors save valuable repair time and replacement costs. RailBoss cable connectors are also compatible with comparable mod- els, easing electronics setup if replacing an existing rail scale. Less than one-third the cost of other rail scales, noted the company, RailBoss installs on existing ties and ballast, and rail joint bars connect RailBoss sections to existing rail. Typically, a RailBoss installation takes less than eight hours. Rice Lake, www.ricelake.com/railboss Mack Expands Heavy-Duty AMT Range with Two New Mack mDRIVE HD Models