Mack Anthem
The Mack Anthem is a series of heavy duty (Class 8) trucks built by Mack Trucks. It has a long low-drag hood and fenders. It is designed as a highway semi-tractor with good fuel economy. Introduced in 2018, it remains in production in 2020.
| Mack Anthem | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Production history | |
| Type | Conventional cab semi-tractor |
| Manufacturer | Mack Trucks |
| Built | 2018–present |
| Predecessor | Pinnacle SBA |
| Weights | |
| Weight class | 8 |
| Loaded weight | 35,000–62,000 lb (16,000–28,000 kg) |
| Front axle | 12,000–23,000 pounds (5,400–10,400 kg) |
| Rear axle | 38,000 lb (17,000 kg) (single) 38,000–52,000 lb (17,000–24,000 kg) (tandem) |
| Loaded weight with trailers | 80,000 lb (36,000 kg) |
| Dimensions | |
| Bumper to back of cab | 117.5 in (2.98 m) |
| Width | 94.9 in (2.41 m) |
| Height | 112.5 in (2.86 m) |
| Drivetrain | |
| Diesel engines | Mack MP7, MP8, MP8HE |
| Transmissions | Mack 8-18-spd Eaton-Fuller 9-18-spd Allison 5-7-speed |
| Chassis | |
| Front axle | Set back |
| Rear axles | Single, tandem, pusher tandem |
| Wheelbase | 174 to 203 in (4.42 to 5.16 m) |
| Drive layout | 4x2, 6x2, 6x4 |
Design
The Anthem is a long-hood conventional. Designed for highway use it can have a day cab or two different sleeper compartments. It has aerodynamic aids standards and others are available. Normally a 6x4 (3 axles, 2 powered) there are also 6x2 (3 axles, one powered) models. Total loaded weight can be up to 62,000 pounds (28,000 kg) and 80,000 pounds (36,000 kg) including all trailers.
Advanced electronics are used for engine, chassis, and body controls, as well as maintenance. The Anthem can also be equipped with front and side collision warning systems, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning systems, and Mack Road Stability.
Mack builds their own major components (engines, transmissions, axles, and suspensions) and promotes an integrated design. Most vendor components are also available but engine choice is very limited.
Engines
The Anthem is available with three Mack diesels.
The Mack MP7 engine is the base engine in the Anthem. It is a 659 cubic inches (10.8 l) overhead cam turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine. It develops 235 to 434 horsepower (175 to 324 kW) and 1,200 to 1,560 pound force-feet (1,630 to 2,120 N⋅m) of torque.
The Mack MP8 engine is a 783 cubic inches (12.8 l) overhead cam turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine. It develops 434 to 505 horsepower (324 to 377 kW) and 1,460 to 1,760 pound force-feet (1,980 to 2,390 N⋅m) of torque.
The Mack MP8HE engine is a variant of the MP8 with a mechanical drive behind the turbocharger in the exhaust stream. This allows more heat energy to be used for better fuel economy.
Transmissions
All Mack transmissions have aluminum cases and three countershafts. Multiple countershafts (Fullers have two) allows smaller countershaft gears to spread the load between them and allow easier shifting. Manual transmissions have five or six main gears, extra ratios are made with different combinations of ranges. Both Mack and Fuller have manual and automated shifting models. Allison transmissions are available as fully automatic only.
Mack mDRIVE automated manual is the base transmission. It has no clutch pedal and shifts itself on demand. The driver can override it but it is normally driven in "D". It can have 12, 13, or 14-speeds. Other Mack manual transmissions have 8-18 speeds.
Eaton-Fuller UltraShift automated shifting systems are available on all of their transmissions from 9- to 18-speeds.
Allison RDS series 6- or 7-speed transmissions are available. The RDS is a fully automatic planetary gear transmission with a lock-up torque converter.
Frame
A ladder frame with beam axles is used. There is a single front axle on semi-elliptical leaf springs. The base rear suspension is a Mack tandem with two powered axles, a single rear drive axle with an undriven pusher axle is available. Wheelbases are from 174 to 203 inches (440 to 520 cm)
A set-back front axle is used. Set back axles, where the hood extends in front of the axle, are used when overall length is not important. They let the fenders and bumper to taper back to the tires, allowing less wind drag.
Dana-Spicer and Meritor supply air brakes, steering systems, driveshafts, and other components.
Axles
Front axles are available in 12,000 and 14,000 pounds (5,400 and 6,400 kg) ratings from Mack, Dana-Spicer, and Meritor.
Mack powered axles have the drive carrier on top of the housing instead of the front of it like other manufacturers. This lets the driveshafts be in line from the transmission to and between the axles.
Other powered axles are available from Dana-Spicer and Meritor. These have front mounted carriers and in tandemsthe two axle housings are different.
The mRIDE tandem has tapered leaves that rock above the bogey pivot then go out and above the axles. Struts go from the bottom of the bogey pivot out and under the axle. They are rated at 40,000, 46,000, and 52,000 pounds (18,000, 21,000, and 24,000 kg).
The Twin Y air suspension has trailing arms that fork to the rear and attach to both the top and bottom of the axle. There is an air bag behind the axle. Each axle is sprung individually. They are rated at 40,000 pounds (18,000 kg).
A Liftable pusher axle is used in a 6x2 arrangement, where only the rear axle is driven. They are lighter, have less drag, and can be raised when not needed. This allows better fuel economy and longer tire life.
Other tandems with mechanical or air suspensions are available from Mack, Chalmers, and Hendrickson.
Applications
The Anthem is designed as a fuel-efficient highway semi-tractor only.
Regional service is when runs are one day long. Regional tractors usually have a day cab, short wheelbase, and are often used for fleet service. They often can be used with a lower power engines and/or a 6x2 (three axles, rear only driven) arrangement.
Over-the-road is when one or two drivers live in the cab for extended periods. Over-the-road tractors are often owned by their drivers. With sleeper compartments and longer wheelbases they usually need more powerful engines than regional tractors..
References
Further reading
- "Style and Substance: The Mack Anthem". Today's Trucking. January 9, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
- "Review: Mack's New Anthem Truck Marks Upgrade". Trucks.com. October 2, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
- "Test Drive: Bold New Look for an Old Dog". Heavy Duty Trucking. November 27, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
- "Mack Anthem Impresses Over the Long Haul". Construction Equipment. December 22, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
- "Mack Anthem now available with more efficient MP8HE engine, HE+ aero package". Equipment World. June 15, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
- "Test driving the Mack Anthem: Consistency, right specs key to reaching 10mpg". Freight Waves. September 27, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
- "Anthem specs". Mack Trucks. 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2020.