Mack Pinnacle Series
The Mack Pinnacle is a series of heavy duty (Class 8) trucks produced by Mack Trucks. Introduced in 2006, the Pinnacle is the successor of the Mack Vision. Currently, the product line is sold in the United States and Canada; in Venezuela and Peru, the Pinnacle is marketed as the Mack Vision Elite.
| Mack Pinnacle | |
|---|---|
 Mack Pinnacle day cab | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mack Trucks |
| Also called | Mack Vision Elite |
| Production | 2006-present |
| Assembly | Mack Lehigh Valley Operations (Macungie, Pennsylvania) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Heavy truck |
| Body style | Conventional |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Mack MP7, Mack MP8 |
| Transmission | 8, 9, 10, 13, and 18-speed Mack TM308 Maxitorque and 12 speed Mack mDrive 5, and 6-speed Allison AVS and Allison RDS 9, 10, 13, 15, 18-speed Eaton Fuller Roadranger |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Mack Vision |
Marketed primarily as a highway tractor, the Pinnacle is sold in a set-forward front-axle configuration (the set-back axle version has been replaced in the United States and Canada by the Mack Anthem). Mack assembles the Pinnacle in its Lehigh Valley Operations facility in Macungie, Pennsylvania.
Design
The Pinnacle is a long-hood conventional semi-tractor. Designed for local and regional use it usually has a day-cab but five sleepers, from a 48 inches (1,200 mm) flat top to a 70 inches (1,800 mm) hi-rise, are available. Roof faring, side shields, and skirts aerodynamic aids are offered. Commonly a 6x4 (3 axles, 2 powered) there are also 4x2 (2 axles, one powered) and 6x2 (4x2 with a third lift axle) models.
Advanced electronics are used for engine and chassis controls, as well as maintenance. All trucks have ABS.
Mack builds most of their components (engines, transmissions, and axles) to work together. Trucks can also be custom-designed with vendor components. Total loaded weight can be up to 62,000 pounds (28,000 kg) and over 80,000 pounds (36,000 kg) including trailers.
Engine
The Mack MP8 engine is the only engine used in the Pinnacle. It 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.
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.
Fuller UltraShift™automated shifting systems are available on all transmissions from 9- to 18-speeds.
Allison RD series 5, 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. The front axle is set forward on semi-elliptical leaf springs. The set-back axle version was replaced by the Anthem in 2017
The base rear suspension is a Mack tandem (two powered axles) but other axle/suspension combinations are available. Wheelbases are from 166 to 247 inches (420 to 630 cm)
Meritor supplies S-cam air brakes, steering systems, driveshafts, and other components. Front air disc brakes are available.
Axles
Front axles are available with 12,000 or 14,000 pounds (5,400 or 6,400 kg) rating.
Mack powered axles have the drive carrier on top of the housing. This lets the driveshafts be in line from the transmission to and between the axles at a higher level above the ground. With the higher level above the ground the driveshafts and u-joints are less prone to dirt and damage, important in on/off-road construction.
The Twin Y air suspension is base. It 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).
The Camelback tandem (two powered axles) was offered in earlier models. This has multiple leaves mounted above the bogey pivot which curve down and under the axles. It was not offered after 2015.
Vendor spring and air-ride axle/suspension combinations are rated up to 40,000 pounds (18,000 kg).
Applications
The Pinnacle's set-forward front axle and high rectangular grille make it high drag and not well-suited for long-distance hauling. It is available with a sleeper but it is commonly used as a day cab for local and regional hauling, where local laws and conditions restrict length or affect weight distribution.
The Pinnacle has the high ground clearance, strong chassis, and available components for on/off-road construction. It is suited for dump, flatbed, and lowboy use.
On-highway markets for Mack are freight, bulk materials, and farm products like grain and livestock.
References
"Mack Pinnacle". Heavy Duty Trucking. September 1, 2006. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
"Test drive: Mack Pinnacle". Heavy Duty Trucking. September 1, 2007. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
Pinnacle Axle Back 6x4 specifications (PDF). Mack Trucks. 2007. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
Pinnacle Axle Forward 6x4 specifications (PDF). Mack Trucks. 2007. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
"Pinnacle specifications". Mack Trucks. 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
External links
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