Mack Trucks introduces transmission for Mack MD Series

Mack Trucks, Greensboro, North Carolina, has announced the launch of the Allison 3000 RDS transmission for the Mack MD Series models. The company made the announcement during the 2022 Work Truck Show, March 8-11, at the Indiana Convention Center. 

According to a news release from Mack, the transmission adds more options for applications that require more power but are best suited for medium-duty vehicles. 

“Mack is pleased to now offer the Allison 3000 transmission as an option,” says Dayle Wetherell, vice president of medium-duty sales at Mack. “The transmission enables customers to haul more payload and utilize a live power takeoff (PTO), both of which are critical for our customers desiring a medium-duty vehicle that can handle demanding applications.” 

The company says the Allison 3000 RDS transmission offers greater versatility for customers in 4x2 refuse, tank and dump applications. The MD Series equipped with an Allison 3000 RDS transmission is approved at a 33,000-pound gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) for refuse and recycling applications, allowing the Mack MD to haul more. The Allison 3000 also allows for a live power PTO for MD Series tanker trucks delivering heating oil, water, fuel and propane and dump trucks, enabling the vehicle to move while using the PTO at the same time.  

“The ability to have a direct-drive PTO is extremely important for some of Mack’s medium-duty customers because they can lift and lower a dump body while driving without worrying about what gear the truck is in,” says Tim Wrinkle, construction product manager at Mack. “It’s also important for snowplows and salt spreaders that need to work at the same time.” 

The Allison 3000 RDS also offers a higher gross combination weight rating (GCWR), allowing customers to drive the Mack MD Series model and pull utility trailers with small excavators. The Mack MD Series equipped with an Allison 3000 RDS will have a GCWR of 45,000 pounds. 

The Mack MD Series can be specified to be a Class 6 with a GVWR of 25,995 pounds and a Class 7, with a GVWR of 33,000 pounds. With the MD Series, Mack now offers a lineup of vehicles from Class 6 to 8. Both MD Series models are exempt from the 12 percent federal excise tax. 

The MD Series meets a wide variety of needs for medium-duty trucking applications, including dry van/refrigerated, stake/flatbed, dump and tank truck vocations. The Class 6 model does not require a commercial driver’s license to operate for nonhazardous payloads. 

Customers interested in the Mack MD Series can visit Mack booth No. 3523 at the Work Truck Show in the Indiana Convention Center, their local Mack dealer or click here.