The Mack Granite, one of the most ubiquitous construction and vocational trucks on the road today - here's a bit of history and info on them!
First built in 2001, 21 years on in 2022, they're still being built and prove very popular in the construction and vocational sectors handling a variety of tasks, such as; mixers, dump trucks, concrete pumpers, snowplows, flatbeds, etc.
They are available in both set-back-axle (above) and - set-forward-axle (below) variants, with a variety of transmission options from Eaton Fuller, Allison, and Mack (automatic, automated manual, and manual), but with only Mack engines, the MP7 or MP8.
The vast majority of Granites are daycabs, but Mack does offer a 36" sleeper option. They're almost always setup as a straight truck of some type, which are seldom sleeper equipped anyway (Granite tractors are uncommon in any configuration).
Around 2007 they underwent a redesign, the most notable change being the headlights (see below).
2007 and before-
2007/8 onwards-
Strangely, though very common in straight truck vocational uses, they are extremely uncommon as wreckers, as are Macks in general (Pete and KW jointly rule the sector, for good reasons...).
Also available is the Granite "MHD" (Medium Heavy Duty), which is a lighter spec, but visually essentially indistinguishable, variant. The MHD can be setup as either a Class 7 or 8 unit, with a Cummins L9 paired with an Allison RDS automatic as the only powertrain option.
My personal experience with Granites is limited, but my impression was - fairly solid and sturdy, but somewhat lacking in driver comfort, and they came across as somewhat cheap-feeling on the interior.
That's it for this edition of the BTES, thanks for looking, and I hope you enjoyed!
