Mack Granite Axle Back Models With Command Steer Help Reduce Driver Fatigue

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Drivers of Mack Granite models, such as this cement truck, should benefit from Command Steer. (Photo courtesy of Mack Trucks.)

Mack announced it has begun production of Granite axle back models built with the Command Steer active steering system. The truck manufacturer estimates Command Steer technology can reduce driver effort by up to 85% while cutting muscular strain by up to 30%; both are key factors in reducing the risk of long-term driver injury.

“Driving a heavy-duty construction truck is physically demanding on the body,” says Mack Construction Product Manager Tim Wrinkle. “Jobsites have uneven road conditions, which contribute to wear and tear on the driver. Drivers no longer need to fight the wheel when driving on severe terrain or during difficult weather conditions requiring a lot of steer effort.”

How It Works

The system provides variable steering through an electric motor that’s connected to the Granite’s hydro-mechanical steering gear. The electric motor combines with the hydraulic steering to provide additional torque and make it easier to keep the truck on the desired route. The motor is also controlled through an ECU and receives signals from vehicle sensors while dampening steering impacts from the ground, helping the driver maintain the desired control. Onboard sensors report more than 2,000 times per second on terrain, driver inputs, and environmental elements. The end result is that Command Steer effectively suppresses uneven terrain, such as dips and rips, by reacting to the irregularities and countering the steer force.

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Based on data collected by sensors around the truck, Command Steer provides variable steering effort through its electric motor, applying additional torque as needed to make it easier to keep the truck on the desired route. (Photo courtesy of Mack Trucks.)

Additional Benefits

“Mack Command Steer helps the driver maintain greater control of both on-highway and off-road applications at low speeds and high speeds,” Wrinkle says. The technology also simplifies tight maneuvers using a return-to-zero capability, which automatically returns the steering wheel to the center position in forward and reverse. Finally, when steering and/or braking on surfaces with different friction, Command Steer improve stability and keep the steering wheel straight.

Source: Mack Trucks