Automatic Fleet

No such thing as an 8-speed.

 

Yeah, the "9 speed" nomenclature was actually to make a distinction between the Eaton-Fuller transmission and a similar Mack transmission (as Mack marketed theirs as an 8 speed), although it was ultimately futile, as Mack also had a transmission marketed as a nine speed (although a much different shift pattern from their 8 speed/Eaton's 9 speed).


Any idea what the engine/trans in the new 680s is? At Navajo, the last order for the line haul fleet had 10 speeds and the MX engine, but five had the MX/Eaton Autoshift combo, and the new trucks for the Rocky Mountain doubles fleet has that combo, as well (albeit with different rear end gears). The rumor initially was that the Freightliners would be the ones with the autos, but that turned out false, then there was a claim they were going to have the Allison TC10s, but that also turned out false.
Doesn't really surprise me that carriers are turning an eye back to autoshifts again... I've seen the beating some of our drivers put on transmissions, and I can imagine it's not uncommon at Swift or any other major carrier, either. Now that they've gotten the technology down to where they're not the unreliable money pits they were 15 years ago, they're going to be on the rise.

 

Funny, my Eaton-Fuller "9 speed" was really a 10 and my "13" speed really has 15. And no, I do not count reverse.

 

A nine speed has the same number of gears as a 10 speed... they're just spaced in a matter that constitutes a different sequential shift pattern. They're both a five speed main gear box coupled to a two speed auxiliary box. The 8LL, 13, and 18 speeds are compounded with another auxiliary box.

 

My new trucks an automatic. I actually like it except its in a Volvo. I just don't like Volvos but I'm stuck with it. Forever. Yes I'm whining.

 

And I love how you fresh-faced rookies are so quick to blast people with a hell of a lot more experience than you and a much more in-depth knowledge of these drivetrain systems as a "super trucker".
If they don't have more than 8 gears, then what exactly is in that position they label "LO" on their transmission, then? If I were to shift into those positions, would I find myself teleported into some bizarre Twilight Zone scenario?

Yeah, Volvos are a love/hate thing for me as well. I've run the VED model straight trucks, FM and FH COE models in South Africa, and I ran a 730 OTR... good riding trucks, but a real pain in the nuts to work on, and prone to electrical issues... although, in all fairness, with these multiplexed systems, all trucks are a real PItA once you start having electrical issues.