Why do so many Americans hate European trucks?

Yup, K200 best....

 

Automated gearboxes are standard by now for almost all European trucks.

DAF trucks use the new and very efficient 12 or 16 speed ZF Traxon automated transmissions, in direct drive or overdrive versions.

On request you can get the manual synchronized ZF Ecosplit transmission, also in 12 or 16 speed, direct drive or overdrive versions, and with an intarder as option.

Do you have similar manuals in the US?

Seems that 70% of all new US trucks have an automated transmission these days.

 

Disposal means recycling. Old solar panels will be dismantled, and all parts will be recycled.

 

Shifting a 16 speed ZF Ecosplit:

 

One of the reasons why Europe embraced the automated transmissions.....

High shift effort to synchronize gears, combined with complex gearshift linkage (compared to gearstick directly on the shift cover) because of cabover trucks and tilting cabs. Linkage can be stiff at times, and become sloppy with age.

To reduce the high shift effort,ZF introduced an optional air support, Servoshift, but this may lead to premature wear and failure of the synchronizers.

I remember the early days of Ecosplit. It became the standard transmission for manufacturers like Iveco, DAF, MAN, with Eaton/Fuller Roadranger or TwinSplitter as an option.
Many of the more experienced drivers (many of them pensioners by now) prefered the Eaton's.

 

It seems Eaton doesn't offer 16 speed synchronized gearboxes any more, I can't find them on their website.

Using a manual gearbox in the dense stop-and-go traffic in Europe is a real pain, and it is wearying for the driver. That is the main reason for embracing automated gearboxes.

 

Yup, NYC or LA never heard of stop and go traffic.....

 

Since 70% of the new trucks in the US is sold with an automated transmission, it seems that companies and drivers came to the same conclusion in the US.