Splitting gears

This truck has 2 transmissions, but 3 gear sticks….

 

Little off topic I know from your original question, but…. knowledge is power, and if a day goes by and you learn nothing, it was a sad day….

 

That’s what the forum is for, helping fellow Gearjammer’s.

I was fortunate to drive trucks being phased out, that used things like Wig Wags, Air assist steering, torsion bar suspension, and 2 transmissions.

Pop who owned Machinery Hauling was one of my mentors.

These were some of his newer trucks when I drove for him…. All 5 of us were oversize heading from WV to Louisiana. Circa 1992?

 

They were too easy for drivers to tear up.

Lazy drivers would make one split slowing coming down a ramp, and then just kick it to neutral at 30-40 mph. As soon as the shifter fell into the center gate, it would range shift. Didn't take long before they'd spit the pins out of the synchro, and leave you stuck in high range.

Eaton's idea was to reduce the number of shifts requiring a lever move. As long as you didn't fall below 30-35 mph, all you had to do was split. It was a good idea, and I liked driving them compared to other 10 speeds, they shifted just as quick & smooth as the 13/18.

Once upon a time, I got a really good deal on a truck with a 10 speed. And you're right, with the power of these modern motors, it was just fine climbing. It totally sucked coming down on the Jake, though. On the higher speed grades, like Baker, for example, one gear was too low, the next way too high. I always found myself having to come down those grades slower than what I could with a 13 speed. It wasn't quite so bad on the really steep stuff, as you're generally in the lowest high-range gear anyway.

 

Super tens were the precursor to the modern automatic. They were a fleet favorite, cheap throwaways. Ten speeds should thrown out in the weeds and super tens should be thrown further into the weeds, to quote my grandpa.

 

They weren't the cheap option, being an RTLO. That honor belongs to the FRO line, which shift almost as bad as the Rockwells, but they sure can take some abuse.