What is your idea of an Ideal transmission system

Yes it is nice to have the opption even if you usually dont need it. High split low hole is the same as a 13 in low and thats where I start out at 107,000lbs but every once in a while I need to be lower and thats when the 18 comes into play. Also at this weight I some times split 4th before going into the high side. Could I do what I do with a 10 or 13? Definetly yes. Am I glad I have an 18? Definetly YES!

 

Gonna play devil's advocate on this one....

As an O/O, good business sense and experience tells me that less moving parts, (gears, syncronizers, bearings), etc., means longer life for a tranny.
With the extended power band of modern engines, ten forward is usually enough if spec'ed right.

However, if two identical trucks were for sale, exception being one ten speed, one eighteen, as an O/O, I would go for the eighteen. (after all, repairs ARE tax deductible)

The earlier autos were problematic, but I have heard they are much improved. Some time back, I read where the Armed Services spec their prime movers with 700 hp C18s, and Allison Autos; Severe duty immediately comes to mind here, however the article did not elaborate on their dependability.
I personally know two fellows that drive the clutchless autos, one company driver hauling light oil, the other an O/O hauling grain in LA, with a 100,000 lb. agriculture permit. (To us cajuns, that means 100,000 lbs in the box). Both have stated that trying to take the autos from them would result in the "Mother of all battles".

That being said, I don't think I could bring myself to buy one just yet.

 

Truth is any tranns. will work for any thing you haul as long as the rest of the truck is set up properly.A10 speed would work just fine in a dump truck. Would an 8LL be better? Only in extreme slow heavy off road, but a 10 would get the job done. For OTR Most companiesw use 10s, O/Os 13s or 18s but if your truck had an 8LL it would still go down the road the same.

 

the futures probably hydrostatic , low pressure hydrostatic, butt its not cheap

 

13spd is the way to go. I thinks its easier to drive than a 10spd. lol

 

i would say its probably the opposite.
If they would go with anything in a true automatic it would prob be CVT and high pressure (car CVT trans run around 700 psi of line pressure i believe)

However I truly doubt in the next 10 years that a unsyncro 10/18 speed will be fazed out or even substituted with the exception of Driver mill trucks that come with autos in them for the noobies(swift, werner, schneider).

 

I don't know all the technical aspects of it and don't care to but I miss my 15 (big hole against the dash)..

 

13 or 18 spd behind a CAT for me

 

i got a 10spd & the first chance i get it's gettin yanked out & the 18 is goin in!!!!!!! i like the option of splitting the gears to lower rpm & still stay in my power band!!!