13 and 18 speeds

Anytime you're going backwards its.....AHHHhhhhh LOOK OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

With the company I'm with now, all are 18 speed. Even with 120-130k gross, which is a normal load, we usually drive them like a 13. On the low side, splitting is really nice when on a start out on a grade, or, in some places I deliver, splitting 4th gear is nice, 5th is too high, to drive the mile or so offroad.
My question, on the low side, would it be considered, say, 4th direct, then 4th over? Like on the high side? Or are some transmissions different from each other in that respect?

 

Sure, you can spec a Mack with an Eaton or an Allison transmission....but WHY? Mack transmissions are far superior....triple countershaft and all. Kinda defeats the purpose of buying a Mack truck when you downgrade to vendor transmissions and rear ends....

 

Well I'm no expert but yeah 4th & over. Second and direct to 3rd and over,to 4th and over to 5th and direct. sweet.......

 

Gears in a 15 are stand-alone and not able to be split. At least, that's what I've been told.

How do go from deep reduction to direct? Isn't that splitting up to the direct.

 

Good question, I don't know either.

 

Mack 18 speeds have this knob, up and down splitter button for high and low.


Eaton Fuller transmissions work front to rear of the shift knob for high and low.

 

To bad they are owned by Volvo and not near the trucks they used to be!

 

OK guys go easy on the student/graduate here but.....

I have seen youtube videos of upshifting a 13 speed. I understand the concept but not the practice. We only had 9 speeds in school and they weren't even made in this century On a 13 speed the high side has two ranges for each gear by sliding the knob forward and lifting the go-foot to unload the torque from the driveline. Viola, you have 5.5th gear etc. My question is downshifting. Do you just drive it like a 9 speed? Slide the side knob back and have at it?

 

You actually shift down a gear. Say you are in 5th DR, you shift up to 4th direct.