13 and 18 speeds

^ that's right. Mack trucks ruled the woods back in the day hauling logs.

 

I tried to attach a couple photos. That's the truck and trailer I normally drive. I'm limited to 144k or less because of a couple bridges I cross. In that one photo, there is an 8 axle behind my trailer, we're good for 160k with that one, just can't cross the bridges I need with it fully loaded.
Thas's an '08 4900sa Western Star, 500 Cat, 18k front axle, 46k rears, 4.10/4.11 gears. Those two trailers are also walking floors. but I'm normally on a tipper.

 

Hold on there!! I thought Hayes did.

 

You can reprogram an eaton ultrashift or autoshift that is an 18 speed to a 13 speed or a 9 speed and it will only shift as the transmission that you programed it as. It takes about 10 minutes to reprogram on. Just food for thought.

 

Not even on the same haul road. Hayes are International cabs w/ Frieghtliner interiors. At least the ones I drove. I perfer the old Canadian built Western Stars w/ the Arctic pack. It had all the good stuff.

 

I'm not familiar with the old Western Stars. I'm sure the quality has declined just like in everything else. What was the Arctic pack?

 

Arctic Pack is a truck that has been fitted for extreme cold weather. Fuel heaters,extra insulation on the cab/sleeper w/ heaters,lockers for the drivers,pack brakes,ect. You know like Canadian winters.

 

OK, gotcha, just never heard it referred to as a package. If you drive in the north, a great many trucks are outfitted like that. That Star I drive has the tank heaters, engine heaters and lockers on it.

 

??; oh man, reading the first post, and the last few, it looks like a topic about MACK trucks and log hauling.

But my answer to you little question (first page first post on this topic)
18 speed give you that little edge over a 13 when dealing with heavy loads, most trucks over here are 18speed(I haddnt been in one with less... semi wise that is) but thats because our hauling weight may change big time, from a full load of bubblewrap(weighs less then 2tonn); or a large turbine weighing at just a bit under 80tonn.

Best load ive seen was a turbine for a new water plant, needing 5 mack trucks(only 3 were really needed but 2 were back-ups); total weight of the load was 258tonn... and the trailer was custom made so that it would flip its load off the side and could turn sharp corners.
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And if your wondering how much they got paid, each driver got 10k for each trip (2 trips in total).. took them ages but; as they could only drive between 6pm and 5am

 

How many times have you had your brakes froze on the trailer after you dump?