What is a Rockwell Transmission?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by snowbird_89, Mar 17, 2012.

  1. snowbird_89

    snowbird_89 Road Train Member

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    I know it's not pretty common. Some older Freightliners and Internationals have them. The shifter is so bizarre looking. LOL. People say they can be tricky to shift. Have any of you ever had a truck with a Rockwell transmission?
     
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  3. Eaton18

    Eaton18 Road Train Member

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  4. MNoutkast

    MNoutkast Medium Load Member

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    If this is just a troll post I am gonna feel like an idiot but a lot of the trucks I have driven have had Rockwell 10 speeds in them, shift just like any Eaton 10 spd. Just a different brand.
     
  5. Ruthless

    Ruthless Road Train Member

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  6. 6Shooter

    6Shooter Light Load Member

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    As the great Larry the Cable guy would say...

    Huh? :biggrin_2558:









    :biggrin_25523:
     
  7. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I have driven 9 and 10 speed Rockwel, Meritor and 10 and 13 and 18 Eaton-Fuller, and 10 speed Spicer and 8LL Eatons, and even a really heavy dut y 9 speed in a Mack. I have never driven a Super 10 speed.

    I preferred Rockwell to Eaton-Fuller in the straight 9 and 10 speeds, but the best transmission overall IMO is the 18 speed Eaton-Fuller.

    You will find Rockwell transmisions in 9 and 10 speed in Freightliners through the 96 model years up to the early 2000 model years, most newer FLs have Eaton-Fuller until you get into auutomated transmissions, then you will find many FLs and some other brands with Meritor Freedomline 12 speeds and possibly 16 speeds.
     
    mpd240 Thanks this.
  8. Truck Driver

    Truck Driver Medium Load Member

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    The shifter knob had the cruise control buttons on some of them but otherwise they were the same as an Eaton Roadrandger, which I think they were modeled after. Some of them have a smooth feel but most of the ones I drove felt like they were on there last trip. real loud and very stiff. I don't think they hold up as well as a Roadranger. I'm glad all the trucks we had with meritors/rockwell transmissions are long retired.
     
  9. Hammer166

    Hammer166 Crusty Information Officer

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    I had one in a Sterling... always felt like the shifter was in a bucket of bolts! Not a Roadranger, for sure.
     
  10. kwray

    kwray Medium Load Member

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    Its now ZF Meritor. Had a 10 spd Rockwell in a truck about 12 or so years ago. ZF no longer makes manual transmissions for heavy trucks
     
  11. MNoutkast

    MNoutkast Medium Load Member

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    My current truck has the cruise on the shifter...I love that feature. Mine has been well abused by many many drivers since its hay day and is loose and sloppy with a arms reach throw to hit 9th and a hip busting throw to 1st or Reverse. Does shift smooth in her sloppiness though.
     
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