any fluid haulers using autoshift transmissions?

Westcan is running M-drive in their Macks out of Calgary. I don't know if it is their whole fleet but one of my drivers who worked for them before was running an M-drive on his haul down into the mines down south. He didn't have issues with it when he was going up some of the dirt roads especially when mucky.

I have also seen Trimac with a few Macks that they seem to be testing, I have seen it on both pneumatic and fluids. Haven't been close enough to one though to peer inside to see what type of a set up though.

The key to them is you need to take the time to read the manual. So you can better understand how the thing operates so that it works best for you.

 

When we ordered our Mack Tri Drives last year, Westcan had an order in for 255 of them. And they have ordered more since them.


There's a Video that comes with the truck. Watch it and learn lots of things.

 

pauls hauling runs autoshifts drivers i know seem to like it ,

 

At Dowell (now Schlumberger) all our cement pump trucks and body-job frac power were Allison 6-speeds. They were great in the mud... just mash the peddle and hang on. I never found ice to be a problem either. I haven't tried any of the current auto-shift transmissions, but I sure would take a look at them if they are as durable as a full manual.

 

An automatic transmission will never preform better than a skilled driver...

 

I've used the auto shift gen 3 in a 10&18 spd and a Volvo ishift. The Easton's were alright, but the ishift blew them out of the water in performance. I personally think the ultrashift eaton offers now would be awesome. And yes, it is nice to climb out of the mud, hit the blacktop, hit resume and sit back. I know from expirence the ishift is smooth enough to pour coffee from your thermos into your cup while it's downshifting going up a hill.
I know myself when it comes time it will be a serious hard look at the ultrashift if I switch from a Volvo.
I've had the comments made "you ain't trucking if your not shifting" and while I agree that seeing a gorgous classic peterbilt or w900 I also can make the same money per day shifting or not...my choice lol

 

I would love to drive an I-shift here in Sk. I think it would do fine in the mud. Is there any chance the Western Stars will get them?

 

No they are exclusive to volvo. Mack runs the mdrive which is the same transmission.

You might see the Detroit DT12 come to Western star. It came out recently but I think you can get it only in the Cascadia evolution. I haven't read any user reviews on it yet

 

Your vocational auto shifts are all right from what I have heard your road trucks with a three pedal auto shift are good I haven't heard a lot of good things about fully auto shift road trucks yet but like all things they will have problems at first

 

I am hauling liquid fertilizers with super b's and a 2014 Volvo with D16 and Ishift. It takes some getting used to but I'm starting to like it. I will update when it starts to get into winter and let you know what I think of it then.