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Staying in 9th gear when heavy

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by gauge1281, Jul 16, 2014.

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  1. Jul 16, 2014 #11
    gauge1281

    gauge1281 Bobtail Member

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    Jul 16, 2014
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    Dont know much about engines but i see still pulls 9th gear 1800+ can even push 65mph but being so heavy and too much traffic, i stay on 55-60mph...it gets really loud in the cab though.
     
    gauge1281, Jul 16, 2014
    gauge1281, Jul 16, 2014
    #11
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  3. Jul 17, 2014 #12
    gauge1281

    gauge1281 Bobtail Member

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    Jul 16, 2014
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    On the chart looks like max torque and max power at 2000rpms then it flattens out...so im in good shape in 9th gear @ 1800 cruising 55-60 then as long as i dont let it go over 2000rpms? Sorry guys I'm so new at this and I'm always heavy.
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2014
    gauge1281, Jul 17, 2014
    gauge1281, Jul 17, 2014
    #12
  4. Jul 17, 2014 #13
    freightrunner

    freightrunner Heavy Load Member

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    Mar 25, 2012
    Georgia
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    I haul the containers and I'm not afraid to down shift I shift to 10. If I see a hill I try to speed up a little bit to get a running start. And the truck is going to feel sluggish anyway you're hauling containers and with a Maxx force. It's just how you want to drive. I doubt you'd mess anything up in the next 5 years but later on you might have lots of problems.
     
    freightrunner, Jul 17, 2014
    freightrunner, Jul 17, 2014
    #13
  5. Jul 17, 2014 #14
    gauge1281

    gauge1281 Bobtail Member

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    Jul 16, 2014
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    Thanks guys. I just don't want to break the truck at the same time maintaining highway speed when pulling heavy with my lil puppy dog maxxforce motor.
     
    gauge1281, Jul 17, 2014
    gauge1281, Jul 17, 2014
    #14
  7. Jul 17, 2014 #15
    gauge1281

    gauge1281 Bobtail Member

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    Jul 16, 2014
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    Sometimes it's hard to get a running start before a hill in a busy chicago highway, but i do it when i can.
     
    gauge1281, Jul 17, 2014
    gauge1281, Jul 17, 2014
    #15
  8. Jul 17, 2014 #16
    gpsman

    gpsman Road Train Member

    1,581
    1,211
    Dec 10, 2013
    45212/59759
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    Do you "wear out" faster when running, or walking?

    Are you doing it wrong? Yes. It is "unsafe"? No. Can the practice lead to unemployment? Yes.
     
    gpsman, Jul 17, 2014
    gpsman, Jul 17, 2014
    #16
  9. Jul 17, 2014 #17
    MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

    49,799
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    Sep 19, 2005
    Baltimore, MD
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    You have to remember though that all engines have different specs, and works with one may not give you the performance with another.

    I wind Detroits up a little higher than Macks because Detroits absolutely hate to be lugged. An N-14 Cummins will tolerate that a little better as well.
     
    MACK E-6, Jul 17, 2014
    MACK E-6, Jul 17, 2014
    #17
    Ukumfe Thanks this.
  10. Jul 17, 2014 #18
    Richter

    Richter Road Train Member

    4,090
    1,700
    Feb 13, 2012
    Philadelphia Pa
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    Shift to 10th, then as you slow down downshift on the hill. Dont wreck your truck because your a lazy shifter. Fuel economy plumets at 1800 rpm so the truck is costing much more to run. The owner can plug into the ECM and see how much time you spend in top gear. If i found out my driver was doing this, I would fire him. More wear on the the truck, more fuel. Unless you drive slow enough for 9th (1500 rpm in 9th) then you should be using 10th. Either drive an Auto or shift when you need to, but over revving in 9th is just plan stupid.
     
    Richter, Jul 17, 2014
    Richter, Jul 17, 2014
    #18
    double yellow Thanks this.
  11. Jul 17, 2014 #19
    Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

    22,649
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    Dec 18, 2011
    Michigan
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    The truck I drive regularly that has an ISX engine and the others with ISX engines in them all have a sweet spot at or around 1600, not 1200. The one regular truck I get assigned (2014 WS 4900 ISX 13 sp) I get to haul heavy stuff with gets driven near that sweet spot.
     
    Ridgeline, Jul 17, 2014
    Ridgeline, Jul 17, 2014
    #19
  12. Jul 17, 2014 #20
    double yellow

    double yellow Road Train Member

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    State of Jefferson
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    He is in a prostar so I assume he has the Maxxforce 13. It is a low rpm engine that pulls well down to 1000rpm:

    2014-07-17 07.41.38.jpg


    There isn't much reason to go over 1400rpm other than to hot rod -- to cruise at 1800 is just wasting fuel wearing out the engine faster.
     
    double yellow, Jul 17, 2014
    double yellow, Jul 17, 2014
    #20
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