How to Shift an 18 Speed

Basically what I was taught when I was starting out. Stick to the right side "H" pattern and split the gears as needed.

 

I like to think of it as half gears when using the splitter and full gears if you have to move the stick.

I have only one site where I have had to split the low end and that is coming out of a pit pulling belly dump doubles grossing 130k and it is about 2 miles uphill right out of the gate. The other time was grossing 210k and pulling Homestake from the East. When you are really heavy going up a hill you may not be able to split because of the loss of momentum and have to go a full gear instead.

The cool part is going down a pass where say 6th high is too fast but when you split it down into 6 low it is just enough for the jakes to hold you back.

 

On the 13 speed I never preselected the splitter. I didn't think about this reason, but it's an additional reason not to do it.

 

I'm not sure if I understand you. Did your trainers act as if it was an 8 speed instead of a 10 speed, or 9 instead of 13 if you don't need to split the upper range?

 

18 speed can be driven 3 ways. As a 9 speed,13 speed, or an 18 speed. The best way is as a 13 speed. You only split the top side. On an 18 speed transmission. It is in wise to preselect the gears. That is an expensive transmission to replace.

 

Nice info i have yet had the chance to drive a 18spd

 

I will summarize the thread. In both a 13 and 18 speed it is not necessary to split every gear. In an 18 speed it is not necessary to split the low range except if you are heavy and going uphill.

 

I have a new question about the 18 speed transmission. When I was a kid my grandpa owned a Western Star with an 18 speed. He did something I've never seen or heard of since. He would start in 1st gear the split into high but did not let off the gas pedal but moved to 3rd/4th before splitting back to low. By doing this trick he did not have to float gears as the splitter acted as a clutch by "freezing" the gears. He did this by only running the odd number gears. I know this is true because his routine was always, "split", move the shifter then "split" back. Has anyone ever heard of this. I also asked someone els an he said the 13 won't do it as it will just grind if you try.

 

Don't know what goes on inside, but it sounds like he was doing something that wasn't meant to be done. May never be a problem, or it may break in half someday.

I just drive them like they were made to be driven. It's not that hard.