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another dumb shifting question: differences between trucks.

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by mugurpe, Sep 10, 2016.

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  1. Sep 10, 2016 #1
    mugurpe

    mugurpe Medium Load Member

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    I've been driving semis for about 3 years now, but not full time (I run the company). We use almost exclusively rental trucks so far, so I've probably driven 20 different trucks, mostly penske rentals. Of the manual trucks I've noticed a drastic difference in how they shift. They've all been 10speed eatons, but various engines. Some float really well but I have a tough time double clutching them and getting the revs right, but they float right in, other trucks on most gears I can't get them to even float out most gears let alone back in, but I find them easy to double-clutch. I've driven IH's with cummuns, IH's with maxxforces, volvos with cummins, volvos with volvo engines, freightliners with DD and with cummins, a mack with a mack in it. . The last 2 trucks we had, a SA IH with a maxxforce, and a volvo TA with a D12 where exact opposites, the volvo was a bear to double-clutch, especially bobtailing, and I couldn't float the IH at all.

    My question is what's up with the variety of feels? Is it really the differences in the engines? mileage? clutch type and setup? I'll be shopping for a permanent truck soon and could use some more background on the difference. Personally I much preferred floating that volvo and giving my left leg a rest. What's the scoop?

    Thanks.
     
    mugurpe, Sep 10, 2016
    mugurpe, Sep 10, 2016
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  3. Sep 10, 2016 #2
    Zeviander

    Zeviander Road Train Member

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    Two brand new trucks with the same motor, same transmission and same spec will drive/shift differently.

    Between all the trucks I've driven for my company, each and every one of them have been different. From clutch feel to shifting feel and everything else. It's just what it is and you have to just get used to how THAT truck drives and do your best to drive it well.

    What doesn't help is people who don't know how to shift playing the "grind it till they find it" game with the transmission. That wears out the gears and makes it much more difficult to float precisely for someone who knows how to do it.
     
    Zeviander, Sep 10, 2016
    Zeviander, Sep 10, 2016
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  4. Sep 10, 2016 #3
    thejackal

    thejackal Road Train Member

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    I'll second that...hell, some days i cant shift to save my life in the same truck. ( im o.o)

    I have found the combo of cummins and eaton to be the simplified version of 10 speeds.
     
    thejackal, Sep 10, 2016
    thejackal, Sep 10, 2016
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  5. Sep 10, 2016 #4
    okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

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    Somedays your hot and somedays your not. It usually takes me a few hundred miles to um adjust to a different truck.
     
    okiedokie, Sep 10, 2016
    okiedokie, Sep 10, 2016
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  7. Sep 10, 2016 #5
    mugurpe

    mugurpe Medium Load Member

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    Why is the answer always a Jerry Reed song?
     
    mugurpe, Sep 10, 2016
    mugurpe, Sep 10, 2016
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  8. Sep 10, 2016 #6
    Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    As for Mack, they shift sssllllooowww.... you gotta take your time with that Mack. When you come out of one hole, its a full second before it will float in that next hole. I ran Mack's for 11 years for Waste Management. When I left there, I road tested in a Farmall (International) with a 10 speed Eaton Fuller & the guys says; are you sure you have driven a big truck before? You're not trying to pull my leg are you? I said no, I been in a Mack for 11 years. He said; Oh, carry on then. You gotta be quicker in & out in this thing.
    I've been in Freightliner's with 10 speed Eaton Fuller's for the last 9 years. I agree, although they are the same, there is differences in all of them, especially when new.
     
    Grumppy, Sep 10, 2016
    Grumppy, Sep 10, 2016
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  9. Sep 10, 2016 #7
    ShooterK2

    ShooterK2 Road Train Member

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    In my opinion, Cummins motors lose RPM's faster than others, causing a quicker shift.

    Also, some engine fans run more than others, causing a quicker shift when it's on.
     
    ShooterK2, Sep 10, 2016
    ShooterK2, Sep 10, 2016
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  10. Sep 10, 2016 #8
    Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    Just wow.
     
    Dave_in_AZ, Sep 10, 2016
    Dave_in_AZ, Sep 10, 2016
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  11. Sep 10, 2016 #9
    tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

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    Some engine/tranny combos drop RPMs fast and some slower. Floating & double-clutching is about rhythm. At my first job they had Deeeetriot engines and Eaton Road Rangers, IIRC. The RPM drop when changing gears was VERY different than the Hodge-podge of engine/tranny used during CDL school. GGGRRRRRRRRRIIIINNNNNDDDDD and we're in.
     
    tscottme, Sep 10, 2016
    tscottme, Sep 10, 2016
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  12. Sep 10, 2016 #10
    AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Never had issues floating with a Cat or Detroit but I cannot float or clutch anything International. Just grind until it jams in lol.
     
    AModelCat, Sep 10, 2016
    AModelCat, Sep 10, 2016
    #10
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