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Automatic Transmissions

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Grumppy, Jan 21, 2017.

  1. Jan 21, 2017 #1
    Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    West Monroe, La
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    I know that generally, manual transmissions come in 9, 10, 13 & 18 speeds/gears. The most common are 10 & 13. I see many threads on automatic transmissions but I don't see any that discuss the number of speeds or gears. Just curious, what are the different automatic transmissions & what are the most common for 18 wheeler 80,000 lb class 8 trucks?
    I had some experience with residential & front-end load garbage trucks when I worked for Waste Management up to 2004. I dont know that I ever specifically knew or asked but I think/assumed these were 6 speed automatics. I think they were Allison transmissions. Ofcourse these were straight trucks.

    Thanks in advance for any relevant info.
     
    Grumppy, Jan 21, 2017
    Grumppy, Jan 21, 2017
    #1
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  3. Jan 21, 2017 #2
    tnevin225

    tnevin225 Road Train Member

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    The difference is Allison is a full automatic, the transmissions in a class 8 are auto shift, the have the same gears as manual tranny but are shifted with a computer.
     
    tnevin225, Jan 21, 2017
    tnevin225, Jan 21, 2017
    #2
    Grumppy Thanks this.
  4. Jan 21, 2017 #3
    Animosus

    Animosus Heavy Load Member

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    Automatics (Allison) are generally 5 or 6 speeds.
    Automated Manuals are generally 10,(DT12), 13 or 18 speed manual transmission that are electronically controlled.
     
    Animosus, Jan 21, 2017
    Animosus, Jan 21, 2017
    #3
    Grumppy Thanks this.
  5. Jan 22, 2017 #4
    Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    West Monroe, La
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    Thanks guys.....
     
    Grumppy, Jan 22, 2017
    Grumppy, Jan 22, 2017
    #4
  7. Jan 22, 2017 #5
    uncleal13

    uncleal13 Road Train Member

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    Allison is starting to make in-roads into the over the road market. They have had a ten speed out for a few years now, but I have seen the six speed used by a fleet for highway tractors. The driver seemed to like it.
    I have an 18 speed auto-shift in mine. I haul 140,000 lbs.
     
    uncleal13, Jan 22, 2017
    uncleal13, Jan 22, 2017
    #5
    Grumppy Thanks this.
  8. Jan 22, 2017 #6
    gunner76

    gunner76 Medium Load Member

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    The place I work at has 6spd Allisons in the newer dumps and they have been working great. Some of them are paired up with pups so they do haul bigger loads and they move the truck along just fine. These trucks have DD13 engines in them.
     
    gunner76, Jan 22, 2017
    gunner76, Jan 22, 2017
    #6
  9. Jul 7, 2018 #7
    Steel Curtain

    Steel Curtain Light Load Member

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    If you have a 13 or 18 speed automatic and you leave it in auto mode, when you come to a hill will the transmission drop just a half a gear like a manual or a full gear ? How bout if you have it in manual mode then drop a gear, half or full gear ?
     
    Steel Curtain, Jul 7, 2018
    Steel Curtain, Jul 7, 2018
    #7
  10. Jul 7, 2018 #8
    uncleal13

    uncleal13 Road Train Member

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    I have 18 spd UltraShift. Depends on hill and how hard you are pressing on the accelerator . It will do both a half or full shift.
    Manual I can do pretty much what ever I want, as long as it is within rpm limits.
     
    uncleal13, Jul 7, 2018
    uncleal13, Jul 7, 2018
    #8
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