How many gears do you really need?

Oh this thread brings back memories...the first tranny I ever had anything to do with was a 5X2...###### old 1971 R model Mack did about 50 mph top speed...man that was somethin' camel-back suspension, box seat...I remember my boss pullin' the seat out cause he had to punch a coupla holes in the runner so's I could reach the pedals...I had a wear mark on my jeans from the steerin' wheel!

Then the next one was another old Mack...a '71 as well if I recall right...but this one had the Maxidine 10 speed in it...everything was on the splitter...even REVERSE...you could do 60 mph in REVERSE!

But my Pete has an 18 speed...I'll NEVER drive anything else...I love my 18, I spend 90% of my time in REAL mountains, so I need 'em...and so much easier to split a gear than drop a whole one when climbin', even on the downgrade...split down & ya got more hold for them long steep grades.

 

I've been stuck running around in the mountains all this week wishing for more than 10 gears. I'd even take that 18 speed auto we had on my last job. Man that thing could get up and run.

 

1971 Mack R600 237 Maxi 5 sp.MT. I sunk in a field loaded and was rocking back and forth trying to get out and twisted that driveshaft right out. I also was in a 318 *(&^% 2stroke Detroit doing the same thing and it died when I rocked forward rolled back and started running backwards and scared me to death. I abandoned ship. I love these threads that bring back memories.

 

Any 07 or older truck we have is not equipped with a splitter. They have 7 speeds that I run up and down the two lane grades in Pa. No Jake either. A 7 speed is all you really need..lol..

 

Sure if yer only running in PA ... those aren't mountains... those are just speed bumps...

THESE are MOUNTAINS....10% grades that are MILES long...



You DON'T run in these mountains with a 7 speed! And in these mountains it is ILLEGAL not to have a "jake" brake!

 

I like 18 speeds for grades and flat both due to more gears, lower rpms in top gear, better fuel mileage, and more fun to drive.

 

Wildcat,
Pictures like that are as close as I want to be.

Where was that taken? BC I assume.

 

I am soon to be one of those mill wonders driving a 13. They best train me cause I ain't got no idea of how to handle one of them things. But then, I don't know how to handle a rig either, so I guess it is all good. lol

 

*Sigh* that pic makes me want a Pete. Nice solid hoods.

Ill take a 13 sp anyday. Never have had use for an 18, but I guess it wouldnt hurt to have it there just in case...

 

Mountain Spirit..a 13 or 18 is very simple to shift...the main gears...when you move the stick are the same as any other transmission...when you "split" the gears all you do is move the little splitter...it's right under your thumb when you hold the stick...you just move it up or down, lift your foot up, press it back down & you've "split" the gear.

You KNOW you have a 13...cause you can't move the splitter in low range, in an 18 you can. A 15 speed has a splitter too, but it is "deep reduction"...VERY low gears...you can walk faster.

In my world I need the low splitter of the 18 speed...our weights are alot higher here...up to 135,000 lbs is standard, even our 5 axle loads are more, so our trucks are usually geared lower...you almost never see anything above 3.66 rears in a truck up here...unless the guy only runs south, but most of us are between 3.66 & 4.11...mine are 3.73..most have 44,000 lb rears, Super 40's are getting more common to lessen the weight, but alot of the old timers have 48's still.