18 Speed Splits

Are you talking about going into the gear at the far left, directly behind reverse while in high range? I've heard of guys doing that but I've been told it'll wear out the transmission prematurely.

 

Hahaha... Sounds like some "Road Scholar" created another fairytale to me. I would just stick to the diagram myself. It's not worth the risk. The gear below Reverse is what it says that it is; Low. And it is not to be used as part of the normal shifting pattern. In reality. we are only using 16 but with 2 low speeds below Reverse is why it is called an 18 speed. Some diagrams say Lo/L and Lo/H while other say 1L/1H. Very seldom have I needed these reduction (granny) gears to start out.

 

I believe the the directions say to stop before shifting between L & LL on almost all deep reduction transmissions. On some of them here it is possible to start in LL behind reverse , shift forward on the right side of reverse, then straight back. Preselect to L and shift straight forward and continue on.
Different model transmissions make those splits with different gears. If you are inclined to try that work with it in the parking lot first when empty and do not force anything.
When taking off it mud, sand, really rough ground some times I do that. Then shift up on better ground or the road. Never personally had much use for it shifting down.
However if you ever dropped off in a bad spot, the grounds worse than it was yesterday, its to rough to maintain speed, if you stop your stuck, being able to drop into those low gears while rolling might get you in and out.
If you get the correct next gear it will drop in just like following the pattern but may make for a very odd shift pattern. I did not name numbered gears because I get confused. Is this a overdrive 7 sp LL, direct 8 sp LL, 15 or an 18 speed, does it have a standard top or an X plate?
I hope that's clearer than mud!

 

I discovered this exact same shift.

Never having had the benefit of a driver-trainer after CDL school I've been slow at getting good at shifting.

My first two years I drove10sp Mack trucks and used the gear below R as 1st & 6th gear. Then June last year I started driving a 13 speed. I wasn't given a driving test, instructions or anything, just told "there's your truck".

So I started driving this "13 speed" and shifted it like the 10sp w/o splitting. I was following the same pattern of the 10sp Mac truck I drove and used this "extra gear" or 6H.

I found it easy to shift from high range to low range going thru this "extra" gear instead of shifting the 13sp properly; from the top left of the H pattern in HIGH-range to bottom right of the H pattern in LOW-range.

It was challenging for me to get the handle of using this 13 speed so I called Eaton transmissions for advice and they informed me that "do not use that gear in H range". Premature wear of the transmission WILL result!

Lots of good information about the transmissions here:
http://www.roadranger.com/ecm/group...roadranger/documents/content/rr_trdr-0670.pdf
Or call them: 800 826-HELP

 

That gear which is directly below reverse is actually 1 gear,

 

Not on any 18 I've ever driven...

 

Every trans shop I've ever talked to has told me never use that gear in high range . It will work but it's not designed for that and it will do damage over time.

That's strictly a bow low gear for starting out or lifting off heavy on a hill .

And crzyjarmans nice art work , but you are giving false info to people .