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auto transmissions

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Edge, Dec 22, 2009.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Dec 22, 2009 #1
    Edge

    Edge Bobtail Member

    7
    1
    Dec 21, 2009
    Blue Ridge, GA
    0
    Anyone kinda freaked out or just don't like them. Granted my experience is with bucket trucks and what would be a class b truck until I pulled backhoes and poles, but anyways. The company I got my CDL's thru had all manual trucks, mostly 7 speeds or 5 speeds with a 2 speed axle. Well I go to take my road test, and they shove me in this automatic flat bed truck, stick a 40 foot pole trailer on it. I climb in and realize it was an automatic and I thought to myself it was going to be so easy. As I pulled out on the road, I was taken back big time at the truck jerking and surprising me when it would shift gears. Are auto-tractors like that too? Anyone else just not like driving autos?
     
    Edge, Dec 22, 2009
    Edge, Dec 22, 2009
    #1
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  3. Dec 22, 2009 #2
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    18,750
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    Sep 18, 2006
    the road less travelled
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    I drive one because the lease is cheap for my company. It is a Meritor without a clutch pedal but it has a clutch run by two computers, not too smooth and prone to jerking. A full automatic (Allison) with a torque converter should be much smoother.


    How many speeds did it have?
     
    25(2)+2, Dec 22, 2009
    25(2)+2, Dec 22, 2009
    #2
  4. Dec 22, 2009 #3
    Edge

    Edge Bobtail Member

    7
    1
    Dec 21, 2009
    Blue Ridge, GA
    0

    I don't even know, it was just our road test truck, so I was only in it for about 5 miles, never got above about 30 miles an hour anyways so couldn't have counted them either. Its been 3 years, just wondering what others thought and if an auto tractor was the same as what I experienced.
     
    Edge, Dec 22, 2009
    Edge, Dec 22, 2009
    #3
  5. Dec 22, 2009 #4
    Skunk_Truck_2590

    Skunk_Truck_2590 Road Train Member

    2,094
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    Feb 16, 2007
    Stonewall, LA.
    0
    Drove an automatic Freightliner Columbia (combination) Hated it, never again. I'll stick to my 10 speed and I'm happy.
     
    Skunk_Truck_2590, Dec 22, 2009
    Skunk_Truck_2590, Dec 22, 2009
    #4
  7. Dec 22, 2009 #5
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    18,750
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    the road less travelled
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    I took the CDL with an Allison, it was pretty smooth. It's nothing like a manual, the autoshifts aren't that great to someone that knows how to shift a manual, they actually shift more slowly to me. I have never driven an Eaton Ultra, yet, but a guy I respect doesn't like the one he has to drive.

    Three years ago it may have had a clutch pedal or not, the pedal was used for starting out and stopping.
     
    25(2)+2, Dec 22, 2009
    25(2)+2, Dec 22, 2009
    #5
  8. Dec 22, 2009 #6
    Nophix

    Nophix Light Load Member

    199
    44
    Jun 25, 2009
    Stevens Point, WI
    0
    I'm of a different opinion with our auto Volvos. All of our '09's are autos (12 speed I think).

    They definitely have a few advantages, and its nice not having to deal with the clutch in traffic. Ours are also pretty smooth most of the time.

    However, they can be a bit jerky backing into a tight dock since you can't feather the clutch, and they have no jake brake for grades.

    For now, I'll stick to my '07 with the 10 speed.
     
    Nophix, Dec 22, 2009
    Nophix, Dec 22, 2009
    #6
  9. Dec 22, 2009 #7
    VARITHMS

    VARITHMS Medium Load Member

    476
    106
    Nov 26, 2009
    HOUSTON
    0
    One of our trucks is an automated manuel. Very hard to hook to a trailer with out slaming into the king pin. I was in sand one time and forgot you put it in manuel mode and it tried to shift, came to a dead stop and stalled, once stoped it was stuck. Now at 250k miles the electrical gremlins are showing there ugly head. We will pass on the next one. 2004 international, arvin-merritor 12 speed.
     
    VARITHMS, Dec 22, 2009
    VARITHMS, Dec 22, 2009
    #7
    25(2)+2 Thanks this.
  10. Dec 22, 2009 #8
    lowbudget

    lowbudget Medium Load Member

    428
    110
    Apr 12, 2008
    Bismarck, ND
    0
    I drive an Eaton autoshift, pretty darn smooth, no problems with it at all. 2001 volvo 770 930K miles and still goin strong
     
    lowbudget, Dec 22, 2009
    lowbudget, Dec 22, 2009
    #8
    gearjammer-2000 Thanks this.
  11. Dec 22, 2009 #9
    gearjammer-2000

    gearjammer-2000 <strong>Clutch User</strong>

    670
    205
    Dec 18, 2007
    columbus Ohio
    0
    i have tne eaton also and love it, I would never go back to shifting well actually i do once in a while put it into hold and shift with the button lol
     
    gearjammer-2000, Dec 22, 2009
    gearjammer-2000, Dec 22, 2009
    #9
  12. Dec 23, 2009 #10
    Kabar

    Kabar Road Train Member

    1,041
    395
    Nov 5, 2008
    Pell City Al
    0
    Drove one for 6 mos. hated it. They suck. Want to shift up to soon, down to late and are a real pain when backing up. Will NEVER drive one again. I can shift better faster and get just as good MPG if not better.
     
    Kabar, Dec 23, 2009
    Kabar, Dec 23, 2009
    #10
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