Automated Tranny Pros and Cons

Check out the latest vocational transmissions, many are true auto boxes

 

On the Ultrashift you can have a blended throttle that essentially slips the clutch, though it takes time to learn it. One challenge is that most people can get into a manual without reading the manual - in an AMT you must learn how it works and what options it has available. This will change how you and the AMT work together which for many is reason enough to avoid the transmission.

 

And yet, in 1.6 million miles, I've not had this problem, I guess that makes me a better driver than you.

 

My company has Mack day cabs with the dt13 liter engine, and has some with manual 10 spd and most with 12 spd autos. So I drive both.
I usually have 3 stops, so I back a fair amount.

As far as shifting goes, the auto never misses a gear, and never grinds a gear. I do. I have 50k of driving experience, mostly manuals. Can float gears, but as a slip seat driver, every tranny is a bit different, so by the time I have the tranny figured out, my shift is over.

As far as backing, either works for me. The auto, you have to have your foot on the brake to shift into or out of reverse. It takes just a second to do that. Same amount of time as a manual.

I use the engine brake going down the penn mountains. The auto works fine with the engine brake.

As I get tired, I grind more with the manual, but can usually grab a gear. I am less tired driving the auto.

I have driven 7, 9, 10, 13 and 18 spds and auto 10 and 12.

I can drive whatever the company gives me to drive....I think that is important. New drivers need to have a variety of driving experiences to be of the most value to their prospective employer.

 

And yet, they've been running heavy haul with automatics in Europe for almost 2 decades.

But, here again, we have people who've never driven one, complaining about things they have no knowledge, based on what they might have read in a book, magazine or heard around the truckstop counter, 80% of it based on what Jimmy's, sister's, cousins, Uncle's best friend exp. with a 1st gen. auto truck.

My father's 93 yr old neighbor started driving trucks at 14 on the farm, started driving professionally in 1944, his first truck was a 1936 Mack E- series cab over, later he worked for CF (consolidated freightways) from the 50's till 1990. He remembers when the first power steering units and air ride suspensions hit, they were hated, everyone complained, no one wanted to drive them. Few months back I swung by Dad's place with my new truck, his neighbor slowly climbed in, all he could say was WOW. Took him for a quick spin around the block in my truck, he was impressed at how it all worked together.

 

So cool you were able to do that for him...

 

Yeah for now my company requires recent CDL grads to spend a year in a standard 10 before they can move to the AMT, but who knows what the future will bring. I know Paccar like Freightliner and Volvo would prefer to only sell AMT's for applications outside of heavy haul to increase their fleet mpg's and stay off the government's watch list.

I recently read that the Allison TC-10 will now be offered for over the road applications. I'm bummed that none of our Pete's can have the European ZF 12 speed, in the mountains I really miss not having the extra ratios and the EPIQ package only comes in a 10 speed...

 

Look at air nailers and cordless drills and drivers.