Automatic trucks

Similar end results, but all the Swift trucks from that era ran 9C DD with 2.79s or 2.93s... the M.S. trucks ran 10 OD with 3.73. My first one with them, because I refused to take an FLD which reeked of piss and wet dog, was a 9400i (which I don't think started life as a Swift truck) with a 52" sleeper, 10 OD, and 3.90s. Then I put in an 02 Columbia with a 470/500 DD60 (12.7 liter) and a 13 speed.. I was told it had been a Rocky Mountain doubles truck which never made it back to the appropriate yard between the previous driver quitting and me being assigned to it.

As for automatics, I don't think they're quite ready for a lot of the off-highway applications, unless we went with the true automatics from Allison... the six and seven speed transmissions, and then they'd be less than optimal for on-highway use... those seem best applied for vocational and off-highway applications exclusively. When I was plowing snow, it was helpful to be able to manipulate a plow around a corner without having to shift, as well - all the same, I didn't like how rough the Allison shifted on a slick road, and asked to be put into a 13 speed. I would like a chance to try out the TC10 and IShift transmissions (on the highway), I just don't see myself running one in an oilfield or logging turn or unimproved job site. Not yet, anyhow. My only real objection insofar as autoshifts go - and this is only based on brief road tests I've done with the Eaton Fuller autoshifts - is that, when you're used to a manual, they just plain don't feel right. But I never felt at any point that I wasn't in control of the vehicle, which is why I tend to be dismissive of the argument that you're not in control of the vehicle, and the scenarios I see put forward arguing against them tend to be more of a matter of not anticipating what's ahead of you, which bites you in the ### regardless of what you're driving. Do I think it's wise to jump into an auto fresh out of school? Yes and no. I agree it lets you focus on other essential things, like controlling your speed around a corner, etc. without having to learn how to downshift in the same breath. I also think it limits job options, as manuals are still pretty commonplace in this industry.
That being said, I can't help but laugh a little when "real driver" gets thrown out there, because they make that argument in a way that gives the impression that someone who can shift but not maintain their lane, back up without taking someone else's hood off, etc. is more of a driver than someone who doesn't know a manual, but can stay in their lane, back a trailer, et. al., and I'm calling ######## on that, every single time.
Do I want an auto? Not necessarily, but I want the experience under my belt, as the driving technique is a bit different, from what I've gathered. I want to know how to drive them the right way. Even with the Allison autos, I've been taking the RTD buses into work and back home, and I don't feel the rough shifting with those that I've felt when I've driven them, which tells me these RTD bus drivers know something I don't about them. Maybe when I get that technique sorted out, then the Allison autos and the autoshifts won't feel so foreign to me, and I won't be so set in my ways. I don't know.

 

Which transmissions does Navajo use?

 

Most use the FRO16210C, 10 OD, .74. Newest batch of T680s (the all white ones) use the RTOC16909A, convertible 9, .74.
Rocky Mountain double (Costco) trucks and five of the line haul fleet (all orange T680s) have Eaton Fuller 10 speed autoshifts... I don't remember the nomenclature off the top of my head.

 

Now hold on...Did you even read my comment?

Where Did I EVER say that one absolutely was better in all ways than the other?

I could Go on and on about Why I personally don't like them, Aside From having To WORK on them when they crap out, I cant stand how Rough some of them Downshift.. Where They mount the Gear Select.. the Wiring Mess, The royal Pita It is when these things act up and you cant even get the thing to change Gear, Then you have to Drop the Drive-shaft just to move the thing!

When It comes to Cost of ownership A manual is cheaper, Its easier to work on, and can Be Diagnosed with a simple Toolbox. If that were not true then You would not see manuals anymore..

That being Said,When It works Right Freightliners Autoshift with the Paddle Is A Blast to Drive. And if I Were forced to buy an auto it would be one of those.. A lot of Freight in south Africa gets moved by 3 Pedal Autoshifts..

I Find utterly it hilarious that people here Think they know the industry 20 Plus Years into the Future like they have a crystal ball...
30 years ago People Swore up and Down that we would have flying cars by the mid 2000s at the latest.. and that we were going to have to ban cars and Fossil Fuels because of an impending Ice age From Global Cooling.. Well What Happened?

This reminds me a lot of "Trains are going to replace Semi trucks in the next 5 years" Which I was told 10+ years ago... and its STILL being Told as fact...

Also, If I want To Run a Manual.. Im not an "old Timer who needs to get with the times"
Im someone Who Is Buying What I want to Drive and will be best suited for me and my work..If you buy a truck for Any other Reason than that.. well.. good luck..

If I was Launching boats All day you can bet your life savings I would rather have a Auto..

Spoon Feeding here Is done No more.

 

Manuals are not as complex and as such are cheaper to repair when they break.They also stroke fragile egos.

 

I have to disagree with this point. I think it is MUCH easier to go into a turn too fast with an automatic. When a driver gets to know a transmission, they can typically tell which gear they will need to be in for an upcoming turn. It won't matter if the driver is velocitized if they know they're two full gears higher than they should be.

I noticed this when I took an automatic out on the road for the first time while in training before I had achieved my CDL, when I had been driving only 13-speed manual transmission tractors up to that point.

As for actually 'controlling your speed around a corner', ok... Maybe at slow speeds like a right turn at an intersection. But at that point, screwing up and stalling the truck is not all that terrible of a thing to have happen, whereas a manual won't up shift for you if you're accelerating more than you should be or more than you realize you are.

 

I'm thinking of it more in the sense of downshifting before the turn, they miss the gear, and now they're distracted going around the turn because they're tied up fiddle####ing with it to get back into gear, and smack a sign, light post, etc. because of it.

 

Then that person needs to get trained Again, Looking/focusing at the Gear shift when you miss a gear is a telltale sign of a....Dare I say it... inexperienced Driver.. And Having an Automatic is not going to make him better...

if he cant Downshift a Straight cut 10 speed coming into a corner without hitting something, Does it then make it okay to stick him in an automatic and send him down that same Road?

 

exact thing happened to me today in training, missed my downshift to 6th on a tight turn, got distracted by trying to get back into gear before the turn, and turned a little too sharp almost taking out a corner street pole. instructor had to get out and direct me to back up in traffic, embarrassing lol.

probably nbd for when you get fluid with manual but automatics are good for beginners in this case.

 

you replyed to my comment of so what do you think is better about manuals is the only reason I say that.