Catmando clutch operating instructional manual.

I paid extra attention to how I shifted tonight, floating, and I dont see how it could possibly be hard on anything? No power applied going into or out of gear. Now that doesn't happen all the time but I'd like to think generally it does. Once in a blue moon I will sort of double clutch if I get behind on the power on a hill or some crappy conditions.
I drive local, usually 10 or so loads a night going an avg of 25ish miles round trip. An avg trip I probably start and stop 16 times, not counting 2 circles around the mill to load. I was gonna do the math on all the times I would have to push the clutch to shift my 18 speed but that's too much math. Let's just call it a crap ton! My linkage and knee would be shot!

 

Just about impossible to find one unmolested like that but people will pay top dollar for a Dodge with a Cummins no matter the miles or condition. I paid $30k cash for my '07 back in the fall of '06 - last of the 5.9's - and checked blue book prices on it for my current mileage 88,000 it was around $25k. I've tried floating it but it's just not the same as a semi so I just use the clutch all the time.

 

The brass blocker rings on the synchronizer basicly strips. They are designed for lack of better explanation to screw together to match road speed. Won't kill most trans, but she will get worn to the point it's hard or slow to shift and you must use the clutch.

 

80% of the time you won't damage, or feel the damage done.

As said, everyone is big boys. Drive as you wish.

 

I've enjoyed the conversation!

It got me to thinking:
The purpose of double clutching is to match the trans input shaft speed to the engine speed, and this is done by letting the clutch out while the transmission is in neutral during the shift, correct? ( were not talking 2 stick here - doesn't work for crap in the brownie)

So, if this is the case, then an automated manual trans with no torque converter must either have to double clutch or float. Single clutching would not work just as it doesn't when shifting with a stick, unless it either clutches to relieve pressure right before the shift, or just before entering the new gear.

For those that have driven automated 18s or 13s or whatever they are, can you here air actuation when the clutch is disengaged? And if so, do you hear it twice per full gear shift?

 

On the auto, idk. Im eager to learn this.

Your actually speed matching on mainshaft. The sliding clutch and main shaft needs to speed match the next gear that's floating in main. Because that gear floats independent from main. However counter shafts are in constant mesh with gear. Idk if I'm doing the best explanations. Input is in constant mesh with counter shafts.

So here s a unrelated video that's cool and completely except able reason to bang gears.

Todd Oden on TikTok

 

i have noticed in truck stop when truck is passing by you can hear some type of air actuation happening inside the tranny as its moving at low speeds shifting up and down the gears

 

As far as I know, the Eaton autoshifts do not use the clutch to shift. There are speed sensors on the transmission and they're communicating back to the controller several thousand times a second. They can match the speeds almost perfectly.

Everything talks to each other these days. Its even telling the engine to throttle up/down to make the shifts. From a technology standpoint its actually quite impressive.

 

My Eaton autoshit, circa 2001 definitely did NOT have the ability to engage or disengage the clutch. Just the shift pack thing on top of the trans. Now Yeah it's pretty amazing how well it worked. Also amazing how when it rarely screwed up I legitimately got out of the truck expecting to find parts scattered everywhere but never did

 

That would have been a 3 pedal if I'm correct? I never R/R one, or open one. Did a ton of service calls to reset or change XY motor. But that's my extent. I went to the dark side and started towing about 2006. Reset or motor didn't fix it, you needed a hook and a shop.

From my second hand knowledge, they still experienced alot of wear on sliding clutches and matting gears, but less than most drivers.