Cluchless RR shifting question.

[QRTRHRS]

On current ten speeds that is. I never knew it to hurt trannys back in the seventies or so. Does that still hold true?

 

[bmoeller]

Haven't driven a Super-10 or S-10 Top 2 (or the S-13/18), but all the Eaton or Mack trannys I have used, are still that way.



Wish the pickup trannys were that way.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I have to check which model transmission is in this truck I was driving this past week. I have been running with another driving being qualified on doubles. These trucks get driven by a lot of different drivers so who knows what took place. Anyway, at ~68K, 9th gear seems hard to catch or come out of. We were both just wondering if it was us or what. Most of the tractors have about 500k or so and shift just fine.

 

[bmoeller]

One truck that my boss and I test drove ('95 Ford Areomax w/350hp N14 and Eaton 10spd) had around 300k on it. Not sure if the transmission had been replaced or worked on, but was still very tight like it wasn't broke in yet. It used to be a Ryder lease truck, so who know what life it had had.



Could just be the way you both ran it? Sometimes I have that happen coming out of a gear if I didn't catch it right, then use the clutch to take it out of gear. With that low of miles, probably just needs to be driven more to loosen it up.

 

[Lnwing]

A friend has a million mile + Freightliner with a 425 Cat (putting out much more) and a "high torque" transmission(not sure what model). You must clutch every shift on that truck.

 

[bmoeller]

That would suck. The Mack T2050 Maxitorque is almost that bad.

 

[Rosco]

I use to drive a old '68 International with a 10sp RR and I could breeze right through the gears with no clutch. Lately, I have been part timing for a buddy driving his 2001 Autocar/Volvo tri-axle dump. That truck has a 8LL behind a 435hp N-14 Cummins and I find I really need to drive using the clutch.



After my first day driving for him my left leg was pretty sore.

 

[GTop]

I drive a 2000 KW W-900L with a 10 spd. It has about 300,000 miles on it and shifts super smooth without the clutch. You can literaly shift it with just one finger.



Back in 1994 I bought a new Pete 379 with a 13 over. The truck was geared to pull. I ran it for about 150,000 miles than had it converted to a double overdrive(basically as simple as flipping a gear set around). The mechanic that did the conversion said everything inside the transmission looked as good as brand new. I never shifted that truck with the clutch. As long as you dont bang 'em in gear you're not gonna hurt a thing.

 

[wsmalley]

Jeff Garmon has a Pete with the 8. 3L to pull his enclosed trailer with drag truck, not sure which transmission, just know it's a 9-speed. He only uses the clutch on launch (obviously), then doesn't use the clutch again.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Originally posted by bmoeller

Could just be the way you both ran it? Sometimes I have that happen coming out of a gear if I didn't catch it right, then use the clutch to take it out of gear. With that low of miles, probably just needs to be driven more to loosen it up.

We figure were both shifting it right. It feels the same with clutch or not, just basically real stiff. No unusual noises, excess whinning or anything just stiff and just 9th. I figure it will loosen up someday.



Thanks for the replies.

 

[Camara]

About 20 years ago I used to drive a Brockway with a 8V71 and a 21 speed roadranger. With all the shifting I did I learned how to shift without the clutch. My father had Damond Reos with Gold Comet gas engines and 5 & 4 (twin sticks) for household rubbish service in the City of Boston. The only time I used the clutch was at a red light. If I could time it right I didn't use the clutch at all between red lights. He also had a Mack DM600 that had a 5 sp with a lo which actually was 6sp on 2 sticks. It idled so low you cuold nudge it into gear standing still. I still don't use the clutch.

 

[C. Harlan]

I miss my old Pete 379's!

I drove one that was a 95, 435hp 3406E, with an Eaton Fuller super 10, but the jewel was the 89 379, 425hp (turned up 20% over spec) 3406C with an Eaton fuller super 13 double over. . with 3. 55's, and tall rubber on 24. 5's it made a triple digit truck easily. just to hit the big hole, you would have to be doing around 75-80. you could take 12th gear up pretty high, wind it into 13, and it would go up to around 120, which was too scary and fast for me, but I did do it one time just to say I am a member of the 379 triple digit club! It was nice being able to run with all the crazy cow trucks, and high speed west coast poultry relocation vehicles, needless to say I had soot about 14" down the stacks from so much smoke, but I loved it! Oh well, we move up in life, and better ourselves, and the guy whom I used to drive for is hurting now, as he did me wrong, and What comes around goes around! Now he is getting some of his own medicine in the round about way!



-Chris-

 

[R.E. Miller]

I know that the new ZF trannys are a rather pain to shift compared to most, and yes, I wish my pick-up shifted like the big dogs do



Russell