home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- Newsgroups: rec.autos.tech
- Path: sparky!uunet!darwin.sura.net!mlb.semi.harris.com!billy.mlb.semi.harris.com!jws
- From: jws@billy.mlb.semi.harris.com (James W. Swonger)
- Subject: Re: Increasing power?
- References: <1992Jul29.133057.1381@mlb.semi.harris.com> <1992Jul29.185311.2188@leland.Stanford.EDU> <1992Jul29.194950.9173@leland.Stanford.EDU>
- Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 20:11:12 GMT
- Nntp-Posting-Host: billy.mlb.semi.harris.com
- Distribution: na
- Organization: Harris Semiconductor, Melbourne FL
- Sender: news@mlb.semi.harris.com
- Message-ID: <1992Jul29.201112.12738@mlb.semi.harris.com>
- Lines: 18
-
- Dump trucks and semi tractors are typically diesels. Heavy diesels do not
- seem to have a very wide power band and between that and the need to get
- extremely heavy loads moving and up hills, these trucks have a need for
- transmissions with 10+ speeds forward and significantly higher output shaft
- torque. This makes for a very heavy transmission as a manual. An automatic
- that can take that type of loading would be extremely long (everything is in
- one line on an auto) and probably even heavier. The trucks also depend on
- the gearbox to supplement the braking ability on grades, something autos
- are not good for. The limited market probably keeps many manufacturers from
- being interested in pursuing large multispeed automatics. Some do offer
- them however; I know Greyhound buses are automatics, and I believe some
- semis offer them. Engine braking is an important capability though to give
- up.
- --
- ##########################################################################
- #Irresponsible rantings of the author alone. Any resemblance to persons #
- #living or dead then yer bummin. May cause drowsiness. Alcohol may inten-#
- #sify this effect. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. Billy!#
-