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Eaton transmission shifts into a higher gear

June 1, 2010

They don’t make things like they used to. That’s what Jackie Tennant may be saying these days as her truck’s transmission passes a major milestone. Tennant, 62, has been an owner-operator for 35 years. Throughout her 4 million miles or so of travel, ...

They don’t make things like they used to. That’s what Jackie Tennant may be saying these days as her truck’s transmission passes a major milestone.

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Tennant, 62, has been an owner-operator for 35 years. Throughout her 4 million miles or so of travel, she has gone through a lot of parts – tires, brakes, and even a few engine overhauls. But transmissions? Not many.

Tennant recently reported to Roadranger that her Eaton RTLO 13-speed manual transmission has surpassed the 2 million mile club. A very select group no doubt.

And not only has the transmission powering her Kenworth W900 tractor passed the test of time, its needed no major work to get there.

“Amazingly, I’ve never had to tear it apart once,” she said. Since the transmission went into operation 15 years ago, Tennant estimates she has replaced brakes 15 times, changed tires about 23 times and had the engine overhauled twice. But the transmission keeps on shifting.

Tennant, who is leased to Intel Carriers in DeForest, WI, hauls refrigerated freight from the Midwest to Texas and Florida. Along the way, one thing is clear: the Eaton transmission has lasting power, and Tennant really knows how to shift.