NASHVILLE, TN. Dana Holding Corp. introduced its new Spicer AdvanTEK 40 tandem axle and a new Spicer Life Series main driveshaft and inter-axle shaft models here at a press conference here ahead of the Technology & Maintenance Council’s annual meeting
“This all-new 40,000-lb. tandem axle for a variety of Class 8 applications features a market-leading design that increases fuel economy, improves reliability, reduces vehicle weight, and decreases total ownership costs,” said Steve Slesinski, director of global product planning.
He stated that compared with competitive tandem axles, the Spicer AdvanTEK 40 axle is a “next generation” design estimated to deliver more than $8,000 in operating savings over a five-year period through such features as:
- The “industry’s fastest” axle ratio of 2.26:1
- Reduced axle weight
- Optimum inter-axle driveline angles
- Reduced lubrication quantity
According to Slesinski, the axle was developed with faster ratios to handle higher input torques, which results in lowering engine rpm at cruise speed while increasing axle efficiency by up to 1.2%.
The Spicer AdvanTEK 40 will be offered with ratios suited for direct-drive transmission drivetrains requiring rear axle ratios from 2.26 to 2.79 and overdrive transmission drivetrain ratios from 2.93 to 3.91. It is up to 21 lbs lighter than competitive 40,000-lb. tandem axles.
The axle is available with such options as Dana’s patented wheel differential locks, lubrication pump, breather, and Spicer LMS and LMSi hubs. Still other options include thick-wall housings and Dana’s SelecTTrac solution for maximizing the GAWR rating for aluminum hubs and maximizing bearing life in single wide-based tire configurations.
In addition, pointed out Slesinski, the axle’s “optimum” inter-axle driveline angles allow for parallel axle installation—which “avoids installation variables and vehicle issues with certain air-ride suspensions. He added that further refinements in the design of the Spicer AdvanTEK 40 axle improve the durability of U-joints, reduce vehicle downtime and lower maintenance costs.
According to Slesinski, the new Spicer Life Series main driveshaft and inter-axle shaft were specifically designed to supply greater torque, durability and savings for severe-duty vocational applications as well as low-emission, high-efficiency trucks.
Dana will offer standard-service and extra heavy-duty versions of the SPL-350 driveshaft as well as the complementary SPL-250 inter-axle shaft. Available in the second half of 2013, these additions to the Spicer family of heavy-duty U-joints “extend the expected life of the drivetrain and eliminate application restrictions on engine power in today’s Class 8 linehaul and vocational vehicles.”
Delivering up to 35,000 Nm of torque capacity in a smaller, more lightweight package, the SPL-350 driveshaft and SPL-250 inter-axle shaft are equipped with High Power Density design features that Slesinski said extend product life and outperform competing driveshafts.
Slesinski noted that the SPL-350 driveshaft and SPL-250 inter-axle shaft are “ideally suited” for use with the new Spicer AdvanTEK 40 tandem axle.
Dana also announced that its Spicer Pro-40 tandem axle is now offered in the 2013 Paccar data books for commercial vehicles under that OEM’s Kenworth and Peterbilt nameplates.
According to the manufacturer, the Spicer Pro-40 family of heavy-duty 40,000-lb tandem drive axles supplies a “reliable, lightweight option for linehaul, bulk, regional, and city delivery fleets.” Per Dana, the axle is nearly 100 lbs lighter than the nearest competitive axle - and now offers a new thinner wall version for further weight reductions on select applications.
