FPInnovations has carried out research into the fuel efficiency of a Class 8 log truck with automated transmission, and also examined the use of wide-base truck tyres for off-road applications.
The research was published by FPInnovations and was included in the latest edition of the FPSolutions newsletter. Shifting gears on steep grades can be challenging. The trick is to match the trucks speed and the engines rpm to allow the gears to engage properly. Automated transmissions eliminate the need for the operator to change gears. A side-by-side comparison of two Kenworth T800 tridem drive trucks was made, where one was fitted with an Eaton Ultrashift PLUS 18-speed automated transmission.
The trucks travelled on identical routes. Even though the research is not yet complete, the research currently shows that the automated transmission did not reduce fuel efficiency when compared to an operator with good manual shifting techniques. However, fuel efficiency improved by 4.4% compared to a driver using less efficient manual shifting techniques.
Also in this edition of FPSolutions, the results of research into wide-base tyres used in off-road applications were presented. Fuel consumption benefits of using wide-base tyres compared to duals have been proven for on-road applications, however little data exists for logging roads. The results showed that by using wide-base tyres on the trailer only resulted in 3.2% less fuel being used than duals, and this increased to 4.6% when also using these tyres on the drive axles. However, concern was expressed about insufficient traction when used on the drive axles. Access the FPSolutions newsletter for the complete articles. Source: www.fpinnovations.ca
The research was published by FPInnovations and was included in the latest edition of the FPSolutions newsletter. Shifting gears on steep grades can be challenging. The trick is to match the trucks speed and the engines rpm to allow the gears to engage properly. Automated transmissions eliminate the need for the operator to change gears. A side-by-side comparison of two Kenworth T800 tridem drive trucks was made, where one was fitted with an Eaton Ultrashift PLUS 18-speed automated transmission.
The trucks travelled on identical routes. Even though the research is not yet complete, the research currently shows that the automated transmission did not reduce fuel efficiency when compared to an operator with good manual shifting techniques. However, fuel efficiency improved by 4.4% compared to a driver using less efficient manual shifting techniques.
Also in this edition of FPSolutions, the results of research into wide-base tyres used in off-road applications were presented. Fuel consumption benefits of using wide-base tyres compared to duals have been proven for on-road applications, however little data exists for logging roads. The results showed that by using wide-base tyres on the trailer only resulted in 3.2% less fuel being used than duals, and this increased to 4.6% when also using these tyres on the drive axles. However, concern was expressed about insufficient traction when used on the drive axles. Access the FPSolutions newsletter for the complete articles. Source: www.fpinnovations.ca