Freightliners try Volvo autos
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rREIGHTL1NERS have just accepted delivery of 20 Volvo F86 32-ton tractive units fitted with Jlison MT650 automatic gearboxes.
This is the first time Freightners have purchased tractive tnits with automatic gearooxes.
Freightliners have been tudying automatic gearboxes or some time, as they have ound that lorries fitted with nanual gearboxes are usually iesigned for line haul work tnd not completely suitable or the short-distance work.
The majority of short haul work can be tiring for the iriver who may have to carry Du t as many as 200 clutch operations in an hour, therefore, this type of work can also create service problems with clutches and gearboxes.
Downtime and maintenance costs are reduced, engines and driveline life is extended while vehicle and driver productivity is increased resulting in a generally safer operation with driver's fatigue substantially decreased.
Two years ago Freightliners instituted an automatic gearbox study programme with Volvo, and as a result Volvo is now the first manufacturer to offer an automatic gearbox as a standard fitment to the F86 Series tractive unit.
Fuel consumption of 6.8 mpg has been recorded for the manual gearbox version, while 6.9 mpg is being returned for the automatic gearbox.
The Allison MT 650 fivespeed fully automatic transmission is being offered on all F86 models. This has an automatic convertor lock-up in fourth and fifth gear.
The MT 650 has a built-in inhibitor which prevents harmful down shifts, engine overspeeding and reverse shifts. It is suitable for gross vehicle weights of up to 32 • tons and has gear ratios of 8.04, 3.58, 2.09, 1.39 and 1.00 with reverse 5.67.
Also available is the Allison MT 640 which in the F86 series is suitable for use at a gross operating weight of 16 tons. It has a single-stage threeelement multiphase torque convertor and the constant mesh spur type planetary gears have ratios of 3.58, 2.09, 1.39 and 1.00 with reverse 5.67.