At the Technology and Maintenance Council's 2013 Annual Meeting, Dana Holding Corporation introduced the Spicer AdvanTEK 40 tandem axle. 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.
Compared with competitive tandem-axle offerings, the Spicer AdvanTEK 40 axle is estimated to deliver more than $8,000 in operating savings over a five-year period through a powerful combination of features including the industry's fastest axle ratio of 2.26:1, lower axle weight, optimum inter-axle driveline angles, and reduced lubrication quantity.
"The Spicer AdvanTEK 40 axle represents the next generation of tandem axles designed for fleets looking to drive efficiency gains and increase their return on investment," said Pat D'Eramo, president of Dana Commercial Vehicle Driveline Technologies. "We have engineered performance improvements into every aspect of the Spicer AdvanTEK 40 axle to quickly deliver significant benefits that extend to vehicle owners in the resale market, as well."
The Spicer AdvanTEK 40 axle was developed with faster axle ratios to handle higher input torques, lowering engine rpm at cruise speed while increasing axle efficiency by up to 1.2 percent. The Spicer AdvanTEK 40 axle will be offered with ratios ideally 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.
The Spicer AdvanTEK 40 axle is up to 21 pounds lighter than competitive 40,000 lb tandem axles on the market today. It is available with additional options such as Dana's patented wheel differential locks, lubrication pump, breather, and Spicer LMS and LMSi hubs. Other options include thick-wall housings and Dana's versatile SelecTTrac solution for maximizing GAWR rating for aluminum hubs and maximizing bearing life in single wide-based tire configurations.
Optimum inter-axle driveline angles allow for parallel axle installation, avoiding installation variables and vehicle issues with certain air-ride suspensions. Further refinements in the design of the Spicer AdvanTEK 40 axle deliver improved durability of U-joints, less vehicle downtime, and lower maintenance costs.
The Spicer AdvanTEK 40 tandem axle will debut in booth 848 at TMC this week, and it may also be seen at the Mid-America Trucking Show next week in booth 30555. Dana will start production on Spicer AdvanTEK 40 axle in early 2014.
