NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A new Spicer AdvanTek 40 tandem axle from Dana could provide operating savings totaling $8,000 over a five-year period, the company announced at the Technology & Maintenance Council meetings here this week.
The savings stem from the industry’s fastest axle ratio of 2.26:1, reduced weight, optimum inter-axle driveline angles and a need for less lubricant.
“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 faster axle rations were designed to handle higher input torques, lowering engine rpm at cruise speed while increasing axle efficiency by up to 1.2%, the company said.
The new axle is about 21 lbs lighter than current 40,000-lb tandem axle offerings in the market. Production of the new axle is set to commence in early 2014, Dana announced.