Dana introduced a new family of heavy-duty 40,000-lb tandem drive axles — the new Spicer Pro-40 – as well as new, light aluminum driveshafts and a "low maintenance" hub system at the Mid America show.

The Spicer Pro-40 is said to offer improved power density and a 120-lb weight reduction compared to its next lightest competitor. Planned availability with a  range of ratios from 3.25 to 3.90, the axle is suited to engines rated up to 475-hp and 1750 lb ft of torque, with gross combination weights up to 80,000 lb. It’s aimed at fleets with predictable duty-cycles.

As well, the company introduced a new series of lightweight, one-piece aluminum driveshafts.

The Spicer Diamond Series driveshaft is said to weigh 40% less than traditional two-piece steel driveshafts, has fewer parts, and helps reduce in problems associated with noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). The company claims to be the first manufacturer to combine steel end fittings with a single-piece, high-strength aluminum tube, replacing the traditional all-steel, two-piece driveshaft. That’s said to mean a more robust driveshaft that weighs about 100 lb less compared to traditional two-piece assembly systems.

Dana’s Spicer LMSi (Low Maintenance System) hub improves retention clamp load for more reliable performance. It also reduces disassembly and installation times by up to five minutes versus conventional hub systems.

The LMSi (pictured here) is said to offer better control of contaminates during removal and better seal technology, which provides reduced friction for minimized rolling resistance delivering improvements in fuel efficiency and a reduction of heat to maximize seal life. It also offers customers a 20 lb per hub weight advantage when compared with conventional iron hubs.