New transmissions available for heavy-hauling Kenworths

Paccar TX-18 and TX-18 Pro automated transmissions can now be ordered on Kenworth’s Class 8 heavy on-highway and select off-highway vocational trucks.

The 18-speed transmissions build on the Paccar TX-12, which was designed for on-highway work. The Paccar TX-18, however, offers extra capabilities for heavy on-highway applications such as heavy hauls. Its counterpart, the TX-18 Pro, builds on that with unique features for extreme-duty vocational applications and other select off-highway applications.

The transmissions are available in Kenworth T680, T880, and W990 trucks with Paccar MX-13 and MX-11 engines – supporting maximums of 510 hp, 1,850 lb-ft of torque, and gross combination vehicle weights of 140,000 lb.

TX-18 transmission
Paccar’s TX-18 transmission. (Photo: Paccar)

The TX-18 has three reverse gears, and the TX-18 Pro has six, which Kenworth days pairs well with deep axle ratios. Multiple reverse gears improve maneuverability around job sites.
Both transmissions also offer expanded high-capacity PTO functions with an eight-bolt bottom mount and four-bolt rear mount for a combined 160-hp capacity at 1,400 rpm. Internal oil temperature sensors, meanwhile, feed data to the in-cab display.

Each model is controlled with Kenworth’s column-mounted right-hand shifter.

On-highway maintenance intervals are 500,000 miles (800,000 km) or five years, and vocational intervals are 250,000 miles (400,000 km) or three years.


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