MAUMEE, Ohio — Dana has announced TMC Transportation has spec’d the lightweight Spicer Pro-40 tandem drive axle on its recent order for 1,500 Pete 579 highway tractors.

TMC Transportation is one of the largest US flatbed firms and ordered 1,500 new tractors for delivery over the next two years as part of its standard replacement schedule.

The Spicer Pro-40 is a 40,000-lb tandem drive axle that Dana says weighs nearly 100 lbs less than competitive offerings.

“We need to be able to haul as much as possible in order to stay competitive in today’s marketplace, and the Spicer Pro-40 axle brings major weight savings to our trucks, which matters most to us,” said Rod Simon, executive vice-president of maintenance at TMC Transportation. “As a highly data driven company, we’re not just looking at performance; we evaluate cost-to-weight ratios and resale values of our equipment.”

“We designed the Spicer Pro-40 axle for astute fleet owners who fully appreciate how the weight savings we provide will reduce their fuel costs without sacrificing performance and reliability,” said Pat D’Eramo, president of Dana Commercial Vehicle Driveline Technologies. “TMC Transportation is one of the top carriers in North America, and their commitment to the Spicer Pro-40 axle provides strong validation for our approach.”