‘@MATS: Dana unveils new tandem axles, driveshafts & hub system

LOUISVILLE, Ky., — Dana introduced a new family of heavy-duty 40,000-pound tandem drive axles — the new Spicer Pro-40 axle – as well as new, light aluminum driveshafts and a "low maintenance" hub system.

The Spicer Pro-40, unveiled at the Mid America Trucking Show, offers improved power density and a 120-pound weight reduction for its next lightest competitor.

Planned availability with a popular range of ratios from (3.25- 3.90), the Spicer Pro-40 axle represents the ideal specification for commercial trucks with 9-, 10-, 12-, or 13-speed overdrive transmissions; diesel engines rated up to 475-horsepower and 1750 lb-ft. of torque; and Gross Combination Weight Ratings up to 80,000 pounds.

"Traditional 40,000-pound axles are designed to meet a huge variety of application requirements, which has left the majority of the primary line-haul segment over-spec’d and overweight," said Steve Slesinski, director of product planning at Dana. "For fleets with predictable duty-cycles, the Pro-40 delivers all the features that are required without the added weight."

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

The Spicer Diamond Series driveshaft is said to weigh 40 percent less than traditional two-piece steel driveshafts, has fewer parts, and helps reduce in problems associated with noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).

George Constand, chief technical and quality officer, said that Dana is the first manufacturer to combine steel end fittings with a single-piece, high-strength aluminum tube, replacing the traditional all-steel, two-piece driveshaft.

The process delivers a more robust driveshaft and weighs about 100 pounds less when compared with traditional two-piece assembly systems.

Finally, Dana’s Spicer LMSi (Low Maintenance System) 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 supports a more eco-friendly position than other designs, the company says, through 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 pound per hub weight advantage when compared with conventional iron hubs.


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