ERF chooses Spicer
Page 18
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THE SPICER Transmission Division of Wolverhampton is to supply its SST 8010 transmission with a nominal torque capacity of 1084Nm (800 Ibft) to ERF for inclusion in the lightweight C Series six-wheel rigid and tractive units equipped with either the Cummins 110 or Gardner 6LXCT engines.
The 8010 10-speed constantmesh splitter gearbox available with aluminium transmission casing and clutch housing has a weight of only 185Kg (410 lb) — up to 73Kg (160 lb) lighter than the alternative Fuller range change box.
This is the first time that ERF has fitted the Spicer splitter transmission as standard equipment on any ERF model, and is optional where the heavier RollsRoyce engine is fitted.
The specification also includes the Spicer ceramic clutch and propshaft. Ceramic-faced clutches have a good reputation in arduous operating conditions where they run cooler and last longer. Spicer Transmissions does not yet extend its operations to include the manufacture of drive axles as it does in the US.
The company has become the dominant supplier of twin-plate clutches with British manufacturers claiming 75 per cent of the original equipment market while 60 per cent of all new vehicles of 16 tons gvw and above are equipped with Spicer propshafts and universal joints.
Leyland Trucks adopted light weight Spicer gearboxes as standard with the introduction of its T45 range of tractive units and eight wheelers. For that application Leyland developed its own pre-select mechanism. Initially with the stronger 1010 box, there was some criticism of the noisy operation but further development has made the change clean and smooth.
The ERF arrangement does not include a pre-select facility so the direct air operation gives a very positive but harsher engagement. ERF uses the large old style Spicer gear knob where the switch movement is from side to side.
ERF's C Series clutch has a clamp load of 1,089kg (2,400 lb) (as opposed to Leyland T45 1,270kg (2,800 lb) clamp load) which makes for a much easier clutch operation.