February 2017 ISSUE 105
—SE RVI N G Q U É B E C & ATLANTI C PR OVI N CES —
Drivetrain Evolution BY MAREK KRASUSKI
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or all the weaknesses highlighted by its detractors, Globalization has brought advantages to the North American transportation market. Innovations developed in other parts of the world filter to North America, lowering costs through economies of scale and bringing to markets the latest product benefits quicker. And drive trains are no exception. Technologies borrowed from builders in Europe, for example, find their place in the North American market, though there are barriers to wholesale integration of products between regions. Local constraints play a role in product design and implementation. Weather, regulations, distance, infrastructure, emissions standards, and other considerations influence the degree to which products are transferrable. As well, the ever present quest for product development in domestic markets, too, accelerates the pace of change. For example, Dana, a world leader in the supply of drivetrains for passenger vehicles, commercial trucks, and off highway equipment, assessed that reduction in rpm engine speed reduces fuel consumption, but puts more pressure on other components such as the driveshaft. Their solution was to reinforce drivetrains and introduce products that work with downspeed powertrains. The Spicer AdvanTEK 40 Tandem axle is a case in point. This is the first axle of its kind for line haul fleets, previously available only on Class 1 through DRIVETRAINS >> PAGE 10
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