Dana Spicer Premium-40 Tandem Drive Axle Standard on AllClass 8 Models
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kenworth Truck Company announced today that the Dana(R) Spicer(R) Premium-40(TM) tandem drive axle will become standard on all new Kenworth Class 8 vehicles.
The new 40,000-pound Premium-40 axle, known as the DSP40, will be available beginning May 1, 2001, on new Kenworth truck orders. The new axle was developed for Kenworth by Dana Corporation's Commercial Vehicle Systems, and is exclusively available only on PACCAR vehicles until July 1, 2003.
The DSP40 is designed to meet the demands for improved axle performance in conjunction with the more powerful engines that Kenworth customers prefer, and the higher payloads they tend to haul. The DSP40 offers greater durability and performance in a lightweight axle.
"The increased strength of the DSP40 gives our customers improved durability and performance at no increase in cost," said Kurt Freitag, Kenworth's product marketing manager. "This new axle offers our linehaul customers a 5-year/750,000-mile warranty even with 600-horsepower engines," he said, noting that the DSP40 in linehaul applications to 80,000 pounds carries the full warranty with engines to 600 horsepower and 1850 lb-ft of torque.
"The DSP40 sets a new standard for 40,000-pound drive axles. This new tandem axle provides a higher level of performance and application coverage than today's standard tandems," said Steve Slesinski, program manager for Spicer Commercial Vehicle Systems. "This results in significant benefits that include improved driver satisfaction, increased productivity and high performance time on the road.
"The DSP40 is also backed by comprehensive Roadranger service and support - the best in the business," Slesinski said. "For the driver and fleet owner, these benefits mean less downtime and reduced costs."
The new DSP40 axle features a number of quality components. High-capacity Timken(TM) bearings offer longer life with heavier loads and higher torques. Strong hypoid gearing with premium processing increases durability. The premium wheel differential results in high shock resistance. The ring gear thrust bolt further reduces the possibility of damage caused by abusive events. The micro-alloy steel "square edge" axle housing is standard with a 9.5mm (.97 in.) wall thickness for lighter weight vehicles.
In addition, the new carrier-to-housing joint is specifically designed to maximize and retain clamp load for high torque applications. The exclusive Micro-Lip XL(TM) seal and slinger system keeps lubrication in and contamination out better than conventional input and output shafts.
The DSP40 is available in a full range of on-highway axle ratios for flexible spec'ing options, to meet drivetrain and Kenworth vehicle-specific specifications. The DSP40 comes with up to a five-year/750,000 mile warranty in approved linehaul applications, when maintained with Roadranger-approved lubricants and seals.
Optional product features of the DSP40 further enhance the vehicle's performance. The Dana Spicer LMS(TM) Hub System reduces wheel seal failures and eliminates wheel-bearing adjustment. An initial 500,000-mile lube drain interval is achieved with Kenworth's standard synthetic lube when Outrunner(TM) oil bath seals or the LMS Hub System are specified.
The driver-controlled full wheel differential lock provides positive traction over slippery or uneven surfaces. A powerful "gerotor" style lube pump system provides added protection in severe service operations. Wide-track widths are available up to 1,981 mm (78 in.). Model DSP41 features an 11-mm thick wall housing and induction hardened spindles as standard.
Kenworth also announced that the DSP40 will be now available as an option on its T300 medium-duty conventional model.
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