mounted log bunks today

two saw · February 12, 2007, 06:20:49 PM

I bought this L9000 a few months ago and have had to make a few repairs to get it ready to haul logs. Needed an air tank and some wiring to the trailer plug fixed and a couple other small things. I am eager to go get a load of logs with it. I am not sure about the transmission in it. It is an 8LL Eaton and it is a bear to shift. The people I have talked with that have had experience with these trans. have said that is just the way it is. Maybe I need some time in the seat to get the hang of it. Any one else farmiliar with this style trans. Is it just the nature of the beast?
Thanks for the help.
Dan

Mooseherder · February 12, 2007, 08:12:48 PM

I did sleep at a Holiday Inn express last night. :D
Is that an Electric, Hydraulic or Air Shift?
If you can check the linkage around the shift bar housing. Check for slop, worn out bearings and seals. (Block the wheels before you get under) ;)
Hows the lubrication around the linkage. (Rust?)
Could be a broken Synchronizer pin from driveline vibration or normal wear and tear on clutch forks and bearings.
Check the mainshaft washer at shifter bar base for a worn out washer. ???
Maybe even have a gear with a chipped tooth inside the casing. >:(
Good Luck....Nice Truck BTW:)

Coon · February 12, 2007, 08:39:46 PM

two saw,

THAT IS THE NATURE OF THE BEAST

I have been in atleast a dozen of these trucks over the years. They are very common here with a grain box on them. 99% of them need to be driven like a rented mule. Get in shut up and start grabbing gears. Has got to be the only way to do it. Nearly half of these trucks I have driven you have to grind em until they fit. Sounds kinda funny but yeah.

logwalker · February 12, 2007, 08:55:52 PM

Is it a straight six speed? What are you experiencing? Joe

Dave Shepard · February 12, 2007, 09:00:59 PM

The most important advice I can offer is to try and match the engine speed to the ground speed for each shift. If the engine isn't at the right rpm, it isn't going to shift smoothly, if at all. You can also try clutch, no-clutch, or double-clutch shifting, whatever doesn't grind, is good for the truck.

Dave

two saw · February 12, 2007, 10:13:40 PM

Basically what I am experiencing is a slight short grind during up shift and a DanG near impossible down shift. It is a 9 speed with 1st being a low-hole gear. It is an air splitter in the trans. On downshifting I have not been able to get it into gear at all. As a matter of fact I have had to bring it to a stop a couple times to get it into any gear at all after trying to downshift. I have read/been told that road speed to engine rpm is critical but I thought by this year of truck you could have a fullt syncronized transmission. I suppose I am wrong.
Thanks for your input.
Dan.

logwalker · February 12, 2007, 10:22:01 PM

I gotta agree with you about being wrong on that one. :D The best way is to match the two rpms up or down. So on your downshift you have to bring the engine R's up very close to matching before it will slip in. Quit using the clutch except to get rolling. Once you learn to do that than you can add the clutch back in to make it a slightly faster shift. When I got my Kenworth it was hard but soon it became second nature and now I don't even think about it. Practice makes perfect. Joe

Dave Shepard · February 12, 2007, 11:33:34 PM

Sorry to disappoint, but it is a synchro trans, try a Mack quad-box for a non synchro experience(it has four speed and five speed transmissions, one in front of the other

)
When downshifting put light pressure on the shifter and bring the engine rpms up, it should drop into gear when the rpms come up high enough. With practice it will be second nature. When I down shift I step on the clutch, put it in neutral, let the clutch out, rev the engine up, and then catch the gear as the engine slows, this gives me the fastest downshift. I hope I am not confusing you, with practice you will enjoy using a real transmission.

Dave

J_T · February 12, 2007, 11:40:07 PM

As has been said ground speed is imporant. Does it have a cummins in it ??? I never use the low gear except off road and use the clutch for take off and stopping .When you hit the right speed it will almost fall out of gear you can let up on the fuel then feather the fuel a tad and it will fall in easer or should .Shift up far as you can tjen slip it in nutrul flip the button and slide it in second which will then become fith I think . When you get better you can skip a few here and there . As has been said one day it will be second nature for you . I love them trucks they are great .

two saw · February 13, 2007, 12:34:04 AM

yes the truck has a Cummins in it and I believe it is a 240???
I thought it was a 290 cause that is what the feller I bought it from told me, but checking the VIN tells me it should be a 240.
How would one tell
would it be on the pump housing like the 5.9 in mt truck?
really anxious to get behind the wheel.

J_T · February 13, 2007, 01:19:20 AM

With the hood tilted standing on the driver side should be a plate on the side of timming cover if I rember right ??? Just worked on a fleet of trucks for a bank sale not long ago would think it is a 250 ??? good motors and set up 8) Unless you get wild it will last forever most times they just start running good at 750 thousand miles.