Meritor Inc. is adding optimized axle ratios to its proven 14X rear-drive axle portfolio. Meritor’s 14X tandem drive axles with a 2.79 ratio will be available for production in June and a 2.85 ratio will be ready later this summer. When used in combination with the Cummins and Eaton SmartAdvantage Powertrain, the new axle ratios will improve fuel efficiency for linehaul applications through downspeeding, a process that maintains vehicle speed at lower engine RPMs, according to the company.
“With these new axle ratios, drivers will experience a fuel-economy ‘sweet spot’ at road speeds of 62 to 65 mph,” said Ken Hogan, general manager, Axles, North America for Meritor. “We’ve optimized this engine-transmission-axle combination to deliver uncompromising performance and efficiency.”
To maximize fuel economy and vehicle performance, fleets should consider the entire drivetrain, including engine parameters, transmission and rear-axle gearing and tire sizes, according to Hogan. He suggests fleets consult their OEMs, local engine distributors or Meritor representative to review exact vehicle and application needs. The 14X axles with 2.79 and 2.85 ratios are supported by DriveForce and OnTrac, Meritor’s organization of 110 dedicated support professionals.
“The new axle ratios specifically target the needs of fuel efficiency-minded customers and are another example of how we are continually creating and updating our offerings to better-serve the industry,” Hogan said.
