At the Technology and Maintenance Council's 2013 Annual Meeting, Dana Holding Corporation launched a new Spicer Life Series main driveshaft and inter-axle shaft specifically designed to supply greater torque, durability, and savings for severe-duty vocational applications as well as low-emission, high-efficiency trucks.
The latest in a fully upgraded line of Spicer heavy-duty universal joints, Dana offers standard service and extra heavy-duty versions of the SPL-350 driveshaft, as well as the complementary SPL-250 inter-axle shaft. Available in the second half of 2013, these additions to the Spicer family of heavy-duty U-joints extend the expected life of the drivetrain and eliminate application restrictions on engine power in today's Class 8 linehaul and vocational vehicles.
The most robust heavy-duty driveshaft and inter-axle shaft in their classes, the SPL-350 driveshaft and SPL-250 inter-axle are designed to withstand the increased stress placed on the driveline by high-efficiency on-highway trucks, as well as severe vocational applications including heavy equipment, mining, oil fields and road trains.
"As vehicle manufacturers downspeed engines, torque demands on the rest of the drivetrain increase dramatically," said Pat D'Eramo, president of Dana Commercial Vehicle Driveline Technologies. "These new, more robust driveshafts have been designed to provide the optimal combination of durability, size, and weight needed to help heavy-duty truck owners maximize the productivity of their fleets."
Delivering up to 35,000 Nm of torque capacity in a smaller, more lightweight package, the SPL-350 driveshaft and SPL-250 inter-axle shaft are equipped with High Power Density design features that extend product life and outperform competing driveshafts. Like all Spicer heavy-duty U-joints, these products feature an optional service-free design for further maintenance and lifecycle benefits, more power density than competing products, and a 40 percent improvement in bearing life over competitive designs.
