gear ratio?

[Johan Wagener]

What makes a heavy vehicle like a bakkie, truck, or van get into motion so
easily? You have to change gears very quickly but you can release the clutch
right after it starts moving.

What I am trying to say is it is easier to pull away with a vehicle that has
this close gear configuration.

What do you call this?

Something to do with gear ratio?

 

[Pete]

What do you call this?

Something to do with gear ratio?

short gearing?

Pete

 

[Johan Wagener]

can you elaborate on that please?

Thanks

short gearing?

Pete

 

[Duncan Wood]

What makes a heavy vehicle like a bakkie, truck, or van get into motion
so
easily? You have to change gears very quickly but you can release the
clutch
right after it starts moving.

What I am trying to say is it is easier to pull away with a vehicle that
has
this close gear configuration.

What do you call this?

Something to do with gear ratio?

Yep, it's low ratio. Of course you hit the rec limiter at 4mph though.

 

[Brian Smith]

What makes a heavy vehicle like a bakkie, truck, or van get into motion so
easily? You have to change gears very quickly but you can release the clutch
right after it starts moving.

Who uses a clutch? For other than the initial start and final stop, I mean.

What I am trying to say is it is easier to pull away with a vehicle that has
this close gear configuration.

What do you call this?

Close ratio

 

[Mike G]

release the
clutch

Who uses a clutch? For other than the initial start and final stop, I mean.
vehicle that
has

Close ratio

Nope.
Close ratio refers to the the difference between all the gears.
That is, the ratio between 1st and top is closer than usual.
In a close ratio box this usually gives a relatively high 1st
gear.
Meaning you have to slip the clutch more to pull away.
A low 1st gear ratio is all that's needed to enable an easier
pull away from rest.
Most HGV vehicles only need 1st gear when fully laden.
Mike.

 

[Brian Smith]

Nope.
Close ratio refers to the the difference between all the gears.
That is, the ratio between 1st and top is closer than usual.

Okay, I'll stand corrected. But, the gears are close together in a 13, 15 or
18 speed transmission. I only bump the throttle a couple of hundred of rpms
between shifts.

Most HGV vehicles only need 1st gear when fully laden.

That's true, enough.

 

[Doki]

Who uses a clutch? For other than the initial start and final stop, I

mean.

Well, it depends on what you drive and how quickly you want to change gear.
In my car the revs don't drop quickly enough to get anything approaching a
quick change without the clutch. Obviously, the clutch takes a little more
hammer helping to slow the engine down. Probably better to break and replace
my clutch than the syncro rings. If your car has a lot of engine braking
(mine doesn't, something to do with emissions or helping stupid people
change gear, revs don't drop quickly at all) or a light flywheel, or a very
close gearbox, clutchless changing becomes simpler. In many cars I expect it
would be royal pain in the arse.

 

[JR]

Most HGV vehicles only need 1st gear when fully laden.
Mike.

Talking of which.

Any HGV drivers favourite gearbox out there ?

I haven't driven for some years now but mine was a Fuller
rangechanger.

Well fast.

 

[Brian Smith]

Talking of which.

Any HGV drivers favourite gearbox out there ?

I haven't driven for some years now but mine was a Fuller
rangechanger.

I like either an eighteen or thirteen speed. Pretty easy for driving around
in the city, and not much shifting on the highway.

 

[Phil]

Talking of which.

Any HGV drivers favourite gearbox out there ?

I haven't driven for some years now but mine was a Fuller
rangechanger.

Well fast.

Eaton Twin Splitter, virtually a clutchless vehicle if you know what you're
doing. Certainly sorts the noobs out!