Manual or Automatic in Semi

[crusher]

We have a KW T800, 525 Cummins, 18 sp auto. Pulls superbee. Not a huge fan of it in the yard pulling up to the auger, it doesn't like to lock up. In the field it's ok because one can shift manually. Really like it on the highway. If I were to do it over again, likely take the auto.

[OvernOut]

Have an Allison in 98 tandem grain truck, Eaton 10sp autoshift (with clutch) in another 06 tandem, a 12sp Meritor autoshift (no clutch) in 06 tractor, and just grabbed a 16 shaker tractor with 18 Eaton Ultrashift. We're all auto of some kind basically for ease of use as to who can drive it but they come with a cost. The Allison is bullet proof but it sure robs a lot of power and makes a truck feel sluggish and underpowered. The Meritor has given trouble in soft ground but on the road it sure shifts nice up and down. The older autoshift has been good but has given a few issues the past few years either with air or electrical problems. The newer ultrashift has been good so far but does take some getting used to when downshifting. I demoed a couple newer shaker day cabs last summer; couple with a Allisons and one with Detroit DT12. To my surprise the DT12 was my favorite one. If getting a new unit I'd look hard a DD16 with DT12 trans or Kenworth T800 or 880 with 18 Ultrashift and X series performance series Cummins.