September 28, 2020
When driving trucks and big rigs, gear shifts are necessary to avoid overworking the engine. This is where the manual or automatic transmission comes into play. The transmission is linked to the engine via a clutch system. The clutch allows the changing of gears by decoupling the transmission system from the engine when needed.
The right engine and transmission combo will keep your truck rolling and make it capable of doing its job efficiently. If the truck's daily grind has taken a toll on your gearbox and you are now in need of a new one, the SAF-Holland grain hopper gearbox proves to be a cost-effective solution. Ideal for use in most heavy-duty and commercial vehicles, this gearbox is equipped with the leading-edge technology to deliver consistent performance that will keep your truck on the road.
Check out this guide for a closer look at the SAF-Holland grain hopper gearbox and to know if it's the right fit for your big rig.
The SAF-HOLLAND SE was formed in December 2006 from the merger of two renowned regional champs—SAF in Europe and Holland in the USA. The union gives each of the companies the avenue to grow internationally and dominate the world market. More than a decade after the merger, the company has become one of the largest-listed suppliers to Europe's commercial vehicle market. It is also present in most markets across the globe.
SAF-HOLLAND's roots in the industry can be traced back to more than 100 years ago, when SAF's founder, Paul Zill, developed the Zill two-way plow for agricultural use. Zill was originally a blacksmith from Keilberg, Germany, but as his plow gained popularity, his shop expanded into a small family-operated business, adding agricultural axles into its product line. Over the years, it evolved and became Otto Sauer Achsen Fabrik (SAF), a known leader in developing and manufacturing integrated axle and suspension systems for commercial trailers.
Like SAF, Holland's legacy can also be found in the agricultural industry. It started in 1910 with the launching of a safety release hitch for horse-drawn plows. Founded by Gerrit Den Besten, the "Safety Release Clevis Company" was established in Corsica, South Dakota. When the company saw new and more significant market opportunities in the automotive industry, the company moved operations to Holland, Michigan, and changed its name to The Holland Hitch Company. The company then became known in the commercial transportation industry.
Today, SAF-HOLLAND is a top producer of chassis-related systems and components designed primarily for trailers, trucks, and buses. Its product portfolio includes kingpins, fifth wheels, axle and suspension systems, and landing gears. These components are marketed under different brands, such as Holland, SAF, KLL, Neway, V.ORLANDI, and York.
SAF Holland products personify a history of progressive designs that uphold function and value. And this grain hopper gearbox is no exception. It is built by the company's experts to embody HOLLAND's name and tradition of exceptional value and trouble-free performance for many years to come. The SAF-Holland grain hopper gearbox is also fitted with innovative advancements that guarantee reliable performance and provide time-tested value for your application.
What makes this Timpte-style gearbox stand out from the competition is Holland's patented Kwik Shift Constant Mesh design that ensures smooth shifting. In this gearbox design, the gears are set in a constant-mesh condition; they are not shifted to change gear ratios. The gears stay constantly meshed with their mating gears. Change in gear ratios is performed through the input shaft's axial movement, which engages the desired gear via a transverse drive pin arranged radially through the shaft.
This innovation addresses some issues with other gearbox designs, including the need to move the entire gear cluster from side to side to shift gear ratios. It also eliminates the detent mechanism that holds the gears in engagement. This makes shifting of gears from one ratio position to the other easier since the only force needed to do the shifting is to slide the input shaft within its bearings and through the gear hub central boxes.
SAF-Holland's gearboxes set the standard high for quality, durability, and performance. The company owes its outstanding international reputation from its line of high-quality, cost-effective, and longer-lasting products. It upholds this status by not only focusing on product manufacturing but also on testing them.
Each SAF-Holland product, including the grain hopper gearbox, is rigorously tested with safety and functionality in mind. The company makes sure that this gearbox is ideal for varying scenarios and working conditions. The many patented benefits of this product also save fleet operators, mechanics, and drivers from headaches.
When you're looking to build an ideal engine and transmission combo that will spare you from premature maintenance needs, you should consider these factors when purchasing your next gearbox:
The first step to getting the correct transmission for your engine is to know your truck's application. Figure out the truck's regular payload, what it usually hauls, and the kind of terrain it tackles on a daily basis. This way, you can easily determine the axle ratio required to operate most efficiently at your preferred cruise speed.
The driver's skill largely influences the type of transmission that's best for your operation. For newer drivers, automatic transmission is highly favored as it makes it easier for them to learn how to drive the truck. It also helps the driver focus better on the road, therefore minimizing driver fatigue.
For more seasoned drivers, manual transmissions are more favorable because they are more reliable and affordable when it comes to repairs and replacements. In manual transmissions, drivers have greater control over their truck. They get to decide when to change gears, enabling them to regulate the engine's RPMs and fuel consumption.
This does not only pertain to the product cost but the total cost of ownership. Most fleet operators, particularly budget-minded ones, consider the total cost of ownership of the engine-and-powertrain combo. The purchase price of the gearbox makes up a part of the equation.
As the country's powerhouse of high-quality yet reasonably priced parts, accessories, and hardware for commercial vehicles, heavy-duty equipment, specialty vehicles, RVs and buses, and even machines, FinditParts carries a wide variety of SAF-Holland products for you to choose from. This is the ideal place to shop if you need SAF-Holland trailer axles and suspension systems, landing gears, ball races, kingpins, coupling products, roll form products, and many others. Visit our site and enjoy our comprehensive product selection, lowest prices, excellent customer service, and the best deals on your needed SAF-Holland grain hopper gearbox.
