LOUISVILLE -- Dana Holding Corporation unveiled a new 40,000-lb tandem at the Mid-America Trucking Show aimed at a variety of Class 8 applications. The new design is said to increase fuel economy, improve reliability, reduce vehicle weight, and decrease total ownership costs.

Compared to other tandem-axle offerings, the Spicer AdvanTEK 40 axle is estimated to deliver more than $8,000 in operating savings over a five-year period through a combination of features including the industry’s fastest axle ratio of 2.26:1, lower axle weight, optimum inter-axle driveline angles, and reduced lubrication quantity.

“The Spicer AdvanTEK 40 axle represents the next generation of tandem axles designed for fleets looking to drive efficiency gains and increase their return on investment,” said Pat D’Eramo, president of Dana Commercial Vehicle Driveline Technologies. “We have engineered performance improvements into every aspect of the Spicer AdvanTEK 40 axle to quickly deliver significant benefits that extend to vehicle owners in the resale market, as well.”

The Spicer AdvanTEK 40 axle was developed with faster axle ratios to handle higher input torques, lowering engine rpm at cruise speed while increasing axle efficiency by up to 1.2 percent. The Spicer AdvanTEK 40 axle will be offered with ratios ideally suited for direct-drive transmission drivetrains requiring rear axle ratios from 2.26 to 2.79 and overdrive transmission drivetrain ratios from 2.93 to 3.91.

The Spicer AdvanTEK 40 axle weighs up to 21 pounds less than competitive 40,000-lb. tandems on the market today, Spicer claims. It is available with options such as Dana’s patented wheel differential locks, lubrication pump, breather, and Spicer LMS and LMSi hubs. Other options include thick-wall housings and Dana’s versatile SelecTTrac solution for maximizing GAWR rating for aluminum hubs and maximizing bearing life in single wide-based tire configurations.

Optimum inter-axle driveline angles allow for parallel axle installation, avoiding installation variables and vehicle issues with certain air-ride suspensions. Further refinements in the design of the Spicer AdvanTEK 40 axle deliver improved durability of U-joints, less vehicle downtime, and lower maintenance costs, the company says.

The Spicer AdvanTEK 40 tandem axle is on display this week at the Mid-America Trucking Show next week in booth 30555. Dana will start production on Spicer AdvanTEK 40 axle in early 2014.

For more information, visit www.dana.com/commercialvehicle