Most drivers don’t realize they need an equipment upgrade until their haul trucks stop functioning properly. By this point, it’s usually too late for a quick fix. Your equipment has to be serviced and upgraded which can be quite expensive. In many cases, you will need replacement parts or an upgraded transmission. When your transmission has failed, you should consider the benefits of an Allison rebuilt transmission for your haul truck.

What to Ask Before Installing your Rebuilt Allison Transmission

Rebuilt Allison transmissions are preferred in heavy-duty applications for a number of reasons, including their ease of use and reliable power that doesn’t interrupt the torque converter. If you need a rebuilt Allison transmission or replacement parts, we recommend asking these three questions before installation:

1. What’s Included in the Warranty?
2. Are all Components of your Haul Truck Prepared for a Rebuilt Allison Transmission?
3. Are Repair and Return Programs Available?

1) What’s Included in the Warranty?

You want to make sure you read the entire warranty – including the fine print. How many months or hours will your rebuilt transmission be covered under warranty? If your transmission has any defects or problems, this needs to be covered, as well. You most likely won’t have any issues when you receive your transmission, but you want to completely understand the warranty, just in case. Another section that you’ll want to review is which components need to be cleaned or replaced before installing your rebuilt Allison transmission. If you don’t follow these steps exactly, your transmission won’t be covered anymore because of misuse.

2) Are all Components of your Haul Truck Prepared for a Rebuilt Allison Transmissions?

Before installing your transmission, it’s imperative to change and replace the cooler core, transmission filter, and transmission to filter and filter to transmission hoses. Another important consideration is that all manual shift linkage has been properly adjusted – especially the retarder linkage (when equipped). The retarder spool must be entirely de-stroked after application. If not, it will cause extreme heat and loss of power.

Furthermore, inspect the shift tower – particularly the downshift inhibiting feature to ensure that no lockup to lockup downshifts occur. Check that the harness wire is connected to the inhibitor switch on the lockup valve. Don’t forget to check the PTO installation. The backlash between the transmission PTO drive gear and its mating gear is .06 to .025 inch or as specified by the manufacturer.

Pro Tip: Check the PTO installation before installing your rebuilt Allison transmission. You can tell that your PTO is too tight if it whines and too loose if it chatters.

Lastly, you should check the oil level. Fill the oil to fill mark before starting and running the transmission. Shift the transmission through all ranges, as the transmission reaches operating temperature the oil level will rise to the full mark.

3) Are Repair and Return Programs Available?

The final question you should ask is if your Allison transmission rebuilder offers repair and return programs. While rebuilt Allison transmissions are made to last the test of time, with heavy use and rugged applications, the parts will experience wear and tear. A repair and return program allows you to send your transmission in for service and replacement parts and it will be returned to you promptly.

Ensure your Haul Trucks are Ready for Rebuilt Allison Transmissions

It’s critical that you make sure your haul trucks are updated and ready to receive their rebuilt Allison transmission. If not, you could lose your warranty and damage your transmission. Make sure that you ask the above questions before installing your haul truck transmission.

Would you like to know more about rebuilt Allison transmissions for haul trucks? Join the conversation to speak with our industrial transmission experts, today!