UltraShift vs. Manual, the 18 speed review for 2019

Seems like there would be less driver fatigue. I understand the macho thing but more energy and focus will allow a driver to focus on his surroundings and leaves more energy for when he climbs out of the truck and not be so exhausted. I enjoyed the manual in CDL-A training but I learned how to time and control the automatic transmission with my foot pressure, and timing on the diesel pedal and service brake while in tow/haul with full exhaust brakes. Works almost as well as a manual for control.

The tel difference I have found is off road driving. When you start to get stuck in a automatic your done. I have rarely been stuck with a manual.

Auromatic is the the best !

I wish I could afford either !!

The review of this video I'm set this clear, a automatic is only good for the black top, when it comes to all terrains Blacktop, mud, dirt... The real terrains not many travel on go with a 13 or 18 speed stick in some cases the 8LL is just as good as them

My own opinion as a truck driver is, I love ultrashift trucks or smart shift transmission trucks, less work, easy ride, and the main thing is when it stuck in a mud or slippery area, it still can move slowly, little by little, also I love it because it has jake break too, so it's all the same now but, I love driving altrashift trucks, simple and easy to drive, like I'm cruising during the job,😀👍❤️

After driving a concrete mixer over 40 years, I'll take a manual shift over a automatic any day...I love shifting gears...LOL

I’m forced to drive an automatic transmission everyday. It’s convenient in the fact that you’re not moving the stick all day ..However the computer controlling it can’t anticipate anything. The engine always seems to be unhappy. And it’s also the slowest truck I’ve ever driven when it comes to getting up. I’m not a fan give me an old 10 speed any day.

Let's talk mechanics. These transmissions are really auto-manuals. They're not like your automatic transmission from like a Buick LeSabre.

Whitch one is more efficient?

I PERFER THE ULTRA SHIFT BECAUSE OF I HAVE A BAD LEG

If there is a trouble with starter or battery, you will miss your stick if someone besides you can give you a pull.

Speedometer were almost identical during upshifting.....I still prefer the manual, especially in winter conditions.

Since I have driven both an 18-speed Kenworth w900l. And an automatic. It had a 12-speed Weirton transmission. And I will tell you honestly that I actually preferred the automatic. Especially when I hit New York traffic, Chicago traffic and LA traffic. Need I say more. Nowadays I no longer drive over the road. I drive locally. In construction. I drive a 2006 Mack tri axle dump truck. Within 18 speed in it. And I couldn't be happier. There I said it. Oh one other thing. I've got 30 plus years of Truck Driving Experience under my butt. So yes I think my opinion means something. Now you know. That is all.

outsourcing the shifting and clutching to a well-designed machine which acts consistently regardless of mood or temperament leaves the driver to concentrate on safety and minimizing his fatigue

getting to the stop with less fatigue means that the mandatory rest can be used for a lot more than basic decompression

I heard that the automatic transmission is not very good for driving in the mountains with a load

Automatics are pretty cool but I just think there's more control

The mirrors really said )(

Is it true that with the automatic transmission you save more fuel?

Automatics are for liberals because they're snowflakes. They're so fragile and sensitive to everything in life. This is why trucking is garbage nowadays. I've driven manual for years and sometimes I forget that I'm even shifting gears without even thinking. So that saving energy is bs or probably just got into a truck.

The year is 2023, I've been driving a 2015 Cascadia I bought in 2018 with a DT12 transmission. I'm just about to get rid of it and pick up a Pete 579 with the 18-speed manual. I'm done with AMT transmissions. The 12 speed variants do not have the optimal gears for returning best fuel economy without downspeeding the drivetrain to a point that torque spike becomes a reoccurring maintenance problem.

Ultrashift sucks ass. Lunges forward or reverse. Go with Allison 4500rds. Shifts way faster, less jerky, and doesn't lunge.

What about fuel milage? Is there a big difference or not?

I love a manual drive. Having complete control with your truck is way better and fun than driving automatic. Automatics are somewhat better on diesel/ mileage efficiency, but if you know how to drive and control a manual correctly, it basically even itself out, my opinion.

Automatic trucks aren't as healthy as driving manual truck because lately I've been experiencing restless leg syndrome in my left leg.

They suck, unless in mud, will never drive a truck with an automatic transmission

g m proved auto trans many yrs ago.

I like to see the automatic trans slow down for a turn to see if it tries to throw the Driver through the windshield like some transmissions do.

My Daddy at 56 bought a 50 chevy with power glide and complained about the automatic. He never drove a stick again and lived to be 90. The world changes and comparing today with 2011 doesn't work.

Automatic seems to give the driver more time to concentrate on the truck's direction of travel.
Most roads in Louisiana are narrow and difficult to drive big trucks on.

We just a new heavy haul truck with ultra shift 18 cummins 600hp? Im use to std shift 18 cat 600 hp . I test drove the auto shift today and it doesn't pull the hills as good as the cat drops off about 10 15 mph . Is there any changes in computer to change the parameters to pull hills better we average 120 to 125,000 lb

MY DAD WAS A DUMP TRUCK DRIVER FOR YEARS HE OWN HIS TRUCK I DROVE A DUMP TRUCK BEFORE I DROVE A CAR I SHARED THIS VIDEO WITH MY DAD HE WAS SUPRISE ON HOW WELL THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DID I TOLD HIM IM GOING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IF I GET A DUMP TRUCK

What kind of fuel mileage does does either of them get

Automated and manual all come down to the operator, and as I have experienced the cost of repair is more for the ultra shift, if your ECA GOES OUT YOU ARE DONE while on a manual you may be able to get it to a shop manual

There's no difference between between a manual transmission and an automatic transmission besides the easyer is the automatic transmission.

I've been driving over 12 years. Most of that has been in a manual.

I understand the pros and cons of both. Yet, I prefer an automatic.

The loss of things like pulling heavy uphill is not a great of a concern for me versus the comfort of not worrying about shifting gears.

hows that 18 ultrashift in the long run?

Get the auto then you can take your kids with you and they can drive while you get some sleep

It's a lot different with double belly dumps at 129,000 lbs starting on a hill

You can read a good book or watch a movie while your 9 year old daughter drives with an auto

I like the auto I can throw my 10 year old son behind the wheel and get some sleeper time

I guess if youre drag racing your dump truck the automated is the way to go. Trying to rock your way out of being stuck in snow, or feathering the clutch while paving or milling might be a different story. Watched a poor driver struggle all day once backing into a paving box with an automated trans. Made him look like he couldn’t drive. 🤷‍♂️

had an ultrashift went back to a manual , because you had to think about putting it in manual ALL!!! the time with the ultrashift . sorry i should have said dump truck application. With a manual it becomes second nature and you are not swearing at your truck to shift or don't downshift you stupid sob

I'm here to tell you once you have driven auto and learn it you will nevér lòok back when they are set up or tuned properly for heavy work

Ultra shift is obviously the future

Autos do not get in the way of me drinking coffee. Enuff said.

1 mil km on trucking…my 2 cents is:To sift,specially with a very heavy load…on hills….You keep the Automatic trans☝️Even better comparison give me a truck with same hp with a manual transmission and you take same truck,same hp with a automatic,and see if you can keep up with me on a 12% inclined hill.

It's not about speed. It is about control up and down hills

good grief. pretty soon nobody will know how to drive a .. wait.. never mind.

You'll never see a real heavy haul truck with an automatic. There is a reason for that. City van crap is OK with an automatic but rough terrain with 60,000 on the pin and 9 axles behind you on a construction site? 18 speed Eaton