Aug 30, 2010 10:40 AM

New Meritor 14X drive axles are outfitted on 105 new heavy-duty tractors being put into service by Shamrock Foods Company, a private motor carrier based in Phoenix AZ. Founded in 1922, Shamrock Foods Co is the umbrella for Shamrock Farms, a leading Southwest dairy, and Shamrock Foods, a foodservice distributor. The fleet operates 1,250 pieces of equipment including 650 power units.

“We were really impressed with the new 14X axle’s lighter weight, improved driveline angles, and a more robust inter-axle differential,” said Brad Peppers, fleet manager at Shamrock, noting the spec’ing assistance he received from his Meritor district manager Ron Sheets. “Our standard drive axle has been the Meritor RT145 model for over 10 years, but this new one offers our operation even greater operating efficiencies and the long life we expect.”

The new drivetrain component is an advanced evolutionary axle system built on the legacy of the RT145 tandem axle. Its fastest and widest range of axle ratios, and the Amboid gear design with its above-centerline design of the inter-axle driveline, provide significant improvements. These include reduced operating pressures for increased driveline life, less driveline angularity, vibration and energy loss, improved ride quality, and overall longer component life.

The new Meritor axle, introduced in March, entered full manufacturing production at Asheville NC in late June with planned deliveries to all major North American OEMs.

For more information, visit www.arvinmeritor.com.