Re: GC's and rodding

[Steve Stegmann <stegmann@domain.elided>]

Tom H.,

The Torsen diff is a remarkable device.  The problem is that it is going 
to cost more to build.  Regular diffs are made by the millions.  Getting 
that kind of cost for the Torsen is not easy. 

Second problem,  the only people who would want a Torsen is someone who 
needs a limited slip, or locker.  Are you seeing potential market 
population dropping as we speak.  I don't think there's any inherent 
problem in building it.  I suspect the possible market size is the problem.

Another use for it is a part of the transmission in dozers and tanks.  
What you do here is drive the tracks through the Torsen.  The Torsen is 
equipped with a second shaft connected to what takes the place of the 
spiders in a conventional diff. If you just drive this second shaft with 
a small motor (say 40 or 50hp), you can make one track go faster than the 
other.  The advantage of this is that unlike a conventional dozer, both 
tracks are pulling all the time.  Never went into production, maybe not 
enough cost reduction.

Steve

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Steven A. Stegmann
     _/_/_/    _/      _/_/_/ "No free man shall ever be debarred the use
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