The Truck Transmission Specialists

In the specialist field of reconditioning, not many businesses are the same. Some will do what is required for short-term fixes, and not go to the depths that are required to ensure a longer service life. Based in Malaga, Western Australia, Perth Truck Transmission Services (PTTS).

Although PTTS handles all American and European-derived truck gearboxes, it specialises in larger units such as ZF and Volvo/Mack units. In Australia, these two brands have developed an enviable reputation, but like every mechanical unit, they eventually succumb to wear and breakdown.

PTTS owner-operator Ashley Purcell is a second-generation gearbox rebuilder, and his father was a former Eaton Service Manager before establishing his own business in the UK.

“We’re in a commanding position in the reconditioning of ZF and Volvo units,” he said.

“Aside from being a ZF service partner for Western Australia, we have 100 years of collective dealer and independent workshop experience, which isn’t common in the field of reconditioning. Our employees are former Scania and DAF technicians with significant experience and truck transmission and diagnostic skills.”

PTTS does not restrict itself to just ZF and Volvo units. It also offers a full service for Mercedes, Scania, Eaton/Fuller Roadranger, and Japanese heavy models including UD, Isuzu, and Hino.

Since 2017, the nature of the business has completely reversed. At that time, 30% of the business was repairing customer units, and the remainder consisted of service exchange reconditioned units. Now, the position has completely reversed. Unit repairs make up 70% of the business, which is a result of the tough financial conditions prevalent in the transport industry today.

“A PTTS customer repair unit involves us stripping down and reporting on the degree of repair required, which in most cases works out cheaper than a reconditioned gearbox,” commented Purcell.

“Unlike many other companies, we encourage our customers to be present during their unit assessments. Depending upon the level of wear or damage, the customer then has the option of a reconditioned unit, their own unit repaired to the same reconditioned standard, or a parts-only repair.”

For most customers unable to wait on-site for an assessment, there is the option to have a video call directly with Ashley via FaceTime or WhatsApp to run through the damage within a unit.

PTTS can pinpoint unit failures, particularly those caused by external factors. For instance, poor driving behaviour can be detected from excessive wear on items such as synchroniser cones. Additionally, power take-off units (PTO) that are inadequately mounted can also be diagnosed from the condition of the PTO and its surrounding surfaces.

“We find that if we don’t highlight these issues with our customers, the same premature wear patterns will be present when the reconditioned unit is fitted into the truck chassis, which will reduce its service life,” said Purcell.

“It’s therefore in both ours and the customer’s interest, to identify any external conditions that may impact the transmission.”

Among the many items kept by PTTS to demonstrate the effects of factors reducing gearbox life is a mating third gear set for a Volvo i shift transmission that resembles melted chocolates. This was a result of the PTO being engaged at an excessively high road speed.

All gearboxes reconditioned by the company undergo the same process. The position and presence of ancillary equipment, followed by a complete strip down on specifically designed heavy-duty steel benches. All components are thoroughly cleaned in self-contained Enviroclean and Hotwash units.

The bench is also completely cleaned down to ensure the inspection and rebuild operation is conducted under the best possible conditions. The same strict cleanliness standards are applied when reconditioning all units. Depending on the gearbox involved, Volvo or Scania for instance, all gears are replaced on a mandatory basis.

“For instance, on a popular gearbox such as a Volvo shift, the mandatory replacement items are all bearings, oil and seal kits, clutch actuators and splitter synchroniser,” said Purcell.

“Gears are replaced as required and upgraded with higher torque carrying capacity gears. We also fit shot-peened gears where necessary for peace of mind operations. This list of mandatory replacements is followed with minor items from most other makes and models of gearboxes. Also on the Volvo shift, we replace the 2nd/3rd shift rod inside the control housing, as this is prone to cracking, which causes the gearbox to become stuck in gear.”

PTTS identify many things other manufacturers are not aware of. Each completed reconditioned gearbox carries a PTTS identification plate. The company sees the price of its reconditioned units being up to 40% cheaper than the same factory-reconditioned unit.

All PTTS units also have the industry standard 6-month unlimited mileage warranty.

“We build to a quality specification and recondition to provide the highest standards of reconditioned units,” added Purcell.

Key to our quality and competitive pricing is our high-grade core stock. This includes not only Volvo/Mack, but also ZF, Scania, Eaton Roadranger and Mercedes. We can handle most heavy-duty manual and automated transmission repairs on imported chassis.”

PTTS finds that core stock for some European models is hard to obtain and very expensive, but in most instances offer a 3- or 4-day service.

“Over the recent Christmas period, we assisted a customer from South Australia with a 2018 DAF fitted with a ZF Traxon gearbox. We were able to give him a much quicker turnaround time and save him thousands of dollars.”

PTTS’ reconditioning service is available to truck operators and workshops across Australia. For more information, visit – www.perthtrucktrans.com.au