Lockers in a Tucker... What kind? One or two?

[The Sweet Wbj1]

So it SEEMS ARB lockers are the most popular lockers I see in rigs out there. I hear that the Eaton E Locker may even a better option due to the POSSIBILITY of the condensation in the ARB air lines freezing up.

Here's my question.... What about just a good ole Detroit Locker at least in the rear?? If you are not familiar with the Detroit Lockers, one, they have been around FOREVER and are battle tested and proven. Two, they do allow one tire (or track I guess) to spin FASTER than the other. They DO NOT ever allow one tire/track to spin SLOWER than the other.

I have detroits in the front and rear of my truck and drive around town no problem. You almost wouldn't know it's back there until you need it. However, you know it is in the front immediately when you put it in 4wd. Wouldn't a Detroit work just as well in a Tucker? I'm not sure due to the front and rear steering.... Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[redsqwrl]

Detroits in the differentials are a tucker service techs favorite funny. (steve and Brent at track inc)

Going straight Yes they are fine. they lock up quickly but prohibit the ability to turn.

I groomed snow on fairly flat ground when I owned a tucker. It pulled just fine in almost every situation with open diffs. I used my cat as a tractor and when I needed a locker I would have paid an amazing amount to have one.

View the locker as another tool. Like a winch or high lift jack.

Locked diffs create a side hilling concern, turning concern.
Properly understood and used they are priceless accessories.

My next tucker will have lock able diffs in both diffs. and Ice caulks.

 

[Snowtrac Nome]

I would see what tucker uses in my opinion I would use the e locker, but a no-spin difff no way not with the way those tracks hook up you are asking for problems in a turn if the conditions are right

 

[Aaron Tucker]

so has anyone used Air lockers on there Tucker ?

 

[Jeffsno27]

Here at Tucker we currently use E lockers in our 2000xl as standard equipment and it has been very successful. In the bigger machines we have used the ARB locker as an option and it has done very well too.

 

[sno-drifter]

I would not put lockers in a Tucker that could not be selected to act as an open diffs. The open diffs on a side hill in soft snow are an asset. The up hill tracks will spin and level out the cat to where they gain traction and you move ahead the length of the machine and do it again. If you lock up the diffs and you are in the same place you stand a very good chance of rolling the cat if you do not stop in time. Remember the concept of weight transfer. The open diffs will keep you from rolling the cat on an uphill traverse. Any of the lockers that rely on the outer wheel/ track free wheeling ahead of the inner will put too much strain on all steering components. Locked up on ice, you stand to break an axle or drive parts.

 

[wakeupcall]

Just so you are aware alot of the older Tuckers were equipped with detroit lockers from the factory . My current Tucker is locked in front diff with a detroit and have never had an issue . Also have three other vehicles with detroits and as long as you understand what you are up against ,no problems. My Ram pickup has e lockers front and rear work great when they do otherwise a pain in the ass. Just my own expierience . Drive this truck in all and every condition 250 miles a day . Would gladly switch to detroits!!

 

[Blackfoot Tucker]

Maybe some food for thought...

I just got home from the 2015 SEMA show and I visited both the ARB and Eaton booths while at the show. One cool thing about SEMA is often manufacturers will send really knowledgeable folks to represent them.

At the Eaton booth I was told they will soon be introducing a new version of the E-locker for both Dana 60 and 70 series axles. (Previously they haven't offered a model for the Dana 70.) The new product is more robust than the current offering; it's a four pinion design whereas the current model is two pinion. Additionally the locking mechanism is different and I'm pretty sure the steel used is a stronger alloy, too (when you talk to many people it's hard to recall everything said). The man I spoke with is the engineer who designed the new unit and was very upbeat about it. Of course I asked about pricing, but that hadn't been decided. The plan is a January 2016 rollout.

At the ARB booth I had some questions but the fellow I really wanted to speak with was tied up with someone else and so I talked to a sales rep. Nice guy, very helpful, but not the same thing. The ARB lockers are a four pinion design.

 

[tatman]

My Tucker has Dana series 80's with a detroit in the back and a ARB in the front. When you make a tight turn on a firm surface such as a groomed trail it wants to ratchet the track (without being locked up in the front) This is tearing the drive lugs off the inside of the tracks. So I am going to order a ARB for the rear also and hope that fixes the problem!!!! any ideas???

 

[The Sweet Wbj1]

I guess there is going to be problems with whatever you choose. I had read that the ARBs could have issues in extreme cold. Anyone know how legitimate of a concern that is?

 

[redsqwrl]

I guess there is going to be problems with whatever you choose. I had read that the ARBs could have issues in extreme cold. Anyone know how legitimate of a concern that is?

If you neglect the routine maintenance, and allow moisture into the system expect a molecule of water or Two to change state (liquid to Solid)and cause problems...

I have found that a fair amount of moisture is tolerable as the forces acting on the water are very forceful.
1) 125# of air pressure will engage the locker unless there is a large amount of ice.
2) differentials run warm so a short trip gets the annular piston happy to slide over.
3) compressors get warm doing their job. just the lines could accumulate condensate.

So if you are not fully prepared for the environment or don't posses the knowledge skill and ability to properly prepare for extremes, then you will be safe because the fuel in the motor will be jelled and your equipment won't allow you out of the yard anyway.

$.02
Mike the air locker lover. (I also love detroits, lincoln lockers and anything that stacks the deck in my favor. Necessity is the mother of invention)

 

[jess_snocat]

Don't know anything about lockers and cats. But it if you went with an ARB could you use an air drier like a Bendix product? Would be overkill but it would be clean dry air.

 

[The Sweet Wbj1]

If you neglect the routine maintenance, and allow moisture into the system expect a molecule of water or Two to change state (liquid to Solid)and cause problems...

I have found that a fair amount of moisture is tolerable as the forces acting on the water are very forceful.
1) 125# of air pressure will engage the locker unless there is a large amount of ice.
2) differentials run warm so a short trip gets the annular piston happy to slide over.
3) compressors get warm doing their job. just the lines could accumulate condensate.

So if you are not fully prepared for the environment or don't posses the knowledge skill and ability to properly prepare for extremes, then you will be safe because the fuel in the motor will be jelled and your equipment won't allow you out of the yard anyway.

$.02
Mike the air locker lover. (I also love detroits, lincoln lockers and anything that stacks the deck in my favor. Necessity is the mother of invention)

Haha I hear ya and I definitely agree with stacking the deck!

 

[sno-drifter]

My Tucker has Dana series 80's with a detroit in the back and a ARB in the front. When you make a tight turn on a firm surface such as a groomed trail it wants to ratchet the track (without being locked up in the front) This is tearing the drive lugs off the inside of the tracks. So I am going to order a ARB for the rear also and hope that fixes the problem!!!! any ideas???

You are on the right track tatman with putting the ARB in the rear too. Be sure to lock/unlock both ends in the same mode to avoid tearing your machine apart. Dun there, been that.