Why chain drive?

A look at why old trucks used a chain drive. A little bit of history behind a 1936 International, 1911 Packard, 1914 Republic, 1920 Doane and some information on the gears used in the differential.

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[manitobaman]

Great explanation. I have often wondered why chain drive.

[machinerydoctor]

The Yellow Republic has a Torberson style drive rear axle .
International Harvestor
Mack and others run similar rear ends .

In 1927/28 IHC had normal hypoi diffs in their light duty series
Torberson style rear end in their heavy duty series
And in their super duty series they added a chain drive 3:1 reduction in the 54C, 74C , 94C and 104C series .
I have an incomplete 54C to restore

[rosewhite---]

Back in 1960 I lived by a long steep hill in West Yorkshire, UK which was the direct route between heavy industrial area and docks.
I used to see huge road trains hauling transformers for power stations coming up the hill.
Lead vehicle was old chaindrive Scammell with vertical exhaust blowing like a coal train.
It has huge chain drive sprockets that I remember as almost as big as the tyres.
I could never figure out how chains could be striong enough to pull the load but now I understand the pulley effect of chaindrive.
I haven't been able to dicsover if that Scammell survived or got scrapped.

[bobw]

Excellent explanation and demonstration of chain drive vehicles and not forgetting most of motorcycles also. Back in my younger days ( I am now 78 years old) I knew a man who had a chain drive White truck ( bought out in America by Volvo) that he used to carry timber out of the Snowy Mountains here in Australia it was fitted with a Cummins NH 180 engine and a 4x4 transmission ( 4 speed main & 4 speed auxiliary).

[scotte]

Chain drive still has some valid advantages to this day, mainly in the reduced spring weight of the suspension making it work more efficiently and keeping better contact with bumpy ground. Honda ran a chain drive in the Honda S600? in the early 60s

[jeffryblackmon]

This video has convinced me that I'd miss a lot of neat info if I did not. I like your style. Thanks.

[joequillun]

Well done video. Pretty basic stuff, but along with the antique examples, brought up some differences in designs. You really did a great job in your presentation. Thanks for sharing.

[dennisstoner]

Thank you for the explanation. Very interesting video. Love the trucks as well.

[nokithecat]

The old trucks are interesting.... Not the safest, but interesting
Nice project vehicle.... Great they are being restored for future generations to remember the past.

[buelowexcavating]

Good video of some old trucks. On the yellow truck what is that round thing on the back end of the driveshaft?

[HANKTHEDANKEST]

Thanks! I was looking for a succinct explanation of why chain drive was favoured in the old days and google was about as useful as tits on a bull. About a thousand fucktard results about GODDAMNED MOTORBIKES, useless! Cheers fella!

@:14 how can you say the lever was the first machine? That's pure speculation. It SEEMS logical but you have no real idea to claim such a thing. Change your rhetoric to 'early' mechanics undoubtably used.