Driving Force | Drivetrain

Driveshaft failure can cause a machine to be out of commission for weeks, using a locally engineered and built driveshaft can dramatically reduce machine downtime and improve shaft longevity. In the vast and demanding landscape of mining and heavy-duty trucking, a reliable and robust drivetrain is essential for optimal performance and operational efficiency. Drivetrain, a renowned Australian company, is a prominent manufacturer of driveshafts, offering a high quality, cost effective and timely alternative to OEM options. With in-house engineering expertise, a commitment to Australian manufacturing, branches across the country equipped with state-of-the-art dyno testing equipment, fast turn-around times, and partnerships with industry leaders like Dana and Kessler, Drivetrain is a leader in the driveshaft industry.

Kynetic Energy

Drivetrain released their Kynetic range of driveshafts around five years ago, having identified a need in the Australian mining market for a high-quality product which could be offered at a high level of service. At the time, the market was predominantly serviced by OEM or lower quality imported driveshafts. The OEM products often had lead times of up to six months and the cheaper imported shafts sometimes lacked in the quality of their manufacture and the length of their service life. Drivetrain have since filled that void with a high- quality driveshaft range, designed and built in Australia, which uses high quality components such as Dana Spicer. The end result, is a shaft that is often superior to OEM offerings in durability and can be turned around in days rather than months.

In-House Engineering Expertise

Driveshafts are high- wear, high- failure pieces of the driveline. Through experience, Drivetrain’s engineers have been able to identify common areas that are prone to failure in the most popular driveshafts fitted to trucks, drills, loaders, and agitators. Thanks to their own application engineering function within the business, they are able to combine the latest in engineering drawing and design, and the skill of their experienced staff, to create more durable solutions for driveshafts being used in the world’s harshest environments. This experience comes from years of working with leading manufacturing companies to modify and build machinery of all kinds for off-road applications. This team of skilled engineers collaborate closely with clients to design and develop customised driveshaft solutions that meet their unique requirements. By leveraging advanced 3D modelling software, Drivetrain’s engineers simulate and optimise the performance of each driveshaft, ensuring it can withstand the rigorous demands of mining and trucking operations.
This meticulous approach ensures that Drivetrain’s driveshafts offer superior reliability, durability, and efficiency.

Fast Turnaround

The mining industry is particularly sensitive to service levels. Due to the incredibly high cost of downtime in the sector, returning a truck or machine to active service in the shortest possible time is paramount. For that reason, mining contractors come to rely on companies that can supply high-quality, essential parts and services with a fast turnaround.
Drivetrain have proven themselves in this area because they are able to repair or build a shaft and have it on site within three days in most cases. This capability to deliver is made possible by a responsive engineering and manufacturing process and an efficient global supply chain, which ensures and a consistent supply of quality driveshaft components.
The addition of quick order processing, precision manufacturing and prompt delivery, allows Drivetrain to minimise downtime and maximise productivity for its clients.

Nationwide Network and In-House Dyno Testing

Drivetrain’s extensive branch network across Australia includes Kalgoorlie, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Newcastle, Mount Isa and Mackay. The close proximity of all these branches ensures accessibility and prompt service for its mining clients. Each of these branches also house cutting-edge dyno testing equipment, enabling comprehensive performance evaluations and quality assurance. This in-house dyno testing allows Drivetrain to test their driveshafts under load and through a range of duty cycles before they are sent to the customer. Once again, this provides great peace of mind to the customer, who can install the new shaft, knowing that it has been tested and will not fail on site, resulting in more costly downtime.

Partnerships with Industry Leaders

Drivetrain’s commitment to excellence is further strengthened through strategic partnerships with industry-leading brands like Dana and Kessler. These collaborations enable Drivetrain to incorporate high-quality components into their driveshafts, enhancing their performance, durability, and reliability. By leveraging the expertise and resources of these renowned partners, Drivetrain ensures that their driveshafts are at the forefront of industry standards and capable of meeting the most demanding requirements.

More Than Driveshafts

Drivetrain has built a strong legacy in the industry since its inception. Established as a pioneer in 1987 , the company initially focused on the repair and maintenance of driveshafts. Over the years, Drivetrain expanded its services to include the manufacturing of driveshafts and other drivetrain components, solidifying its position as a trusted provider in the Australian mining and trucking sectors. Drivetrain made their mark by supplying a variety of driveline parts for hard rock mining machinery. Their goal was to supply these critical components for a wide range of OEM equipment and become a one-stop shop. Initially they catered for Allison, CAT, Dana and Kessler but that list now includes Sandvik, Atlas Copco, Epiroc and even their own range of Kovatera underground utility machines.
Their inventory includes new, rebuilt and service exchange axles, transmissions and torque converters. Drivetrain are the authorised Dana service centre for off-highway in Australia and actually designed the footprint for Dana’s workshop layout, which has been adopted globally. Their torque converters and transmissions are also tested in-house on their dyno test cells by factory trained technicians ensuring that every item that leaves the workshop is proven and fit for service. Just like their driveshafts, Drivetrain pride themselves on the quality and high service level they provide to mining clients with all their driveline components.

Driving Forward

Drivetrain is well established as a leading manufacturer of driveshafts in Australia, offering a high quality, cost-effective and timely alternative to OEM options. With in-house engineering capabilities, a commitment to Australian manufacturing, an extensive branch network equipped with state-of-the-art dyno testing equipment, fast turn-around times, and strategic partnerships with industry leaders like Dana, Meritor and Kessler, Drivetrain has solidified its position as a trusted provider in the mining and trucking sectors. By continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation, Drivetrain is driving the mining industry forward with superior driveshaft solutions.

In-House Dyno Test Cells

Drivetrain rebuilds transmissions and torque converters to factory specifications using genuine spare parts. Each component is assembled by specialist technicians and functional tested to ensure it meets strict quality standards. Drivetrain supplies and services a range of Dana Spicer and Kessler axles for underground load and haul equipment, in addition to components for ancillary equipment used predominately in the mining industry. With the latest diagnostic software Drivetrain conducts the most comprehensive testing possible as part of our strict quality procedure, this guarantees that our clients receive a product that is free from faults. Using the latest technologies, components are put through a rigorous OEM testing procedure. When required, transmission controllers are utilised to communicate with the transmission, ensuring that all sensors and control valve solenoids are operating as intended. We provide our customers with a quality service and guaranteed outcome.

The Transmission Control Unit (TCU) product line includes:
• Allison CEC3
• APC200,
• APC216,
• APC300.
• (HVT in development),
The testbench user interface has received major investment from Drivetrain. The data being shown to the test technician will be far more accurate and comprehensive thanks to the incorporation of a digital display and associated sensors. Other benefits of switching from an analogue to a digital system are: remote assistance; enhanced upgradeability and the introduction of a CAN BUS J1939 interface.

Drivetrain test capabilities range:
DANA
T12000
T16000
T20000
18000
24000
32000
36000
6000
8000
5000
TE
10,15,17,30,32
TE50 (currently in development)

ALLISON
6600

CAT
R2900
R1700