Quick Spin: International LT625
ProStar origins are evident in the long-nose LT625, which has enhanced aerodynamics and a swoopier appearance. The “6” means a setback steer axle and “25” denotes a 125-inch BBC. Photos: Tom Berg
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ProStar origins are evident in the long-nose LT625, which has enhanced aerodynamics and a swoopier appearance. The “6” means a setback steer axle and “25” denotes a 125-inch BBC. Photos: Tom Berg
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It’s quiet! That’s my prime impression of International’s recently introduced LT series tractor after an autumn press event at the Navistar Proving Grounds in Indiana. I drove three LT625s around a 3-mile paved track.
Quietness is engineered into the evolutionary LT (for Linehaul Transport) series, which is based on the ProStar that Navistar will soon phase out. Noise is muted by effective sound-deadening insulation, particularly door sealing. Consequently, wind and road noise are all but gone.
That was true for two of the tractors, anyway. The third was plagued by constant squeaks. Turned out it did not have grease on the hood pucks, Navistar told us later. That made it squeak badly. Once that was addressed — after I had driven it — the squeaking stopped, Navistar said.
However, this truck had the sole manual transmission among the trio, and my preoccupation with shifting delayed my noticing the interior noise. The transmission was an Eaton Fuller 18-speed that was a joy to operate. Out on the track, I slowed several times so I could downshift and go back up the ratio ladder, often using the thumb switch to split the main gears, just for the fun of it. This is seldom the case with manual gearboxes in contemporary heavy trucks, so kudos to Navistar engineers for that.
In the other two tractors, Eaton UltraShift Plus 10-speed automated transmissions worked flawlessly. The tractors’ 14.9L Cummins X15 diesels, standard on long-nose LTs, were good partners, with strong power and torque unobtrusively interrupted by very smooth shifts. A new, compact column-mounted selector controls self-shifting transmissions; it was simple and easy to use, and also operates the engine …Read the rest of this story
