What you're saying is what we do some. Easier in a 8LL than a 9 speed. The "extra" gear is about between 5th and 6th. On a 8LL its just right for making turns. And we always start in second with no load ourselves on all our trucks. With anything over empty I start out in low every time. So far no clutches needed here. Dad's first truck with anything but a 4+2 or 5+2 was a '78 Mack with 10 speed bought in about 1990. About half a dozen people learned to drive a "real" truck on it and after a few adjustments it still has the same clutch. | 
9 speed shifting short cut
