Drive axle system useable in 6 .times. 6 vehicle

A tandem axle drive system operable to transmit torque from a vehicle transmission to first and second rear drive axles and a front drive axle, said drive system comprising:

• a. means for dividing input torque received from said transmission, said torque dividing means including first and second torque transmitting means, said first torque transmitting means receiving substantially one-half of said input torque under ideal operating conditions and said second torque transmitting means receiving the remainder of the input torque;
• b. first gear means in driving engagement between said first torque transmitting means and first rear drive axle;
• c. second gear means in driving engagement between said second torque transmitting means and said second rear drive axle;
• d. third gear means in engagement with said first gear means;
• e. shaft means operable to be in driving engagement between said third gear means and said front drive axle;
• and
• f. clutch means shiftable between a position permitting free running of said third gear means with respect to said shaft means, and a position providing driving engagement between said third gear means and said shaft means.