I stand Corrected:
----------------------------------
The 'Twin-Screw' Tandem
What we've described above is a single-drive axle. A tandem-drive axle comprises two single-drive axles linked by a short drive shaft. Because the tandem has two sets of gears, it is often called a "twin screw." It's also called a "live tandem" because both axles drive. (A tandem using one live and one "dead," nondriving axle is called a "tag tandem" if the dead axle is behind the live one; and a pusher tandem if the dead axle is ahead of the driving axle.)
Attached to the forward of the two driving axles in a twin-screw tandem is an interaxle differential, or "power divider." This takes incoming power from the driveshaft and splits it between the two drive axles.
Power is therefore divided between the two axles, and between each wheel on each axle. The power splitting is almost never equal, for it is automatically and constantly adjusted according to conditions at the moment.
Standard differentials, as clever as they are, are rather stupid in the power splitting function. They send power to the axle and wheels which are spinning the fastest. This is fine when going through corners, as more power to the outside wheel will tend to push the truck in a more stable fashion.
But if the wheel is merely spinning on mud, snow or ice, it will get even more power because the differential doesn't know any better. This is true, too, of the interaxle differential, because it will send power to the axle whose wheels are spinning faster. If the rear axle is on ice, it will get even more power.
However, most interaxle diffs come standard with a locking device which stops the differential action and splits power 50-50 between the two axles. Most axles do not have locking diffs, so the wheels can still spin uselessly. Locking the interaxle diff, tho, will likely result in at least one of the four drive wheels grabbing onto something and pushing the rig out of a slippery predicament.
Nowadays, some axles can be ordered with locking differentials, either automatic or driver controlled. These are something to consider if you're interested in traction, which is priceless when you encounter slippery pavement or tough going off-road. Locking diffs are useful in single- or tandem-driving axles.
A variation on this theme is automatic traction control, which is a cheap option with today's anti-lock braking systems. ATC is electronically engaged whenever the wheels begin spinning; the electronic brain gently applies brakes to stop spinning wheels and sometimes cuts back engine power, as well. Fleet experience shows it works as well as most mechanical locking devices.