Eaton Corporation has unveiled its first fully automatic medium-duty transmission for the trucking industry — the new Eaton Fuller Automatic six-speed.

The fully automatic, “2-pedal” six-speed is intended for all medium-duty applications, ranging from beverage haulers, P&D operations and LTL fleets to municipalities who use medium-duty vehicles. The new trannie will be offered in two torque capacities: FO-6406A-ASW is rated to 660 lb/ft, and the FO-8406A-ASW is rated to 860 lb/ft. Both products will be offered for limited quantity release in July, and are slated for volume production in September.

The automatic six-speed takes Eaton’s modular transmission design philosophy to the next level, the company insists. Eaton says its approach uses a reliable base mechanical transmission, and applies increasing levels of electronic and mechanical automation to fit the needs of a particular trucking vocation.

The new ASWs don’t require the use of synchronizers — one of the most common warranty items on the unit’s predecessor. An Electronic Control Unit (ECU) has been added that enables communication between the engine and transmission via the SAE J1939 datalink allowing for smooth, automatic float shifts.

But what really separates the Eaton Fuller Automatic from the AutoShift is the addition of an oil-cooled, hydraulically actuated or “wet” clutch in place of a dry, pedal-actuated clutch. The automatic clutch is linked electronically to the ECU and shift controls.

This technology, developed jointly by Eaton’s Automated Products division and Eaton’s Clutch division (formerly Dana Spicer Clutch), makes the Eaton Fuller Automatic six-speed a true, 2-pedal automatic without the inherent complexities or cooling requirements of a planetary automatic and torque converter.