KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Eaton has announced new platforms and additional applications for its UltraShift Plus automated transmission.

Among the new offerings are two new vocational platforms, including Vocational Active Shifting (10-speed) and Vocational High Performance (13-speed) models, both aimed at linehaul vocational use.

“The UltraShift Plus is built upon the proven and reliable Fuller constant-mesh manual transmission, using proprietary electronic shift actuation and intelligent shift logic to determine the optimal shift points for efficiency and performance,” says Shane Groner, North America product planning manager for Eaton’s Commercial Vehicle Transmission Division. “The result is the widest array of customizable transmission configurations – even at the fleet level – to meet the demanding needs of vocational applications.”

Eaton has also launched a new Multipurpose Extreme Performance (MXP) platform for additional applications. It was originally targeted towards linehaul and heavy-haul applications and is now approved for logging, mining, oilfield, construction, city delivery, refuse and off-road applications, the company announced.

“The MXP platform of UltraShift Plus automated transmissions is based upon the robust Fuller Super 18-speed transmission,” says Groner. “This highly versatile transmission handles extreme loads, offering exceptional startability and gradeability in challenging environments. With an unlimited gross combination weight rating and torque up to 2,250 lf-ft, the UltraShift Plus MXP is our most versatile offering.”

Eaton has also made available lower torque models of its Vocational Construction Series (VCS) and Vocational Multipurpose Series (VMS) transmissions to include 1,050 and 1,250 lb.-ft. offerings.

“We’ve lowered the torque in our platforms specific to mixer and dump applications to reach those customers who don’t require the torque ranges originally offered with these UltraShift Plus platforms,” notes Groner. “We continually reach out to customers for feedback and input into our design and portfolio offerings. The lower-torque models of VCS and VMS platforms are the latest expression of customer feedback influencing end product.”

Meanwhile, Western Star has agreed to offer the UltraShift Plus as an option on its 4900 day cab with Detroit Diesel DD13 power. It will be rolled out to the 4700 model in January, 2012, the companies announced.