#MATS2014: Eaton’s newest automated transmission now offered by Paccar, Volvo

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Eaton has expanded availability of its Fuller Advantage Series automated transmission, which can now be mated to Paccar engines and can be spec’d in Volvo trucks as part of the SmartAdvantage powertrain package developed with Cummins.

The company announced at the Mid-America Trucking Show that Paccar customers can now order an optimized version of the Fuller Advantage Series automated 10-speed transmission paired with the MX-13 engine.

Tim Sinden, president, North American truck operations, said customers will see up to a 5% improvement in fuel economy when combining the new, lighter-weight transmission with the MX-13 engine. The transmission is now 82 lbs lighter, thanks to a precision lube system that allowed Eaton to eliminate the oil cooler.

The new transmission is rated to 80,000 lbs GCW, with 110,000-lb GCWR approval pending.

Eaton also announced Volvo will offer the SmartAdvantage powertrain developed by Cummins and Eaton. It pairs a Cummins ISX15 or ISX12 engine with the Fuller Advantage Series automated transmission. Customers using the SmartAdvantage powertrain are reporting fuel savings of 3-6%, Eaton says. About 80 fleets in the US have ordered or are already running the SmartAdvantage powertrain package.

The SmartAdvantage powertrain is now approved for GCWRs of 110,000 lbs, giving it broader appeal in Canada.

Eaton continues to see an industry-wide shift towards automated transmissions. Last year, 20% of the total North American Class 8 built was outfitted with automated transmissions. Eaton officials speaking at Mid-America predicted that will grow to 30% within three to five years.

Officials also acknowledged interest in hybrid-electric vehicles has “taken an extremely sharp decline,” as fleets have begun experimenting with other green technologies. However, Eaton says it’s still in the hybrid business; it has recently tripled the battery capacity in its system and now offers a reman program for batteries that lowers the cost of replacement batteries by about 66%.

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