More Eaton/Cummins Integration

Eaton/Cummins integration

Cummins and Eaton are taking their powertrain integration efforts to new levels. They’ve announced an integrated powertrain package for the Cummins Westport ISX12 G natural gas engine paired with the Eaton UltraShift PLUS automated transmission, the first time an AMT has been mated to a spark-ignited natural gas engine.

As well, the two outfits have expanded their SmartAdvantage powertrain offering to include applications for the ISX12 diesel and they’ve raised the upper GVW limit for the ISX15 engine to 110,000 lb. First launched a year ago with the latter engine, the package integrates an Eaton Fuller Advantage series automated transmission with Cummins power, a response to the claim that only vertically integrated truck makers can produce powertrain efficiency.

Addressing the demand for lighter-weight vehicles, the newest SmartAdvantage offering will pair the Eaton Fuller Advantage 10-speed with the Cummins ISX12. It will be offered as a small-ratio-step overdrive model with two new Cummins ISX12 SmartTorque2 (ST2) ratings: the ISX12 370ST2, with torque of 1150 to 1450 lb ft, and the ISX12 425ST2, with torque of 1350 to 1650 lb ft.

Benefits are said to include an estimated 2 to 4% gain in fuel economy for regional-haul applications by way of integrated fuel and shifting strategies.

Optimized engine and transmission communications and new control logic enable further engine downspeeding in the overdrive position.

By eliminating the cooler and using aluminum for the rear transmission housing, range cylinder, shift bar housing and the shift tower — plus a thin-wall cast-iron main case design — the new transmission is said to weigh 82 lb less than Eaton’s UltraShift PLUS LAS base model.

The new ISX12 ST2 ratings are the next generation of today’s SmartTorque ratings, says Cummins, and precisely manage the power needed for the load demand. Vehicle Acceleration Management (VAM) is a patented Cummins electronic feature that manages vehicle acceleration for smoother shifting. It contributes to fuel economy benefits in the stop-and-go duty cycles found in regional haul applications.

This newest SmartAdvantage package will be available in the fall of 2014, and is currently undergoing field testing. The ISX15 SmartAdvantage 110,000-lb rating will be released later in 2014.

Going back to the natural gas option, the ISX12 G and UltraShift PLUS package will be available for limited application release for linehaul and regional haul in mid-2014. The engine runs on either compressed (CNG) or liquefied (LNG) natural gas. It’s available with horsepower of 320 to 400 hp and 1450 lb ft peak torque.

The powertrain package benefits are said to include intelligent shift selection software for performance and efficiency improvements; better launch and shift decisions through grade sensing, weight computation and driver throttle commands; and Hill Start Aid, which prevents rollbacks when engaged, reduces risk, and simplifies operations for even the most inexperienced drivers.


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