Eaton, Cummins Expand SmartAdvantage Powertrain Options
MARSHALL, Mich. — Eaton Corp. and Cummins Inc. announced that they are increasing SmartAdvantage powertrain options to provide fleets more choices to meet their individual applications and operations.
At a press briefing and ride-and-drive event here Nov. 4 at Eaton’s proving grounds, the company demonstrated two recently announced features to the UltraShift Plus and Fuller Advantage automated manual transmissions — “urge to move” and “blended pedal.”
The companies also previewed Cummins’ new 2017 ISX15 diesel engine and unveiled a new SmartAdvantage direct drive ratio and new engine ratings for the small-step overdrive ratios.
“The Eaton and Cummins SmartAdvantage powertrain continue to demonstrate our unparalleled collaboration,” said Ryan Trzybinski, Eaton’s product strategy manager for commercial powertrain. “We’re building on that success now with these new additions to our lineup of products that give our customers improved fuel economy, performance and driver satisfaction.”
Urge to move allows the truck to automatically start moving when the transmission is in gear and the driver releases the service brakes. After the vehicle has launched, it will creep at a constant speed at engine idle without hitting the accelerator.
Blended pedal allows the driver to directly control clutch engagement at engine idle through accelerator positioning and enables movement at varying speeds.
The features were added to enhance low-speed maneuverability to aid with backing into a loading dock or maneuvering in a construction job site.
“Blended Pedal delivers a level of fine control that, until now, has been exclusive to manual transmissions, said Evan Vijithakumara, product strategy manager for Eaton.
The companies also said a new SmartAdvantage direct drive ratio is available in 400 and 450 horsepower ratings with 1,550 and 1,750 pound-feet of torque, providing optimal performance at lower rpm when combined with a 2.26 or 2.28 axle ratio. This package is ideal for linehaul or regional haul applications that operate in flat and hilly road terrains at cruise speeds in the 50 to 62 mph range.
The SmartAdvantage powertrain with small-step technology now is available with new 400 and 420 hp ratings, beyond the original 450-hp rating. Small-step technology offers benefits of a direct drive and an overdrive transmission configuration and is ideal where cruising speeds exceed 62 mph, company officials said.
Included as part of the ride-and-drive were International trucks equipped with the 2017 ISX15, first displayed in March at the Mid-America Trucking Show. Though still in testing phase, Cummins officials said they have been delighted with the fuel-economy performance thus far and expect it to go into limited production next September.
