Eaton, Cummins Partner on New Diesel, Nat-Gas Powertrain Packages
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Eaton Corp. and Cummins Inc. said they are expanding their powertrain partnership to include new 12-liter diesel and natural-gas combinations, building upon last year’s launch of their 15-liter SmartAdvantage package.
The suppliers said that later this year they will begin offering integrated powertrains pairing Eaton’s automated manual transmissions with the Cummins ISX12 diesel engine and the natural gas-powered Cummins Westport ISX12 G.
The ISX12 G package will mark the first time that an automated manual transmission will be available with a spark-ignited natural-gas engine in North America, company executives said here March 9 at the annual meeting of the Technology & Maintenance Council.
“With the driver shortage we have today and the challenge of coaching those drivers, the SmartAdvantage powertrain helps make all drivers as efficient as the best drivers,” said Lori Thompson, vice president at Cummins’ truck and bus OEM business.
The Cummins ISX12 will be combined with Eaton’s Fuller Advantage Series 10-speed automated manual.
In addition, the companies will pair the ISX12 G with Eaton’s UltraShift Plus transmission. That package, focused on linehaul and regional applications, will be available in mid-2014, the companies said.
Cummins Westport is a joint venture of Cummins and Westport Innovations. The ISX12 G can run on compressed or liquefied natural gas.
More information will be included in the March 17 print edition of Transport Topics.
