Eaton Announces UltraShift Plus for Select Volvo, Freightliner Trucks

Eaton, one of the leading transmission manufacturing companies recently announced that they had approved their new automated mechanical UltraShift Plus transmissions as data book choices for the selected models of Freightliner’s Class 8 Cascadia truck and heavy duty Volvo VN power units, at the Mid-America Trucking Show, last week.

In the Cascadia series, the Eaton UltraShift Plus will be available in the 125″ BBC truck which is powered by Detroit’s DD13, DD16 or DD15 diesel engine. This transmission will also be offered with the 113″ BBC Cascadia model which is also equipped with a Detroit DD13 diesel engine. At the North American division of Volvo Trucks, this transmission will be available with their line haul of heavy duty trucks which are powered by the diesel Cummins engine.

The data books of the truck maker had earlier included offerings of automated transmission from Eaton Co. and also manual transmission from Eaton Fuller. The latest options will be specific to the UltraShift Plus transmission from Eaton of Linehaul Active Shifting or LAS available with 110,000 pounds GCW, high multipurpose performance, available with 150,000 pounds GCW, and extreme multipurpose models, available with in unlimited GCW.

Each of the transmissions offered will be available in varying speeds ranging from 10 speed, 18 speed and 13 speed versions. Coupled with the different diesel engines, they will also be capable of generating a torque capacity that reaches to 2,250 pounds feet. An unlimited GCW will also be available along with this 18 speed transmission platform.

All of the UltraShift Plus Eaton transmissions are available in either direct drive or over drive capabilities. They also have the newest electronic self adjusting clutch actuator which has been designed for a smoother and faster engagement according to the company. Eaton has also further added that an intelligent software of shift selection helps to carry out weight computation, grade sensing, as well as commands for driver throttle so as to make automatic shift decisions.

This transmission will offer the versatility and performance of manual transmissions and the simplicity offered by automatic transmission. This transmission will also help to reduce the tear and wear on drive line which will help to prevent damage of drivetrain and as a result enhance the safety of the vehicle.

Another benefit of this transmission is that it provides an increased fuel economy of almost 23 per cent compared to conventional automatic transmissions. This will make the UltraShift Plus transmission from Eaton the perfect choice of truck buyers who require them for line haul applications.