GALESBURG, Mich. – Eaton has just launched the Fuller Advantage Series of heavy-dutytransmissions, which include new design features such as reduced weight andincreased efficiency resulting in fuel economy improvements, an improved shift feel and other features contributing to lower preventative maintenance costs, the company says. This new line of 10-speed transmissions is scheduled for commercial production this September.
Fuller Advantage Series transmissions will beavailable in both manual and automated designs, with the automated versionsscheduled for production in the first quarter of 2014.
“Using extensive customer input, Eaton is bringing to market the Fuller Advantage Series transmission line that delivers on customer needs and wants and enhances our position as the leader in commercial vehicle transmissions for the North American market,” said Jeff Walker, global product director – manual transmissions for Eaton. “This initial launch is designed for our line haul and regional haul customers, and the Fuller Advantage Series transmissions include the most performance, reliability and maintenance savings upgrades.”
A new precision lube system represents one of the most important upgrades in the new transmissions, according to Eaton. The system reduces the oil churn energy losses found in traditional transmissions by nearly 33 percent. With less heat being generated, the Fuller Advantage Series transmissions do not require a cooler and corresponding lines and fittings. This results in less preventative maintenance required while engine fans cycle less, further reducing horsepower demand.
The new line also offers significant weight savings. According to Eaton the new line offers up to 75 pounds of weight savings with no sacrifice to strength. Aluminum has replaced cast iron for the shift bar housing, auxiliary section cover and range cylinder. Exact weightsavings are dependent on the make of truck purchased as vendor-supplied cooler weight reductions vary by manufacturer.
The new transmissions also help promote better overall vehicle fuel economy performance due to the efficiency improvements and weight savings. Initial fleet and third party test results show up to 1.9 percent fuel economy improvement versus comparable transmissions, according to the company.
Fuller Advantage Series transmission customers also will see maintenance cost reductions. Contributing here is a new oil level sight glass that allows for routine oil checks to be performed at a fraction of the time previously required. In addition, the precision lube system uses only 16 pints of oil, which is nearly half the amount used in similar transmissions.
“The fuel economy improvements due to efficiency gains and weight reductions, reduction in maintenance and overall superb reliability of these new transmissions will definitely contribute favorably to the bottom lines of our fleet customers,” added Walker.
“Of course, we haven’t forgotten about the professional driver,” noted Walker. “They will benefit from a new, crisper shift feel that is similar to the 3-rail feel on our 13- and 18-speed boxes that have been very well received by drivers for many years now.”
Initial production will include 17 new manualspecifications with ratios ranging from 15.42 to 17.53. All of the new Fuller Advantage Series transmissions come with a standard five-year/750,000-mile warranty for line haul applications.
All Eaton products are backed by the Roadranger network, which includes more than 200 drivetrain professionals throughout North America. For more information visit www.eaton.com/roadranger, where the latest product information is available, as well as service, parts and training assistance, 24 hours a day. Experts are available in the Roadranger Call Center by dialing 1-800-826-HELP (4357) in the U.S. and Canada. In Mexico, dial 01-800-826-4357.
