Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton has launched the Fuller Advantage Series of heavy duty transmissions that include a wealth of new design features including reduced weight and increased efficiency resulting in fuel economy improvements, an improved shift feel, as well as features contributing to lower preventative maintenance costs. This new line of 10-speed transmissions is scheduled for commercial production this September.
Fuller Advantage Series transmissions will be available in both manual and automated designs, with the automated versions scheduled 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 linehaul 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. 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. The result is less preventative maintenance is required while engine fans cycle less, further reducing horsepower demand.
Significant weight savings – up to 75 lbs with no sacrifice to strength – has also been achieved with the new Fuller Advantage Series transmissions. Aluminum has replaced cast iron for the shift bar housing, auxiliary section cover and range cylinder. Exact weight savings 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.
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.
Additional technical aspects of the Fuller Advantage Series include:
- Gross Commercial Weight (GCW) ratings up to 80,000 lbs. without an oil cooler and expansion to 110,000 lbs. post product introduction.
- Torque capacities from 950 (1288Nm) to 1,850 lb./ft. (2508Nm).
- Standard eight- and six-bolt Power Take-Off (PTO) openings.
- Optional through-shaft PTO.
- Ten forward speeds (direct and overdrive) and two reverse.
"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 manual specifications 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 linehaul applications.
