Western Star Trucks announced that it will begin offering the Eaton UltraShift Plus transmission in the 5700XE starting this fall.
Eaton has been an important partner for Western Star for many decades, and Western Star is proud to partner with them once again and offer the UltraShift Plus Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) in the the 5700XE. AMT’s are gaining popularity in the industry for the many benefits they offer including increased fuel economy, lower maintenance costs and reduced driver fatigue. The UltraShift Plus will add valuable flexibility to the 5700XE and allow it to operate with an AMT in several new applications that require PTOs and higher gross combination ratings.
“The addition of the Eaton UltraShift Plus in the 5700XE gives our customers the flexibility to spec an automated manual transmission with a SAE 6-bolt or 8-bolt PTO. In addition, the UltraShift Plus gives our customers the ability to haul more payload which, at the end of the day, means increased profitability,” said Mike Guarino, on-highway marketing manager, Western Star Trucks.
The rollout will begin in October 2016 with the UltraShift MHP and MXP targeting chip trailer applications and vehicles with high GCVWR. The new Eaton Advantage 10-speed AMT will be available for the 5700XE six months later with multiple PTO locations available at this time as well. This transmission model line-up lets customers spec a 10-speed transmission up to 110,000 lbs. GCVWR, a 13-speed transmission up to 140,000 lbs. GCVWR, and an 18-speed transmission with no published GCVWR limit.