Electronics, higher torque options added to Eaton/Cummins lineup

Power management company Eaton and Cummins Inc. announced new features to their growing lineup of integrated powertrain offerings for the commercial trucking industry that will provide customers with additional downspeeding options. The announcement came at the 2016 Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) meeting.

Available in April will be an additional rating 1,850 ft/lb torque rating for the fuel efficient Cummins ISX15 400-475 HP diesel engine that can be specified with an Eaton Fuller Advantage C-Ratio 10-speed transmission, an Eaton UltraShift PLUS MHP 13-speed transmission, or an UltraShift PLUS MXP 18-speed transmission. The new 1,850 ft/lb rating has been added to provide customers with better gradeability and improved acceleration while broadening the Eaton/Cummins range of offerings for downsped powertrains.

The Advantage transmission has a Gross Commercial Weight (GCW) rating of 110,000 lbs, while the UltraShift PLUS MHP is rated at 140,000 lbs with the MXP having an unlimited GCW rating. Eaton and Cummins are targeting the release of a SmartAdvantage series transmission with a maximum GCW of 80,000 lbs that will be available in August to pair with the new 1,850 torque rating, further broadening the SmartAdvantage powertrain portfolio.

“This new rating is an ideal solution for performance-minded fleets,” said Ryan Trzybinski, product strategy manager, Commercial Powertrain, Eaton. “This also provides a huge upside for customers in the vehicle’s resale value.”

“We are very pleased with uptake the SmartAdvantage Powertrain is having and the positive customer feedback,” said Michael Taylor, General Manager Global Powertrain, Cummins Inc. “Cummins continues to redefine trucking in North America with agile collaboration with driveline and OEM partners offering more options for our customers to achieve optimal efficiency.”

Eaton also announced its new GearLogic technology that is integrated with Cummins ADEPT electronic features and provides performance, fuel efficiency and driver confidence improvements.

GearLogic allows for the smooth delivery of many of the Eaton transmission and Cummins engines features, including Hill Start Aid, engine overspeed protection, enhanced engine braking, Smart Coast, Blended Pedal, and Vehicle Acceleration Management (VAM). 

ADEPT is a suite of advanced electronic features for the ISX15 engine that interact with automated manual transmissions, dynamically adapting to operating conditions to help even novice drivers operate as efficiently as a seasoned and efficient professional. ADEPT enhances fuel economy with no impact to productivity, harnessing the electronic capabilities of the engine and transmission to make powertrain control decisions in real time.

“We continue to develop and commercialize new technologies to enhance the benefits of an Eaton/Cummins powertrain,” Trzybinski said. “This latest integration of electronics and advanced technology features provides our customers with more choices to meet their unique needs and preferences.”

The two companies also announced an extension of their collaborative integration efforts to now include joint sales and service support in the field. The initiative combines the Cummins Care program with Eaton Roadranger® support and includes:

• The integration of both companies 24/7 call centers.
• Sharing of current diagnostics tools and the joint development of new tools.
• Cross-training of sales and service teams.