Eaton Widens Reach of Fuller Advantage Series Transmissions

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Today's Trucking / March 26, 2015

Eaton has expanded its lineup of Fuller Advantage Series transmissions to deliver weight savings and fuel-efficiency improvements available on nine new models. They include:

• Three manual transmissions with new direct drive gear ratios.
• Two automated models with new direct drive gear ratios.
• Four automated transmissions with new overdrive ratios.

“Our customers have been asking us for additional ratio coverage in both direct drive and overdrive designs,” said Ryan Trzybinski, product planning manager, Eaton.

“All of the direct drive additions are ideally suited for a variety of linehaul applications and will be especially beneficial for regional and LTL (Less Than Truckload) customers with day cabs and 6X2 axles. The other additions are ideal for linehaul/on-highway fleets and provide better options for customers preferring axle ratios that are best suited for an overdrive transmission.”

All of the Fuller Advantage Series automated 10-speed transmissions, which feature a precision lubrication system that eliminates the need for an oil cooler, are available for delivery to all North American truck makers. “S” (Small Step) ratio models, with fuel-efficient shifting between 9^th and 10^th gears, are rated up to 80,000 GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) only. The remaining models (direct and overdrive) will be rated up to 110,000 GCWR at the end of April this year.

The precision lube system on Eaton Fuller Advantage Series transmissions reduces the oil churn energy losses found in traditional transmissions by nearly 33 percent. With less heat being generated the transmissions do not require a cooler, corresponding lines and fittings resulting in cooler system maintenance becoming obsolete.

An oil level sight glass allows for routine oil checks to be performed at a fraction of the time typically required. In addition, the precision lube system uses only 16 pints of oil that is nearly half the amount used in traditional transmissions.

The expanded lineup was announced at a press conference at the Mid America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, KY, Thursday.

Additional weight savings have been achieved by replacing cast iron with aluminum for the shift bar housing (manual models), auxiliary section cover and range cylinder. Exact weight savings are dependent on the make of truck purchased as cooler weights vary by the cooler manufacturer.