Volvo Adds Safety, Performance Features to I-Shift on VHD

[kscarbel2]

Heavy Duty Trucking  /  March 9, 2017

Volvo Trucks North America (VTNA) has added new safety and performance features for the Volvo I-Shift for Severe Duty and I-Shift with Crawler gears automated manual transmissions. A new Auto Neutral feature was added to improve jobsite safety while a Paver Assist feature bolsters the Volvo VHD’s performance in paving applications.

Auto Neutral reduces the possibility of a truck moving as a result of inadvertent throttle application by placing the I-Shift transmission into neutral when the parking brake is set. When the parking brake is released, the transmission can be shifted back into drive to go back into gear.

The feature is aimed at trucks in many applications, including concrete mixers, where remote throttle is often used. Auto Neutral will be available for order in the second quarter of 2017 for trucks equipped with Volvo GHG 2017 engines and the latest generation Volvo I-Shift. For trucks already in service, it can be activated with the Volvo Premium Tech Tool.

Paver Assist for the I-Shift on Volvo VHD model dump trucks helps eliminate bumps and disturbances in the pavement laying process that can occur when shifting from neutral to drive. Truck operators can shift into drive without first applying the brakes when shifting from neutral and being pushed by a paver to driving operations and pulling away from the paver equipment.  To use the feature, a driver shifts from neutral to drive while rolling very slowly and depressing the “+” button on the I-Shift shifter.

Paver Assist is also useful for other low-speed applications when a vehicle needs to drive away without applying brakes. The feature is currently available on Volvo VHD models equipped with Volvo GHG 2017 engines and the latest generation I-Shift transmission. Paver Assist can be activated using the Volvo Premium Tech Tool.

The Volvo VHD comes standard with a 12-speed I-Shift for Severe Duty, featuring hardened gears and other hardware to help withstand frequent shifting in rugged operating environments. The I-Shift with Crawler Gears is available in 13- and 14-speed versions. The 13-speed I-Shift with Crawler Gears helps provide improved startability on steep grades, soft terrain, or when the truck is under heavy load. The 14-speed variant is made for applications such as concrete pouring that require low-speed maneuverability.

[Dirtymilkman]

VHD's are still in production? Haven't seen a new one around here in years. 

[james j neiweem]

Actually I hate to admit it but the VHD is a good looking truck compared to its other stable mates. IMHO

[kscarbel2]

Volvo Trucks expands VHD model capabilities with I-Shift

Fleet Owner  /  March 14, 2017

Volvo Trucks North America introduced at ConExpo-CON/AGG 2017 new safety and performance features for the Volvo I-Shift, I-Shift for Severe Duty, and I-Shift with Crawler Gears automated manual transmissions. Auto neutral provides a key jobsite safety feature, according to the company, while Paver Assist bolsters the Volvo VHD’s performance in paving applications.

“Auto neutral and Paver Assist mark the latest Volvo VHD updates centered on the capabilities of the Volvo I-Shift,” said Allison Athey, Volvo Trucks product marketing manager – transmissions. “The intelligence of the I-Shift gives us a great platform for customizing application-specific solutions that make a big difference for operators across a range of applications.”

According to Volvo, Auto Neutral can help improve jobsite safety in many applications, including concrete mixers, where remote throttle is often used. The auto neutral feature helps reduce the possibility of the truck moving as a result of inadvertent throttle application by placing the I-Shift transmission into neutral when the parking brake is set. When the parking brake is released simply shift to “drive” for the transmission to go back into gear.

Auto Neutral will be available for order during the second quarter of 2017 for vehicles equipped with Volvo GHG 2017 engines and the latest generation Volvo I-Shift. For trucks already in service, it can be activated with the Volvo Premium Tech Tool.

Paver Assist for the I-Shift on Volvo VHD model dump trucks helps eliminate bumps and disturbances in the pavement laying process that traditionally occur while shifting from “neutral” to “drive.” Truck operators can engage “drive” without first applying the brakes when transitioning from “neutral” and being pushed by a paver to driving operations and pulling away from the paver equipment. To do so, the driver simply shifts from neutral to drive while rolling very slowly and depressing the plus (+) button on the I-Shift shifter.

Paver Assist can also be used in other low-speed applications when a vehicle needs to drive away without applying the brakes. The feature is currently available on Volvo VHD models equipped with Volvo GHG 2017 engines and the latest generation I-Shift transmission. Paver Assist can be activated using the Volvo Premium Tech Tool.

The Volvo VHD comes standard with the 12-speed I-Shift for Severe Duty, which features hardened gears and other hardware to help withstand frequent shifting in rugged operating environments. The Volvo I-Shift with Crawler Gears, available in 13- and 14-speed versions, was introduced in March 2016. The 13-speed I-Shift with Crawler Gears helps provide improved startability on steep-grades, soft terrain, or when the truck is under heavy load. The 14-speed variant is ideal for applications like concrete pouring that require low-speed maneuverability.