There’s simply no question about it — some of the latest heavy-duty truck transmission technologies, including automated designs, can help fleets attract and retain drivers.
Less experienced or new drivers can learn how to operate automated mechanical transmissions in much less time than it takes to teach someone to drive a manual transmission, notes Charles Allen, director – global service at ArvinMeritor. “Driver retention can be addressed by less clutch depressions and no shifting,” he adds, “because drivers are less tired at end of the day. And taking shifting out of the drivers’ hands allows them to be the vehicle manager rather than the powertrain manager, and that means having a greater focus on the road and on safety.”
Mark Thurman, general manager of Eaton’s heavy-duty fleet and automated products division says that fully automated transmissions continue to grow in popularity because drivers are far more comfortable and less stressed by these designs, mostly by not having to use a clutch pedal or shift lever. This increases operator satisfaction with the job, he points out, and has also been cited as promoting safer driving.
Ease of operation
“More and more truck fleets are also discovering that the higher initial price of automation can be easily justified by generating handsome paybacks in terms of lowering recruitment costs, improving driver retention rates and reducing cost associated with training,” Thurman states. “We are also seeing cases where automated transmissions are expanding the pool of potential drivers because of the transmissions’ relative ease of operation.”
Ed Saxman, product manager, drivetrain at Volvo Trucks North America, says that the industry is moving to automated transmissions in large part because of their attraction for drivers. “More drivers today are less comfortable with multi-speed manual transmissions,” he says. “They find trucks with automated gearboxes easier to driver and allow them to focus on driving tasks and traffic. These transmissions won’t fully replace traditional manuals anytime soon, but by offering them, manufacturers are providing fleets with flexibility.”
Higher resale value
Saxman also notes another trend, namely that fleets specifying automated transmissions in heavy-duty trucks no longer suffer a loss of resale value. “When automated transmissions were first introduced there was reluctance to them in the used truck market,” he says. “While fleets paid more for them and got less value at resale, that has changed because there is greater acceptance by drivers. This can be seen in auction values, where trucks with automated transmissions are increasingly more valuable.”
Eaton’s Mark Thurman also notes that driver-friendly automated transmissions can enhance the resale value of a tractor. In fact, he cites industry data that the resale value of a truck equipped with an automated transmission will increase by roughly $1,500.
“Resale value may go up as much as three to five percent,” says ArvinMeritor’s Charles Allen. “That’s because the same fleets that are spec’ing new vehicles with more driver-friendly components and systems are mirroring what second owners like, which is to keep drivers happy and comfortable with their vehicles.
Valuable tool
“While the higher cost of an automated transmission still precludes it from being specified on a majority of Class 8 linehaul tractors,” Allen continues, “the transmissions should be considered to help ensure that drivetrain systems are optimized, especially at current fuel prices. Automated transmissions are a real tool that fleet operators can use now to improve vehicle efficiency.”
“We see the appeal of automation continuing to grow,” says Eaton’s Mark Thurman. “The need to lower the costs of hiring, training and retaining drivers is never going to go away. Another area that we believe will stimulate demand is the automated transmission’s impact on fuel consumption. A growing number of our customers are telling us that automation is definitely lowering fuel costs because the customized shifting of an automated transmission can make every driver a fleet’s best driver.”
AUTOMATED LINEUP
• ArvinMeritor is the authorized sales and service representative in North America for ZF-FreedomLine transmissions designed for use in Class 6-8. The 12-speed, fully automated mechanical two-pedal transmission is available in torque ratings of 1,350 lb./ft. in direct drive and 1,650 lb./ft. in overdrive and will mate with any electronically controlled engine utilizing the J-1939 data link. www.meritorhvs.com
• Eaton UltraShift transmissions for linehaul customers include the LST (linehaul standard) for the majority of over-the-road applications; the LEP (linehaul efficient performance) for high-shifting environments, and the LHP (linehaul high performance) for hilly and mountainous terrain. www.roadranger.com
• Volvo Trucks North America’s I-Shift automated transmission for model year 2008 Volvo VN and VT highway tractors and the Volvo VHD vocational truck is a
12-speed transmission designed for the OEM’s new D11, D13 and D16
engines. Volvo offers three I-Shift models, including a 600 HP/2,050 lb./ft. rating. www.volvo.com/trucks/na/en-us/
