Power management company Eaton, along with Cummins Inc., announced that their popular SmartAdvantage Powertrain package is being expanded to include applications for the ISX12 diesel engine and ISX15 SmartAdvantage applications up to 110,000 lb. gross vehicle weight (GVW).
Speaking to media at the American Trucking Associations’ annual Technology & Maintenance Council meeting, executives from both companies said that the product announcement is a continuation of the long-standing collaboration between Eaton and Cummins, and builds upon the announcement one year ago of the SmartAdvantage Powertrain for the ISX15 engine. Over 80 customers have taken delivery of trucks with the SmartAdvantage ISX15 package or have orders pending, with many confirming that their expectations in fuel economy improvements have been met or exceeded under real-world operating conditions.
“Cummins and Eaton continue to collaborate on powertrain solutions for the North American on-highway markets that we serve,” said Lori Thompson, Cummins vice president—truck and bus OEM business. “The latest SmartAdvantage Powertrain offerings are a natural extension of the initial product, and will provide customers with the fuel economy and productivity improvements they desire, along with a broad range of applications to meet their specific hauling needs.”
SmartAdvantage ISX12
Designed to meet the increasing demands of fleets seeking lighter-weight vehicles, the new SmartAdvantage offering will pair the Eaton Fuller Advantage Series 10-speed Automated Manual Transmission with the Cummins ISX12 diesel engine. It will be offered as a small-ratio-step overdrive model with two new Cummins ISX12 SmartTorque2 (ST2) ratings: the ISX12 370ST2, with torque of 1150 lb.-ft. to 1450 lb.-ft. (1559-1966 N•m), and the ISX12 425ST2, with torque of 1350 lb.-ft. to 1650 lb.-ft. (1830-2237 N•m).
Through a combination of hardware and software enhancements, the powertrain package benefits include:
Integrated power, fuel and shifting strategies to provide an estimated 2% to 4% fuel economy improvement for regional haul applications;
Optimized engine and transmission communications and new control logic, enabling further engine downspeeding in the overdrive position, and the effective use of direct-drive technology in operational conditions required for a blend of perfect efficiency.
Eaton’s Fuller Advantage Series transmissions have lower overall package weight and improved reliability due to the elimination of the cooler. Combined with the use of aluminum for the rear transmission housing, range cylinder, shift bar housing and the shift tower—and a thin-wall cast-iron main case design—the new transmission weighs 82 lbs. less than Eaton’s UltraShift PLUS LAS base model. A new Precision Lubrication system for precise and efficient transmission lubrication further enhances fuel economy by reducing churning losses.
The new engine and transmission combination has been designed specifically to work smarter to maximize fuel economy benefits. Cummins new ISX12 ST2 ratings are the next generation of today’s SmartTorque ratings, and precisely manage the power needed for the load demand. Vehicle Acceleration Management (VAM) is a patented Cummins electronic feature that manages vehicle acceleration for smoother shifting. The feature contributes to fuel economy benefits in stop-and-go duty cycles found in regional haul applications.
This newest SmartAdvantage powertrain package will be available in the fall of 2014, and is currently undergoing field testing, with initial test results confirming a 2% to 4% fuel economy improvement, depending on duty cycle and application. Customers can rely on the proven service support offered today through Eaton’s unparalleled Roadranger team of sales and service professionals and Cummins extensive distributor and dealer support network.
Eaton and Cummins continue to collaborate on expanded offerings to cover more market segments, including the ISX15 SmartAdvantage in operations over 110,000 lb. GVW for customers seeking to maximize driver comfort and productivity in their operation. The joint validation of the products is being conducted with planned release later in 2014.
