Eaton has added two new optional features to the company’s UltraShift PLUS and Fuller Advantage automated manual transmissions. The new Urge to Move and Blended Pedal features were added to enhance low-speed maneuverability in situations such as backing into a loading dock or maneuvering in a construction job site.
Both options are available at no charge and easily configurable with ServiceRanger 4, Eaton’s proprietary PC-based diagnostic and service tool, and will be available in the Standard and Professional packages by year-end.
Urge to Move allows the vehicle to automatically start moving when the transmission is in gear and the operator releases the service brakes. After the vehicle has launched, it will creep at a constant speed at engine idle without the need to apply the accelerator – similar to what you experience in a passenger vehicle. Blended Pedal allows the driver to directly control clutch engagement at engine idle through accelerator positioning and enables movement at varying speeds.
“Both Urge to Move and Blended Pedal allow for controlled motion, controlled discharge of payloads, and more controlled operation when launching the vehicle,” said Evan Vijithakumara, product strategy manager for Eaton. “Blended Pedal delivers a level of fine control that, until now, has been exclusive to manual transmissions. The end result blends three-pedal operating performance at low speeds with all the benefits of our latest driver-friendly two-pedal automated technologies.”
The enhanced functionality of the automated transmissions is enabled by an electronic clutch actuator, which allows for smoother, more precise shifting at low speeds. The electronic actuator quickly pulls back the clutch bearings, disengages and re-engages the clutch, to perform shifts regardless of engine rpm.
All of Eaton’s automated transmissions, in vocational and on-highway applications, allow drivers to better focus on the surrounding environments rather than having to watch the tachometer or focus on shifting to be in the most appropriate gear. That translates to safer, more comfortable, and more fuel efficient vehicle operation.
Urge to Move and Blended Pedal are available on all models of UltraShift PLUS transmissions and Fuller Advantage automated transmissions, including the SmartAdvantage powertrain and the integrated powertrains from International and PACCAR.