Sources: CP staff; Eaton Corp./Roadranger, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Concrete and aggregate producers testing the UltraShift PLUS series automated manual transmissions include Dufferin Concrete (Toronto mixers), Knife River Belgrade Division (Montana dumps) and Lafarge North America (Atlanta, Prairie province and B.C. mixers). Loaded with shift selection software, the new Eaton family features the Vocational Multipurpose Series and Vocational Construction Series models; with torque capacities from 1,450–2,250 lb.-ft., they offer up to 300 lbs. of weight savings compared to torque converter-type automatics.

The VMS has 11 forward and three reverse speeds and ultra-low gear reduction to enhance low-speed maneuverability for concrete curb pouring and other creep-pace conditions. The overall gear ratio of 36:1 assures smooth operation below 1.5 mph, while software enables the transmission to achieve fast gear switches through floating shift, open clutch, or open clutch with inertia brake operating modes. Open clutch halves the floating shift gear switch time; open clutch with inertia brake halves that shift time.

Designed with deep reduction gearing  (20:1 overall gear ratio) and multiple high-speed reverse for highway construction work and general dump operations requiring extended reverse operation, the VCS has 10 forward and three reverse speeds. The VCS and VMS are among six UltraShift PLUS models Eaton rolled out for limited release this fall, with full production in 2010. In addition to automated clutch technology, the transmissions have shift selection software that employs grade sensing, weight computation, and driver throttle commands to make intelligent shift decisions for efficient and safe vehicle performance. Chief among the grade-sensing functions is the Hill Start Aid, a three-second throttle hold preventing roll back on steep grades.