UltraShift transmission debuts on medium-duty trucks

Daimler Trucks North America is now offering Eaton Corp.'s UltraShift Highway Value (HV) transmission on 2009 Freightliner M2-106 and Sterling Acterra medium-duty trucks.

“The UltraShift transmission is without question the most efficient, cost-effective way for medium-duty customers to improve fuel economy,” said Jeff Bowen, general sales manager, Dallas Freightliner-Western Star. “Not only is the transmission more efficient than comparable automatics, it can be serviced in most cases by the selling dealer instead of a local distributor. Customers experiencing transmission problems will no longer need to guess between a distributor and a dealer.” Another important feature is that the Eaton transmission is lubed for life and doesn't require lube or filter changes, says Bowen.

The UltraShift HV is fully automatic for Class 6 and 7 vehicles with diesel engines in the 195- to 260-hp. range, Eaton said. The HV is capable of handling torque capacities up to 660 lbs.-ft. and loads up to 33,000 lbs. GVW.

The transmission also offers an automatic rollback on grades up to 10% while the driver makes the transition from the brake to the accelerator. www.roadranger.com