Eaton and Cummins Announce Powertrain Package for North American Heavy Duty Truck Market – New Offering Expected to Deliver 3-6 Percent Better Fuel Economy

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton and Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) today unveiled a new powertrain package for the North American heavy duty truck market that is expected to deliver 3-6 percent fuel economy improvements, lower preventative maintenance costs, and total lifecycle cost improvements. The new product integrates an Eaton Fuller Advantage Series automated transmission with new Cummins ISX15 SmartTorque2 ratings. The product will be available in the fall of 2013 for linehaul, regional haul and less-than-truckload applications.

“The level of integration between this transmission and engine is best in class in the North American heavy duty truck market.”

Speaking at a media event today at The American Trucking Associations annual Technology & Maintenance Council meeting, executives from both companies said this product announcement is the result of a long-standing collaboration between Eaton and Cummins. The powertrain package promises to deliver a more fuel efficient, reliable and robust powertrain package.

“Cummins and Eaton have had an extensive technical and business relationship over the years, in which we have collaborated on powertrain solutions for the North American on-highway markets that we serve,” said Lori Thompson, Cummins Vice President – Truck and Bus OEM Business. “This latest chapter in our partnership combines some of the best technologies from both companies and makes them smarter; delivering the level of fuel economy improvements that our customers have come to expect.”

“The collaboration between the Eaton and Cummins teams has resulted in a superior powertrain package with which both fleet owners and professional drivers will be thrilled,” said Tim Sinden, president – North American Truck Operations, Eaton’s Vehicle Group. “The level of integration between this transmission and engine is best in class in the North American heavy duty truck market.”

The Eaton Fuller Advantage Series automated transmission will be offered as a small ratio step Over-Drive model with new Cummins ISX15 SmartTorque2 ratings; the ISX15 415 ST2 with torque of 1450/1650 ft-lbs, and the ISX15 450 ST2 with torque of 1550 ft-lbs /1,750 ft-lbs. Through a combination of hardware and software enhancements, the powertrain package benefits include:

• Integrated power, fuel and shifting strategies to provide three and six percent fuel economy improvement for linehaul and regional haul applications;
• Optimized engine and transmission communications and new control logic enable further engine downspeeding in the over-drive position, and the effective use of direct drive technology in operational conditions required for a blend of perfect efficiency.

One of the main enhancements Eaton has made with its Fuller Advantage Series transmission is the elimination of the cooler, which helps to reduce the overall package weight and improve reliability. Combined with the use of aluminum for the rear transmission housing, range cylinder, shift bar housing and the shift tower – along with a thin wall, cast iron main case design – the new transmission weighs 75 pounds 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 ISX15 SmartTorque2 ratings are the next generation of today’s SmartTorque ratings and precisely manage the power needed for the load demand. The Vehicle Acceleration Management is a patented Cummins electronic feature that manages vehicle acceleration for smoother shifting. This feature contributes to fuel economy benefits in stop and go duty cycles found in regional haul applications.

The powertrain package is currently undergoing field testing with various sized fleets, and initial testing and customer validation results are confirming the 3 to 6 percent fuel economy improvement.

Customers can rely on the proven service support offered today through Eaton’s unparalleled Roadranger® team of sales and service professionals and Cummins extensive network.

Eaton is a diversified power management company providing energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power. With 2012 sales of $16.3 billion, Eaton is a global technology leader in electrical products, systems and services for power quality, distribution and control, power transmission, lighting and wiring products; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton acquired Cooper Industries plc in 2012. Eaton has approximately 103,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.

Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service diesel and natural gas engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, (USA) Cummins currently employs approximately 46,000 people worldwide and serves customers in approximately 190 countries and territories through a network of approximately 600 company-owned and independent distributor locations and approximately 6,500 dealer locations. Cummins earned $1.65 billion on sales of $17.3 billion in 2012. Press releases can be found on the Web at cummins.com or cumminsengines.com. Follow Cummins on Twitter at http://twitter.com/cumminsengines and on YouTube at http://youtube.com/cumminsengines.