I shift transmissions

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by bob888, Mar 26, 2013.

  1. bob888

    bob888 Light Load Member

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    I was listening to Road Dog on XM radio when they were at this years truck show in Louisville. One of the vendors was describing a new
    rig that would come with I shift. A kind of manumatic trans I think. It might have been the Freightliner rep. Has anyone tried one of these and what is the physical shift process
    and how did you like it??
     
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  3. JarradS

    JarradS Light Load Member

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    I-shift is Volvo's own 12 speed automated box. The Mack mDrive is also an I-shift, painted red.

    you can only get then behind a Volvo engine.

    the i-shift seems to get rave reviews from drivers, supposedly the best auto box on the market
     
  4. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Freightliner is also coming with an automated in the Cascadia Evolution, a 12 speed direct geared to run in front of a 2.50 or thereabouts rear end ratio.

    It is supposed to do anything the I-shift will do according to the hype, and even Eaton-Fuller's newest Ulta-shift is supposed to be much the same.

    Time will tell.
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2013
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  5. MickeyB

    MickeyB Bobtail Member

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    I-Shift is the best thing since sliced bread. I drive in over Colorado mountains hauling 48K all the time. Used to drive Cat C15 with Ultra shift. Volvo d13 with I-Shift is better in every way. Jake is better too.
     
  6. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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  7. JarradS

    JarradS Light Load Member

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    Thats also the European equivalent of the "xe" package. As well as the dual-clutch, it's designed to run at super low revs at cruising speed, as well as having a 2050tq d13
     
  8. Cowpie1

    Cowpie1 Road Train Member

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    When, and if, I decide to get another truck, I am going to bypass all this auto shift nonsense and go right on to an Allison TC10 transmission. The newest ones are putting the ultrashifts to shame. They are getting the truck up to road speed faster and doing it with less fuel. The allison's have come a long, long way. I had gotten my hands on a couple of end dumps in Alaska back in the late 80's with Allison's and thought they weren't bad. But what they have done now, I would seriously consider for OTR work now. They are really targeting even the long haul sector with a vengeance now.

    Here is a vid showing basic use and example of how it is better.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip1C6AEo3f8

    Here is a vid comparing the TC10 to an Eaton Ultrashift..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbmBvTnrZMw

    There are a lot of interesting videos on Allison's website also. They have got a real autoshift killer now. And for the heavy haul crowd, check out the TC10 here.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO_Rocwi-ys
     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2013
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  9. MickeyB

    MickeyB Bobtail Member

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    Don't miss my point. Autoshifts and ultrashifts sorta worked, but I-Shift is a proven technology that really performs well. The computer is really smart and thinks like a trucker. This transmission also saves fuel.
     
  10. king Q

    king Q Road Train Member

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    I-Shift works well at 300 000lbs to 350 000lbs.
    Shifts faster then a driver can.
    The new duel clutch one is supposedly way better at lightning shifts.
    Not sure it is suited to those weights as a lot of its mpg gain comes from a remapped engine with a 250rpm useful range but low fuel usage.
    It can drive this engine that would have a driver manually shifting going mad because it has no power interruption so shifting 10 times in 10 seconds is not an issue.
    I also believe it uses GPS to memorize and learn roads so it knows when a grade is about to change.
    This way it knows when to hang on in a gear or change early etc.
    Will be interesting.

    As for the Allison , a torque convertor has always been best for ultra high weights but they had their issues.
    Overheating and mpg being their biggest issue.
    Will also be interesting to see how they do in real world OTR opperation.
     
  11. aarondeere

    aarondeere Bobtail Member

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    I haven't driven a autoshift/ultrashift but have a Mack m-drive (same as i-shift) and all I can say is wow. I've only got 10k on mine but this thing is smart. I can only count 2 times where I would have shifted differently. Even a friend of mine that has driven trucks for the past 30 something years say that is a nice trans.
     
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