Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/605409
immediately yielded tightly-con- trolled RPM and speed adjustments. In low forward gears, all Eaton UltraShift Plus AMTs featured a new "Urge to Move" function. This func- tion integrates with the preexisting "Hill Hold" feature: The transmission holds the truck in place as RPMs and torque increases and then slow- ly starts the vehicle moving forward at creeping pace. The combined systems are impressive: The Ul- traShift Plus effortlessly held dump trucks loaded with 65,000 pounds at a dead stop on 8- and 15-percent grades during my evaluation drives and then easily started the truck moving uphill without any throttle input. The system is so robust that the MXP heavy-duty version of the transmission was able to hold and start a Western Star severe-duty tractor loaded to 125,000 pounds on the same 15-percent grade. The system works just as well on downgrades, although gravity, pay- load and inertia will eventually cause the transmission to kick out of Urge to Move mode and require getting on the brake pedal. All of these enhancements confi rm Cummins and Eaton's "continuous improvement" strategy for SmartAd- vantage drivetrains and UltraShift Plus AMTs. All new features and functions will be available beginning in 2016, although fi rm production 24 www.studentdriverplacement.com December '15 ADVERTISER ........................................................................................................... PAGE DRIVER OF THE YEAR CONTEST ......................................................................................... 11 INTERSTATE TRUCKER ......................................................................................................... 17 PRIDE & POLISH ........................................................................................................... INSERT PRIME, INC ..................................................................................................................... 19, BC SCHNEIDER .................................................................................................................. INSERT TMC ................................................................................................................................ FC, 2-3 TRANSAM ...................................................................................................................... 13, IBC TRUCKER TOOLS ......................................................................................................... INSERT US XPRESS ........................................................................................................................ 9, 21 WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT ........................................................................................ IFC WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA .............................................................................................6-7 Ad Index |Tomorrow's Trucks |