Allison Transmission has debuted a new family of electronically controlled automatic transmissions - the 1000 Series, 2000 Series, and 2400 Series - designed specifically for Class 3-7 commercial truck applications.

The transmissions are electronically controlled 5-speeds with overdrive and lockup features. According to Allison, the units are intended to bring a level of functionality, reliability, durability, and shift quality to the Class 3-7 market akin to that offered by the manufacturer's other medium- and heavy-duty automatics.

Each new family member is a fully automatic planetary transmission equipped with helical gearing, similar to the patented gear scheme used by Allison's World Transmission (WT) units.

First out of the block will be the 1000 Series, for trucks up to 19,850-lb. GVW. Allison plans to begin limited production of these units next June, and has slated regular production to start in September '99.

Production of the 2000 Series, for trucks up to 26,000-lb. GVW, and the 2400 Series, for vehicles up to 30,000-lb. GVW/GCW, is set to begin in January 2000.

The 1000 Series will be marketed to Class 3-5 fleets as a durable, fully automatic transmission. Allison says it will reduce the need for the intensive driver training that generally results from spec'ing manual transmissions.

"These transmissions also offer features sought by vocational truck operators," reports Lance Noble, manager of 1000/2000 Series customer-support readiness. For example, the new automatics boast dual-access, turbine-driven PTO provisions at both the three and nine o'clock locations.

Coupled with neutral lockup, according to Noble, engine speed equals PTO speed, enabling power equipment to be precisely "speed-controlled." And he says the "park prawl" feature that is standard on 1000 and 2400 Series models is rated at full GVW - making it an industry first.

Suggested applications run the gamut from general hauling to step and walk-in van, P&D, beverage, refuse and recycling, and utility and municipal operations.

Features common across the family range include five forward speeds (with 5th gear being overdrive), electronic controls, and a torque converter with integral lockup clutch (in ranges two through five) and spring damper.

Benefits attributed to the electronic transmission controls include improved service diagnostics; built-in "inhibits" to protect the powertrain; closed-loop adaptive shifting; and a provision for "basic" transmission operation (for as long as engine is operating) when a total vehicle electrical failure occurs.

Noble also points out that the various design features will also contribute to longer transmission life and improved shift quality for drivers.

"These new products extend Allison's 'Intelligent' automatic-transmission solutions to new applications," remarks Allison president Dan Hancock. "They bring the benefits and savings that users of Allison medium- and heavy-duty automatics have enjoyed to commercial fleet owners in lighter GVW classes."

Horton Inc. introduced its newest fan clutch design at the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover, Germany, last month. Developed specifically with the largest OEM truck engines in mind, the DriveMaster on/off fan clutch has a refined spring-engaged design that will also let fleets upgrade existing engines.

Optimum performance for even 32-in. diesel engine cooling fans has been achieved through increased torque output - up to 2,100 in.-lb. Horton claims that in addition to moving a greater volume of air, the DriveMaster's decreased parasitic drag leads to a reduction in power consumption during the fan's off mode by as much as 50%.

Designed to be maintenance-free, the DriveMaster is backed by a 5-yr./500,000-mi. warranty, with no intermediate service required. Currently available on a limited basis, the new fan clutch is slated to be at full-production capacity within six months.

Diamond Logic system offers performance and service improvements

A new generation of electronic controls for midrange International diesel engines offers both improved performance and better diagnostic support, according to Navistar International Corp. The new electronic system, called Diamond Logic, is now standard equipment on the V8 International T444E (175 to 250 hp.) and the in-line 6-cyl. International DT466E (175 to 230 hp.) and DT530E (250 to 320 hp.).

With expanded memory capacity and increased processing power, the new system continuously monitors and controls over 100 engine operating functions to maximize fuel efficiency and minimized emissions. Features offered by the advanced electronics include cruise control, engine fan and radiator shutter control, road speed limiting, torque tailoring, and engine retarder control. It also provides a full range of electronic dash displays for drivers, including tachometer, speedometer, oil pressure gauge, and coolant temperature monitor.

In the shop, Diamond Logic incorporates a new diagnostic and maintenance system that includes a full engine operating and service history stored in the control unit. It also logs engine events that may be used for troubleshooting and can be programmed to of offer oil change reminders.

Technicians can connect Diamond Logic directly to Navistar's EZ-Tech laptop computer service system to perform diagnostics, adjust engine performance characteristics, set programmable customer features, and collect stored data. Future enhancements will include an interface for CD-ROM service manuals and e-mail connections to service engineers right from the shop floor.

International diesels equipped with Diamond Logic are standard equipment on the company's 4000 Series medium-duty and 8000 Series heavy-duty trucks, as well as its 2000 and 3000 severe-service trucks, 3000 Series bus chassis, and 1000 Series stripped chassis.

The new electronic control system will also be used on Detroit Diesel Corp.'s Series 40 and Perkins 1300 Series engines.

Firestone has introduced an all-position rib tire for pickup-and-delivery, local hauling, and in-city applications. The FS567 is now available in 11R22.5 and 11R24.5 14-ply sizes; low-profile sizes will be available next year.

The FS567 has a solid shoulder designed to help guard against the wear from scrubbing against curbs that is often associated with these operations. The tire has a five-rib design, 18/32-in. premium depth ribs, and flow-through grooves that enhance traction under wet weather conditions. Firestone says that the five-rib design is intended to provide more even tread wear and that the premium depths prolong service life.

The commercial truck division of USSC Inc. has introduced a new line of premium seats for the heavy-duty truck market. The new line, dubbed the Modular Seating System, can be adjusted in more than a thousand variations to match the preference of any driver.

"We've spent a considerable amount of time asking drivers what they want in a premium seat," said Franco Paganuzzi, division sales manager for the company. "What we learned is that drivers want a seat that is tailored to their specific tastes and needs."

The seats feature a patented air slide release, which allows drivers to adjust the fore and aft position of the seat without having to reach down for a mechanical lever.

Also enhancing the safety and comfort of the seats is a pendulum scissors suspension that blocks the lateral movement during height adjustment and enhances seat stability. A secondary, spring-loaded leaf spring suspension within the frame provides additional support and comfort at the base of the spine. Further, heavy-duty roller bearing slides located under the suspension keep the driver's weight centered, boosting suspension life.

The seats also feature two shocks to reduce torque and wear while providing a smoother, more controlled ride and an ergonomically contoured seat back with integrated side bolsters. Dual sided recliner gears strengthen the seat back and help prevent the frame from twisting over time. These features are aided by a horizontal isolator that allows three inches of movement that absorbs road and load jarring, smoothing out the ride.

The seats offer a height-adjusting valve with a quick dump feature and memory to maintain selected height and compensate for any air bleed-off. Three double-seamed air chambers with stepless, independent adjustment provide the air lumbar support. The seats are backed with a 10-year warranty on the frame and the suspension.

Assemblies feature improvements over traditional steel models Dana Corp.'s Spicer Driveshaft Div. has introduced a new heavy- and medium-duty aluminum steering shaft that features increased life, less maintenance, reduced weight, and greater resistance to corrosion.

Known as the Spicer Lite, the steering shaft is scheduled to be a standard, factory-installed component on Kenworth T2000 ESI trucks this month. About 6,000 shafts have been ordered for the first round of production. By the third quarter of next year, Spicer Lite steering shafts will be standard on all makes and models of PACCAR trucks, which include Kenworth and Peterbilt vehicles.

The new shafts will also be standard on Ford H215 medium-duty vehicles, which are assembled in Mexico and Brazil. Production in Brazil isset to begin in December, with Mexico's start date slated for March of next year. Spicer estimated that about 33,000 shafts per year would be initially delivered to the two sites.

The aluminum shaft results in a 25-50% weight savings over conventional steel steering shafts, depending on individual shaft lengths.

The steering shafts also feature a newly designed, permanently sealed spline assembly that does not require lubrication. Achieving that goal, slip yokes have been hard-coated to bring about enhanced durability features. The aluminum is treated with a protective film that creates an extremely hard surface, allowing slip member components to function better. Improved resistance to corrosion is an added benefit.

Also contributing to improved durability and resistance to corrosion is a new "E-coating" process that involves applying a powder coating to steel surfaces of the steering shafts.

The Spicer Lite steering shafts are made at the Spicer manufacturing facility in Bristol, Va., where a one-piece rotary swaging process eliminates welds.